Help putting a P-90 into my lil' old harmony electric

[CarlWonderful]

So I got an old little Harmony Solid Body Electric Guitar like the one i pictured, except mine only has one pickup close to he neck. The wiring is all messed up and the pickup doesn't sound great either so wanted to slam a p-90 in this mother.

1) Looking for recommendations of what p-90 would suit me best. See below.

2) Curious if there's a wiring kit to go along with it. I'll need just 2 pots (volume and tone) and input jack.. and all wires.

3) Any truth to some styles of attaching p-90s in picking up more resonance from the actual body of the guitar? And would it even make a difference with this little light body guitar I got?


I like a smooth tone. Little Jazzy, big bottom end and smooth (or just less highs) but I get into some hairy/dirty light transparent overdrive tones too. I never use a pick and always finger pick, or strum with my fingers. Would be nice to have a p90 that isn't noisy or "hummy". I would like a big soapbox type because I like to have something to rest my thumb on while I finger-pick. Plus they look cool as bunz I think. Especially in creme color.


Thanks friends!

 

[Dave Matthews]

SD Antiquity is a fav of mine, and I hear great things about Wolftone.
No idea about wiring.

 

[Deleted member 196982]

P90s are just about the noisiest pickups you can find, IMO/IME. Worse than single coil fenders by a good bit. You can google around and see that there are many noiseless ones. You'll want to check dimensions and the depth of the current rout to make sure they'll fit and not be too close to the strings. I'd just use something like a standard Tele wiring, but you might need 500k pots for hum-canceling designs. Read up on the ones you settle on.

If you don't get noiseless/hum-canceling ones, shield, shield, shield the cavities and ground everything well.

And, you might need to make a new pick guard.

Cool project. Good luck.

 

[Dave Matthews]

P90s are just about the noisiest pickups you can find, IMO/IME. Worse than single coil fenders by a good bit. You can google around and see that there are many noiseless ones. You'll want to check dimensions and the depth of the current rout to make sure they'll fit and not be too close to the strings. I'd just use something like a standard Tele wiring, but you might need 500k pots for hum-canceling designs. Read up on the ones you settle on.

If you don't get noiseless/hum-canceling ones, shield, shield, shield the cavities and ground everything well.

And, you might need to make a new pick guard.

Cool project. Good luck.

I've had good/noiseless luck with my SD Antiquities in my PRS 594 Soapy.

 

[Old Music Guy]

Before considering a pickup change, I would first make sure that your guitar is in good enough shape to drop $$$ on pups.
Is the neck straight? If not, is there a truss rod? Does it have the proper equipment for a proper set up? Bridge? Saddles?
If your guitar can't be set up to be playable, then a P90 is a waste of $$.
You can buy a good NEW guitar, made in China, for less than 200$. I've purchased 3 from one place and none of them disappoint. I've replaced the pups in all 3. One of them is a go-to for Larry Carlton jazz. If I put a Tube Screamer in front, well...
If your looking just to drop a P90 in your guitar, then do it. IF you want a guitar that you want to play and hang on to, I would consider other options.
IMHO, YMMV

 

[RFR]

Old Japanese guitars are cool. And the original pickups have a very unique character to them , and sound cool.

I’d get the guitar in tip top shape but keep it stock. They don’t make em anymore. Some are worth a pretty penny too.

I’d get another newer player and mod that.

Just my opinion.

 

[CarlWonderful]

Before considering a pickup change, I would first make sure that your guitar is in good enough shape to drop $$$ on pups.
Is the neck straight? If not, is there a truss rod? Does it have the proper equipment for a proper set up? Bridge? Saddles?
If your guitar can't be set up to be playable, then a P90 is a waste of $$.
You can buy a good NEW guitar, made in China, for less than 200$. I've purchased 3 from one place and none of them disappoint. I've replaced the pups in all 3. One of them is a go-to for Larry Carlton jazz. If I put a Tube Screamer in front, well...
If your looking just to drop a P90 in your guitar, then do it. IF you want a guitar that you want to play and hang on to, I would consider other options.
IMHO, YMMV

Its actually in pretty good condition and I really like playing it. good feel good vibes. Just electronics are all screwed up and thought a p90 would be jammin in it...

 

[RFR]

Its actually in pretty good condition and I really like playing it. good feel good vibes. Just electronics are all screwed up and thought a p90 would be jammin in it...

Electronics can easily be repaired

 

[Old Music Guy]

Just electronics are all screwed up and thought a p90 would be jammin in it...

Before you start, you need to have a better than good understanding of electronics. If the electronics are screwed up, you'll first need to figure out what's wrong and then fix it. Then you can think about dropping in a new pup.
In the event you BUY the P90, and try to install it, and it fails, you've just put a bunch of $$ down the toilet.
I don't mean to be Debby Downer or a know-it-all prick, but I think you're way over your head with this one.

 

[Old Music Guy]

Why don't you post a pic of the guitar you do have, instead of the guitar you don't have?
That might help if you're looking for advice.

 

[RFR]

Before you start, you need to have a better than good understanding of electronics. If the electronics are screwed up, you'll first need to figure out what's wrong and then fix it. Then you can think about dropping in a new pup.
In the event you BUY the P90, and try to install it, and it fails, you've just put a bunch of $$ down the toilet.
I don't mean to be Debby Downer or a know-it-all prick, but I think you're way over your head with this one.

To the OP

If you have no experience, don’t mess with it. You don’t even know if a p90 will fit.

 

[CarlWonderful]

Before you start, you need to have a better than good understanding of electronics. If the electronics are screwed up, you'll first need to figure out what's wrong and then fix it. Then you can think about dropping in a new pup.
In the event you BUY the P90, and try to install it, and it fails, you've just put a bunch of $$ down the toilet.
I don't mean to be Debby Downer or a know-it-all prick, but I think you're way over your head with this one.

Way over my head... why do you think that, lol. Its not THAT complicated. Its a very old and cheapish guitar... but I like the style and the feel out it. Everything inside of it is old and scratchy and messed up. Makes sense to replace it all in this case. It's only a single pickup and 2 pots and input jack as it is so... I''ve put 3 new single coils and pots and 5 way switch in my fender strat and it worked out great. I make complicated DIY eurorack modules and lots of stuff. So just looking for advice on something like p90s cause I dont have experience with them. That was being maybe a Little bit of a downer I'd say. I come here to be encouraged, not discouraged u know.

 

[CarlWonderful]

Whats with all the discouraging comments here? I know a p90 will fit it. A p90 and 2 pots and a jack is not that expensive so its not a huge investiment. I like to experiement and I know a bit about soldering and electroncs so I thought what the heck. I'm looking for info and recommendations, not to be talked out of somehting I was excited about doing and trying out

To the OP

If you have no experience, don’t mess with it. You don’t even know if a p90 will fit.

 

[CarlWonderful]

Why don't you post a pic of the guitar you do have, instead of the guitar you don't have?
That might help if you're looking for advice.

Here is the exact guitar. Its a H801 Harmony

 

[RFR]

Whats with all the discouraging comments here? I know a p90 will fit it. A p90 and 2 pots and a jack is not that expensive so its not a huge investiment. I like to experiement and I know a bit about soldering and electroncs so I thought what the heck. I'm looking for info and recommendations, not to be talked out of somehting I was excited about doing and trying out

You post about it, and you’re inviting input. You’re gonna get encouragement and discouraging comments. That’s life.

Don’t let any of us talk you out of what you want

Go for it.

You asked in your original post if anyone made a harness. Emerson makes excellent harnesses, and an LPjr harness would be perfect. A bit pricey but top notch quality stuff. LindyFralin makes excellent p90s.

 

[Old Music Guy]

nice guitar. go for it.