I like P-90s for the raw, not the smooth....
And yeah, there is a tone knob usually! But that only covers the highs. P90's can have some raucous mids too
Hot P-90 pup, A2 magnets, tone control. Wham.
Does the 'Hot P90' not come standard with a Ceramic magnet ?
The Hot P90 has ceramic magnets.
Our Hot P90 soapbar bridge pickup combines extra coil windings with two small ceramic bar magnets to give you more output, greater sustain, and more overall sensitivity.
Yes (actually 2). That's why I recommended the Hot P-90 for the extra "umph" that the OP wants, and the A2 mags to smooth out the harshness associated with the ceramics. An A2 with an A5 is also an excellent combination so that it doesn't get too mid heavy and too "smooth".
For several dollars you can change magnets in an existing P-90. Think of this: magnets play a larger EQ role in a P-90. 2 magnets per coil, vs HB's with 1/2 magnet per coil.
After finding the A2's in Phat Cats to not be a good fit in either slot for me (too weak in the bridge and too dark in the neck), I tried a number of magnet combinations. I really like an A8/A4 in the bridge as it more warmth, mids, and output than the usual twin A5's. Duncan's SP90-2 & SP90-3 have ceramic magnets, which I don't care for in HB's (too harsh & stiff for me), and dislike even more in P-90's. I swap them out and put in alnicos.