RioGrande Bastard vs. Phat Cats

[jonnymangia]

I have finally decided to go with a P90 style pup in my SG Standard. The only question is whether to go with SD's Phat Cat or the RioGrande Bastard (I don't think I'm going to bother with the Z90 or the Kurt Robinson). This seems like a pretty unbiased board so I'm figuring Seymour won't have home-field advantage. And thanks to everyone who opined on pickups for me in the last week. You've been a great help.

 

[Peterku]

Re: RioGrande Bastard vs. Phat Cats

I haven't played any of the two before. However, I'd suggest that if you choose the Bastard, you should buy the covered version. Metal covers act like shielding against noise. Some reviewers of the Bastard at Harmony Central complain that it's noisy. A metal cover would significantly decrease 60-cycle hum.

 

[Peterku]

Re: RioGrande Bastard vs. Phat Cats

BTW, you could also consider Bare Knuckle P90's in metal humbucker housing. They have several models, and Tim will tweak and calibrate a set just how you'd like it. It's definitely more pricey, but you'll really get what you've asked and paid for. They don't have the humbucker-sized P90's listed on their site, but they do sell them for a covered humbucker's price, you only need to contact them.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: RioGrande Bastard vs. Phat Cats

I've never hear the Rio version, but I like the Phat Cat neck pickup in my ash/rosewood Tele. I know at least one guy who replaced a Rio neck P90/HB in a LP with a Phat Cat neck pickup, so I guess that's one proxy vote for the Phat Cat over the Bastard.

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: RioGrande Bastard vs. Phat Cats

i'm curious about this too, because i haven't had a chance to try the rio grande

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: RioGrande Bastard vs. Phat Cats

And looks like there is another candidate - Lindy Fralin is rolling out a P90 in a bucker size in 4 weeks. I'm sure it will be expensive, but I hear his stuff is amazing.