Phat Cats or Bluesbucker...

[Butch Snyder]

After much consideration about replacing the pickups in my Samick Les Paulette, I have thought about replaceing the crappy humbuckers with P-90s. I mught either go with the Phat Cats or the DiMarzio Bluesbucker. I like the look of the Bluesbucker because it looks like an open-coil humbucker. What are your thoughts?

 

[JeffB]

Re: Phat Cats or Bluesbucker...

Can't help here Butch..I've not played either...no doubt though the PhatCats look silly to me (sorry Duncan). I've seen where some folks here say the PC's sound very good, but don't sound too much like a real P90 either?

If it were me, I'd prolly just go with an inexpensive guitar with "real" P90s (and I've been GASsin hard lately for a p90 guitar) like a LPjr/LPDC (yeah I know, I know ) or the Korean PRS. I'd want P-90s that *sound* just like P-90's, ya know? I wouldn't want a compromise..but that's the way *I* am, you may be totally happy with the Cats or BB!

 

[Breogan]

Re: Phat Cats or Bluesbucker...

After much consideration about replacing the pickups in my Samick Les Paulette, I have thought about replaceing the crappy humbuckers with P-90s. I mught either go with the Phat Cats or the DiMarzio Bluesbucker. I like the look of the Bluesbucker because it looks like an open-coil humbucker. What are your thoughts?

Both are quite diferent I believe.

- Bluesbuckers are humcancelling, opencoil, alnico V pickups

- Phat Cats are single coils, covered, alnico II pickups.

I have the PC and they doesn't sound exactly like P-90. But they have that juicy, fatty, warm tone with the high output. Let's say they are in the P-90 ballpark and have a very cool tone!!

I can't coment the bluesbuckers but I've read very enthusiastic comments.

 

[Peterku]

Re: Phat Cats or Bluesbucker...

I'm quite sure the Bluesbucker has two halves of a ceramic mag under the screw side of the bobbin, flanking the polepieces, and the slug coil's just for hum canceling. The Bluesbucker has relatively clear, modern mids. Definitely not vintage sounding. I used to have one in my ash Strat at the neck but since I'd always preferred Alnico pickups for the neck position, I took it out of my axe. It was a really nice pickup, though.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Phat Cats or Bluesbucker...

the PC's sound very close to normal 90's, they just have a bit more push in the lows and the upper mids aren't as raw. I really like them, but can't compare them to the BB, which I've never played.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Phat Cats or Bluesbucker...

I have the phat cat in the bridge of one of my epiphones now. It has the mids... but it's not as rude... it's weird. Like it's getting closer to a P90 but isn't there yet. It's a great pickup though, I'm not disapointed with it.

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Phat Cats or Bluesbucker...

Haven't played the bluesbucker. I love the PC. It's sort of like crossing a P-90 with a '59. You get that snarl and growl that p-90s are so good at with a more seperated, defined low end and a chimier top end. All of that adds up to PAF roar when you want it, with single coil clarity when you want it.

 

[ParameterMan]

Re: Phat Cats or Bluesbucker...

Huge 3d, chimey, ripping p-90 sound? Check out the Harmonic Design Z-90's. Never got a chance to try them, but they get top notch reviews, and I'd still like to put them in one of my guitars.
http://www.harmonicdesign.net/allpages/gibsons.html

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Phat Cats or Bluesbucker...

I have the Phat Cats in a LP and they sound like P-90s to me.

I love the PCs for a change of pace from my CC/PGn and Antiquity loaded LPs. Everyone I have played the PCs for thought they sounded wicked.

I agree.

 

[flank]

Re: Phat Cats or Bluesbucker...

Phat Cat bridge is my favorite pickup i've tried so far

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Phat Cats or Bluesbucker...

Btw, visit my link and listen to "phat cats clean". The guitar has a maple neck and an alder body.