p-90 VS. humbucker?

rompo420 · 08-11-2010, 01:02 AM

hi all,

I just installed a set of TEX-MEX PUPS in my custom strat copy.

I am really digging them.

However, I am set up HSS so i used the mid and the neck.

I am beginning to look at GFS for their humbucker/ humbucker sized p-90's.

could someone please explain to me the difference??

I honestly have never ever ever even played a guitar with p-90's.

jimbojo · 08-11-2010, 01:55 AM

I put a GFS mean 90 in the bridge position on one of my strats and all I can say is wow!!! I had also haven't had P-90's since my first guitar, and I can't believe I moved to HB's. With a well shielded guitar the single coils (P-90's) do not make that much noise. I can't explain all the tech diferences, but I can say is GFS's mean 90 is awesome it breaks up well, is fat, but still has character. I love the flexability of that guitar now, drive heavy in the bridge pos, and alnicos up front for that clean bright bluesy tone. If you try the 90 I don't think you will have any second thoughts.

YeahDoIt · 08-11-2010, 07:38 AM

I believe p90 pickups are single coil types with more windings. The longer wire loses some high frequencies but produces a stronger signal that can overdrive an amplifier, giving a warm tone. A humbucking pickup is two single coils connected out of phase, some high frequencies are lost, and the signal can be strong. I'd say the p90 sound is about midway between the single coil sound and the humbucker sound. If you like blues then you might like the p90, if you like metal and overdriven hard rock then the humbucking pickup might be a good choice.

Stratatattat · 08-11-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YeahDoIt

If you like blues then you might like the p90, if you like metal and overdriven hard rock then the humbucking pickup might be a good choice.

i agree. i've used both. i used the dream 90s in my fiancee's guitar and i've used buckers in an HSS strat. with 90s, you're gonna have a little hum. obviously, a good bucker is dead quiet. but buckers can sound a bit dark. hence their reliability in playing hard rock and heavy metal. personally, i still think buckers are versatile enuff for blues. however, if i were u, i'd stick the 90 in just to be a lil different.

Stratatattat · 08-11-2010, 08:10 AM

or......u could coil split the humbucker...so many options...

savofenno · 08-11-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YeahDoIt

I believe p90 pickups are single coil types with more windings. The longer wire loses some high frequencies but produces a stronger signal that can overdrive an amplifier, giving a warm tone. A humbucking pickup is two single coils connected out of phase, some high frequencies are lost, and the signal can be strong. I'd say the p90 sound is about midway between the single coil sound and the humbucker sound. If you like blues then you might like the p90, if you like metal and overdriven hard rock then the humbucking pickup might be a good choice.

With good P90s no highs are lost. There`s darker and muddier pu`s of any type, and others with clear, open tone too. You choose.

BillStickers · 08-11-2010, 12:18 PM

P90:
-Lots of winds, more so than your average Single Coil.
-Often Bar Magnets are used.
-Warm, Dark, Jazzy.

Humbuckers:
-Two Oppositely Configured Coils in Series, this causes the Humbucking Effect.
-Usually a mix of Magnetic Pole Pieces and a Bar Magnet.
-Fat, Smooth, Rocky.

HB in the Bridge and a P90 in the Neck is great. You get excellent Lead and rhythm Tones.
"P90s are poetry in the Neck and Humbuckers in the Bridge are badass."

rompo420 · 08-11-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savofenno

with good p90s no highs are lost. There`s darker and muddier pu`s of any type, and others with clear, open tone too. You choose.

that is a beautiful guitar!

Strat-toter · 08-26-2010, 01:38 AM

I love my SG Classic, P90 heaven.

GukkanGwnarkill · 08-26-2010, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillStickers

"P90s are poetry in the Neck and Humbuckers in the Bridge are badass."

Well said.

weelie · 08-26-2010, 10:22 AM

But... which are the good P90s? I am especially interested in humbucker sized ones. And would prefer low noise.

I know some will say Mean 90 is good, but others say it's not. Oh well.

I loved the new ES-330 I tried in a store here. Also really dug a Airline Tuxedo.

D.Allen · 09-04-2010, 11:01 PM

Good is a personal choice. You usually get what you pay for. You need to figure out what style of music or tone you want. I am working the kinks out of a few P-90 designs right now. The vintage ones I am using Alnico 2 magnets on. Then I will do a few with Alnico 5's. I tend to like P90s for that warm sound of early Jazz. They are great BIG single coils. They have about 20% more winds then a strat single coil and tend to develop a stronger midrange. This is just my humble opinion.

dmitri · 09-19-2010, 09:06 AM

For good HB sized P90 types, I would go with Tonerider... Rebel 90s are Alnico II mags (I have em in a LP copy) which sound sweet clean or dirty up really well. Bout the only thing they don't carry well is metal. The Mean 90s have a little more bite and grind to them, which may be what some folks want, but I found the Rebels to be closer to a real P90 - and I like that.

Though the lead lines aren't played with HB sized P90s, "PS100 Jam" gives a decent idea what P90s do in a cleaner setting, and the Rebels (HB sized) were used for the Rhythm parts. Recorded to give the guys on another forum an idea what both sound like together, so hope it helps - forgive the "meh" playing.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...bandID=1042961