Overwound P90 pickup

[Wayne27]

Do Overwound P90s go against what makes P90s great? Over winding a pickup will make it sound darker, and P90s already sound dark as it is. Wouldn't they just end up sounding like noisy humbucker?

 

[freefrog]

Overwinding a P90 should increase its inductance, shifting down its resonant frequency and making it darker.

But the tone of a passive pickup is not defined by its inductance only.

Anyway: below is a video related to the question, FWIW.

https://youtu.be/3eYuDJ5g07k?si=JxrQIP89OazEC0tj

 

[Clint 55]

I got a custom 12k Phat Cat bridge and it was pretty nice. Like freefrog said, resonant frequency shifted down, a bit darker compared to the stock 8.5k bridge. To me the same beautiful character tho, just less strident and a hair darker and rounder. So no, it's not just a noisy humbucker. All the other characteristics remain the same. Single aperture, no series wiring, more precise, twangy, and single coiley still.

 

[jeremy]

i dont find a p90 in the bridge to be dark, i wouldnt want an overwound p90 in the neck

 

[Clint 55]

The 12k bridge PC was darker compared to the stock 8.5k. It wasn't dark like 2 slugs in series.

 

[zionstrat]

It's all about the number of winds. 8 to 12% can give you one of the greatest pickups possible if you tap it. You get heavy dark girth with the full winds and then you can tap it down to a really clean sparkly tone.

Can be wonderful in neck or bridge as long as you plan it.

Frankly I think it's one of the best combinations in the studio but can be a challenge live as always with p90 noise.

 

[Aceman]

It's all about the number of winds. 8 to 12% can give you one of the greatest pickups possible if you tap it. You get heavy dark girth with the full winds and then you can tap it down to a really clean sparkly tone.

Can be wonderful in neck or bridge as long as you plan it.

Frankly I think it's one of the best combinations in the studio but can be a challenge live as always with p90 noise.

One day I'm gonna get a Les Paul Jr. and do this....

 

[fretburner]

i dont find a p90 in the bridge to be dark, i wouldnt want an overwound p90 in the neck

I have a custom P90 set in my 71/72 SG and it's awesome!

 

[xxxplorer]

My favorite P-90 is a 22K Jim Wagner Ironman wind. Killer.

 

[zionstrat]

One day I'm gonna get a Les Paul Jr. and do this....

Yeah that would be magical.. actually I didn't mention it, but my tap is slightly underwound for extreme clarity and when you pop it down to full strength it's like you've gone to an entirely different big fat monster.

Do that one sooner than later and post clips!