I have an Ibanez AS73 w stock humbuckers. I was considering Phat Cats to replace them, but now think I should have an A5 magnet. So I saw the vintage P90s which look like the best solution. But how would I drop a soapbar into a standard humbucker slot? I know there is a Humbucker ring that accepts a soapbar size, but don't remember where I saw it...maybe AllParts? I wonder if a dogear cover would work?
Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
- Thread starter Todd
- Start date
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
Cant do it without enlarging the hole in your guitar.
I wouldn’t do it if you value your guitar.
I do wonder if the Phatcat should have had Alnico 5 magnets...although I’ve never swapped magnets in one so how would I know?
You could try the Phatcats and use Duncan’s exchange policy if need be,
Maybe you’ll like them. Lots of folks do.
Cant do it without enlarging the hole in your guitar.
I wouldn’t do it if you value your guitar.
I do wonder if the Phatcat should have had Alnico 5 magnets...although I’ve never swapped magnets in one so how would I know?
You could try the Phatcats and use Duncan’s exchange policy if need be,
Maybe you’ll like them. Lots of folks do.
VinceT
New member
Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
Totally an alternative suggestion but I dropped a set of Railhammer Nuevo-90s into one of my Reverend guitars as a replacement for humbuckers and they are ACE! P90 tone, Joe Naylor design, humbucking and the rail/pole hybrid that tightens bass and fattens mid/high.
http://railhammer.com/Nuevo_90_Bridge.html
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Totally an alternative suggestion but I dropped a set of Railhammer Nuevo-90s into one of my Reverend guitars as a replacement for humbuckers and they are ACE! P90 tone, Joe Naylor design, humbucking and the rail/pole hybrid that tightens bass and fattens mid/high.
http://railhammer.com/Nuevo_90_Bridge.html
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
Phat Cats give a really true P90 sound, so I'd say don't get hung up on magnet types here.
Phat Cats give a really true P90 sound, so I'd say don't get hung up on magnet types here.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
As someone who's owned several Phat Cats, I have to disagree with this. I was motivated to experiment with pairing different magnets into P-90's because my Phat Cats were such a disappointment, they don't sound anything like P-90's. Putting in A5's makes a world of difference, like taking a blanket off of a speaker. After trying various combinations, my favorite P-90 mag combo is an A8/A4 in the bridge and an A5/A4 in the neck. Big improvement in both slots.
Changing magnets in Phat Cats isn't as easy as with normal P-90's and P-90 size HB's, as Phat Cats are held together solely by the cover being soldered on, instead of the usual 2 screws in the baseplate. Not the best arrangement. You can only lift one side of the cover, as there's wires on the other side that can snap. Many P-90's these days also have an additional ground wire (3rd wire), unlike Phat Cats.
Forum winder Zhang said that he thinks the neck Phat Cat is wound too hot, so he took 1,000 turns of wire off of his to get more treble. Non-winders accomplish something similar by putting in brighter magnets. If you don't want to change magnets, it's simpler to get a GFS Mean 90, which has stock A5's. A lot of members think it's a very good sounding PU.
As someone who's owned several Phat Cats, I have to disagree with this. I was motivated to experiment with pairing different magnets into P-90's because my Phat Cats were such a disappointment, they don't sound anything like P-90's. Putting in A5's makes a world of difference, like taking a blanket off of a speaker. After trying various combinations, my favorite P-90 mag combo is an A8/A4 in the bridge and an A5/A4 in the neck. Big improvement in both slots.
Changing magnets in Phat Cats isn't as easy as with normal P-90's and P-90 size HB's, as Phat Cats are held together solely by the cover being soldered on, instead of the usual 2 screws in the baseplate. Not the best arrangement. You can only lift one side of the cover, as there's wires on the other side that can snap. Many P-90's these days also have an additional ground wire (3rd wire), unlike Phat Cats.
Forum winder Zhang said that he thinks the neck Phat Cat is wound too hot, so he took 1,000 turns of wire off of his to get more treble. Non-winders accomplish something similar by putting in brighter magnets. If you don't want to change magnets, it's simpler to get a GFS Mean 90, which has stock A5's. A lot of members think it's a very good sounding PU.
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
OK, this is very helpful! I was reading other posts here about changing the mags on Phat Cats, but if this is as difficult as you say, then I would have to pass on them.
The one pup that I know sounds great w my amp is the Gibson P90....it is awesome. Gibson has a P94 that fits in a hummer slot that I think is the same except w metal cover. I'd hate to back off to a hummer like pearly gates just because of the price. I've heard of the Mean 90s but haven't found where to purchase yet, and don't know the price.
OK, this is very helpful! I was reading other posts here about changing the mags on Phat Cats, but if this is as difficult as you say, then I would have to pass on them.
The one pup that I know sounds great w my amp is the Gibson P90....it is awesome. Gibson has a P94 that fits in a hummer slot that I think is the same except w metal cover. I'd hate to back off to a hummer like pearly gates just because of the price. I've heard of the Mean 90s but haven't found where to purchase yet, and don't know the price.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
http://www.guitarfetish.com is where to go. The Mean 90s are probably GFS's best pickup of the few that I've used.
http://www.guitarfetish.com is where to go. The Mean 90s are probably GFS's best pickup of the few that I've used.
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
You can totally order a humbucker -size P90 with magnets of your choice from the Custom Shop.
You can totally order a humbucker -size P90 with magnets of your choice from the Custom Shop.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
I keep hearing praise for this pickup every time I read a thread about P90's. There has to be something to it. I know the Custom Shop will build almost anything, and I have used them on many occasions to get exactly what I want in a pickup. However, it is a shame that a guy has to pay $300 for a custom pickup when a production pickup is around $100 less.
I realize that SD can't be all things to all people, but this does sound like something a lot of people want.
I keep hearing praise for this pickup every time I read a thread about P90's. There has to be something to it. I know the Custom Shop will build almost anything, and I have used them on many occasions to get exactly what I want in a pickup. However, it is a shame that a guy has to pay $300 for a custom pickup when a production pickup is around $100 less.
I realize that SD can't be all things to all people, but this does sound like something a lot of people want.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
Railhammers rock. I haven't used the Nuevo yet but I have a few of Joe's others- a Chisel, an Alnico Grande, and a set of the HyperVintage. Good stuff.
Railhammers rock. I haven't used the Nuevo yet but I have a few of Joe's others- a Chisel, an Alnico Grande, and a set of the HyperVintage. Good stuff.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
The Phatcats actually scored pretty high in this review of 8 sets of humbucker sized P90’s. https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/20058-humbucker-sized-p-90-review-roundup?page=1
The Mean 90’s scored close to the bottom but were rated #1 for best value. Good tone but not great tone...but for $34 each, a great price.
Interestingly, Joe Gore, the guy who wrote the review, says that some might find the Phatcat to be too bright. That was not my experience. I thought it wasn’t bright enough to really nail the sound of a vintage Gibson P90.
It’s an Alnico 2 pickup. With Alnico 5 I would guess that it would be brighter.
But I have not swapped magnets in a Phatcat.
The Phatcats actually scored pretty high in this review of 8 sets of humbucker sized P90’s. https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/20058-humbucker-sized-p-90-review-roundup?page=1
The Mean 90’s scored close to the bottom but were rated #1 for best value. Good tone but not great tone...but for $34 each, a great price.
Interestingly, Joe Gore, the guy who wrote the review, says that some might find the Phatcat to be too bright. That was not my experience. I thought it wasn’t bright enough to really nail the sound of a vintage Gibson P90.
It’s an Alnico 2 pickup. With Alnico 5 I would guess that it would be brighter.
But I have not swapped magnets in a Phatcat.
Last edited:
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
How does this sound to you? http://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-humbucker-pickups/single-coil-for-humbucker
How does this sound to you? http://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-humbucker-pickups/single-coil-for-humbucker
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
I wonder if Duncan would consider making an A5 version. Like they made the Custom 5 as a response to forum demand. It could be the Phat 5.
Would this be a Shop Floor Custom?
I wonder if Duncan would consider making an A5 version. Like they made the Custom 5 as a response to forum demand. It could be the Phat 5.
Would this be a Shop Floor Custom?
Re: Vintage p90 conversion to humbucker
This is the official list (from some time ago) of options included in the Shop Floor Custom program. Magnet type isn't included here, so I'd say no, or at least ask when it it is time to order something. It might have changed, or they may do it.
This is the official list (from some time ago) of options included in the Shop Floor Custom program. Magnet type isn't included here, so I'd say no, or at least ask when it it is time to order something. It might have changed, or they may do it.
