Filtertrons vs. P90s vs. Mini-Humbuckers

[Butch Snyder]

Thinking about replacing the P90s in T-style thinline. Yes, they sound good; but I'm just wondering what I'll get with something else. I have used P90s and mini-humbuckers in other guitars; namely, my Les Paul Deluxe.

I'm wondering, from those with the experience, what their ears told them when comparing Filtertrons vs. P90s vs. Mini-humbuckers (Firebird and old Epiphone style).

Thanks,

 

[Gstring]

Re: Filtertrons vs. P90s vs. Mini-Humbuckers

I can only contribute the obvious.

Over the years I have re-pupped,mainly for others. a large number of Tele style guitars . These re pups have ranged from swapping just the neck to various 1.2 and 3 pup combinations.

My experience has been that an Alder bodied Telecaster style guitar is very versatile piece of kit and sounds pretty good with virtually any pup combination from a half decent source that you saddle it with.. There are of course sound differences but whether you consider one to be an improvement on the other is very much a matter for your ears and the style of music you are playing.

I prefer ,just , the Tele style bridge pup with either a Humbucker or P90 in the neck but also do have a soft spot for a pair of HS Filtertrons. Suggest you give these a try. This should be fairly straightforward if you are routed for P90s though you may need to give some thought to how pup height adjustment is going to work. Good idea to use a no load tone pot as Filters like a bit of room to breath. The considerably cheaper "black tops" (especially if bought used) sound pretty good too.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Filtertrons vs. P90s vs. Mini-Humbuckers

I have had almost every style in a Tele, and would echo the above sentiment that there is almost nothing that sounds bad. I like the Deluxe minis as they tend to keep a bit of the tele sting but with some extra humbucker fatness.
I would go a slightly overwound Deluxe pickup in the bridge - If your deluxe is an original then you'll know how thin the vintage bridge versions are.

Another fave might be to have the neck one be a Firebird pickup....you get beefy strat that way, and the middle posi with the 2 different magnet styles is quite interesting.