SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

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Danzy22

New member
I have posted some queries on here about 3 weeks ago about some pickups and wiring etc.

Im making my own guitar , and i have some details sorted , others not so.
I plan on having a Dimarzio Super Distortion on the bridge , a single (not yet decided) in the middle and a P-90 on the neck.

what would be the best choice ?
SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

id like something that can produce a kick but i also want great tone. i dont really have experience with these pick-ups so im mostly relying on feedback.
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

Well, most P90s will be kinda dirty but they sound great. Nice and chewy.

I personally would go for the normal phat cat...
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

I'd go for phat cat in case you want to switch to a normal humbucker in the future.
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

Also, a regular output P90 in the neck position should be powerful enough.
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

What kind of guitar design, and what kind of wood? What kind of music?

Phat Cats have A2's, which makes them pretty dark in the neck slot, and in all of mine (9), I've replaced the A2's with brighter magnets, and gotten much better tones. So 'yes' to a Phat Cat, if you swap magnets.

SP90-2 is a fairly hot ceramic. Not ideal for vintage tones, but if you're into harder rock, it would be good.
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

The guitar in my avatar has a SP90-2. I chose that over the Sp90 because I have a Quarter Pound at the bridge and I was afraid the the Sp90 wouldn't be hot enough. Sounds good to me so so far.
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

Don't mean to be OT but I've been hunting around for some heavily driven p90 tones. Can anyone recommend someone to check out?

Thanks :D
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

i have a super distortion & phat cat in one of my guitars, go together nicely. though like blueman has successfully (and accurately) campaigned around the forum- phat cats with stock A2s are a bit dark
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

MikeM said:
Don't mean to be OT but I've been hunting around for some heavily driven p90 tones. Can anyone recommend someone to check out?

Thanks :D
Click to expand...

Leslie West of course, in the Mountain days.
Early Doobie Bros, Tom Johnston played a gold-top LP w/p90s. (Talouse Street album)
Keith Urban uses alot of P90 guitars.
Tom Petty and Mike Campbell use P90 guitars quite a bit, but I'd be hard-pressed to tell you which songs.
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

blueman335 said:
What kind of guitar design, and what kind of wood? What kind of music?

Phat Cats have A2's, which makes them pretty dark in the neck slot, and in all of mine (9), I've replaced the A2's with brighter magnets, and gotten much better tones. So 'yes' to a Phat Cat, if you swap magnets.

SP90-2 is a fairly hot ceramic. Not ideal for vintage tones, but if you're into harder rock, it would be good.
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The design i was going for was similar to a strat with less of the curvature on the body that faces in the direction of the neck if that makes sense. The two types of wood that i have been looking at has been SOLID ASH and ALDER.

Music wise , It would be used for a mix of heavy rock , alternative and some grunge kinda stuff also. Saying that im into all sorts so it will be used for many genres.

Is changing the magnets in pickups difficult ?
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

Danzy22 said:
Music wise , It would be used for a mix of heavy rock , alternative and some grunge kinda stuff also. Saying that im into all sorts so it will be used for many genres.

Is changing the magnets in pickups difficult ?
Click to expand...

Well, then I would get the hot P90 but the regular P90s are pretty damn cool. Either would work but the hot P90 may be a tad better.

Search "magnet swapping" in here and you will find tons of information.
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

My personal preference would be for the more vintage output in a P-90, especially in the neck position...the regular Phat Cat with brighter magnets as Blueman has suggested, possibly A5 or UOA5 or one of many combinations (P-90's have 2 magnets). It depends on how it sounds in YOUR guitar. The higher output P-90's will give you more mids and more dirt but may not be as clean as you may want. Regular P-90's have plenty of grit already and work very well with overdrive or distortion pedals to get as much distortion as you will ever need for the music you like to play.

My #1 guitar has a P-90 in the bridge (a GFS Mean 90) which is absolutely perfect for classic rock of the 60's thru current. It is paired with a Pearly Gates with a Triple Shot in the neck. This combination gives me just about any tone I need.
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

GuitarDoc said:
My personal preference would be for the more vintage output in a P-90, especially in the neck position...the regular Phat Cat with brighter magnets as Blueman has suggested, possibly A5 or UOA5 or one of many combinations (P-90's have 2 magnets). It depends on how it sounds in YOUR guitar. The higher output P-90's will give you more mids and more dirt but may not be as clean as you may want. Regular P-90's have plenty of grit already and work very well with overdrive or distortion pedals to get as much distortion as you will ever need for the music you like to play.

My #1 guitar has a P-90 in the bridge (a GFS Mean 90) which is absolutely perfect for classic rock of the 60's thru current. It is paired with a Pearly Gates with a Triple Shot in the neck. This combination gives me just about any tone I need.
Click to expand...

I think changing the magnets is a little bit to deep for me at the minute , i will consider it in future when i have more experience with P90s but thankyou all for the info.

Another thing that concerns me - i have been looking at videos online demonstrating P90s , alot of the time when distortion is used , a conerning hum comes from it. Is this a common thing ?

Or is this just with certain models with the vintage outputs ?

I apologise if ask too many questions , i just would like to know what would be best , rather than buying one and be disappointed.
:)
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

Changing magnets is a very simple proceedure. I was also very aprehensive the first time I tried it. It was such a snap, only takes about 10 minutes, only costs about $2.00 per mag. that now I am hooked and would never give it a second thought. It's easier than wiring up a new pot.

P-90's are single coil pups, not hummers. They will have some AC hum to them (esp when used with distortion), but in a gig situation with the rest of the band is playing, it can't be heard, only the juicy wonderful P-90 tone. Some P-90's will hum more than others.

Aside from the Pearly Gates, the P-90 has the best rock tone ever.
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

Ahhh i see.
My head is booming on what to choose.

Well i think i might change my approach on P90s , I will be having a Super Distortion on the bridge so i will use that side to deal with the heavy music.

As for the neck , i would now prefer something that sounds great with smooth overdrive ,

Im a big Oasis , The Who and Beatles fan.
What would be the best one for that ? my first guess would be the vintage style ones. (doesnt have to be Seymour Duncan)

This will be my last post on this matter , i dont want to drive everyone crazy. :L
 
Re: SPH90-1 (phat cat) or SP90-2 (hot P-90)

Danzy22 said:
This will be my last post on this matter , i dont want to drive everyone crazy. :L
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Don't worry about that, some threads go on much longer than this, and with a lot less substance and information. Ask questions as long as you have them. There's no time limit.
 
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