Humbucker sized P90

[swarfrat]

Looking for whats out there in terms of humbucker sized P90's. So far I've found lots of botiques and a few mainstream guys. What else is out there? What should I be looking for?

Duncan Phat Cat          (not humbucking)
Duncan P-rails              (multi-mode)
DiMarzio Bluesbucker (humbucking)
Fralin P92                      (humbucking)
Gibson P94T                (not humbucking)

I hate to let aesthetics make too big a deal, but I really didn't want a metal cover. I'll do it if I have to, but it needs to be available in gold.  It's going on a top routed strat body (so while possible, actual P-90 sized P-90's are kinda awkward)  I liked the Fralin video clips, but I'd like to hear it a bit harder than Lindy plays. I like the description of the DiMarzio, but haven't heard anything but product ad copy.

So what else is out there, and what should I be looking at? Anyone have experience with these?

 

[Firebird211]

If the P-90 size will be awkward for your guitar I could suggest the P-rails.  They are a humbucker size, and of course, give you the options of the P-90 and the single coil rail.  That's just my opinion, though.

 

[kboman]

Here are a few more:

Harmonic Design Z-90s: http://www.harmonicdesign.net/allpages/gibsons.html
GFS Mean 90: http://store.guitarfetish.com/me90tralp90p.html
Bareknuckle Mississippi Queen: http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/ZP-MQ.html

I have a Häussel HB-sized P90 myself but haven't installed it anywhere yet.

 

[dNA]

I tried out a set of DiMarzio Bluesbuckers and while I'm a huge DiMarzio fanboy, I was underwhelmed. They just seem to lack character or an "organic" quality. Apparently most reviewers attribute this to the ceramic magnets. I read a post from another forum about a guy who replaced the ceramic magnets with Alnico 5 and loved the results. I thought about trying that myself.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145693

Still, I dont' think it actually ended up sounding like a P-90 so if that's what you're going for you should probably look elsewhere.

 

[swarfrat]

Thanks - I was kinda leaning towards the DiMarzio's, but after hearing some Mean90's and the price point - I'm leaning heavily towards that route. (No pun intended, the route has been decided already - body is on a big brown truck.
I still got a while before I really NEED the pickups/etc.. as I have a lot of finish work on the body once it gets here, and have yet to order my neck, which won't be a showcase item (sadly, there's a dearth of straight headstock 24.75" scale wenge/ebony gold fret necks in the showcase.)

Now trying to decide if metal covered humbuckers  (sized pickups in this case)  will look stupid in a pickguard. I realize that 99.9% of the hb's I've seen in a pickguard had no covers. I think it'll look sharp without being gaudy, but... wait and see.

 

[dNA]

Now trying to decide if metal covered humbuckers  (sized pickups in this case)  will look stupid in a pickguard. I realize that 99.9% of the hb's I've seen in a pickguard had no covers.

For a second I was thinking you're right, but I knew there was something... Just search image for "tele deluxe" and you shall have your answer

 

[swarfrat]

Ahh thank you. Something like this from jackthehack? Yeah that'll do.

 

[dNA]

Ahh thank you. Something like this from jackthehack? Yeah that'll do.

AKA "Bitchin'"
it's a shame warmoth doesn't make aluminum necks. that'd look perfect on that one. ha

 

[felipeak]

Just based in reviews..... The tone of tonerider's rebel90 has a similar sound to p90. I bought a neck rebel90, which i haven't install because i'm building the guitar. I don't know if they come in gold. Good luck

 

[dmraco]

Here are a few more:

Harmonic Design Z-90s: http://www.harmonicdesign.net/allpages/gibsons.html
GFS Mean 90: http://store.guitarfetish.com/me90tralp90p.html
Bareknuckle Mississippi Queen: http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/ZP-MQ.html

I have a Häussel HB-sized P90 myself but haven't installed it anywhere yet.

If I had the cash I would go Bareknuckle.  The GFS is a nice choice too...especially for the $$

 

[TroubledTreble]

I recently rewound a set of GFS. I got to look at the construction. The baseplate was solid brass. This can cause a pickup to be a bit darker. In fact it was one of the complaints of the person who requested the rewind.

 

[dmraco]

I recently rewound a set of GFS. I got to look at the construction. The baseplate was solid brass. This can cause a pickup to be a bit darker. In fact it was one of the complaints of the person who requested the rewind.

maybe that why I like them....dark warm tone.

 

[grabby]

It's late... but Kent Armstrong HB90 kicks ass. I have 2 and I love them.

 

[add4]

i just mounted a bare knuckle manhattan humbucker sized P90 in my ibanez AS-93 and it sounds killer. I am aware that the manhattan is mainly made for jazz (although it easily takes some distortion or drive, and has beautiful dynamics). But is the mississipi queen humbucker sized P90 are as good as the manhattan, you might give it a thought.
The bare knuckle manhattan makes my gibson classic 57 sound thin, muddy, undefined, and really cheap.
hope that helps

 

[greywolf]

I 'm using a Gibson P-94 mid and Harmonic Designs Z 90 bridge ( 30% over)  Love them .

 

[dNA]

since this thread originated, TroubleTreble released his PDX90's, which are hum-sized P90's. I have a set in my artist and i LOVE them. it's wonderful

 

[Tipperman]

Lindy Fralin P-92s. That's my choice, at least. Great sounding pickups. Put them in my friends PRS Hollowbody II and they sound incredible.

 

[thebutcher85]

I recommend the GFS mean 90's, I was blown away when I tried them! (I still like them better than the Duncan phat cat and the Gibbo P94) And definitely NOT because they are so inexpensive, they just sound really great! (to me at least! haha) I put a set in an old greco les paul I had, I'm still sorry I sold that axe!

 

[swarfrat]

I bought the GFS Mean 90's already. Waiting on my neck. In my waiting, I've wondered if I shouldnt'a done a Mean 90  neck / 59 bridge. But such is life. And it's a rather easy fix to boot.

 

[thebutcher85]

Haha! the 59 is a great pickup as well. I think you'll dig the Mean 90's though.