P90 Questions

[Vilches3]

Hey everyone- had a few thoughts on my mind that have been bugging me, would appreciate if anyone could shed some light on the P90s.

1. Would a guitar using a black korina body be too mid focused for a ceramic Pig 90?......trying to decide which neck would sound best with a korina body for this pickup as well- between Wenge, Korina and Maple- leaning towards wenge

2. What would a ceramic stockholm sound like?

3. Could custom P90's be wound? say a Blackhawk90 or a VHII90 even.....

Thanks
Rob

[Dave Sloven]

A ceramic Stockholm would probably have a bit less mids, with some more highs and tighter, deeper lows.  I'm betting it would sound pretty good.

[Vilches3]

A ceramic Stockholm would probably have a bit less mids, with some more highs and tighter, deeper lows.  I'm betting it would sound pretty good.

Kinda like a P90 ceramic nailbomb?....Im trying to go for an evil SG junior. Was aiming for the Pig 90 with a ceramic magnet-But on the site the Pig90 seems the most mid heavy of all the P90s- I'm not sure if the woods I'm going for would be counter productive with the Pig90, Korina Body/Wenge neck- mid heavy woods......if not that all korina, or even maple........I suppose ill ask about a ceramic stockholm if the Cpig90 doesnt work out.....Thanks

[Dave Sloven]

I have a regular Stockholm P-90 with the A5 magnet, it is perfect for the SG Junior.  I play mainly hardcore punk ('80s style stuff) with it. It does a good job of palm mutes (I have a Graph Tech ResoMax NW-2 bridge which makes those easier to play).  I imagine the ceramic magnet in one would make it sound more metal.

The Nailbomb comparison is a good one.  I set this guitar up so that it could interchange with a Nailbomb equipped guitar and the Stockholm was recommended to me for that in the SG Junior.

[Kiichi]

Thing with P90s is though that they always like middy guitars imho. Since, compared to a HB, they have an extended high and low end response they suite those guitars well. Honestly, I personally would not put a P90 in a balanced or even scooped guitar, like a superstrat. Iīd rather put em in LP types or if a superstrat a lighter middy one like my Ibby S series. They just work well with middy woods for me.

The woods you have are middy to a degree, yes, but they also probably have a certain high end quality. Combined with the construction I really would not count out the CPig90. If I ever get any SG a Pig 90 will go in there, though for me alnico.

Also donīt forget that the ceramic magnet will smooth out the mids a touch, so it could fit.

Shoot a mail to BKP too, but I think the CPig90 can do work for you if you let it.

[Vilches3]

thanks everyone,

   I almost wanna have an SG junior for each pickup now Lol. Really feeling P90s lately.  They should make a blade P90 for the range now that they have the Blackhawk and the Cobra......A Blackhawk 90 would be awesome, Ceramic or Alnico.

[PhilKing]

Honestly, I personally would not put a P90 in a balanced or even scooped guitar, like a superstrat.

I have a PRS EG 4 which has a HSS set using a Crawler and 2 BKP 90's (this was set up in 2004).  The set works really well together and gives me a lot of variety in terms of sounds that I can cover.  In my case though I want classic rock and blues tones. 

[gwEm]

P90s sound amazing in the right situation, but there a few things to be aware of with them.

Because they use two magnets, even a vintage spec P90 actually has very high output.

The single coil nature of P90s gives a clear sounding high end, nice cleans and raunchy sound mid-range. The problem with P90s is that also have a rather deep bass response which can get muddy in the wrong instrument or with certain amps. For me the classic P90 albums would be the first Sabbath album and Live at Leeds. Mountain also has a very classic P90 sound, but you can clearly hear the deep bass response, which isn't to my taste.

Finally, I have always found noise a problem with my P90 instruments. After some experiences in rehearsals I would hesitate to use P90s live.

[Dave Sloven]

I've been playing an SG Junior with a Stockholm in it for over two years now.  I had some teething problems - mainly arising out of the pickup mounting - but it is good now.  Fully shielded cavities and a custom wiring harness, and I upgraded the bridge, nut, and tuners.  You can see the thread on it here:

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31557.0

If you have any questions just ask.  If I had to do it again I would try to track down one of those metal mounts that Gibson now uses in the cavities of their mini-humbucker and P-90 (except Classics) guitars.  I think you might be able to buy one as a part.  They use them to avoid stripping the screw holes into the wood.

If you have any questions just ask.  The shielding seems to have sorted most of the hum problems.  I have minimal issues with unwanted feedback even using a high-gain amp now that it is shielded (the potting of the BKP P-90s also helps).  Most of my feedback issues were the result of a loose pickup mounting.

[Vilches3]

Thanks for the responses guys

Ill probably take a gamble and just stick to the CPig90. Not too concerned about feedback. As long as the notes sound clear and its  heavy I'm good. I suppose now its between the neck woods....Wenge or Korina.....Probably will go wenge. Thanks

Rob

[Serratus]

Thought this might be of some help - this vid was recorded almost entirely with a Stockholm that I've got in an alder bodied guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxbthSL1Q7Q

And this comparison vid I recorded has the same guitar in it - shows how fat P90's can sound :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ecekLV4yps

I was really surprised when I got the Stockholm - it's probably the most raucous full-on aggressive pickup I've got, when you want it to be! But it can do lots of other things too.

[Vilches3]

Thought this might be of some help - this vid was recorded almost entirely with a Stockholm that I've got in an alder bodied guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxbthSL1Q7Q

And this comparison vid I recorded has the same guitar in it - shows how fat P90's can sound :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ecekLV4yps

I was really surprised when I got the Stockholm - it's probably the most raucous full-on aggressive pickup I've got, when you want it to be! But it can do lots of other things too.

Woah thanks man. Good to hear a comparison vid....Love P90s