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Best Boutique P-90 Pickups?

Electric Lloyd

Active member
Joined
Feb 5, 2005
Messages
3,500
Hey Fellow Les Paul lovers!
It's been a while since I've posted here. I'm interested in knowing what are the best replacement P-90 pickups out there. I'm going to drop it in a new Epiphone coronet reissue I just got. I've tried Lollar Pickups, and the earlier ones were great, but I've gotta say I wasn't blown away with the last set I bought. They were okay, mind you but not to the level of a set I owned about 12-15 years ago. I generally have been happy with Duncan Antiquity pickups as well, but am looking to try something a step above.
What advice can you give?
 

garagemonkey

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2019
Messages
37
I'm sure you'll get plenty of good boutique and aftermarket suggestions but I gotta say don't discount a set of used Gibson take-outs if you find some at a good price. I'm super stoked with the factory P90s in my 2019 Les Paul Special. Mine measure 7.79 neck and 7.72 bridge. Nicely balanced, loud and punchy, and sound great clean to dirty.



Good luck whatever you find!
 

gmann

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
Hey Fellow Les Paul lovers!
It's been a while since I've posted here. I'm interested in knowing what are the best replacement P-90 pickups out there. I'm going to drop it in a new Epiphone coronet reissue I just got. I've tried Lollar Pickups, and the earlier ones were great, but I've gotta say I wasn't blown away with the last set I bought. They were okay, mind you but not to the level of a set I owned about 12-15 years ago. I generally have been happy with Duncan Antiquity pickups as well, but am looking to try something a step above.
What advice can you give?
There’s nothing a step above, just more expensive.
 

fernieite

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
609
Nice to see you back here EL. (y)

I've only played vintage P90s, but I'd be looking at ReWind or ThroBak, if I was in the market. Both James and Jon build authentic vintage replicas...
 

Amp360

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
852
I like the Lollar but they’re a little cleaner (which I like). Gibson or Antiquity would be my only other opinions.

Tried three sets of thro bak (not p90). Very beautiful and well made, didn’t dig the sound, antiquities replaced one set and bb the other.
 

Mr. Papa

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2002
Messages
1,418
I like the Lollar but they’re a little cleaner (which I like). Gibson or Antiquity would be my only other opinions.

Tried three sets of thro bak (not p90). Very beautiful and well made, didn’t dig the sound, antiquities replaced one set and bb the other.
Lollars are my favorite so far of all the boutique winds I have tried.
 

corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
Tysontone are very nice. I have had a ‘58 Jr live at my house for a few months off and on and they kept right up and may have been a little hairier. Charlie Starr from Blackberry Smoke (who I am seeing next week) does a demo somewhere. Not terribly expensive.
But The CS ones get high marks.
 
Last edited:

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
If you want the P90 sound but maybe something a little different try these:

B&G Kikbuckers with Alnico 5's

All the great P90 sound and no noise from lighting...

40152732972_2328af33fd_4k.jpg


25313724687_43eadec03b_4k.jpg


I absolutely love them.
 

charliechitlins

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2021
Messages
1,021
P90s seem to be so simple, they have to sound good.
I have a pair in my $99 Epiphone LP Special that I like as much as the ones in my '58 ES225 or '65 Firebird III.
Gibson still makes a great P90.
I'm pretty sure they invented them😉
 

Amp360

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
852
Lollars are my favorite so far of all the boutique winds I have tried.

I haven't tried a lot of different pickups, as usually, I'll adjust what I have rather than replace it, but I really like the Lollar P-90 as well.

IMHO the MI industry is completely oversaturated with people all selling basically the same thing (tube screamer, tweed deluxe, strat/lp, etc...). Before I would pay a premium, join a wait list or change something I would make sure to spend some time adjusting what I have.
 

Amp360

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
852
If you want the P90 sound but maybe something a little different try these:

B&G Kikbuckers with Alnico 5's

All the great P90 sound and no noise from lighting...


I absolutely love them.
They look well made but how about a sound clip?
 
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