Sitting somewhere between a humbucker and a single-coil pickup – at least in terms of sound and feel – the P-90 is considered by many players as the finest all-round
guitar pickup of all-time.
It’s quite a claim, but after reading this article you’ll be as convinced as us!
Introduced in 1946 by Gibson, the P-90 was revealed as a single-coil pickup offering the bite and brightness you’d expect from the traditional
single-coil, but with the added power and richness you’d get from a humbucker.
This is why P-90s were such a hit, due to their high output which could deliver the bold, rock guitar sound that guitarists were craving, with not too much twang. The P-90 was the standard pickup in Gibson guitars from 1946 up until the late 1950s, when the humbucking PAF arrived on the scene.
Even though they dropped in popularity in the decades that followed, players are once again enthused over the P-90, choosing to make use of its vintage-tinted, well-rounded tone – whether buying a
new guitar with P-90s already installed, or fixing a new set to an existing axe.
Which is why we’ve put together a chart highlighting seven of our favourite P-90s worth considering if you’re looking to buy, as well as a short guide to the basics of this awesome pickup. Let’s check them out!
The Top 5 P-90 Pickups:
What Makes a P-90
While we’ve suggested that a P-90 is half humbucker/half single-coil, it’s not. It’s a single-coil, although certainly does offer some characteristics of a humbucker.
Without getting too technical, P-90s have a similar construction to Strat single-coils, although they feature flat alnico bar magnets under the coil bobbin. The coil itself is larger and flatter than a Strat pickup too, while the adjustable pole-pieces aren’t magnetic themselves – differing from the magnetic pole-pieces you’d find in a Strat pickup.
P-90s actually come with a couple of different casing styles – such as soap bars (which naturally resemble a rectangular bar of soap), dog ears (where the side extensions resemble the ears of a dog!), and the classic humbucker size. While there’s nothing fundamentally different with the electronics, these shapes are usually meant for specific guitars, so ensure you’re selecting the right style for your guitar.
What They Sound Like
As we’ve established, the tone of a P-90 sits somewhere between a single-coil and a humbucker, although with unique tonal characteristics that make it a real audiophile’s pickup. They feature a relatively low output, but with a beefier sound than a single-coil and more articulation than a humbucker.
P-90s are actually a very versatile pickup, capable of impressing in all genres – especially rock, blues and jazz. Perhaps they aren’t the
best pickups for metal, due to being less robust than dedicated humbuckers, but can certainly handle heavy overdrive and distortion very well.
Many famous players have dabbled with P-90s in their history, but notable regular users include Pete Townshend, Mick Jones, Tony Iommi, Carlos Santana, Rivers Cuomo, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Les Paul himself.
Any Disadvantages?
While they can offer a great mix of both single-coil and humbucker tones, a P-90’s biggest disadvantage comes in the form of hum – after all, they are still single-coils at their core. However, the more modern P-90s are actually very quiet when it comes to excess noise, so it’s becoming less of a problem.
The Final Word
After browsing our chart and guide, you will hopefully have learned that P-90s are pretty amazing pickups, and versatile enough to fit most music styles. If you’ve never considered trying them, now is the time – especially if you crave that true vintage growl.
Whatever you do, make a considered choice before parting with your hard-earned cash. Check out the P-90s on our chart for some inspiration, then go and read some reviews and watch some videos of them in action.
Good luck with your new pickups!