Replacing the H90 for a regular P90 on a Gibson BJA Junior

[BWOTW]

I have a Billie Joe Armstrong signature LP Junior and I'm toying with the idea of replacing the H90 for a regular P90. I like the general sound and output, but I find it a bit muddy and not clear enough (I have an SG with SD Antiquity PAFs, and it sounds brighter and even more "single-coily" than the Junior :laugh2: )

I have a few newbie questions, though:

1) Is there any way to turn the H90 into a regular P90? It seems to be just a P90 with another coil under it, if the mod is as simple as cutting and/or soldering a wire, I might do it. Has anyone tried it?

2) If that doesn't work out, this will be my first time replacing a dogear pickup. The H90 is deeper, but I should be able to replace it straight away for a regular depth dogear P90, right? Would that get me the same pickup height, or will it force me to screw around with shims, etc.. to get it in the same place?

3) I'm sure most of the mud comes from the terrible 300k volume pot. I'll change this for an audio 500k, of course. My question is with the tone: some people put 250k with P90's, some 500k. Would dual 500k be TOO bright? I'm thinking about disconnecting the tone pot altogheter, would it get too shrill with just a P90 and a 500k volume? (with humbuckers, I sometimes disconnect the tone pots, since I have'em always on 10 anyway, and I find the difference in tone is subtle at most)

4) My plan is to find a used Gibson P90. If I don't and I have to buy new, I'd probably get some boutique one. I play rock & punk music though a Marshall 2203, what would you recommend? I'm looking at the Wolftones, Lollars or Seymour's own Antiquity P90...

Thanks!!

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Replacing the H90 for a regular P90 on a Gibson BJA Junior

I would sell the H90 and grab a wolfetone with the proceeds. I like 500k with my p90s. I would also go for the Meaner or Mean, rather than meanest. My meaner in the bridge sounds very close to my 1950s p90s.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Replacing the H90 for a regular P90 on a Gibson BJA Junior

You should be able to pull that out and put a regular dogear P90 under the cover. There will just be some extra depth below. Make sure it has the dogear baseplate, though.

I don't really know what that pickup is built like, but you might be able to get what you want by simply bypassing the second coil.

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Replacing the H90 for a regular P90 on a Gibson BJA Junior

You should be able to pull that out and put a regular dogear P90 under the cover. There will just be some extra depth below. Make sure it has the dogear baseplate, though.

I don't really know what that pickup is built like, but you might be able to get what you want by simply bypassing the second coil.

I have one, and frankly, they sell quick on the used market unmodified quick. It is a stacked coil design. They used to, at least, only come on the BJA model.

 

[Heaven&Hell]

Re: Replacing the H90 for a regular P90 on a Gibson BJA Junior

Nice picture btw.


Metal for life!!

 

[BWOTW]

Re: Replacing the H90 for a regular P90 on a Gibson BJA Junior

You should be able to pull that out and put a regular dogear P90 under the cover. There will just be some extra depth below. Make sure it has the dogear baseplate, though.

I don't really know what that pickup is built like, but you might be able to get what you want by simply bypassing the second coil.

I have one, and frankly, they sell quick on the used market unmodified quick. It is a stacked coil design. They used to, at least, only come on the BJA model.

Thanks! I guess I'll just put the H90 in the market and shop for a replacement and 500k pots. The Meaner sounds great in the demos I've watched. I've also been recommended the Bare Knuckle Nantucket, I'll research it too.

I guess those are all potted right? I ask 'cos I've got the Antiguity PAFs in another guitar and, when the gain is silly high, they squeal a bit with my rig. I'd rather avoid it with the new P90, that's why I think I won't go with an Antiquity this time.

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Replacing the H90 for a regular P90 on a Gibson BJA Junior

I have no idea whether the wolfetones are potted. Wolfe answers questions easily, I would ask him directly about his pickups. That said, I have run his under a stupid amount of gain with no real squealing. The nantucket is going to be far more expensive, and really the only way to go up from a wolfetone IMO is an original 1950's era Gibson, and not a very large upgrade at that.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Replacing the H90 for a regular P90 on a Gibson BJA Junior

Somewhere on t'Interweb is a thoroughly detailed article on performing the same "coil-ectomy" surgery on a Gibson P-100.

In my opinion, the smartest option would be to convert to 4 con + shield cable then add a "Spin-A-Split" for the lower coil using a mini trim pot. The idea is to achieve a balance between noise-cancellation and true, single coil P90 goodness.

It would be worth researching what Alnico magnet formulation is used in the BJA. The tone might be improved by changing one or both bar magnets.

 

[BWOTW]

Re: Replacing the H90 for a regular P90 on a Gibson BJA Junior

Somewhere on t'Interweb is a thoroughly detailed article on performing the same "coil-ectomy" surgery on a Gibson P-100.

In my opinion, the smartest option would be to convert to 4 con + shield cable then add a "Spin-A-Split" for the lower coil using a mini trim pot. The idea is to achieve a balance between noise-cancellation and true, single coil P90 goodness.

It would be worth researching what Alnico magnet formulation is used in the BJA. The tone might be improved by changing one or both bar magnets.

Thanks, I think I've found it, but it seems too complicated for me anyways

I have no idea whether the wolfetones are potted. Wolfe answers questions easily, I would ask him directly about his pickups. That said, I have run his under a stupid amount of gain with no real squealing. The nantucket is going to be far more expensive, and really the only way to go up from a wolfetone IMO is an original 1950's era Gibson, and not a very large upgrade at that.

After a couple emails with Wolfe I've finally ordered the Meaner, can't wait to get it!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Replacing the H90 for a regular P90 on a Gibson BJA Junior

You've already ordered a pickup so now this might not be wanted info but FWIW, I love plain old Gibson P90s.

On the wiring front I prefer my P90s like Gibson wired Jrs in the 50s. 500k volume 250k tone.


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[BWOTW]

Re: Replacing the H90 for a regular P90 on a Gibson BJA Junior

Just wanted to say I got the Wolftone Meaner and I'm very happy with the sound now. Clear and fat at the same time, it's loud and drives the amp, but gets very clean and jangly rolling the volume down. And it's very quiet for a P90, the stock pickup (which was supposed to be hum reducing) was a whole lot noisier.

On top of that, Wolfe is a great guy to deal with, highly recomended!