P90 Soapbars, and Microphonic Squealing

[RockStarNick]

hey guys. I'm kinda stumped here, so if anyone can help me out, I'd be really appreciative.

I have relatively good experience with P90s. My latest project is finding the right bridge pickup for my Les Paul Faded DC. But I'm having a problem with terrible terrible squealing...definately microphonics. It's definately not the pots, or the wiring, or anything else. (I've swapped out other pickups in there, and they don't squeal, so I've pinpointed the problem)

The pickup that is squealing is a Rio Grande Bluesbar. This is my 2nd one already.

I have a set of lollars in a Gibson Firebird. NO squealing, even under high volume and high gain (Barber DDSS gain up to 3:00)

Set of Fralin P90s in a Gibson ES135. Same deal, no squeals.

Set of STOCK Gibson P90s, when in the LP DC Faded, NO Sqealing.

so WHY is it, if this Rio Grande is "wax potted", that it's sqealing like a pig. Is it just the fact that it's wound so hot? The gibsons are wound to 8K, the Lollars to about 9K in the bridge...The Rio Grande, I've heard, is anywhere from 12-14K. Is this just a poor wax-potting job? Or shoddy construction? I'm not even using an INSANE amount of gain or anything.

How are the Duncan Custom Soapbars? Are they really wax potted well? Will they squeal? I can deal with the hum, but I need something that's LOUD, really fat sounding, and WONT squeal with some heavy overdrive on it.

Help a brotha out.

 

[dani]

Re: P90 Soapbars, and Microphonic Squealing

did your bluesbar squeal since day one? it should not squeal in a solidbody even with the high dc resistance. i suggest you send it back to rio grande and have them take a look.

with the exception of the antiquity p90, all duncan soapbars are wax potted. unless you got yourself a lemon, the custom won't squeal when overdriven. scott_f recommend the custom neck for the bridge and vintage in the neck. apparently, that's what prs used in their p90 equipped guitars.

just something out of topic. dave stephens of www.sdpickups.com builds pretty mean p90s. do check them out. there are clips on his site too.

 

[RockStarNick]

Re: P90 Soapbars, and Microphonic Squealing

Thanks Dani.

Yeah, the first RioGrandeBluesbar was even worse. Looked like the magnets werent sitting in there right, and the entire guitar became a microphone when that pickup was on.

I sent it back, and after some terribly lackluster email correspondence on their part, and 3 weeks later, they just sent me another pickup, this one is a little better, but still sqeals. I'm just gonna try to sell it to someone who likes the tone but doesnt use as much gain.

I've NEVER had a problem with duncans and sqealing, so I'm putting my faith in Seymour and ordering a Custom Soapbar soon. I just hope it wont be too sizzly...I need round and fat, cuz my guitar sounds thin.

thanks again man.

 

[dani]

Re: P90 Soapbars, and Microphonic Squealing

no worries mr rockstar!

when you say "round and fat", more mids and less treble comes to mind. i think the hot p90 may be what you are looking for based on its eq (higher mids and lowered treble). i have no experience with it therefore, i can't be sure. maybe another tone bro who have tried both the hot and custom p90 will chime in shortly.

 

[RockStarNick]

Re: P90 Soapbars, and Microphonic Squealing

Well, good news!

The website where I bought the RioGrande Bluesbar is taking it back, and exchanging it for a Duncan Custom Soapbar.

FINALLY I can get this JP Jr. back in one piece and rocking again. I'll give a full review of the pickup when I get it.

ALL of this could have been avoided, however, if Gibson would just stop being lazy, and CALIBRATE A SET OF P90s. How the #$%^ am I supposed to be able to balance the volume of the pickuups when BOTH are the SAME EXACT OUTPUT. Come on, Gibson!!! I mean really...