P-90 bridge pickup problems

[Flektar]

Hello,

I am experiencing with P-90s in my Epi Sg-400 and I've had good and interesting results. I've made the necessary mods and the little beasts fixed well. And so... having played with humbuckers for more than fifteen years I've finally heard something "new".

Although I've been facing some problems. I'm using a pair of brand new Gibson P-90s for this SG project. I also have a Duncan Custon P-90 (for neck) that I bought to experience.

I installed first the Gibsons in the Epi, and they worked very well when I was playing clean. Clean they're really wonderfull in all positions, they sound fat and offer a good punch. Them the bridge pickup problem began:

I play dirty - and I mean really dirty - blues rock. So, when I was playing with the band I felt that the bridge Gibson pickup was with a lack of punch and sounded too muddy also.

So, back home I installed the Duncan Custon (for neck) in the SG bridge. Dirty it worked very well in the next rehearsal, showing good definition and punch. But by the other side, and for my despair, when clean it sounded thin and trebly.

I'm using four 500k potz, and .47 capacitors.

Is there anything that I can do to make the bridge Gibson pickup sound with more punch and definition playing distorted? Or... what could I do about the Duncan for it to sound more fat and bassier when playing clean in the bridge?

I've been thinking about changing the bridge volume pot to 250 or 300 k. Would it be a way to fatten the Duncan and clean the Gibson?

Thanks,
Orlando

 

[Wattage]

Re: P-90 bridge pickup problems

The Custom P-90 doesn't have a great clean sound IMO, I find its ideal for "raunchy" sounds, either version. I would assume the neck version would have somewhat better cleans due to it's slightly lower output but I haven't used a neck in the bridge to compare. I don't currently run the Custom but I did for ages in a Les Paul Special and 56 LP knockoff. My pots in the Special are ~350k and I run .047 caps. Can't recall on the 56 copy but I think Puckboy owns it now so he may chime in.

The Gibson P-90's always sound a bit raspy to me, not in a bad way, just in comparison to the SD's. I don't know of a way to change that. I tend to think you'd be happier with the Vintage SD P-90 from what you are saying. Ceramic mags pickups generally fall a bit short in the cleans to me. While the Vintage might not have as much output as the Custom it still sounds pretty nasty when rocking out. I guess the Hot is also and option but I am not all that familiar with them.

With the SD Custom in place I would try just backing off the tone control a bit when running clean and see if that helps any. You might have to split the difference with your amp settings to get where you're happy with both positions.

 

[Flektar]

Re: P-90 bridge pickup problems

Ok.

For now I think I'm going to stay with the present set (Gibson N / Duncan B). Seems that I win in versatility, as I can play clean and dirty with the Gibson and most time dirty with the Duncan.


Thanks for your help.