HSP90 vs P90

[julio77]

Hello,

From what I've read here and also experienced myself HSP90s (humbucker sized P90s) are great pickups but sounds a little bit different to real P90 pickups due to the modification of the bobbin shape.
I own a bridge Mississippi Queen which I love but it sounds more fattey and is hotter than a 50's specs P90, it lacks some midrange cut and woodyness.

So, would some of you have some advice or tips (polescrew/pickup height, caps, wiring, potted/unpotted...) on how to make a HSP90 sound closer to a real vintage P90 ?

Thanks !

[b.gandt]

I think that the only way a good compare/contrast can be made regarding the differences between a humbucker size P90 and a normal P90 is if every other factor is the same.  Amp, guitar, and especially the wind.  That is, a MQ or whatever other P90 BKP does in a humbucker size against its normal P90 dimensions counterpart.

If I'm reading you right, you are doing a compare/contrast with a different P90.  Vintage level wind, yes, but a different pickup from a different company.

I think the MQ and Nantucket are based on later 50s models.  Earlier 50s models are different, maybe you're using that as a guide?  I know BKP covers that ealier period with the Manhatten and Blue Note, along with their HSP90 counterparts.

Unfortunately I cannot give an answer that takes into account the factors that I list above, as I've used only standard P90s (soap bar and dog ear).  FWIW, I haven't heard any negative comments regarding HSP90 and standard P90s, but I haven't read much on the subject either.

As to the MQ that you currently have, have you played around with the pickup height, and the height of the individual pole pieces?  If not, try that. 

[julio77]

You're right about the way to make a right comparison between a P90 and a HSP90, so many parameters to take into account.

Yes i've tweaked the pickup height and the pole pieces too and it does change the sound, again the MQ is a very nice pickup but I would like to try something a bit less fat, so the Blue Note is teasing me right now.

You've owned both a Nantucket and a Bluenote, right ?
How similar or different are these ?

Thanks

[b.gandt]

I have used both!  The Blue Note was some years back, though, in a Hamer Special plugged straight in to a Trinity 18.  18 watt variant of the Marshall 18/WEM 17 circuit, but the trem channel has lost the trem, and has a full set of tone controls and a master volume. 

I no longer have the Blue Notes in because I was going to sell the guitar, so I put the stock pickups back in.  I decided not to sell the guitar, but the Blue Notes had sold by then.  I still have the Hamer Special, with a Supermassive in the bridge.

The Nantucket bridge is in a Hamer Artist, which is only a hair darker than the Special.  I determined that when the two had the same stock pickups.  I've been playing that straight in to a 68 Plexi circuit, a different beast than the 18.

However, I've been looking for an excuse to bring the 18 to the practice space, so I'll try the Nantucket through it.  I'll have to compare/contrast to a memory, and the speakers will be slightly different Celestions, but maybe I can get a rough idea of the difference.  Maybe.  Anyway, I hope to get to the practice space this week, before I head off to Tucson for a brief holiday in another hot place...I'll be back...

[b.gandt]

Ok, so I got to the practice space to test my memory of a Blue Note 90 in a compare/contrast with a Nantuckit.  Result?  Inconclusive.

I think that the fly in the ointment was the  studio's backline cab, a Marshall 900 series 1960 4x12.  It's loaded with Celestion G12T-75s, and I'm used to Greenbacks with this particular amp.  I thought I might be able to mentally compensate for the difference, but I could not. 

I'm used to Greenbacks with all my amps, but the difference between Greenbacks and the 75s was more pronounced with the Trinity 18 (which was the amp used when I had the Blue Notes.).

Of course my memory may have played a part also.  It was about 7 years ago when I last used the Bluenotes.

I did drink beer and play loud guitar, so I still enjoyed my time there!

[julio77]

Haha, it eventually turned into a speaker comparison !

Well from what I've read and listened to lately about P90's, I think I'm getting really seduced by the early 50's P90 sound more than the late 50's, early 60's ones.
So for a solidbody guitar, I think the BKP best choice to approach this kind of sound would be the Blue Notes (unpotted or very lightly potted) with a 50's wiring.

What do you think P90 freaks, I know you are there !

[b.gandt]

I’d say it was more speaker obstruction than comparison...hehe...
 
Give the BKP guys a call.  While it’s easy to see that the Blue   Notes and Manhattans are the early 50s models,  they should be able to take you home in a precise fashion.