p-90's

  • Thread starter Thread starter mikeanniston
  • Start date Start date
M

mikeanniston

New member
i know it might be a dumb question, but ive never played with a p-90. i was just wondering if its possible to change out a p 90 for a full size humbucker without having to cut a wider hole in the guitar?
 
Best I can remember a p-90 is slightly smaller than a humbucker.
 
p-90s (sometimes known as "soapbars") are a different shape than humbuckers and probably would require routing on a guitar with regular humbuckers. i would try these or gibson p-94s.
 
Gibson (as well as others) makes a P-90 in the shape of a humbucker for a no surgery fit. Some say that these don't really sound the same as a regular P-90.

If you want to know what's involved in swapping out for a real P-90, I believe Zaphod B can tell you all you need to know.

But please, if it's a real LP Special, don't do it! :D
 
notCardio said:
Gibson (as well as others) makes a P-90 in the shape of a humbucker for a no surgery fit. Some say that these don't really sound the same as a regular P-90.

If you want to know what's involved in swapping out for a real P-90, I believe Zaphod B can tell you all you need to know.

But please, if it's a real LP Special, don't do it! :D
Click to expand...
notCardio is right, you would need to rout the body to fit a full-size HB into a P-90 space. If memory serves the length is the same but a HB is about 1/2" wider. It's enough that once you do it, you can't go back without major cosmetic surgery.
 
humbucker's

i think that mini hunbuckers will fit into the p90 space perfectly ......... and they have a great bite .................. :cool:
 
Hmmm. I thought a P-90 was wider, too. If I have time this morning, I'll go visit my guitars and measure. :(


Of course, I could just look up the specs online, but where's the sport in that?
 
dave..... said:
i think that mini hunbuckers will fit into the p90 space perfectly ......... and they have a great bite .................. :cool:
Click to expand...

I've often wondered about that. They look like they're about the same size...

Who sells minis? Any pickup manufacturers, or just one of those generic parts places?
 
notCardio said:
Hmmm. I thought a P-90 was wider, too. If I have time this morning, I'll go visit my guitars and measure. :(
Click to expand...
It might be, notCardio, I just don't recall.
 
Supercreep said:
It's an SG special. Why not?
Click to expand...
notCardio has this....thing....about LP Specials.

It's a good thing he doesn't own one, it would probably be all sticky. :D
 
lp's

i have a thing about lp's .... special's .... standard's ....... custom's ..... deluxe's .......... i sleep w/ my custom :rolleyes:
 
check out the seymour duncan phat cats. they are p-90's in a humbucker size and shape. I have a set and like em fine.
 
jdier said:
check out the seymour duncan phat cats. they are p-90's in a humbucker size and shape. I have a set and like em fine.
Click to expand...

Have you ever had the chance to compare them to stock p-90s?
 
Zaphod B said:
notCardio has this....thing....about LP Specials.

It's a good thing he doesn't own one, it would probably be all sticky. :D
Click to expand...

Only from where I'd slobber on it when I'm asleep.

I'd have to wear gloves when I handled it and a, uh, 'glove' when I handled 'it'. :D



No, really I'm not that bad, but there's a bit of a difference between being afraid to touch it and taking a f*cking chain saw to it! ;)


An SG Special? Is it an Epi? Knock yourself out.
 
notCardio said:
No, really I'm not that bad, but there's a bit of a difference between being afraid to touch it and taking a f*cking chain saw to it! ;)
Click to expand...
Hahaha, you know you want it! :D
 
Supercreep said:
.............No, it's a Gibson SG special.
Click to expand...

So why not just sell it and buy the SG with P-90s?

Or are you one of these guys that has to have them both on the same guitar? :rolleyes:







Actually, I don't care. As long as it's not an LP Special, or something equally rare.
 
notCardio said:
Actually, I don't care. As long as it's not an LP Special, or something equally rare.
Click to expand...
The funny thing about guitars is that you don't know they're rare until they're rare.

When I bought my '72 LP Special some time in the mid-'70s it was already well adorned with road rash from its first owner(s). At the time it was considered to be a down-market LP with cheap tuners and a cheap, non-adjustable tailpiece. I couldn't afford a "real" LP. Those P-90s were sweet but the bridge PU just didn't have the bite. So I fixed it.

Well, whaddaya know? 35 years later the goddamned thing (that I paid $400 for) would be worth $3K today if I'd left it alone, but I made a lot more coin than that with the money I made using it and had a better tool in the process. And guess what? I can get sounds out of that LP Special when I'm blending those two pickups that I'll bet you've never heard another LP make.

If you're going to be overly concerned about the rarity of a guitar, you may as well buy the thing and lock it in a closet. I have a friend who has done just that - two beautiful Fenders, a Strat and Tele, of early '70s vintage that have a combined playing time of less than 5 hours on 'em. What good are they doing sitting in the closet? None, IMHO.

That's my morning rant!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top