P-90s

marctrain57 · Post by **marctrain57** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:36 pm

I am looking to buy a P-90 equipped guitar. I loved the sound of some of the late 60’s early 70’s recordings using P-90s. However, most guitar companies don’t do much with P-90s as opposed to the more popular single coils or humbuckers. So give me some suggestions, P-90 equipped Les Pauls. SGs, PRS, Casinos or something more esoteric. Describe the sounds you are hearing. I know I have to try it to be sure but give me a direction to look. Since there are fewer to choose from I will post this on several websites.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:45 pm

I generally don't like Gibsons but the best sounding P-90 equipped guitar i've played was a Les Paul Custom '54 Reissue Black Beauty.

For a while I owned a rare PRS Custom 22 Soapbar, which has 3 Seymour Duncan p-90's, a maple fretboard, and a 5-way Strat-style switch. It didn't sound anywhere near as "rich" as that Les Paul did, especially the neck pickup.

byu · Post by **byu** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:27 pm

This is a great deal. Gold top, P90 equipped. The humbucker version has gotten great reviews in Guitar publications:
http://www.washburn.com/products/electrics/idol/wi66pro.aspx

You may also want to consider just adding P90s to something you already own.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:33 pm

Yeah, that's it. Put P90s on your 330!

runs for cover...

marctrain57 · Post by **marctrain57** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:37 pm

Ha,Ha,Ha mines a 340 and I intend her to remain a virgin when it comes to mods

clearblue · Post by **clearblue** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:24 pm

you can still get a Gibson SG Classic with P-90 pickups.

mfb · Post by **mfb** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:59 pm

you can still get a Gibson SG Classic with P-90 pickups.

I second that suggestion.

I have one, and with a little noise suppression, it is one of the best sounding and ergonomic guitars that I have.

Although the body shape may be a bit too much for some, I think for the price it can be had new, it must be one of the best deals around for an American made guitar.

kkm · Post by **kkm** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:05 pm

This is my favorite non-beatles guitar i own. it sounds awesome. i have the yellow.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Electric?sku=517512

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:22 am

Casino Casino Casino!

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:35 am

To my way of thinking Red Rob has nailed it. A reissue Casino is a good choice if you like the P-90 sound and can live with the feedback at higher volumes.

Also, for 200-300 US dollars you can pickup a new Squire Tele Custom II with P-90s.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 4:11 am

As a guy with the following P90-equipped guitars, you could say I like the way they sound:
(3) MIK Epi Casinos
(1) MIK Epi Sorrento
(1) MIJ Epi Casino
(1) Gibson SG Classic
(1) Gibson Les Paul Junior

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 4:11 am

HUGE +1 on the Squier Tele Peter! I bought one as a Christmas present for my wife... DO NOT let the brand fool you. It's a RIDICULOUS sounding guitar, big, versatile tone that does not quit, anything from jazz to funk to reggae to sweet clean sounds to heavy distortion, it covers the bases from A to Z. For the price... you can't beat it!

Another suggestion to increase the option list... my best friend bought an Epi reissue goldtop with P-90's... almost the same versatility, just sounds a little darker due to the mahogany.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:15 am

As Mike mentioned (with his link) the Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway sounds great. I went to a new music store in our area this past weekend and one of the salesmen cranked up one of these through a THD Bi-Valve with a THD 4X12 cab. Wow, it does the trick nicely.

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:38 am

Marc, I LOVED the tone of my Fender Aerodyne Telecaster (with a stock P90 in the neck). Tele spank and chime on the bridge side and a superb P90 sound on the neck = buttery, creamy lead lines, smoky overtones, warm growl. The volume of the pickups matched nicely (unlike my '72 Custom Tele!). They can be had for a song and the aesthetic is among Fender's best (next to the Jazz and Jags, of course).

So why did I sell it? Cos I don't think I can play solidbody guitars.

It's residing in France now.

Best of luck,

Noel

steve_hershberger · Post by **steve_hershberger** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:42 am

I'm with Mike and Ken. In '03 I bought a new faded Gibson LP Special DC (cherry color), and it's got to be the rockin'est guitar I own. It gets the all-out P-90 snarl when cranked up, but cleans up nicely when backing down on the volume knob a bit. Very full tone either way.

They cost a lot more now though.