Which P-90?

E

El Kabong

New member
Supporter
I already asked on TGP and most were on the Lollar band wagon. I did really enjoy Lollars in Gabe's Studio custom gold top, although I did find them a tad bright. In Fralin's, I found an upper mid grit that I don't believe should be there. To my ear, Harmonic Design are the EMG of P-90s. Duncan's are like wiping your butt with 40 grit sand paper.

In the neck, I would like to have Steely Dan era Carleton to the classic sound of Oscar Moore, who used P-90's in his later years and was a member of Nat King Cole's band. In the bridge, I would like the impossible demon child of Joan Jett and Mick Mars.

Although I posses the talent of none of the above, which famous and fashionable maker would you recommend. I know that there are a few up and comers, Vintage Vibe, etc, but living in Japan, I would like a maker of note.

What would be your recommendations for P-90s for a Les Paul, given the specs desired for a picky bastard? Thanks in advance.

 
I have Lollars in this guitar and can't be more pleased. You can call and talk to Jason Lollar on the phone, or send him an e-mail, tell him what you want and he will wind it for you.

CamstoneDuo.jpg


 
atquinn said:
El Kabong said:
In the bridge, I would like the impossible demon child of Joan Jett and Mick Mars.
Click to expand...
And yet you don't want a Duncan Hot or Custom P90? *shakes head*

/emoticons/default_biggrin.png

-Austin
Click to expand...
Yeah, but I would still like to hear the guitar, rather than a chainsaw in desperate need of oil. /emoticons/default_tongue.png

Cam, that seems to be the word of most. I am thinking a Costello neck and a custom bridge at this point.

 
I can't help you with the bridge pickup as you're looking for a sound that I've never strived for, BUT . . .

I know exactly what you're talking about in the neck position. If the Lollar is a bit too bright for you, my choice would be an underwound Fralin. Lindy will do 5 , 10 or 15% underwound stock, just about anything else as a custom wind.

I absolutely love the sound of a Fralin stock bridge and 15% underwound neck combo, but I like a relative clean to Leslie West tone from the bridge. If you wan hotter, you could use a Rio P-90 and a 5 or 10% underwound Fralin.

Or a 10% overwound Fralin in the bridge and a 5 or 10% underwound in the neck.

Another option:

In my '56 RI Les Paul I have a Lollar in the neck position and a Rio Grande Mini-bucker in the bridge position.

The mini-bucker gets you just over the line into humbucker lead tone territory without loosing all of that great P-90 clarity and zing.

 
Call Wolfetone and discuss. He has always been able to nail any sound I want.

He's not the cheapest, but far from the most expensive. Do be prepared for a wait, but how many times do you want to swap pickups out till you get it right?

His policy- if he doesn't nail it, send it back and he'll rewind till he does.

 
El Kabong said:
atquinn said:
El Kabong said:
In the bridge, I would like the impossible demon child of Joan Jett and Mick Mars.
Click to expand...
And yet you don't want a Duncan Hot or Custom P90? *shakes head*

/emoticons/default_biggrin.png

-Austin
Click to expand...
Yeah, but I would still like to hear the guitar, rather than a chainsaw in desperate need of oil. /emoticons/default_tongue.png
Click to expand...
I thought you said you wanted a Mick Mars sound /emoticons/default_biggrin.png

 
I find if I turn down the tone to about 2 on my hamer Artist mahogany on the bridge pickup, a stock duncan, I get a nice thick fat, dry humbucking sound.

 
I'm partial to the Lollars in my Les Paul (54 RI Goldtop), but I wouldn't say they do Mick Mars-probably much closer to the crunchy of the Joan Jett stuff with clarity.

 
I also have a R4 Goldtop and have replaced the stock Gibsons with Lollars. I wanted a "clearer" sound which I think I get with the Lollars. Having said that, I did like the stock Gibsons also. In fact, from your description, it sounds like the stock Gibson p-90's may fit the bill. I also like Harmonic Design VP-90's but they may be brighter than the Lollars (at least they seem like it in my Monaco III. FWIW, in a ToneQuest Report review of P-90's, stock Gibsons were rated right up there with Lollars (though they're quite different), which surprised me because they generally worship Lollar pups.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
ac15 said:
I also have a R4 Goldtop and have replaced the stock Gibsons with Lollars. I wanted a "clearer" sound which I think I get with the Lollars. Having said that, I did like the stock Gibsons also. In fact, from your description, it sounds like the stock Gibson p-90's may fit the bill. I also like Harmonic Design VP-90's but they may be brighter than the Lollars (at least they seem like it in my Monaco III. FWIW, in a ToneQuest Report review of P-90's, stock Gibsons were rated right up there with Lollars (though they're quite different), which surprised me because they generally worship Lollar pups.
Click to expand...
That surprises me too. I might not have the most discerning ear, but the Gibson pickups to me were pretty anemic in comparison to the Lollars. Not at all what I'd consider to be "clear" or strong like what I think is THE classic P90 tone. I actually prefer the Duncans that Hamer uses to the ones that came in my R4.

 
seeker said:
Call Wolfetone and discuss. He has always been able to nail any sound I want.

He's not the cheapest, but far from the most expensive. Do be prepared for a wait, but how many times do you want to swap pickups out till you get it right?

His policy- if he doesn't nail it, send it back and he'll rewind till he does.
Click to expand...
I agree 100%. Wolfetone P-90's are the best i have heard outside of vintage. I have a set in

my RSGuitarWorks Stepside Pro. Warm,yet clear & articulate. I love Lollar's p.u.'s,but his

P-90's left me a little underwhelmed.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top