Bright-ish rock NECK pickup to go with Abraxas bridge.

[Slartibartfarst42]

Most of my P90 experience has been with a Mississippi Queen but what a pickup!!! I still like my humbuckers in the bridge but a P90 in the neck is a superb option as you get a lot of the thickness and attitude of a humbucker with the clarity of a singlecoil. If, like me, you've ever played a singlecoil neck pickup and loved it but wished it had a bit 'more' then I assure you a P90 hits the nail on he head.

[Lucas]

to be honest, now I`m even more confused...

I have 2 different but at the same time really similar roads then...

1) Abraxas / RR

or giving a bit more power to the bridge but still staying in the same idea:

2. Crawler / Supermassive (I like this one the most out of all of them).
I presume that Suppermasive will be too powerful for Abraxas bridge

I mainly play rock, hard rock, not really a blues player. While having one guitar with CBomb/CS this time I want something less metal and more rock, hard rock type of thing.
Plus I use a lot of bridge pickup for leads as well as cleans too. I want neck to cut more through the mix and have more bite and girth.

[Slartibartfarst42]

For the bridge, I think that both the Abraxas and Crawler are good choices. The Crawler will give your guitar more bottom end and have a thicker tone with a bit more 'growl'. The Crawler's natural home is Blues Rock but it will go from Blues to early Metal quite happily. I REALLY loved the Crawler when I had one in the bridge of my PRS as it was extremely versatile and retained a bit of 'attitude' all the time. I've found better pickups at individual styles but none that have been so good at so much. That guitar ended up being used more than any other and it was my 'second' guitar before the Crawler was installed.

The neck pickup seems to be far more of an issue for you so I've reviewed the whole thread and come to the conclusion that AnnunakiMassacr is onto something. Words like 'cut', 'bite', 'girth' and 'attitude', amongst others, all fit a P90. It will certainly give you something different to your Cold Sweat and it will be, arguably, less 'Metal' while not being singlecoil either. When it comes to which P90 however, I'm not convinced the Supermassive is your best option for a few reasons:

1) P90 pickups invariably seem to be a LOT hotter than their DC resistances would suggest so in the case of the Supermassive, I think you need to consider the possibility it might overpower your bridge pickup. I've heard of Mississippi Queens being more than capable of living with much hotter pickups than a Crawler.

2) If you go for either the Crawler or Abraxas you'll have a pickup that is great for Rock but with a strong hint of Blues character so it would make sense to choose a neck pickup that has a similar feel.

3) You say you want something that is 'bright-ish' and a lighter wind would give you a brighter pickup whereas the Supermassive is darker.

4) In the neck especially, it never does any harm to have something that is versatile.

With all of that in mind, I would suggest that the Mississippi Queen would be a better alternative. Even though the DC resistance is only 6.9K for the neck model, you'll find it's astonishingly hot and the AIV magnet will give it a beautifully sweet tone that retains loads of cut, bite and attitude thanks to it being a P90. If you really feel you want something hotter and with more bite, use a Mississippi Queen bridge model in the neck position. That's what a friend of mine did in his Telecaster and it's one of the most remarkable neck pickups I've ever tried, and I don't even like Telecasters!!! It had everything you've described in spades and a lot more. As always I would suggest listening to anything Kiichi has to say on P90 pickups as I consider him to be my resident P90 guru so he may say I'm talking rubbish but I honestly think that the Mississippi Queen, either neck or bridge model, will make a better neck pickup for you.

[Kiichi]

Nope, pretty much spot on as always mate.
Only thing is that I would perhaps not use the word hot to describe the P90s. I say that cause the way we use it it tends to imply compression too. P90s are really unique in the way they deliver the power, the MQ especially. It retains a very open character, not sounding compressed, but delivers that with a lot of force. Bit as though they fitted a tiny transparent clean boost in there.

The low DC value just shows you how open and uncompressed it can sound, but the magnets bring the power that makes it able to keep up with stuff like a Nailbomb too. I currently have one paired with a Crawler bridge and the balance is spot on for me. Output is in the same area, but I still get a lovely change because the level of compression is rather different. The sound opens up when switching to the neck in a way that is so musically fitting. Hard to describe, but when I play rock and such the bridge is part of the bigger picture, and when I switch to the neck I want what I play there to stick out more and this combo does do that in a special organic way.

Plus the MQ is super versatile. Beast in that regard. Scream or sing, clean or heavy distortion, plus it can take all the fuzz you throw at it. Also great for British sounds as a good few of those have a certain single coil character to them, which this obviously does well.

[Lucas]

You`re purely awesome guys! Thanks!

As I said, I`ve never had any experience with P90 at all. Never even played one, and play guitar for 18 years now. Shame on me!

The only sound of P90 that I have in my head is this (by the way, love that song and sound of the guitar, it is P90, right???)

this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pafa5vaMN7A


I know there`s little overdrive and delay there, but that sound is immense.
To my ears Supermassive sounds closer to this.
And don`t mind going for Crawler in the bridge to have higher output.

[Kiichi]

That sure is a sound a P90 can do easily (lovely song too). I recon both the MQ and the SM could do this sound, but judging from the high end I think the MQ would do it better. That certain jangle there is a little more vintage to my ears.
The later part where they really kick in is maybe a touch more supermassive side, but that also is more the bridge pickup. A MQ neck SM bridge combo could do that song pretty well I recon.

I think a Crawler with split wiring and an MQ should work very well for you and cover an immense range of styles.

Few good examples for P90 sounds out there sadly. The beatles had some, e.g. Ticket to Ride and Taxman.  Pete Townshend too, especially during Tommy. Lot of 60s and 70s folk in general. Partially cause they work sooooo well with fuzz (my Manhattan neck plus fuzz = 70s psychedelic rock heaven).  Another Brick in The Wall part II also has P90s. Also the first 6 Black Sabbath albums and Santanas first 3. Then there is Muse.

Maybe one day I can put some really shitety playing together to show off some P90 sounds I have around.

[Slartibartfarst42]

Crawler splits are incredibly good so Kiichi is right, that would give you yet another shade on your tonal palette. I would completely agree with Kiichi here that the Crawler and Mississippi Queen combo will get you exactly where you want to be, though in fairness, it's not often myself and Kiichi ever disagree. Actually, I can't think of any occasion. 

[Kiichi]

Crawler splits are incredibly good so Kiichi is right, that would give you yet another shade on your tonal palette. I would completely agree with Kiichi here that the Crawler and Mississippi Queen combo will get you exactly where you want to be, though in fairness, it's not often myself and Kiichi ever disagree. Actually, I can't think of any occasion. 

Yep, we seem to be from pretty much the same cloth, even though we have decades between us if I am not mistaken. =)
If we differ it seems to be on details which end up being two paths to the same goal. And me going to more extremes in some ways (heavyness being one example, though I am dialling that down too lately....getting old I guess xD)
Plus I am really starting to dig Telecasters and want one to load with the Boss set. ;)

[Slartibartfarst42]

Well, thanks for highlighting how I'm hurtling towards the grave! 

[Telerocker]

I agree with Slarti and Kiichi. I can cover a lot of styles with the Crawler. It delivers on all the different amps I have and had. The splits are happening, but few people realize the tremendous clean qualities of the Crawler and the way it cleans up beautifully. Plus, the unique growl no other BKP I heard/played has.
For the neck the MQ is definitely a good option, but I would not rule out the Mule.

MQ-neck:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3_fOE-M9Xo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDy5bvqPGYQ

Mule-neck:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxHVIEaprUc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el5YhsRP7qE

[Slartibartfarst42]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3_fOE-M9Xo

I must say, I was extremely impressed with the Riff Raff tone on this video. It just dripped Rock tone from every note - wonderful. I've never really thought about the Riff Raff before but that was fantastic.

[Dave Sloven]

I've liked every Riff Raff video I've ever seen

Will have to get a set one day

[Kiichi]

Well, thanks for highlighting how I'm hurtling towards the grave! 

Gladly.
Now load an axe with P90s while ya can. ;I=)
Love ya mate. =)
Gotta do as you start to preach (yeah I know your moving situation is shitee, but ainīt that another argument for the versatility of the P90?)

And no. I kinda will bother you always. Just as you ignited my taste for that other pickup you now got.

On topic: Take the P90 challenge. It is the same thing as when you got your first BKP. It challenges you more in a way that rewards you even more. If you play, it will PLAY. That kinda thing. I know I tend to be salesman-ish but (for the record I got a shirt for the review sticky) P90s are seriously bloody underrated. Especially with the proper electronics that BKP users do use.

I wish I could write a review as well written as Slartiīs stuff for the P90s I have. But I canīt. I struggle to convey how blooooooody amazing they are. The colour of the language escapes me as if it were an EMG.
Yes Slarti, I still need you to buy and review these things cause you have a way of putting tone into words that makes me say: Spot on. Why did I not think of that? And why does my pickup sound better all of a sudden.

The RR, Mule, and all that are great. No doubt. But come on. This is not that guitar and way.
Embrace the P90. Accept it as the next level. It is the perfect girlfriend. Scream or sing, screech or purr,....just take the moment to learn how to control the knobs.
The result....magic.

Seriously, can we finally start to see the P90s as BKP PLUS in most ways...=)

[Slartibartfarst42]

Well, thanks for highlighting how I'm hurtling towards the grave! 

Gladly.
Now load an axe with P90s while ya can. ;I=)
Love ya mate. =)
Gotta do as you start to preach (yeah I know your moving situation is shiteee, but ainīt that another argument for the versatility of the P90?)

And no. I kinda will bother you always. Just as you ignited my taste for that other pickup you now got.

On topic: Take the P90 challenge. It is the same thing as when you got your first BKP. It challenges you more in a way that rewards you even more. If you play, it will PLAY. That kinda thing. I know I tend to be salesman-ish but (for the record I got a shirt for the review sticky) P90s are seriously bloody underrated. Especially with the proper electronics that BKP users do use.

I wish I could write a review as well written as Slartiīs stuff for the P90s I have. But I canīt. I struggle to convey how blooooooody amazing they are. The colour of the language escapes me as if it were an EMG.
Yes Slarti, I still need you to buy and review these things cause you have a way of putting tone into words that makes me say: Spot on. Why did I not think of that? And why does my pickup sound better all of a sudden.

The RR, Mule, and all that are great. No doubt. But come on. This is not that guitar and way.
Embrace the P90. Accept it as the next level. It is the perfect girlfriend. Scream or sing, screech or purr,....just take the moment to learn how to control the knobs.
The result....magic.

Seriously, can we finally start to see the P90s as BKP PLUS in most ways...=)

I think you do alright 

I've often wondered why such a great exponent of P90 pickups doesn't have more of his own reviews in his own review thread. You talk about them with great passion and that's the main thing. Being an English teacher makes it a little easier for me I suppose so how about a collaborative effort? Why not use me as a ghost writer? You message me with your ideas on a pickup and I'll write your review for you and send it back to you for any revisions you feel are required. This place needs more information on P90 pickups, you have the expertise and I enjoy writing the reviews (what else am I going to do in the Falklands!) so it would work for everyone. All I'd be writing is your experiences and thoughts and nothing would go live unless you're happy it says what you want it to say. Just a thought.

As for my own P90 usage (or lack of it), I've been giving the matter some thought. As you know, I really don't like having too many guitars as it's too much money for my meagre ability so I only have three to choose from. The PRS is my main Metal guitar and currently has a custom set of zebras in it from another manufacturers. I have no particular desire to change them and I don't think that guitar would suit the P90 look anyway. The Les Paul would have been the ideal candidate but I really like the humbuckers I use in the bridge and I've only just had a new custom neck pickup installed that was made to my specification as a culmination of everything I've learned on this board. It's the best neck pickup I've ever used so I can hardly change that. That leaves a Fender Stratocaster with an SSS configuration. It currently has a set of DiMarzios in it that I really like but I do find that I'm not overly struck on singlecoils in the bridge position so I'm toying with doing something with this one. I'll almost certainly change it to have a humbucker in the bridge with a split option (my favourite 80s humbucker but not BKP I'm afraid) but I hesitate with anything else because I really like the neck pickup. However, I am considering switching to an HSH configuration as that would allow me to put a Mississippi Queen into the neck. I've even thought about getting a custom scratchplate made with an HHS configuration so the P90 can go in the middle. We'll see.

[Kiichi]

There used to be a review of the Manhattan neck and one for the MQ neck that I had written. Sadly, they both were lost during the big forum crash (was maybe a year ago? Or was it two?)

Anyhow, maybe one day Iīll get around to writing up another version of those. Just very frustrating stuff.