Best HSP90 for classic P90 tone in an ES335

[tolm]

I recently "lost" (okay, traded ...) my P90 guitar - an SG - in order to pick up a Gretsch so I'm looking to get some P99 goodness back into my life.  I have a great ES335 which currently has WCR Crossroads humbuckers in it but I want to put those in my Les Paul ... which got me thinking about dropping some some humbucker sized P90s into the ol' semi-hollow.

I've had MQs in an Epi Dot years back and also in a PRS McCarty and they were good.  However, my favourite P90 tones have been from Nantuckets (Epi LP Jr and Gibson Firebird) and Lollars (my old SG) and I also like "stock" Gibson P90s ... I think those are all pretty similar AV / 42AWG spec pickups. 

The obvious choice would seem to be some humbucker-sized Nantuckets but the Manhattans seem to be well regarded for semi-hollow bodied guitars ... I'd be using the 335 for blues/classic rock and a bit of "lo-fi" vintage-inspired alternative rock like Black Keys, Rival Sons ...

So - Nantuckets still for the win or is there a better alternative for a 335?

[Telerocker]

Nantucket or the little more scooped AII Blue Note.

[tolm]

Yeh - I was wondering about the Blue Notes and whether they would have a more 'refined' vibe suitable for a semi-hollow!  Just wouldn't want to loose too much of the snap and sparkle that you get from the AV P90s.

[Alfi27]

The Nantucket certainly sounds great! Check out my review. I have no experience with it in a semi hollow though. Being one of the few people with experience with both the Mississippi Queen and the Nantucket, how would you say they compare tonewise?

[tolm]

Hmmm ... it's been a long while since I had the MQs and I've never had them and Nantuckets at the same time but I think it would be fair to say that the Nantuckets are more aggressive - more "present" and in your face. They sounded great in an Epi LP Jr, Gibson Firebird and SG - all of which are solid mahogany flat-top bodied guitars.  I'm just wondering if something mellowed would better suit a 335.

Maybe the MQs would be a good middle ground between the Nantuckets and Blue Notes?

[Alfi27]

Thanks for your comparison! I have very limited experience with semi hollows, but my understanding is that they naturally sound a bit more mellow than solid bodies. The Mississippi Queen or Nantucket would be my recommendation, and I would not be afraid of the Nantucket especially if you loved it in the solid body guitars. Maybe not the most relevant example for you, but Tom Delonge have always run Gibson Dirty Fingers in his ES-335 

[Telerocker]

I had a Yamaha Troy van Leeuwen (QOTSA) with three P90's and they sounded excellent in this modern take on a 335. Nantuckets will do fine. It's a matter of taste if you want rockagression or a the little cleaner sounding Bluenotes.

[Dave Sloven]

Nantucket/Blue Note is a good combo