Humbucker size P90's, advice needed

ReinoutV · September 23, 2022 at 8:18 AM

Hi guys, gals and everybody else,

I have a Chibson Les Paul here, which I got as a gift from a very good friend. I really like the guitar, it sounds very good when it's not plugged in. I know the quality of these Chuitars is questionable, but hey, never turn down a gift.

I already have a lot of hum bucker-equipped guitars. And I don't really like the pickups that are in this guitar. Mainly the bridge PU is a bit weak sounding. So my idea is, to swap them for hum bucker-sized P90's. Not the hot ones (I once owned a MusicMan Axis with P90's which I didn't really fancy), but a set of vintage voiced PU's would be great. The problem is, that I don't know anything about P90's, and which ones sound 'good' (not too hot, with a bit of clarity, but not as much as an S- of T-style pickup) and won't break the bank. Do you have any ideas on which pickups I could buy? Thanks in advance for your replies!

Greetings, Reinout

luntho · September 23, 2022 at 8:29 AM

I have a Gibson p94 in my epi sheraton (semihollow) and it sounds great. haven't tried it in a les paul though.

Kellerblues · September 23, 2022 at 9:30 AM

P-rails

paults · September 23, 2022 at 1:01 PM

If you install four push/pull potentiometers, P-Rails would be very versatile.

if you just want the sound of P-90s, I have heard good things about Duncan Phat Cats

DonPetersen · September 23, 2022 at 1:56 PM

the best one I played so far

https://www.rockinger.com/en/parts/picku…erg-domino?c=83

madmarcus1960 · September 23, 2022 at 5:08 PM

Phat Cats are just ok, I have Bare Knuckle Nantucket's in a PRS SE Singlecut. Like those way more. P Rails are cool, but great with the Tripleshot pickup rings for 4 different sounds. I also like Fralin Big Singles, different from a P90, but imagine a single coil on roids(and noiseless). I put a pair in a Squire Telecaster.

https://www.fralinpickups.com/product/big-si…with%20no%20hum.

BayouTexan · September 23, 2022 at 5:59 PM

Why not just get the original one -- Gibson P90 if you want a P90?

KY_Smooth · September 23, 2022 at 6:22 PM

Check out Mojotone. For reference, I put their humbucker sized P-90's in my Gibson Les Paul Studio and it made a huge difference!

I think the Les Paul Studio is a 2007. It had the standard '490T' pickups and it sounded rather dark and unimpressive. Once I put the Mojotone pickups in it, it came alive and sounds amazing. Much more tone and brighter.

Their customer service is really nice as well.

paults · September 23, 2022 at 6:35 PM

Quote from BayouTexan

Why not just get the original one -- Gibson P90 if you want a P90?

P90 pickups require a different shaped hole in the guitar.

BayouTexan · September 23, 2022 at 8:25 PM

Quote from paults

P90 pickups require a different shaped hole in the guitar.

You can use this no?

https://www.amazon.com/Humbucker-Soap…e/dp/B07PXLC9DP

DonPetersen · September 23, 2022 at 10:18 PM

Quote from BayouTexan

You can use this no?
https://www.amazon.com/Humbucker-Soap…e/dp/B07PXLC9DP

standard humbuckers are about 70mm long - a P90 is typically 85mm, they won't fit humbucker routings

ReinoutV · September 24, 2022 at 9:17 AM

Thanks everybody, for your great recommendations. The P-Rails look cool, but I'm not looking for the kind of versatility. I have enough P-, T-, S- and ES-style guitars to cover my needs. I ordered the Deusenberg Domino's, so let's see what they sound like. I will report back here!

lightbox · September 24, 2022 at 9:49 AM

Harry Häussel, a popular german pickup manufacturer, has a good selection of P90 pickups and all of them are available in HB-Format.

https://haeussel.com/index.php?id=2…4ad090567d81d0d

If you click on one of these pickups to see product details, check the "Varianten" (variants) box, you'll find the "HB-Format" versions there.

FYI:

Maybe you've heard of "Nik Huber" guitars? They also use Häussel pickups (for a reason)

waraba · September 24, 2022 at 5:57 PM

I had P-rails and they were pretty pale in comparison with my P92.

P92 are humbucker sized p90 , fit to directly replace any humbucker without further work. I now see them as a kind of super single coil with humbucker output while being trebly (in a good way ) and super defined

My P92 alnico II were handwound by my luthier and they blast everything I've heard before : super outupt , fat , super bright and transparent , very tweable by pot and ultra versatile. I had a bargain of 150€ for the pair, mounted a setup , an offer you won't find anymore I'm afraid .

I love them very much as everything is possible with them ; cleans , bright funk , jazzy , round , dry , crunch , bluesy , rock , hard rock , rockabilly and fuzz. They are humless and quiet ( I think my luthier waxed them).

if you reduce tone pot from the bridge PU to 3 you get that typical dark les Paul lead , so they can do most humbucker tones as well.

Here is my best example , semihollow Ibanez artist, P92 ( both positions used) and a single profile 'Mister May' tweaked from cleans to lead :

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BayouTexan · September 24, 2022 at 7:02 PM

That's no help at all waraba. You make anything sound good.

whippinpost91850 · September 24, 2022 at 7:15 PM

Waraba, what a cool sounding tune

BayouTexan · September 24, 2022 at 7:19 PM

So when I want to get some P90s all I have to do is show my wife this thread and say "See! I have to buy a whole new guitar with P90s already in it". Thanks!

MuddySludge · September 25, 2022 at 9:12 PM

Here's a P-Rail in the bridge position.

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DaleOz · September 27, 2022 at 1:53 PM

My mate, Mick Brierley, from Adelaide does these >>> they're great!

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Wheresthedug · October 1, 2022 at 10:04 PM

I loved my P-Rails but made the mistake of using the Seymour Duncan Triple Shot Mounting Rings. The pickups are fantastic. The switching system is genius in theory but unfortunately so poorly executed that they are a waste of time. After going through two sets of triple shots I know have a set of P-Rails in a guitar that I can’t use until I rewire everything with a more robust switching system. This will require boring holes in the guitar which I can’t be bothered with at the moment. Gutted by this as the pickups themselves are great.