P90 vs p-rail
- Thread starter Travis H
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bagouser
New member
Re: P90 vs p-rail
The P-90 mode in the P-rails is my favorite of the 3 modes.
It sounds dead on. Nice, creamy, smooth voice with a bit of spank and rudeness tossed in, not to mention the trademark hum.
I have a Phat Cat on another guitar, and I have to say, it sounds a little more "vintage" than the p-rails if that makes sense. maybe it's just that it's in a hollowbody, but it sounds more like classic P-90's that I've heard than the P-rails, but not by much......
The P-90 mode in the P-rails is my favorite of the 3 modes.
It sounds dead on. Nice, creamy, smooth voice with a bit of spank and rudeness tossed in, not to mention the trademark hum.
I have a Phat Cat on another guitar, and I have to say, it sounds a little more "vintage" than the p-rails if that makes sense. maybe it's just that it's in a hollowbody, but it sounds more like classic P-90's that I've heard than the P-rails, but not by much......
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: P90 vs p-rail
P90. One amazing P90 sound.
PRails- One pretty good P90 sound with other options that don't sound too good.
I say go with a normal P90...
P90. One amazing P90 sound.
PRails- One pretty good P90 sound with other options that don't sound too good.
I say go with a normal P90...
Re: P90 vs p-rail
I always thought this was just people trying to act elitist. The p-90 int he Prails IS a real p-90. It is not a fake one like how splitting a humbucker is a fake strat sound. It is a true, full sized P-90.
I always thought this was just people trying to act elitist. The p-90 int he Prails IS a real p-90. It is not a fake one like how splitting a humbucker is a fake strat sound. It is a true, full sized P-90.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: P90 vs p-rail
The P-Rails in P90 mode is more "P90-class" than really P90 alike. It has the same uses, you use the same gain and make the same music but the sound isn't that close. It's much more Hifi, more modern, not rude.
The Strabro90s in full mode are actually closer to a soapbar.
The P-Rails in P90 mode is more "P90-class" than really P90 alike. It has the same uses, you use the same gain and make the same music but the sound isn't that close. It's much more Hifi, more modern, not rude.
The Strabro90s in full mode are actually closer to a soapbar.
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: P90 vs p-rail
It doesn't sound as good as a Phat Cat. It sounds different. Kinda like uopt said, it's in a P90 class but it's not the same.
It doesn't sound as good as a Phat Cat. It sounds different. Kinda like uopt said, it's in a P90 class but it's not the same.
frankfalbo
In Fluence Y'all
Re: P90 vs p-rail
The P90 in the P-Rails IS a P90, but it is, of course, only one kind of P90. They're both Alnico 5, and the neck is a fat and round but with good bark and bite from the A5. The bridge is a little more aggressive and "overwound" sounding. If that's what you like about P90's then the P90 contained in the P-Rails can work for you. If you're after an Alnico II P90 sound, then not so much. Just like saying "what's the best P.A.F. replica?" Everyone has some expectations they bring to the table when you start using the term "P90". Sometimes it's all about the pick attack, sometimes the midrange bark, or the sheer volume available, etc.
But I've always felt that to say it's not like a real P90 is kind of like saying the Custom 5 doesn't sound like a real humbucker because it doesn't sound like a 59 or a JB, and therefore its not a "real" humbucker. And just like a couple humbucker bobbins, if you really want to dial it in, you can have MJ in the Custom Shop wind you whatever you like on the P90 bobbin of the P-Rails too.
If I'm recording, and I want a P90 sound, I sometimes reach for the P-Rails guitars, but I sometimes reach for other guitars with P90's for all the same reasons that when I want a P.A.F. sound, sometimes that means Pearly Gates, Seth Lovers, 59's, etc.
The P90 in the P-Rails IS a P90, but it is, of course, only one kind of P90. They're both Alnico 5, and the neck is a fat and round but with good bark and bite from the A5. The bridge is a little more aggressive and "overwound" sounding. If that's what you like about P90's then the P90 contained in the P-Rails can work for you. If you're after an Alnico II P90 sound, then not so much. Just like saying "what's the best P.A.F. replica?" Everyone has some expectations they bring to the table when you start using the term "P90". Sometimes it's all about the pick attack, sometimes the midrange bark, or the sheer volume available, etc.
But I've always felt that to say it's not like a real P90 is kind of like saying the Custom 5 doesn't sound like a real humbucker because it doesn't sound like a 59 or a JB, and therefore its not a "real" humbucker. And just like a couple humbucker bobbins, if you really want to dial it in, you can have MJ in the Custom Shop wind you whatever you like on the P90 bobbin of the P-Rails too.
If I'm recording, and I want a P90 sound, I sometimes reach for the P-Rails guitars, but I sometimes reach for other guitars with P90's for all the same reasons that when I want a P.A.F. sound, sometimes that means Pearly Gates, Seth Lovers, 59's, etc.
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Re: P90 vs p-rail
Thank you. Speak some sense to these people.
This is exactly what I mean by "elitist." They believe THEIR idea of a P-90 is the only P-90 out there and that everything else is just an imitation. They are completely wrong. Like Frank said, just with any pickup, there are different winds and types to fit your need. I personally love the P-90 in my prails because I love my P-90's to hit like a punch in the face. I also think the P-90 from the Prails in my schecter sounds better than the P-90 in my cousin's les paul double cutaway.
Of course, I wouldn't have the audacity to tell you this is the way a P-90 should sound. Get as many clips as you can and read as many of these threads about P-90's to make up your own mind.
Thank you. Speak some sense to these people.
This is exactly what I mean by "elitist." They believe THEIR idea of a P-90 is the only P-90 out there and that everything else is just an imitation. They are completely wrong. Like Frank said, just with any pickup, there are different winds and types to fit your need. I personally love the P-90 in my prails because I love my P-90's to hit like a punch in the face. I also think the P-90 from the Prails in my schecter sounds better than the P-90 in my cousin's les paul double cutaway.
Of course, I wouldn't have the audacity to tell you this is the way a P-90 should sound. Get as many clips as you can and read as many of these threads about P-90's to make up your own mind.
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: P90 vs p-rail
And regular P90s don't? P90s are some of the nastiest pickups out there.
It's fine you like the P Rails but I felt like the P rails was more toned down than a std. P90
And regular P90s don't? P90s are some of the nastiest pickups out there.
It's fine you like the P Rails but I felt like the P rails was more toned down than a std. P90
Re: P90 vs p-rail
+1. Exactly.
Now that I've done some mag swaps in my P-Rail, my P-90 sounds better than any other P-90 I've owned/played/heard. Certainly better than a stock Phat Cat.
Are you comparing it to One particular P-90? Because my P-Rail P-90 is about as rude as you can get...like sledgehammer-in-your-face type rude. Can't get more P-90ish rude.
I guess you'd also say my Pearly Gates is "PAF-class" but not really "PAF alike". And my PG isn't "rude". I guess if you compare it to a '59, it IS a little different. If you compare it to a Classic '57, it IS a little different. If you compare it to a Burstbucker, it IS a little different. If you compare it to an Alnico 2 Pro, it IS a little different. If you compare it to a Seth Lover, it IS a little different, as well.
And if there is only 1 PAF pickup ever made to compare all others to, then NONE of today's "PAF" pups are really PAF's.
But then again, maybe the P-90 in the P-Rails actually has the REAL genuine P-90 sound and all the others are just P-90ish.
+1. Exactly.
Now that I've done some mag swaps in my P-Rail, my P-90 sounds better than any other P-90 I've owned/played/heard. Certainly better than a stock Phat Cat.
Are you comparing it to One particular P-90? Because my P-Rail P-90 is about as rude as you can get...like sledgehammer-in-your-face type rude. Can't get more P-90ish rude.
I guess you'd also say my Pearly Gates is "PAF-class" but not really "PAF alike". And my PG isn't "rude". I guess if you compare it to a '59, it IS a little different. If you compare it to a Classic '57, it IS a little different. If you compare it to a Burstbucker, it IS a little different. If you compare it to an Alnico 2 Pro, it IS a little different. If you compare it to a Seth Lover, it IS a little different, as well.
And if there is only 1 PAF pickup ever made to compare all others to, then NONE of today's "PAF" pups are really PAF's.
But then again, maybe the P-90 in the P-Rails actually has the REAL genuine P-90 sound and all the others are just P-90ish.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: P90 vs p-rail
I have or had Gibson P90s out of a R4, SD's regular soapbars, P-rails, Strabro90 and a Phat Cat. The P-Rails P90 mode is definitely in a different corner than any of those. Heck, the the stuff from the PRS SE Soapbar was more P90tish.
If you have ever compared different polepiece configurations in otherwise identical setups you wouldn't understimate the effect of polepieces, or of replacing same with rails.
Why does it matter? Nobody said P-rails sound bad. And everybody said they can be used for the same purpose.
I have or had Gibson P90s out of a R4, SD's regular soapbars, P-rails, Strabro90 and a Phat Cat. The P-Rails P90 mode is definitely in a different corner than any of those. Heck, the the stuff from the PRS SE Soapbar was more P90tish.
If you have ever compared different polepiece configurations in otherwise identical setups you wouldn't understimate the effect of polepieces, or of replacing same with rails.
Why does it matter? Nobody said P-rails sound bad. And everybody said they can be used for the same purpose.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: P90 vs p-rail
I want one good tone from a P-90, so the P-Rails doesn't have much appeal to me. If the other two tones are so-so, then where's the advantage. Do one thing and do it well.
I always take two guitars to a gig, and some of my guitars have an HB bridge & P-90 neck, so I get all the tonal variety I want that way.
I want one good tone from a P-90, so the P-Rails doesn't have much appeal to me. If the other two tones are so-so, then where's the advantage. Do one thing and do it well.
I always take two guitars to a gig, and some of my guitars have an HB bridge & P-90 neck, so I get all the tonal variety I want that way.
Re: P90 vs p-rail
But we're talking about the P-90 coil of the P-Rail, not the rail coil, compared to other P-90's. Absolutely, the Rail does not compare to P-90's. Not even close. But the P-90 side certainly does!
But we're talking about the P-90 coil of the P-Rail, not the rail coil, compared to other P-90's. Absolutely, the Rail does not compare to P-90's. Not even close. But the P-90 side certainly does!
Re: P90 vs p-rail
But we're talking about the P-90 coil of the P-Rail, not the rail coil, compared to other P-90's. Absolutely, the Rail does not compare to P-90's. Not even close. But the P-90 side certainly does!
But we're talking about the P-90 coil of the P-Rail, not the rail coil, compared to other P-90's. Absolutely, the Rail does not compare to P-90's. Not even close. But the P-90 side certainly does!
Re: P90 vs p-rail
Again..."good" is subjective. I personally love playing with all the settings on my prails and think they all have great tone. And especially for those of us who don't have the money to throw at multiple guitars, the Prails offers a great alternative.
Again..."good" is subjective. I personally love playing with all the settings on my prails and think they all have great tone. And especially for those of us who don't have the money to throw at multiple guitars, the Prails offers a great alternative.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: P90 vs p-rail
And from that perspective, it's a good investment. For those of us that have more guitars than we should (or our wives think we should), grabbing another guitar has advantages. If I take an LP and a 335 to a gig, one with an HB-sized P-90 or two, I come out ahead on all fronts.
And from that perspective, it's a good investment. For those of us that have more guitars than we should (or our wives think we should), grabbing another guitar has advantages. If I take an LP and a 335 to a gig, one with an HB-sized P-90 or two, I come out ahead on all fronts.
Mark Le Comte
New member
Re: P90 vs p-rail
To me the Prails is all about versatility. The value is there if you only have 1 or 2 guitars, or if you need a backup guitar that covers almost everything. In some ways it is almost a 'Im not quite sure what I want' pickup, but in a good way.
I had a lot of use from mine experimenting with different sounds. As a result I am a big fan of coil swaps when one pickup has mismatched coils (c5/59 hybrid with 59 neck in my semi).
To me the Prails is all about versatility. The value is there if you only have 1 or 2 guitars, or if you need a backup guitar that covers almost everything. In some ways it is almost a 'Im not quite sure what I want' pickup, but in a good way.
I had a lot of use from mine experimenting with different sounds. As a result I am a big fan of coil swaps when one pickup has mismatched coils (c5/59 hybrid with 59 neck in my semi).
