How can I get a P-90 sound in a single coil size?

[Sebastian]

I've been wanting to change the neck pickup on my Strat for a while now. It's got a nice sound and all, but I've been living with it for the past three years and I'm getting a bit bored with it.

I was at the guitar shop a couple hours ago, and I played on an Epiphone Goldtop of some description with P-90s in it. It blew me away - especially the sound coming from the neck pickup. I've basically decided that I have to have the P-90 sound in the neck of my Strat. So, boys and girls, what do you suggest?

Buying a new pickguard or slicing up my existing pickguard to make room for a real P-90 is not an option, by the way...it's got to be in a single-coil size; I went to the hassle of getting a posh H/S/S scratchplate so that I could fit a JB that I purchased especially from the USA (I live in England).

Thanks in advance! I've been lurking on this forum for ages - it was from the posts here that I decided to get a JB, and it's probably the best guitar-related decision I've ever made!

 

[Wattage]

Re: How can I get a P-90 sound in a single coil size?

Closest I get is a QP though it is not dead-on.

 

[Artie]

Re: How can I get a P-90 sound in a single coil size?

Closest I get is a QP though it is not dead-on.

Ditto. Even though I haven't heard a P-90, I can say that a QP has a rich, full tone. Love it, (them).

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: How can I get a P-90 sound in a single coil size?

one more vote fore quater pounder!

 

[slightly_rude]

Re: How can I get a P-90 sound in a single coil size?

Harmonic Designs S-90
http://www.harmonicdesign.net/allpages/strats.html

Although this is normally used in the bridge position, you can use it the neck or middle.
Pole pieces are adjustable like a P-90 and not nearly as hot as a QP.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: How can I get a P-90 sound in a single coil size?

QP from Duncan or maybe a Steel Pole 42 or 43 from Fralin might be an option.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: How can I get a P-90 sound in a single coil size?

QP from Duncan or maybe a Steel Pole 42 or 43 from Fralin might be an option.

I agree. But I think the SP-43 would be the closest. I use one as a bridge pickup in my favorite Strat and it's tone is about 50% Strat and 50% P-90. The QP is a great pickup but when it comes to capturing a P90 tone I think the SP-43 is the one to consider. Unlike the QP, the SP-43 has adjustable polepieces and the magnets are under the coil...just like a P-90. The QP has the wire wound around the magnetic polepieces and they are not adjustable...this gives it more of a Strat pickup tone than a P-90 tone. Lew

 

[Zerberus]

Re: How can I get a P-90 sound in a single coil size?

Good suggestions, but I think If money isn´t too much of a problem calling up MJ in the Custom Shop may get you absolute closest

 

[Tweed]

Re: How can I get a P-90 sound in a single coil size?

Harmonic Designs S-90
http://www.harmonicdesign.net/allpages/strats.html

Although this is normally used in the bridge position, you can use it the neck or middle.
Pole pieces are adjustable like a P-90 and not nearly as hot as a QP.

FWIW, a friend of mine put one in a Tele bridge after trying a lot of pups, and said his search is over. He's a P90 nut, so I'd guess that it sounds pretty good.

 

[Wattage]

Re: How can I get a P-90 sound in a single coil size?

That Harmonic S-90 is supposed to be pretty good indeed. I may have to get my hands on one soon.

 

[Fusion1]

Re: How can I get a P-90 sound in a single coil size?

QP or an older Dimarzio SDS-1