Metal covers for P-90s

Buffalo roam

New member
Hello. I just signed on to this board. So let me start with an off-beat post. For a very brief time, Gibson made P-90s with metal covers.( I believe that Neil Young's black Les Paul had such a pickup.) Even if he didn't I know that Ibanez manufactured a guitar with metal covered P-90s back around 95. The only P-90's with metal covers now are the "dog-eared" type on the Casino. I have a number of P-90 equiped guitars, and I'd love to hear whatta metal covered P-90 would sound like. Besides, they'd look cooler, especially on my Les Paul. What do you think? Would a metal cover make a tonal difference? Would anyone besides me be interested in this option?
 
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Re: Metal covers for P-90s

I think a metal covered P-90 would probably sound a lot like a Phat Cat, but maybe a little smoother. I think a chrome p-90 cover would be cool too. I've seen them on ebay.
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

My favorite guitar that I own is a Giibson 69 SG Special, which is equiped wih two P-90s. So when I saw Fender introduce the Srtat-o-Sonic and the Tele-sonic, I was ready to lay out the cash. The SG's vary from one guitar to the next. within the same year two SGs can have different neck settings-- and if the body joins the neck at a higher fret, you get a less sturdy guitar. So, those Fender models seemed like someone was really thinking. with the
bolt-on neck and other features, they seemed sturdier than the SGs, but with the roar of the P-90s. If I had some extra scratch I'd get a Tele-sonic.

The lack of metal covers for P-90's has been a constant mystery to me. Unless the covers are purely cosmetic and don't contribute to the tone of the pickup. But I've played P-90s with metal covers, and they have a bit more edge than the plastic coverd ones. Besides, they look cooler. Why do we have to settle for cream or black. Look at the Epiphone Casino. It's equiped with metal covered P-90s. If you can find any I'd love to know how it sounds on those Fender models. Strat-o-Sonic.
 
Neil's Old black

Neil's Old black

Neil Youngs guitar 'Old Black' does have a chrome P-90 cover in the neck position.
I'm not so sure that 'non-dog eared' chrome covers were ever put out on any vintage rproduction guitars.
'Old Black' was originally a goldtop and has a firebird Pickup installed in the bridge as well as a stainless steel scratchplate... it is heavily 'customized' ....so chances are the pickup cover was a 'dog-ear' model that was trimmed and grinded to fit the guitars original plastic P-90 cavity? Maybe even the cavity was slightly enlarged?

I can't say how a meatal cover would sound compared to a plastic cover (and that is what you want to know) But I did read in Neil Youngs Bio (Shakey) that the firebird pickup in the bridge is so 'microphonic' that you can almost sing through it into an amp like a microphone (that was a quote from Neil's guitar tech... I don't know how accurate that actuallydescription is?)

Paspallum
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

Now imagine you would burn up those covers? Wouldn't it be sweet, a trippy p90?

I wonder how the sound would be like though.

Oh BTW, welcome to the forum :)
 
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Re: Metal covers for P-90s

Bare Knuckle chrome P90 cover, and they will do anything you like in terms of cover material, poles, sluges, screws, etc etc

chrome_p90_131.jpg
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

Is it just me or do those look like burnt chrome p90?... I think I'm about to have an orgasm...

TO are those yours? Have you tried them? What's the difference in regards to a normal p90
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

Is it just me or do those look like burnt chrome p90?
No, burned chrome looks even cooler:

burntchromeBKP.jpg


TO are those yours? Have you tried them? What's the difference in regards to a normal p90
No, sorry, that's not mine. You would have to go to the BK forum for a better explaination.
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

yeah , I know those weren't burnt, but this looks so cool I'm starting to see it everywhere :D
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

Got to start the next guitar!

Blood rushing away from head,...vision blurring...

I see a crimson stain Ash body Firebird with a 13 degree 12" radius Rosewood neck, P90's with burnt chrome covers. No all the chrome is burnt!

Where's my credit card and what is Bare Knuckles website?
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

That would be a cool idea, burning all the chrome hardware, even the fretwire might be appliable but it would have to be done before installing it in the fb obviouslly. The tuners might be problematic but if it's possible to remove just the tuner knobs... Ok, if I ever get/make a custom guitar you can guess what it will look like LOL
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

LSP said:
That would be a cool idea, burning all the chrome hardware, even the fretwire might be appliable but it would have to be done before installing it in the fb obviouslly. The tuners might be problematic but if it's possible to remove just the tuner knobs... Ok, if I ever get/make a custom guitar you can guess what it will look like LOL
oooo... i am taking that to a totaly diferent level my friend AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

This ought to be good. :)

Under no reallly relevant basis I demand a pm showing me the result of thses ideas before disclosure to the rest of the forum LOL
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

LSP said:
This ought to be good. :)

Under no reallly relevant basis I demand a pm showing me the result of thses ideas before disclosure to the rest of the forum LOL
you are going to wait a looooong time... 1st is my custom rhoads, then its a new neck for my charvel fusion .. then, when i got enough money together it's going to get back on the drawing board and a new discussion with laz if its even possible ... after that, a couple of months added and some cash spent, you guys will see it
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

Metal guitar, right?

Seen it done (anodized [whatever that means] and burned), looks cool but can't get past thinking "that's got to way a ton..."
 
Re: Metal covers for P-90s

LSP said:
Metal guitar, right?

Seen it done (anodized [whatever that means] and burned), looks cool but can't get past thinking "that's got to way a ton..."
close but no cigar
 
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