P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

doveman

New member
Just looking for opinions for:
  • Music = blues, slide, southern rock, jazz (not high overdrive or metal)
  • Guitar = Washburn WI66PROG
  • Amp = '78 Mesa/Boogie
  • Effects = none used
I think I'd like ~7k neck and ~8.5k bridge based on what I have now.
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

i dont love the balance between the gibson neck and bridge models. i think the bridge is great but the neck is a little tubby in the wrong axe.
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

IMO Gibby P-90s are hit and miss. Some are great others are ok.

I have a Fralin and Gibbo. The Gibbo is slightly more powerful and definitely darker, whereas the Fralin is more clear and articulate. My Gibbo is right about 8k and the Fralin is about 7.9k.

I would choose a Fralin, but I'd get it wound a little hotter for a darker, ruder, more powerful tone.

I've never had a Duncan P-90 so I can't comment.
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

Have Lollar's and love them.

What DC resistance are the neck and bridge? Looks like they come in 8k/9k. I was thinking something like ~7k neck and ~8.5k bridge for mine ... and A5 magnets.
 
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Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

Zhang, what do you think of the HB sized P90 equivalents, by Kent Armstrong? The models in question would be the WPU900C (bridge) and WPU900CR (reverse wound neck).

I am looking for a brash set. I have heard these are actually made in Korea?
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

I'm feeling the Hot p-90's for you. Or maybe Vintage. I Like Duncan's and Gibsons...
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

Don't forget to check out harmonic designs vp-90. I have a set in my PRS and am very pleased. Great balance between the neck and bridge. Not that muddy neck vs shrill bridge of the stock pu's
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

I briefly owned a set of Antiquity P90's -- very smooth, both 8.5k.

I'm feeling the Hot p-90's for you. Or maybe Vintage. I Like Duncan's and Gibsons...

I think all of the SD stuff is hotter than I want ... aren't they 8+/9+ with the hot p90s higher still?

Don't forget to check out harmonic designs vp-90. I have a set in my PRS and am very pleased. Great balance between the neck and bridge. Not that muddy neck vs shrill bridge of the stock pu's

Their site didn't state how these were wound ... what's the DCk?

i dont love the balance between the gibson neck and bridge models. i think the bridge is great but the neck is a little tubby in the wrong axe.

That's the reason I'd like to have ~8.5k on the bridge and lighter on the neck ... ~7-7.5k. Both mine now are 7.2k and I've been able to balance by dropping the neck pickup. I like the way the neck sounds and the bridge is just slightly weaker than I'd like ... no more than 8.5k ... mayb even 8k like the Gibbys would be the right way to go. I definitely don't to lose any character just for some more volume. The Boogie can always give me the drive.

IMO Gibby P-90s are hit and miss. Some are great others are ok. I have a Fralin and Gibbo. The Gibbo is slightly more powerful and definitely darker, whereas the Fralin is more clear and articulate. My Gibbo is right about 8k and the Fralin is about 7.9k.
I would choose a Fralin, but I'd get it wound a little hotter for a darker, ruder, more powerful tone.

I'm actually leaning towards the Fralins due to the -10%/+5% & -15%/stock selections. I also would like the Lollars but they seem to be in the 8k/9k range ... which is again a bit beefier than my targets. It just feels like the 7k/8k or 7.5k/8.5k would be great.

I realize there's more to pickups than the DC resistance. But I'm so close to what I want with this set of 7.2k that I'd be real disappointed if I "overshot" the mark.

:1: All good input!
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

You know ... I forgot about the Bare Knuckles P90s. I need to go check and see what range they are in ... heard some guys rave about them too.

Edit: From their site below: I wonder what the 91n/92b would sound like? Although the neck is higher output than my target. Still wanting a A5 set I think, as well. I wonder how their A2 BKP-90 sounds?

BKP-90 - Alnico II magnets with medium output. The magnets and special windings deliver just the right balance of power and vintage sound - rich and full with trademark smooth mid range.
DC: 7.5k*

BKP-91 - Alnico V magnets with slightly hotter than stock windings. The brighter magnet along with extra windings serve up hot and fat single coil grind - more weight in the mid range with excellent top end detail.
DC: 7.8k*

BKP-92 - Alnico V magnets and overwound with special enamelled wire. Huge full bodied '90 sound - warm, powerful and articulate with no loss of attack or definition. Who needs humbuckers anyway!
DC: 8.6k*
 
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Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

I checked my Harmonic Design vp-90's and the neck measures 7.43 and the bridge 8.54. Like I say the balance between the two is very nice.
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

I had never really heard of the HD pups. Right in my target range. Looks like they are about $100/each direct.
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

Zhang, what do you think of the HB sized P90 equivalents, by Kent Armstrong? The models in question would be the WPU900C (bridge) and WPU900CR (reverse wound neck).

I am looking for a brash set. I have heard these are actually made in Korea?


Have only tried the Gibson P94's and the Phat Cats. Don't know anything about the Kent Armstrongs.
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

I've tried original LP Junior and LP Specials with original Gibson P90s and plenty of reissues with various P90s and my favorite is definitely the lollars, even over the originals. I think that the lollars are pretty amamazing! I've tried the antiquities and the normal duncan P90s and my friend has a DC LP Special with a fralin set, and I've always liked the lollars better. can't explain why really, they just speak to me more I guess.
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

After a lot of input from many, sounds like the Lollars is the way to go. It will probably be a few weeks.
 
Re: P90 (Fralin vs Lollar vs SD vs Gibson)

What DC resistance are the neck and bridge? Looks like they come in 8k/9k. I was thinking something like ~7k neck and ~8.5k bridge for mine ... and A5 magnets.

I don't remember. They are a5s, but I have to get back to you with them resistance figures.

B
 
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