P90 fans, I need your help

That90'sGuy

That90'sGuy

DyzaBoyzologist
Well, I walked into GC today hoping to buy a Gibson Les Paul Faded DC that I liked the last time, but to my surprise it had sold. I'm taking this as a sign that I should be looking around more for p90 guitars. I played an Ibanez JS700 that was surprisingly good (liked it more than the PRS SE and Epi Goldtop).

After playing the Ibanez through a used Hughes & Kettner Triamp (I actually kinda missed it), I knew I had found *my* tone. The neck was warm and it sung (not thin at all), the middle chimed and the bridge crunched like nobody's business. This is the type of guitar I NEED to get.

Right now I'm leaning towards an all mahogany P90 guitar and I could use some advice as to what brands or models I should look at. I was looking for a Hamer to fit my description, but I haven't had any luck.

Here's kinda what I'm looking for: mahogany body and neck (or korina), double cut (not a semi-hollowbody), tv yellow finish (or natural korina), medium c to chunky neck profile and two p90 pickups (don't need three).

Anybody know of any guitars that fits this description and is of good quality? I don't have the cash to spend two and a half grand on a Baker, but I will be willing to shell up to about $1500 for a really good guitar.

Thanks :)
 
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Re: P90 fans, I need your help

Wow I was going to say go with a Godin LG, but that would give you A LOT of left over money, and we CAN'T have that! Really though I would check out the LG it's not a true double cut, but it's not a true single cut either. The stock Duncans sound great too.

Fender was offering those strat style, set neck, P90 loaded, mahogany gbody ones,and they were made in the US too. I'd pull out the fender black dove's obviously. That would still have you coming in under 1500.

I don't know there just aren't that many double cut P90 guit-fiddles out there.

Luke
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

well, how about the ibanez! if it nails your tone, i dont know why no!
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

Thanks for the responses so far guys. My other guitarist in my band actually has a Godin, but I don't care too much for the pickups in it :smack:

The Ibanez had some nice pickups (like the Gibsons, I've played... I dug those too), but the neck was a bit too small for my liking. It was built well though!

I love the looks of the Les Paul Faded DC, so I may have to wait until one of the smaller dealers in my area gets one so that I make sure I get one built right with good wood.

I shouldn't say that a double cut is imperative, but it's more of the look I'm going for. I'm still surprised how much I took to p90s... I didn't expect it at all :saeek:
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

There is a Hamer goldtop Studio with P90 pickups on Ebay right now...or at least, it was there a few days ago, I'm not sure how much time was left on the auction. I would recommend the Hamer, they are very affordable on the used market and they come stock with Duncan P90s.

Ryan
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

Can anyone tell me if the maple cap makes a huge tone difference? I really dug the mahogany bodied ones I've heard with p90s and want to make sure they won't be too bright.
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

the_Chris said:
Can anyone tell me if the maple cap makes a huge tone difference? I really dug the mahogany bodied ones I've heard with p90s and want to make sure they won't be too bright.
Click to expand...
ya, it does, but not in a bad way. The all mahogany would be more straight forward sounding than the maple capped one. I like a single dog ear pickup in all mohagony and dual soapbars in mahogany/maple.

And to add on to my previous post, you should look at the different independent dealers for custom shop historic juniors and specials, sometimes certain dealers will get special finish options, they fall right under your price point too.
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

Well I'd look for a used Gibson DC TV Special, should be a few around in your price range.
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

for $1500 you could get a good PRS mcsoapy

you may want to try a gibson SG classic
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

rspst14 said:
There is a Hamer goldtop Studio with P90 pickups on Ebay right now...or at least, it was there a few days ago, I'm not sure how much time was left on the auction. I would recommend the Hamer, they are very affordable on the used market and they come stock with Duncan P90s.

Ryan
Click to expand...

Shhh....it's on my watch list. I thought I was the only one who knew about it (ha)
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

I can't believe how expensive some of these guitars are... sheesh, some of these make the Gibson Les Paul Standard I bought years ago look like a Squire.

Thanks for the advice guys. I gotta do some research for good Gibson dealers (unless any of you guys know of any places where I might be able to find a good deal at).

The idea of a historic LP Special does make me drool, I just hope I'll be able to find a place that can get me one for 1500 or so.
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

I'd still go with the Hamer over the Gibson. They may look similar, but they are miles apart in terms of quality. The Hamer is also much cheaper if you're buying used. If you're buying new, I imagine they'll be similar in price.

Ryan
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

Thosee Gibson double cuts with p-90s rock hard. Yesterday i saw a some local Hardcore/metal band the rythm player had one and it sounds really nice. He played through a mesa boogie single rect. the tone was to die for! The band was really good they had alot of energy. Those faded models are pretty sweet, if you don't like the texture, there is this wax that you can buff on and make it real smooth and shiny so it doesnt have that woody feel. As mentioned above a hamer would be pretty sweet to. I think those faded double cuts are a steal, what are they 700 brand new?
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

the_Chris said:
Thanks for the responses so far guys. My other guitarist in my band actually has a Godin, but I don't care too much for the pickups in it :smack:

The Ibanez had some nice pickups (like the Gibsons, I've played... I dug those too), but the neck was a bit too small for my liking. It was built well though!

I love the looks of the Les Paul Faded DC, so I may have to wait until one of the smaller dealers in my area gets one so that I make sure I get one built right with good wood.

I shouldn't say that a double cut is imperative, but it's more of the look I'm going for. I'm still surprised how much I took to p90s... I didn't expect it at all :saeek:
Click to expand...


If your mate's Godin has P90's, they are ceramic Seymour Duncans. Take that guitar and put a set of Antiquities into it. That'd be the deal. I've also heard nice things about Lollars.

I love my Godin. But, it sits at my office and doens't get too much play time.
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

rspst14 said:
I'd still go with the Hamer over the Gibson. They may look similar, but they are miles apart in terms of quality. The Hamer is also much cheaper if you're buying used. If you're buying new, I imagine they'll be similar in price.

Ryan
Click to expand...


Ditto. check out the Studios. I know that they're routed for 'buckers, but slap in a pair of Phat Cats, and you'll be all the way there. ;)
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

Benjy_26 said:
Ditto. check out the Studios. I know that they're routed for 'buckers, but slap in a pair of Phat Cats, and you'll be all the way there. ;)
Click to expand...

Studios are available with P90s as well.

Ryan
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

I completely forgot about those. You guys are right, Hamer Studio's do come with dual p90s. Anybody know how these would measure up with a 1960RI LP DC?

Scott, thanks for the info on the P90s in the Godin. That makes sense, it did sound "ceramic". I'll have to do some searching for a good p90, but right now the Gibsons I have been hearing have been blowing me away (yes, good enough to even leave stock)
 
Re: P90 fans, I need your help

Thank you Scott for your Gibson dealer list, it's coming in handy :fing2: I'm finding price quotes very close to what I'm willing to spend. I just may find a new 1960 Les Paul Doublecut Special in my stable ;)
 
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