Re: GFS Dream 90?
GFS pickups in general:
Veils "clear and warm" description pretty much apes my own experience with not only the Dream 90, but several other GFS pups I've tried. While I have not tried all their offerings, the Dream 90, Dream 180, Retrotron Brooklyns and Hot TC Alnico have left me with that very impression.
For the right player and/or in the right gutiar, these pickups can be outstanding. For the wrong player and/or in the wrong guitar, they can be not so outstanding. I think thats why you see the love/hate reviews .....not much middle ground......although the love reviews significantly outnumber the hate reviews.
My experiecne with GFS lies somewhere in the middle. I don't like saying "for the money" as I believe pickups should stand on their own merits regardless of price. I've used some cheap pickups that worked much better than expensive ones, so it's all about finding what works for you. It may take some time, money and experementation, but thats where the fun ( for me anyway ) is!
So, back to the Dream 90. They don't sound like a P-90 to my ears, but more so like a big toned strat pickup. Not a bad thing mind you, but not true P-90 tone. I find them to be very open and articulate with pronounced treble and mids and not a lot of bass response. That said, I do like them and think they have a nice voice. Once again......for the right player and guitar, they are gold.
I use a Dream 180 in my old 50's Supro archtop and a set of Retrotrons in a custom built semi-hollow. After trying various pickup brands in those guitars, the GFS's were the best fit.
So....kudos to GFS for bringing some different, varied and cool designs to the table. They seem to be responsive to players requests. I dig the fact they have forged their own niche and style with the retrotron series and continue to add things like lipsticks to the mix.
