Talk me into or out of a P90

80's_Thrash_Metal

80's_Thrash_Metal

Slightly_Glazed_Believer
First and foremost:I play metal.... only.

Drop tuned, ugly metal...sometimes tight, and sometimes doomy and sludgy.

I've been quite curious about the whole P90 "thang."

I've never even played through one that I can recall.

I've watched a handful of videos about "will the P90 do metal" with mixed feelings on the matter.

I've been debating buying another LP with P90s in it...or even an SG
Either a cheap Epi,(and replace the pups , or a Gibby with nicer pups.


So.... Question of the day is: in your... Opinion.....

Will I like it, or not really?
 
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Great clip Bob but let's be honest with ourselves, that doesn't come close to the amount of gain and thickness Steve uses. I used a P-Rails for a while. It is an amazing-sounding pickup but when playing metal it simply fell short of my tonal goals. Yes, certian types of early or hairband metal were assessable but delivering the brutz it left me wanting more. You can drive a nail with a wrench but wouldn't rather use a hammer? When it comes to metal a P90 is not the right tool for the job.
 
Securb said:
Great clip Bob but let's be honest with ourselves, that doesn't come close to the amount of gain and thickness Steve uses. I used a P-Rails for a while. It is an amazing-sounding pickup but when playing metal it simply fell short of my tonal goals. Yes, certian types of early or hairband metal were assessable but delivering the brutz it left me wanting more. You can drive a nail with a wrench but wouldn't rather use a hammer? When it comes to metal a P90 is not the right tool for the job.
Click to expand...

This is exactly the advice and needs assessment I was hoping to get.

You are a wise man Mr. Bruce.

I imagine I could "make" it sound pretty good, and force some decent tones from it.... but I certainly don't want to have to fight it if it's just not what I need.
 
P90s worked for Sabbath because of very specific amps, specific settings, and a particular pedal (treble booster). Not to mention, light strings tuned down and a very light attack. I think most people who say they love metal today would hate that combination.
 
I have to concur with Bruce. At the end of the day, the Custom P-90 is pretty loud and tight. But it isn't going to be brutulz tight/loud.

And Dave brings up a good point - Amp + Lots of boost accessories can turn anything into metal. But is that what you are looking for.

Agreed I have never heard Steve play anything as "light" as that clip...not that it was light...Steve is just that heavy.
 
Securb said:
Great clip Bob but let's be honest with ourselves, that doesn't come close to the amount of gain and thickness Steve uses. I used a P-Rails for a while. It is an amazing-sounding pickup but when playing metal it simply fell short of my tonal goals. Yes, certian types of early or hairband metal were assessable but delivering the brutz it left me wanting more. You can drive a nail with a wrench but wouldn't rather use a hammer? When it comes to metal a P90 is not the right tool for the job.
Click to expand...

That clip was hardly "Hair" band. But yeah - It was a hammer. Steve wants an 80lb sledge.

Question; What didn't;t you like about the P-Rail in series for all things brutish?
 
I think you’ll be surprised. I know I was. Getting a Gibson, in my opinion, would be easier to sell in case you don’t like P’90’s.
 
What it takes is the RIGHT P-90 to play metal. They usually have a big honking midrange with lots of grit, and yet retain some clarity on the top end for chords. I'm partial to stacked P-90's because single coil hum is so 20th century. Seymour makes some decent units, but what I actually use in a couple of my guitars are Lindy Fralin stacked P-90's. There may be others that will work, but I haven't tried them. Bunches to choose from, dive right in and try 'em out.
 
I like P90's. They're not far off from a PAF-type. At least the traditional ones. If you can play Metal on your Burstbucker like you did, you'll find a traditional P90 usable, at least. It's just a little edgier and (obviously) more single coil-y, but not in a horrible scratchy Fender single coil kinda way.

I have not tried a P90 Custom or a Hot P90. I bet those are sweet.

You could probably get the CS to wind you a P90 Black WInter too!

If all else fails, you have the option of dropping in a P90-sized SUper Distortion or something.
 
If you don't like Fender 60 cycle hum you won't like P90 hum. The larger area of a P90 makes them worse for hum.
 
P90s are notorious for hum - they are, after all, the reason humbuckers were invented. And the more gain you use, the worse the problem is.
That said, they have a certain grunt & bark and a singlecoily attack that humbuckers don't deliver.

These days decent noiseless P90-type models are available from Duncan, Fralin, Kinman, Mojotone and others.
I have a set of Stealth 90s from Kent Armstrong in a Hagstrom; they're quite decent sounding and were cheap.
I wouldn't rule out trying a noiseless P90 option for metal.
 
Aceman said:
Duncan SP-3 Custom P-90. It's you.

Click to expand...

I am super impressed with the Custom P90. I have it on my 71/72 SG. I was totally unprepared for how much power it had. Pushes my Marshall into OD earlier than most of my humbuckers.

I wish they would make a "silencer" version of that P90
 
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