P90 Club

[julio77]

Hello,

I need a neck HSP90 for a solid mahogany guitar.
I'm looking for a detailed, clear and percussive 50's P90 sound in that position and to get as close as possible to the sound of an Alnico Staple pickup as found on Les Paul Customs in the 50's.
What would you recommend between the Manhattan, the Blue Note and the Mississippi Quenn ?

Thank you !

[Telerocker]

 I would go Blue Note here. Crisp, percussive and a lot of pickattack. The Half Note and Manhattan, which are related, are aimed at jazzplayers. The MQ is too raunchy for what you want.

[Dave Sloven]

What Telerocker said!

[AndyR]

Yep, wot Telerocker and Dave Sloven said :)

I've got HSP90 MQs and P90 Blue Notes.

I got the MQs years ago, they were my first P90 types, and I struggled to understand how to use them (as opposed to humbuckers and strat/tele singles) to get "classic sounds".

I have quite a few P90 guitars now, not all BKP'd. It was getting Blue Notes into a SG Special and a Feline Double Cut junior-type (both all mahogany) the showed me the "sound" I was imagining for a P90.

The MQs are very cool - and I like them very much now I've decoded "P90" - but I think, yes, too aggressive for what you describe.

[Telerocker]

These P90's topics always feed my GAS for P90 loaded guitars, one with Bluenotes and one with Nantuckets. But let's wait till we can get on stage again.   

[julio77]

Thank you very much for your answers, so yes the Blue Note seems to be the right option for me even though the smart Manhattan is quite appealing.

I've questioned Bare Knuckle via the online chat about the difference between those two and here is the answer :

"The main difference is in the magnets. The alnico 3 magnets in the Manhattan produce a very light, pure response. With completely uncompressed dynamics and a very clear voicing. The Blue Note is a little fatter in tone, with more bass and a soft, flat midrange"

They recommend Manhattan to me...

What do you think, P90 Club ? :)

[Dave Sloven]

I personally really like the sound of the Manhattan, it is an awesome jazz pickup.  I just recommended the Blue Note because it is more versatile in case you want to use the guitar for blues or rock

[AndyR]

I have no experience of the Manhattan or, actually, of the old alnico staple pickups...

But if the folks at BKP recommend Manhattans - I'd say go for it.

And from the difference description they gave you - that's cleared up something I was wondering a while back. In the P90 range, I've just discovered the Half Note is the equivalent of the Manhattan. I nearly went for Half Notes instead of Blue Notes when I was doing my SG and Feline. Glad I went Blue Notes, fits nicely for me in those guitars, and that description above confirms I probably chose well... and it also points me in the right direction for another couple of P90 guitars I have that might want BKPs one day (a Gibson E330 for starters... Half Notes in that one, methinks!)

[Telerocker]

I think you will be happy with both. Just what is the natural voice of your guitar? Bright or maybe balanced. If bright I would pick the Blue Note.

[julio77]

My guitar is a Gibson Les Paul 2 from the 90's : solid mahogany body but thinner than a regular Les Paul.
Soundwise, it sits between a Les Paul with no maple cap and a SG but I would not say it is a bright guitar.
It is kind of mid heavy and beefy particularily in the neck position so I need some frequency control to avoid as much mud as is possible and of course the lowest output for extended clarity and dynamic.

[Telerocker]

I think the Manhattan is a good choice in this case, so follow BKP's recommendation, I would say.

[Dave Sloven]

The Manhattan is a lovely pickup and those special covers are absolutely gorgeous.  I would definitely pay the extra for the art deco covers

[julio77]

Yeah, these covers are so classy 
By the way, another BKP folk confirmed me that it can be ordered UNPOTTED !
Which is something I've been looking for a long time.

[Dave Sloven]

Yes but you will need to discuss it with them before ordering and then mention that and refer to the emails in the box on the online order form to remind them