H-150 conversion from humbuckers to P-90s

[H]

Hi all,

 

I'm going to put humbucker-size P-90s into my H-150, replacing the SD 59s. A few questions:

 

• Do I need to consider the pot/cap values when changing out the pickups?
  
• How can I determine the values of the current items? I don't know if they're original Heritage-loaded items.
  
• I know SD Phat Cats have a great reputation. Has anyone A/B'd them with Tonerider Rebel 90s, Bare Knuckle Mississippi Queens, Bare Knuckle Manhattans, GFS Mean 90s or any other humbucker-size P-90 I should be aware of?
  
• Anyone got some used that they'd like to trade? The SD 59's may form part of that equation if of interest.
  

[NoNameBand]

I'm sure with the original pots are 500k ohm which is standard for humbuckers. I can't say for sure about Phat Cats but, P-90s usually along with all single coil pickups, use 250k ohm pots. However, a interesting mod for P-90s is to use 300k ohm pots which smooths out the sometimes edge that some P-90s can get. Also, paper in oil capacitors are recommended. The manufacture could recommend the best pot value (250-300-500)for their pickup. If I'm not mistaken, the Phat Cat is a humbucker conversion which means your existing pots may be the best choice. Hope this helps.

[pegleg32]

Hi H, I just order a set of Harmonic Design Z90's for my 150. (they should arrive today!!) These are an exact replacement for the SD buckers. The maker reccommends 500 k pots all around. Since I recently installed a RS Guitarworks wiring kit, I should be in good shape. Web site here: http://www.harmonicdesign.net/

[Gitfiddler]

I haven't done any A/B'ing comparisons, but I know that I like Phat Cats in my 535. The pots are standard issue 500k and they work great. During gigs I tend to work the vol/tone controls a lot more with Phats due to their wide ranging tonal dynamics. Setting the amp volume high enough has a huge impact on this as mentioned.

 

Hopefully users of other humbucker-sized P90's (or hybrid P90's) will chime in. I know that this topic has been discussed a bunch over at the Gear Page.

[tulk1]

I have PhatCats in my Custom Prospect, thanks to Yoslate having them in his 150. Just friggin' awesome pickups. Not much they can't do. Better note definition than most HBs I've used. The bridge can get some nice Single Coil spank without the harsh icepick overtones. They are noisy, as SC's will be. And I wouldn't mind a bit more spank out of the neck pup. Other than that, I truly like them. I also have Bryan Gunsher's PG-Pups HB sized P90s in my Custom Stambaugh. They are hot, they are full of P90 goodness, are comparable in tonal quality to the PCs, and cost about 2/3rds of what SDPCs cost. But then, the wait is several weeks for them.

[H]

Hi H, I just order a set of Harmonic Design Z90's for my 150. (they should arrive today!!) These are an exact replacement for the SD buckers. The maker reccommends 500 k pots all around. Since I recently installed a RS Guitarworks wiring kit, I should be in good shape. Web site here: http://www.harmonicdesign.net/

Hi Don,

 

thanks for the tip on the Z-90s Some of these pickups are not easy to source in the UK.

 

Let me know how the install and the sounds go. Are you putting them in yourself? Are you getting metal-covered or plain black?

[GuitArtMan]

Let me suggest one other pickup: Lindy Fralin Split Single P92. Gorgeous P90 tone, no P90 hum. I have a set in this and love 'em:

 

 

[H]

I have PhatCats in my Custom Prospect, thanks to Yoslate having them in his 150. Just friggin' awesome pickups. Not much they can't do. Better note definition than most HBs I've used. The bridge can get some nice Single Coil spank without the harsh icepick overtones. They are noisy, as SC's will be. And I wouldn't mind a bit more spank out of the neck pup. Other than that, I truly like them. I also have Bryan Gunsher's PG-Pups HB sized P90s in my Custom Stambaugh. They are hot, they are full of P90 goodness, are comparable in tonal quality to the PCs, and cost about 2/3rds of what SDPCs cost. But then, the wait is several weeks for them.

Hi Kenny,

 

I didn't know Yoslate had the configuration I'm looking for! Very interesting - maybe he'll get involved in this thread and let me know about the sounds he's getting.

 

Thanks for the info on the BG P-90s too. I took a look on his site and they sound a bit 'thinner' than the SDs (could just be the amp he was playing through I suppose). I'm looking for nickel covers and he doesn't put covers on as he says it affects the tone.

[H]

Let me suggest one other pickup: Lindy Fralin Split Single P92. Gorgeous P90 tone, no P90 hum. I have a set in this and love 'em:

 

 

Thanks for the tip, my list is gradually expanding Fantastic quilt on that guitar - is it a Framus?

[H]

Hi Don,

 

thanks for the tip on the Z-90s Some of these pickups are not easy to source in the UK.

 

Let me know how the install and the sounds go. Are you putting them in yourself? Are you getting metal-covered or plain black?

Just noticed on the Harmonic Design website that they don't do metal covers for the Z-90 I want nickel covers - don't much like the black/white/cream/tortoiseshell look. Same thing put me off the SD P-Rails in the end - what an ugly pickup that is!

[GuitArtMan]

Thanks for the tip, my list is gradually expanding Fantastic quilt on that guitar - is it a Framus?

Don Grosh Set Neck. Here's my other one with the stock Fralin Humbuckers (which sound really frickin' good btw):

 

 

[pegleg32]

Just noticed on the Harmonic Design website that they don't do metal covers for the Z-90 I want nickel covers - don't much like the black/white/cream/tortoiseshell look. Same thing put me off the SD P-Rails in the end - what an ugly pickup that is!

 

H, what I did like about them was the cream covers, since they fit inside of the cream surrounds of the SD's, they match perfectly. But I can see why you might like the crome covers better, that would give it a more traditional look.

[Kuz]

Don Grosh Set Neck. Here's my other one with the stock Fralin Humbuckers (which sound really frickin' good btw):

 

 

 

GAM,

 

You have maybe the most beautiful non-Heritage guitars I have ever seen!!!!

[High Flying Bird]

I am having Phat Cats installed in my custom build. I am looking forward to hearing them.

[Steiner]

Don Grosh Set Neck. Here's my other one with the stock Fralin Humbuckers (which sound really frickin' good btw):

 

 

 

 

How often do you go swimming in your guitars?

 

 

I'm really enjoying Smurf1's 137! It's far more interesting to grab it than say a Fender. Interesting enough that (if KBP810's experiment works well) I may follow his (and yours H) path to morefunville.

 

Please do keep us abreast of your findings!

[yoslate]

Hi Kenny,

 

I didn't know Yoslate had the configuration I'm looking for! Very interesting - maybe he'll get involved in this thread and let me know about the sounds he's getting.

 

 

Yo, guys. Been out of the loop. Life's been breakin' my back here, lately, but I'm coming up for air. H, Kenny's characterization of Phat Cats, above, pretty much nails it! My 150 with the Phat Cats is a custom order. 1 3/4" at the nut, ebony board with a stop tailpiece. Great plank! And with the Phat Cats, quite a unique tool: Warm jazzy tone with just a bit of spank, a bit of snap and ring, at the neck. Classic middle position honk, perfect for chunking rhythm shapes or a funk lick. And great Tele-esque bite at the bridge, but without any nasty sharp edges. That 150 has all the tonal attributes I love in a Tele, but those attributes are a bit fatter and more rounded. I also have Phat Cats in my 576. Ditto above, but with the added depth and resonance of a semi-hollow, which seems to imbue that guitar with the 150's sonic characteristics, but in a richer, more woody version. Pound for pound, that 576 may be the best sounding guitar I own. Hope this is a bit of help!

[golferwave]

Don't know about the other brands but I've had PhatCats, and Mississippi Queens, and MUCH prefer the tone of the PhatCats. Everyones ears are different but that's my .02

[kbp810]

I very recently put a pair of manilus fat goat p90's in my 575 and it was love at first strum!

 

Very cool, very unique tone... plus I had a few questions for Mike who made the set and I can say he is a real stand up guy. Answered emails almost instantly, and seemed very knowledgeable and happy to help.

[groovin]

You may also wish to consider some noiseless P90s made by an Australian - Chris Kinman. Here are some links for your info.

 

http://www.kinman.com/guitar-pickups/p90/hx90.htm

 

Sound clips

 

 

[H]

You may also wish to consider some noiseless P90s made by an Australian - Chris Kinman.

Great sounds but they're soapbars - I need a humbucker-sized P-90. They're really expensive, hope his humless technology pays off!

[H]

Yoslate, sorry to hear about your troubles and glad you took the time to put together an informative piece on your setup.

 

I'm leaning toward the Phat Cats but can get the Toneriders for less than half the price in the UK. Could be a false economy though. The Toneriders sound pretty decent on the couple of clips I've found but the Phat Cats sound huge every time! I have my eye on a used set of PCs and will know how that's going to work out pretty soon.

 

Got any pics or sound clips of your guitar, Yoslate? I'd be interested to know about the pots and caps in your setup. Hope things start picking up for you soon.

[mark555]

How much do you want for the two SD 59's??

[mark555]

You may also wish to consider some noiseless P90s made by an Australian - Chris Kinman. Here are some links for your info.

 

http://www.kinman.com/guitar-pickups/p90/hx90.htm

 

Sound clips

 

 

 

Loved the playing on the les paul copy, Vintage is an economy brand, so it just go's to show what good pick ups and the ability of the player can do to make the difference. Kinman pick ups are superb, I have heard them live as used by British guitar player Hank Marvin, the sound is crystal clear and as pure as you get.

[H]

How much do you want for the two SD 59's??

PM sent.

[H]

Just bought a set of Phat Cats!