Number8 Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 I might like to replace a set of humbuckers in one on my Heritages with a set of P90s. Unless I'm mistaken, it doesn't look like Lollar has any true P90s that will fit (they have something similar but there are some sacrifices to the sound). I've seen stuff by Gibson and Phat Cat. I'm looking for the dirty, P90 growl (overwound perhaps). Does anyone have any thoughts, opinions, recommendations?
PunkKitty Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 Are you talking about humbucker sized P90s? If so, I recommend the BG Pure 90. Bryan's formula for these is pure magic.
Number8 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Posted February 6, 2013 PK - Do you have anything set up with those right now? If so, are you going to bring it to the HOC gathering?
PunkKitty Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 I don't at the moment. I have something set up with Rose Black Velvets that you can try. But I'm not planning on bringing it to the gathering. You may also want to try Lace Alumitones. They look different. But they have a different vibe all together. I'll have my 170 with me that is set up with Alumitones.
MartyGrass Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 I like Alumitones, too. They are not P90s but are somewhat similar. I'd suggest considering Fralin P92s. They don't hum and definitely sound in the P90 family (there is no single P90 sound). If you want them to growl, you'll want a set with 9K and 10K winds. Seymour Duncan P-Rails might also be of interest.
Number8 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Posted February 6, 2013 Thanks guys...you're always very helpful.
PunkKitty Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 P Rails are nice. But to get the most out of them you need Triple Shot rings.
MartyGrass Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 P Rails are nice. But to get the most out of them you need Triple Shot rings. Excellent point. I got a lot out of them by using push-pulls. The hassle factor of the installation goes up with P-Rails.
StephenK Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 Chris Klein, builds some great Pick-ups. I use his Epic '52's in my Tele. They are the best. He has a P-90 that he re-sized to a Humbucker. Might want to take a look and give him a call with your questions. Regards, Stephen
DavesNotHere Posted February 7, 2013 Posted February 7, 2013 I like Alumitones, too. They are not P90s but are somewhat similar. I'd suggest considering Fralin P92s. They don't hum and definitely sound in the P90 family (there is no single P90 sound). If you want them to growl, you'll want a set with 9K and 10K winds. Seymour Duncan P-Rails might also be of interest. I like the Firalins. I have a new set of P92s sitting on my desk right now.
bobmeyrick Posted February 7, 2013 Posted February 7, 2013 Excellent point. I got a lot out of them by using push-pulls. The hassle factor of the installation goes up with P-Rails. I'd disagree that the hassle factor goes up. The only potential drawback is the need to trim the pickup leads, but that is more than compensated for by the ease of soldering the leads to the small piece of circuit board attached to the Triple Shot. When I fitted them to my 150 Special, I had to cut off a significant amount of the lead so that it would fit inside the pickup cavity. However if I was ever to sell the P-Rails, they would come with the Triple Shots attached. The big advantage is the ability to have each pickup configured differently - with the push-pull pots both pickups are the same. On the subject of humbucker-sized P90s, Bare Knuckle do a couple - the Manhattan, the Mississippi Queen, and the Stockholm. I haven't tried any of these, but I have a pair of Stormy Mondays in my H150 VSB and they are very nice.
SouthpawGuy Posted February 7, 2013 Posted February 7, 2013 P-Rails for me, have them in several guitars including a Heritage 170, 576 and 535. Triple shots are probably the best way to go, four wiring options for each pickup. Mine are wired for series / parallel/ P90/ rail for each pickup. Weakest setting is the rail or single coil, however it sounds great in the 535 and 576, not so much in the solid body 170. The 170 was originally wired for Heritages own VIP, that was modified to have a three way switch for each pickup, meaning I don't have parallel on the 170, it's way more useful than the rail setting, great for rhythm strumming and hum free. Obligatory gratuitous pics 170 / mini switches 535 / triple shot rings 576 / triple shot rings Also have them in a G&L ASAT Deluxe, and they do sound different in that guitar. The single coil ( rail ) mode sounds a lot better, very Tele like, well it would ! P-90 mode has more bite, maybe due to bolt on construction and scale length. All round they're great pickups, some don't like the looks, doesn't bother me in the slightest, no chrome or nickel to go grubby or keep clean which is a bonus personally. The real fun with P-Rails is combining the two pickups in different modes ... neck series with bridge P90, neck single with bridge P90, neck P90 with bridge series, etc. Lots of great sounds. Another point of note is that when both pickups are on together the rail / rail and P90/ P90 are hum cancelling. They're also hum free when in combo with series or parallel so the only 60 cycle hum is with each pickup on its own in rail or P90 mode. Hate that single coil hum.
MartyGrass Posted February 7, 2013 Posted February 7, 2013 I'd disagree that the hassle factor goes up. Well, the hassle factor goes up for me if I have to add triple shots or replace standard pots with push-pulls. It's not a big deal, but it is an extra step that's well worth it.
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