Thinking about a HB-sized P90 for the neck position... but which?

Rex_Rocker

Well-known member
I'm moving back the 500T to my Gibson. I like the Black Winter, but a Metal Les Paul is meant to have a 500T, IMO.

I kinda want to switch things up, and I'm thinking about dropping a P90 in a humbucker housing in there. I'm not sure which.

I used to have a Phat Cat way back when, but it was the neck version. I really liked it, but I only ever matched it with lower output pickups like the '59B, WLH, or PAF Pro. Never with a triple Ceramic monster like a 500T. I could use the Phat Cat Bridge, but even so, I suspect an 8K A2-powered pickup might not have enough juice to keep up.

I'm certain I don't want a P-Rails. I don't want nor do I need the extra options of having a thin-souding rail single coil or an unusably dark humbucker. Plus I think P-Rails looks kinda ugly.

So what are my options? Anyone try the new DiMarzio P90's? How about the Gibson P94? Any other options?

Thanks!
 
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I've used both the P94 and the Phat Cat and can give my thoughts.

I don't have the P94s anymore as I gave that guitar to friend. But that guitar sounded awesome. It was an SG and those P94's sounded great in it.

My opinion of Phat Cat's is that they are ok as stock. I modded mine by removing the nickel cover and swapping the A2 mags out for A5. This improved the pickup considerably. They are bright, hot, and aggressive. Much better.

As to which would go better with the 500T, I would not be able to say. My initial guess would be that neither of them would be hot enough to keep up. But if I had to pick one I'd probably go with the P94. Maybe a bridge version would be loud enough for that combo. I guess you would have to try it and see.

I hope that helps a little. :)
 
I haven't used the P-94s myself but I've not heard very many good comments about them (usually any good comments are from people who haven't tried any other humbucker-sized P-90). People who are used to humbuckers and switch to the P-94s or Phat Cats are sure to be pleasantly impressed. But if they then try one of these P-90s from GFS they are going to be disappointed that they didn't try them first and that they wasted so much money on the P-94s.

I've got quite a few of these "Dream 90s" from GFS which sound really good and I really love them. And they come in several different esthetic packages.

https://www.guitarfetish.com/Dream-90-Humbucker-Sized-P90--Black-on-Black_p_21792.html


If you want one that's a little smoother, warmer, fuller and a tad louder then the "Mean 90" is a great choice. I've also got several guitars with Mean 90s in them and they really sound terrific.

https://www.guitarfetish.com/Mean-90--TRUE-Alnico-P90-FAT-and-Loud-Gloss-Black_p_21846.html


Plus, either of these, besides sounding amazing, are less than half the cost of the Gibsons or other major makers.
 
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