Gibson invented the P-90 and used it in many guitars between the pickup’s 1946 debut on through the dawn of the humbucker a decade later—and thereafter it became a mainstay on once-budget-priced models such as the Les Paul Junior or Les Paul Junior Special. Though the humbucker’s powerful tones and noise-free performance largely overshadowed the P-90, a vocal minority of players has long preferred the P-90’s crisper tones, clearer mids, and potentially ragged edge.
The P-90 is probably most associated with raunchy rock, from the Gibson SG Special Pete Townshend demolished at Leeds to Billie Joe Armstrong’s hard-working Les Paul Junior. Punk pioneers such as New York Doll Johnny Thunders and the Clash’s Mick Jones loved its raw intensity. And for some, the definition of P-90 attitude begins and ends with Leslie West’s tone on Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen.”
These are all P-90s that can be bought that fit in most any Humbucker guitar. If you never cranked a Plexi with P-90s you have missed out.
Lindy Fralin P-90 in a Humbucker Cover
https://soundcloud.com/premierguitar/fralin-p-90-neck
Lollar P-90
https://soundcloud.com/premierguitar/lollar-p-90-neck
Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Set
https://soundcloud.com/premierguitar/seymour-duncan-phat-cat-neck
DiMarzio Bluesbucker Set
https://soundcloud.com/premierguitar/dimarzio-bluesbucker-neck
