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Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 11:54 am
by codedog
The current model Epi LP Special is my first foray into P-90 pickups. I don't think the bridge pickup is much, if any, hotter than the neck. Is this a common setup for 2x P-90s? I can always wind back the volume on the neck pickup to keep it cleaner, but that depends very much on the amp or pedal. Some respond to that but, even then, they may not always sound great. I had the impression LP Specials are a bit of a rock guitar. Then again, Larry Carlton plays one too, a 57 original. No idea what pickups are on it.

I'm considering trying out some Tonerider vintage neck and hot bridge. Before I go there, I'm curious about how people are using their P-90 guitars.

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 12:34 pm
by Molly
I don't like hot pickups, personally. The SD P90s that came as stock in a few PRSs I've had were too hot. I guess it depends what you're going for.

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 12:48 pm
by codedog
Molly wrote:I don't like hot pickups, personally. The SD P90s that came as stock in a few PRSs I've had were too hot. I guess it depends what you're going for.
I don't like hot neck pickups but it would be nice to have the bridge hotter than the neck.

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 12:50 pm
by Starfire
Adjusting pickup height is your friend.

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 12:57 pm
by jeremyb
P90s respond better to thicker strings, chuck some 11s on there, on the Gibson scale it will feel like 10s anyway in standard :)

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 1:21 pm
by sizzlingbadger
codedog wrote: I don't think the bridge pickup is much, if any, hotter than the neck. Is this a common setup for 2x P-90s?
yes in my experience

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 1:41 pm
by kdawg2a
Starfire wrote:Adjusting pickup height is your friend.
This is the correct answer.

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 2:08 pm
by Terexgeek
Adjusting the height is free, and gives a really wide range of tones, further away is darker/quieter, closer in is brighter/louder.

I tend to drop the bass(!) side a little more so sustain is more even over the thicc to thin strings.

Next cheapest option is mess with the wire quality, pots and caps, but since you have just got it better to maximise and hear what you have before dropping more cash on wire/caps/pots.

Then I would move to swapping pick-ups only after messing with those other options!

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 4:02 pm
by IMOCD
Starfire wrote:Adjusting pickup height is your friend.
THIS. I have two P90 equipped guitars and I have found pup height to be key. Before you go ahead and buy new ones, if you haven't already, have a tweak. Personally, I set the neck really quite low with treble side slightly closer to strings than bass side. I then give the pole screws a bit of lift to bring out some snap. I find the bridges need to be pretty close to the strings to get the balls p90's are known for (approx 2-3mm) from string. Because they are this close, I then screw in the poles a little to take some edge off. Not sure if this is the case with Epi, but Gibson P90 neck and bridge are exactly the same outputs, which accounts for the challenge in balancing. Volume plays a huge part too and having the 2v 2t setup works a treat I find. I also think good quality 500k+ pots are imperative, and 50's wiring don't hurt none either, then you can back of bridge tone to 6 or 7 which thickens it up but still retains a certain clarity. I love me some p90.

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 4:16 pm
by AiRdAd
I've never tried adjusting poles on any of my pickups. Will try it.

Oh and your advice echoes the advice grantb gave me with p90s. Bridge really close, and neck really far away :-)

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 5:14 pm
by codedog
AiRdAd wrote:I've never tried adjusting poles on any of my pickups. Will try it.

Oh and your advice echoes the advice grantb gave me with p90s. Bridge really close, and neck really far away :-)
I didn't think of that. I kinda do this for my Strat already, to a lesser extent perhaps. Will give it a go.

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 5:47 pm
by Molly
codedog wrote:
AiRdAd wrote:I've never tried adjusting poles on any of my pickups. Will try it.

Oh and your advice echoes the advice grantb gave me with p90s. Bridge really close, and neck really far away :-)
I didn't think of that. I kinda do this for my Strat already, to a lesser extent perhaps. Will give it a go.
My ears just aren't able to pick up the subtle differences that adjusting pole pieces create. Pickup height I can get across a decent range but it's mostly by eye not ear.


Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 5:49 pm
by codedog
I have never adjusted pole pieces, not sure I'd bother either. My ears are not that discerning.

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 5:50 pm
by Slowy
Absolutely agree with Terexgeek and IMOCD.
I'm no P90 expert but I have 2 current impressions, the Reverend 3x p90 posted elsewhere and this thing:

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I'd describe the Reverend's pups as fatter, more powerful single coils. If you predominantly play single coils, these things will startle you.

Now to the golden beast above; bit of a story, sorry.
I acquired this through one of the most memorable acts of generosity I have ever received and it's worth the telling.

I had expressed interest in acquiring an SE One right here. And I started an active search on TM. Some fruitless time later I get a PM from Jellybelly, " Look what I just bought!"
"Fuck! I've got a TM search for those and I never even saw it.. How does Troy do that?"
"Actually, I bought it for you; saw you wanted one. This is what I paid, If you want it, sweet. If not, no problem."
Thanks Troy, I'll never forget that.
There's also another story about tuners and don't think I've forgotten that either Mate.


ANYWAY!!!!!! P90s....

Didn't like the PRS P90 it came with. It was OK, but bland, no personality.
Swapped for an Entwistle. Cheap and not bad at all, definitely an improvement.
But I had ordered a Lollar Overwound P90. Given I prefer low output pups, it's not entirely clear to me why I did this.

What I created was an extremely cranky Rottweiler. It's scary to play, sure but the worst thing is its total domination of the sonic landscape. This is a trio guitar... with bass and drums behind. For my collaborations, it's just boorish.

But it's fantastic, I love it. One day maybe, I can be in a band playing molten blues slide licks. This is what it lives for.

Way TL:DR.

P90's vary...a lot. Define your sound and look for pups tuned that way. I have 2 P90 guitars in reach. One channels Knopfler and the other talks to the Devil.

Re: Learn me on P-90 Pickups

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 5:58 pm
by codedog
Slowy wrote:Absolutely agree with Terexgeek and IMOCD.
I'm no P90 expert but I have 2 current impressions, the Reverend 3x p90 posted elsewhere and this thing:
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P90's vary...a lot. Define your sound and look for pups tuned that way. I have 2 P90 guitars in reach. One channels Knopfler and the other talks to the Devil.
Interesting. Would it be too much to ask for the neck pickup to channel Knopfler, and the bridge to channel the Devil? Come to think of it, it will end up sounding like 2 guitars.