Noise-less P90's?? For more clean than hi gain volume situations~

[zozoe]

Over the decades, I've owned only 3 gtrs with authentic P90's & never remember having any issues with unwanted hum, whether it be live or in the studio.
BUT if I were to choose to venture down the hum free road, & go for the gusto with either some Lollars, Fralins or Kinmans, am I at any real risk of losing that P90 'mojo'? I would probably opt for a 'vintage' output set, nothing overwound or beefed up, & my main focus would be more on some CLEAN settings and/or with mild bluesy master volume dirt.....no high gain or high db amping. Also curious about the noiseless Fralins that use the Alnico Rods for a 'Fender-like' sparkle to them, or their Alnico 6 offering? Any thoughts or experience out there? I would prefer, though, staying as close to a classic P90 sound, but that Alnico Rod version peaks my interest. FWIW, it would be a 2 p/u setup in a Strat body, 2 vols. & 1 tone.
Thanks for the 'feedback'`~

 

[AlexR]

Re: Noise-less P90's?? For more clean than hi gain volume situations~

Personally if I want p90's, I'd never go for noiseless. Same with singlecoils. I'd want them for their whole tone, as noiseless for me has always removed a bit of the tone that I want.

I've not tried all noiseless options of course. Some might be better at keeping the sparkle who knows........only you will know what is 'enough' tone to keep, and you'll only ever know whether the pickup works for you once it is bought and installed.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Noise-less P90's?? For more clean than hi gain volume situations~

I agree with AlexR, and even you just said you’ve never had a problem with them.

There’s a level of sonic detail that’s hard to quantify that comes from P-90s/single coils which, in my opinion, gets “smoothed out” and lost with the addition of the second coil. I don’t have any experience with other hum-free techniques like alternate magnets and such but to me, if I want the sound of singles or P-90s I’d just use singles or P-90s. If hum-free is what’s most important then I’d go for the noiseless versions and just accept that close was gonna have to be good enough in regards to sound.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Noise-less P90's?? For more clean than hi gain volume situations~

Don't overlook the mojotone quiet coil p90 offerings either on your search.. That said, i find the whole noiseless vs true single coil arguments a waste of time (i agree with points on both sides) , due to only YOU can tell you what your like, through your rig. I will say that noiseless has come a LONG way since the first paf was put together.. lol

 

[BlueSnMettle]

Re: Noise-less P90's?? For more clean than hi gain volume situations~

I had some Duncan stacked P90s in a Hamer DC. While
they are goods pups I was looking to go true single coil,
but ended up selling it. I agree with was has been said
so far. IME the sacrifice of dynamics comes as the cost
for noiseless. Good luck!

Peace,

Darrin