Custom Shop R4 Gold Top

[LyleGorch]

Just bought brand R4 GT, should I leave stock P-90’s or start looking around for replacements. Also will be swapping all plastic to black.

 

[charliechitlins]

Swap the pickups immediately, before you even listen to them.
Everybody knows Gibson has no idea how to build a P90.
They go around acting like they invented them, or something.
They have hazardous materials in them, so don't throw them out.
Send them to me and I'll dispose of them properly.
PM me for my address.

 

[goldtop0]

I liked the P90s in my '13 R6 the neck pup especially as it gives a clearer crisper tone than any neck humbucker, however I did change these out after a few years for a pair of '52s because I wanted to try some vintage pups and they're staying in there now.
Congrats on your new gat

 

[LyleGorch]

The only guitar i own that i never swapped pickups is the 54BB RI

 

[metropolis]

I've heard there's less variance in P90s because they're such a simple pickup, so unless something is drastically wrong for you (too hot, to low output, etc.) then I don't know whether it'll make as big a difference compared to switching out HBs.

Would love to be disagreed with if anyone has any good examples to share! I'm considering returning a modified 80s LP back to P90s and I have some Gibson P90s to stick in but could go aftermarket instead.

 

[renderit]

Most I have had straight from Gibson sounded excellent.

I had some on a Collings that were Lollars out of the gate that I swapped out for Throbak Specials that I am head over heels on as well.

 

[LyleGorch]

Yeah, I’m leaning Throbak.

 

[TM1]

BTW, has anyone here ever refered to a P-90 as a "Cobalt"?? I've never even heard that term until the new era here. I've been playing for 54 years and never herd it..wtf..?

 

[charliechitlins]

I've been gigging P90s since 1982.
OCCASIONALLY there's a woofy neck pickup or a thin bridge pickup, but that's usually an adjustment issue.
It only gets tough on dogears that don't have height adjustment.
It's an EXTREMELY hard pickup to screw up.
I currently have 1 from the 50s, 3 from the 60's and 2 on a $99 Epiphone that sound as good as any of them.
Gibson always has, and still does make a damned fine P90.

 

[charliechitlins]

BTW, has anyone here ever refered to a P-90 as a "Cobalt"?? I've never even heard that term until the new era here. I've been playing for 54 years and never herd it..wtf..?

Nope.
Charlie Christian pickups might have been cobalt...it's heavy and low gauss.
I'm pretty sure that, but the time WWII rolled around, everything was AlNiCo.

 

[Edward]

The stock are great. Gibson makes a great P90.

I changed the neck for a Lollar Staple for a specific reason. The Gibs neck is fine ...I just wanted different. And the Gibs bridge is pure rock and uber versatile. Choose a different voice if you don't like this voice, but don't swap just because you think Gibby stuff sucks!

Edward

 

[LyleGorch]

Yeah, after giving it a good run around, it would be kind of crazy spending money to try to find better.

 

[jb_abides]

The stock are great. Gibson makes a great P90.
---
I changed the neck for a Lollar Staple for a specific reason. The Gibs neck is fine ...I just wanted different. And the Gibs bridge is pure rock and uber versatile. Choose a different voice if you don't like this voice, but don't swap just because you think Gibby stuff sucks!

This ^

...And that Lollar Staple is sexyAF!

 

[LyleGorch]

I assure you, there will be no pickup swap on this guitar. This is far beyond my expectations, truly satisfied.

 

[charliechitlins]

Now...if you want to put a Floyd on it....

 

[renderit]

I assure you, there will be no pickup swap on this guitar. This is far beyond my expectations, truly satisfied.

There is just something about the P90's and a wrap tail.

It is like returning to a simpler life and realizing all the other crap really isn't necessary...

 

[MCHolley]

I have 5 Historics with P90’s…I haven’t changed any of them out, as the guitars sound great as is.

Mark

 

[garagemonkey]

I was all set to rip the stock Gibson P90s out of my '19 Les Paul Special. They felt unbalanced. The neck sounded overpowering on the bass strings and thin on the treble, and the bridge pickup was just weak overall. Not inspiring and miles from joyful to play. Three minutes with a screwdriver adjusting the pickup heights and pole pieces and man, it's absolutely stellar. Super balanced and all the good, overused guitar adjectives you can think of.

Given it's a Custom Shop your R4 will most likely come set up better than my Original Collection P90 guitar. I bet you'll dig the stock pickups but if not mess around with some adjustments before you go pickup shopping.