Having tried and played a lot of electric guitars, I have a few that I really like. But one thing that all of my favorite guitars have in common is the pickups they use. P90 pickups are very important to me and my collection. These pickups are unique, and so are the guitars that have them. They are worth looking for.
I’ve finished writing down everything you need to know about guitars with P90 pickups today, read this through if you love the P90 features as much as I do.
What is P90 Pickups?
90 pickups were created by Gibson in the early 1950s, replacing the older “Charlie Christian” bar pickups. The P90 quickly became one of Gibson’s most popular pickups.
Even though P90s are officially single-coil pickups, they are known for having more power than most single-coils, like the ones on Fender Telecasters and Stratocasters. They have two Alnico bar magnets with screws going through the middle of them, which changes the magnetic field.
That’s why P90s sound so different. They have the brightness and clarity of single-coil pickups, but they also have the mid-range punch of humbuckers. Because they are blend, they can cut through a mix well. They are also known for being more sensitive to the way you pick.
Depending on where they are placed (neck or bridge) and the amount of amplifier boost, P90s can be used for a wide range of styles of music, from punk and classic rock to indie and jazz.
P90s are longer and thinner than most humbuckers, which are more square-shaped. They usually need to fit into certain slots in guitars, but there are humbucker-sized P90s that are easy to change.
60-cycle hum can happen with standard P90s and other single-coils. On the other hand, there are versions that cancel out hum that sound like P90s but don’t make noise.
Because of their shape and size, P90 pickups are often called “soap bar” pickups. They usually have plastic covers, but metal covers are also available.
Best P90 Pickup Guitars: 5 Electric Guitar Choices
Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute P-90
A standout model in Gibson’s lineup, the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute P-90 is known for its great sound quality, user-friendly modifications, and accurate recreation of the classic P90 tone. For musicians who want a mix of traditional looks and modern functionality, this guitar did its job.
Design and Build Quality
The Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute P-90 has a robust design with a solid mahogany body and a TV Yellow finish that makes it look both retro and classic. The neck is made of maple and has a satin nitrocellulose finish that makes it look sleek and vintage. The design of this model is straightforward but elegant, which is exactly what many people look for in a Gibson guitar.
Playability and Comfort
With its rosewood fingerboard and Gibson’s popular Slim Taper profile, the neck is very comfortable for people with various hand sizes. PLEK’d frets further make every note sounds right and bends smoothly without any effort. I think neck and fret feel of the guitar are two of the best things about it, you can play it for long periods of time without getting tired.
Electronics and Sound
The Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute P-90 has twin Epiphone Pro 90 pickups that delivers a sound that’s both warmer and brighter than traditional Gibson P90s. These pickups, along with the better CTS pots and switching, give the guitar a clear and powerful tone that works well for blues to rock. Adding Orange drop capacitors makes the sound fuller, which makes the guitar not only flexible but also tonally dynamic.
Hardware
The chrome parts and black top hat control knobs on the hardware go well with the vintage look of the guitar. A compensated wraparound bridge makes sure the tuning stays stable and also, it’s easy to change the intonation, maintenance and setup as well.
Modifications and Customization
The design of the guitar lets me modify it in many ways. For example, I usually change the pickup height to balance the tone and replace the pickups and wiring to improve quality. You can also make bigger changes, like sanding the pickup cavity to make it fit better and making custom cosmetic changes, like swapping the knobs and adding a toggle poker chip.
I generally like the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute P-90 because it is easy to use, works well, and has the iconic P90 sound. It’s also an instrument that skips over unnecessary details in favor of pure sound quality, so it is a great choice if you care more about sound than looks. This guitar shows Gibson’s dedication to quality and musician-focused design with its easy-to-play design, wide range of sounds, and ability to be customized.
Gretsch G2622T Streamliner
The Gretsch G2622T Streamliner series is a unique mix of classic guitar styling and current sound improvements. The G2622T-P90 model is a great example of this.
Design and Build
The G2622T Streamliner has a semi-hollow mahogany body with a spruce center block that is meant to cut down on feedback and boost sustain. The body is elegantly finished in choices like Brownstone and Forge Glow that show off the natural beauty of the wood grain. Classic Gretsch features like arrow buttons and a teardrop pickguard make the design even better. These features give the guitar an iconic look that reminds people of guitars from the 1960s, like the Epiphone Casino and Gibson ES-335.
Neck and Playability
The “Thin U” shape neck on this model is made from nato wood and is glued in place to make it stable and long-lasting. Together with it is a bound rosewood fingerboard with pearloid circular inlays and a nice 12″ radius that makes it easy to play. The satin urethane finish on the neck makes it feel even smoother, so you can play for long periods of time without getting tired.
Hardware and Functionality
The Gretsch G2622T Streamliner has an Adjusto-Matic bridge and a Bigsby B70 vibrato, which give it a retro look and let you use creative vibrato effects. But sometimes the setting gets off when I use the Bigsby a lot, but it’s a usual problem with this type of vibrato system. Along with the vibrato system, the guitar has die-cast, nickel-plated knobs that make setting more stable.
Electronics and Sound
The G2622T-P90 model comes with FideliSonic 90 pickups, it gives a unique take on the standard P-90 sound. These pickups are known for being warmer and louder than regular Gibson P90s. The high frequencies of these pickups aren’t as sharp, but the low and mid frequencies are very clear. This gives the guitar a tone that isn’t like most semi-hollow body guitars, but is still clear. This guitar’s sound makes it useful in many styles, from country to rockabilly, where its fullness and brightness really shine.
Performance and Practical Considerations
Even though feedback is possible with strong pedals or high gain settings, the guitar’s semi-hollow shape and spruce center block make this problem much less likely. The master volume button is placed in a way that makes it easy to reach, which lets you make changes to the volume while the music is playing live.
Value and Overall Experience
The Gretsch G2622T Streamliner is a great deal at a price of about $599 to $649. It has great build quality, a unique look, and a lot of different sound options. This makes it a great choice for musicians who want a unique instrument that has both classic Gretsch features and more modern updates.
Overall, the Gretsch G2622T Streamliner, especially the P90 version, stands out in the semi-hollow guitar category for its unique take on classic guitar design. It offers a new sound palette that encourages creative sound while still having the playability and style that you’d expect from Gretsch.
Yamaha Revstar 502T
This guitar, the Yamaha Revstar RS502T, is a great example of how Yamaha combines traditional style with new technology.
Design and Inspiration
Body and Construction: The RS502T has a strong mahogany body with a maple top. It also has a set-in mahogany neck and a rosewood fingerboard, and this setup gives the sound a solid feel and a full sound.
Aesthetics: The RS502T has a sleek, racing-inspired British racing green finish that shows how much it was influenced by café racers, both in how it looks and how it performs.
Innovative Features
Pickups: The guitar has Yamaha’s VP5 P-90-style single-coil pickups, which are known for having a wide dynamic range and crystal clear sound. The sounds these pickups can make are full and clear, even when there are other sounds going on.
Sound Enhancement: The RS502T has Yamaha’s unique “Dry” switch, which lets players cut off frequencies below 2kHz. The sound is clearer and the guitar’s tone is even more flexible by this.
Hardware
One of the RS502T’s standout features is its unique spring-loaded floating aluminum tailpiece. It has improved the guitar’s sustain and sound, and also helps with its dynamic response.
Performance and Comfort
Playability: The guitar has an ergonomic design with a curved body back and a rounded top that is meant to make long sessions of playing more comfortable. The asymmetric neck profile has different thicknesses to make it easier to hold and play faster.
Accessibility: The guitar is even easier to play by the double-cutaway body that helps us to reach the higher frets easier.
Sound Quality
I love the RS502T’s aggressive yet clear P-90 tones because they have a good mix of tight low-end response and complex upper middle. The “Dry” switch adds another dimension by letting us switch to a sound like a Strat with more body.
In general, the Yamaha Revstar RS502T is a testament to Yamaha’s commitment to blending traditional guitar craftsmanship with innovative features. Its one-of-a-kind look, which was inspired by the style and spirit of café racer bikes. You can use the RS502T whether you’re in a garage band or on a professional stage. It claims to give both ability and style.
Reverend Guitars with P90s
Among Reverend guitars Models with P90 pickups are especially praised for these qualities. Here’s my review that combines opinions and details about Reverend guitars:
Overall Quality and Build
People always say nice things about Reverend guitars’ build quality, and they’re often compared to high-end names like Gibson. A signature feature is the use of Korina wood, which is known for making the guitars look better and sound better.
Unique Features and Tonal Versatility
The Bass Contour Control is one of the best things about Reverend guitars. It lets you change the sound in a lot of different ways. Along with their P90 mics, this feature makes it easy for the guitars to play a wide range of styles, from rock and blues to jazz.
The P90 pickups are great on this model because they sound clear and have a standard bite. When used with the Bass Contour, they make a wide range of sounds.
Models and Design
The Sensei 290, the Contender 290, and the Charger 290 are some of Reverend’s best-known types. Each has its own features that make it appealing to players with a range of styles and tastes:
- Sensei 290: The Sensei 290 has the feel of an SG and the playing of a Les Paul Junior or Special. It also has Strat-like contours for extra ease.
- Contender 290: The Contender 290 has a set-neck design and a familiar scale length that make it sound and feel like a Les Paul. This makes it appealing to traditionalists who want a strong, reliable instrument.
- Charger 290: The Charger 290 has a bolt-on neck and a longer scale length, which make it look like a Telecaster. Its low end is tighter and more defined.
Playability
I really appreciate the ergonomic design of Reverend guitars. The body contours and neck profiles are crafted to support a wide range of playing styles. This means that you can play for long periods of time without getting tired.
Aesthetics and Practical Considerations
Many people like the way Reverend guitars look, but it’s understood that the current and slightly offbeat style might not be to everyone’s taste.
Players, especially with back problems, like practical features like the guitars’ light weight and the ease of setting changes makes things even better.
Also, the way these guitars are set up right out of the box for new owners is great.
Reverend guitars aren’t always easy to find in local shops, which can make it hard if you want to buy one to try one out before they buy it.
In conclusion, Reverend guitars with P90 pickups are highly respected for their excellent build quality, unique sound, and comfortable design. If you want to play guitar and want an instrument that can do a lot of different things and looks good, you should get one of these.
Fender Noventa Telecaster
The Fender Noventa Telecaster is a bold reinterpretation of classic Fender looks. It has new design elements and a simpler setup to appeal to modern musicians who want a powerful rock ‘n’ roll instrument. Here’s an in-depth review of this unique guitar that covers all the important points:
Design and Inspiration
The Noventa Telecaster is a fresh take on some of Fender’s classic designs. It was mainly influenced by the simple Fender Esquire. This model stands out in the Noventa line because it has P90-style pickups that give it a fuller sound than regular single-coil pickups.
Build Quality and Aesthetics
This guitar has a sturdy alder body, a thin ’60s maple neck, and a maple fingerboard. The headstock and fingerboard have a gloss polyurethane finish, and the back of the neck has a satin finish to make it easy to play. The building quality, which is done in Mexico, strikes a good mix between being affordable and Fender’s well-known level of work.
With a pickguard that only covers the lower horn, it has a simple look that makes it look even more raw and efficient. The Vintage Blonde finish makes it look even more classic.
Playability
The neck curve of the Telecaster moves toward a V shape, which is known for being very comfortable and easy to play. Making sure it’s ready to play as soon as you get it from the store.
Hardware
The simplified hardware includes a classic ashtray-style bridge with three adjusted brass saddles and through-body stringing. This hardware is similar to traditional Telecaster hardware but is made simpler to match the guitar’s simple design.
Sound and Tone
The Noventa Telecaster sounds great, just like the original Telecaster. It has a strong, clear sound. The Noventa P90 soapbar pickup on the bridge boosts the output, giving you thick, rich tones with a bit of the classic Telecaster bite. By turning the volume knob, you can get a wide range of sounds from the pickup’s response, from powerful distortion to clean, chiming tones.
If you want a strong and flexible rock ‘n’ roll guitar without any extras, the Noventa Telecaster is the one for you. Its single pickup design lets players try out different tones by simply changing the volume and tone settings. This makes it a very flexible instrument, even though it looks simple.
The Fender Noventa Telecaster is not only a new take on a classic design, but it is also a fully functional musical instrument made for players who like the sound of a Fender guitar with the ease of use and classic feel of a guitar from that era.
