Humbucker-size P-90 Style Single Coil Pickups

Drop-in replacement for standard size Gibson humbuckers.

• These pickups allow the user to exchange the bar magnets with ease. Removal and exchange of the magnets does require the pickup to be lifted out of the pickup cavity (the output leads do not need to be unsoldered).
• The bridge position HS-90-SW pickup has a DC resistance of approximately 10.4 k-Ohm, is wound clockwise and is North up
• Neck position HS-90-SW pickup has a DC resistance of approximately 8.9 k-Ohm, is wound counter-clockwise and is South up.
• Adjustable height nickel plated pole pieces.
• Custom winding is available for an additional $5.00 per pickup.
• 9,500 turns of 43 gauge enameled magnet wire is used for the bridge pickup
• 8,250 of 43 gauge enameled magnet wire is used on the neck pickup
• Scatter wound coils
• External braided shielded output leads

• Grounded shielding surrounding the coil effectively reduces noise from external electric fields

• Potted under vacuum to eliminate microphonics

• Neck pickup is reverse polarity reverse wound (RWRP) with respect to the bridge

• Bridge and neck pickups are wound for good volume balance

• Bottom flange of the bobbins is tapped for standard 4-40 mounting screws

• These custom pickups will fit in all guitars routed for standard size humbuckers.

• Each set of HS-90-SW pickups includes nickel plated 3-48 machine screws and silicone tubing sections cut to the correct length for mounting these pickups to a pickguard or standard humbucker mounting ring.

Sound
Perceived output level: Low pot volume/clear & clean, high vol./&driven, max vol./smooth OD!

Tone: Very balanced, responsive to treble pot and PU position

Sonic evaluation: I have guitars to cover almost every tonal need: Cal Tele with Bill Lawrence 280/295, Am Std Strat (stock), Strat hardtail with BL 280's, LP Special with 495/498's, the Epi Dot, and a recent acquire, an older Samick Jazzmaster with P-90's (drastically underrated guitar!). Amps are Peavey Rage 158's (two) for headphone practice, and main amp Peavey 210 Blues Classic with JJ matched quad drive tubes, British RCA (1989) 12AX7's and Mullard 12AX7 in the third slot (OD & reverb), Jensen P10R speakers.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock, Blues, vintage music, and finger style

Comments
The original pups (Epi PAF's) were fair to good, just a bit muddy, but passable (any GOOD guitarist could take this guitar and tweak on stage, make it do what they wanted without doing research, in a matter of minutes). With Pete's P-90 conversion pups, the Epi jumped to life and makes ANY play stand up. Most noticed was the single string tonal abilities on the lower two strings (vibrato on lower strings REALLY stands out)! With volume manipulation (500K pots), the guitar can be clean and rhythmic on the low end, driven as the pots are increased to a very smooth overdrive at top end. Comparable to a PRS McCarty (SD Designed P-90's ) I recently owned and was hoping to emulate. I regret giving a glowing report before changing out ALL the pups I intend to change (Tele and Hardtail Strat,those I build for custom us), because the prices will be going up (Remember me Pete, please). These are the best, most responsive pups I have played to date. That is, starting in 1966, playing seriously until the mid 70's, again C&W in the early 80's, mostly acoustic until P&W rock this decade. For me, the P-90 sound has been an elusive thing. Two of the Gibson LP Specials I've owned had P-90's, but sounded like LP DeLuxe's with mini-humbuckers. The Samick JMaster clone's P-90's are better, the PRS McCarty Soapbars were eye openers. V V G's conversion set of P-90's are the best, no doubt. Would I replace them? In a blooming heartbeat!! This IS the sound I've looked for, period. Oh, not to mention, his new designs come with two sets of magnets. Ceramics in place and a set of well marked Alnicos, along with instructions on how to change them out. Two pickups in one, and able to drop in place in a guitar with humbucking pups! Mega winner!

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value Physical dimensions: The dimensions (in inches) of the HS-90 pickup tops are provided in the drawings below (all dimensions are in inches). The pickups are 0.896” deep.

Dimensions (pdf)	Credit Card Form (MS Word)
Sound
Wiring diagram (pdf)
P95 1vol/1 tone (pdf)
Installation Notes (pdf)

 

 

 

 

Select Pickup
Part #	Description	Cost	Quantity
HS-90 SW - set 2 Black	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil pickup, set of 2 (bridge pickup and neck pickup), with changeable magnet design. My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets. Neck pickup RWRP.	$195 set	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW - set 2 Creme	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil pickup, set of 2 (bridge pickup and neck pickup). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets. Neck pickup RWRP.	$195 set	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW - set 2 Faux Tortoise Shell	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil pickup, set of 2 (bridge pickup and neck pickup). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets. Neck pickup RWRP.	$195 set	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW Ni - set2	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil pickup, set of 2 (bridge pickup and neck pickup). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets. Neck pickup RWRP, nickel plated metal covers.	$207 set	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW - set3 Black	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil pickup, set of 3 (bridge pickup, middle pickup and neck pickup), middle pickup RWRP, with changeable magnet design. My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets. Neck pickup RWRP.	$279 set	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW - set3 Creme	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil pickup, set of 3 (bridge pickup, middle pickup and neck pickup), middle pickup RWRP, with changeable magnet design. My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets. Neck pickup RWRP.	$279 set	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW - set3 Faux Tortoise Shell	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil pickup, set of 3 (bridge pickup, middle pickup and neck pickup), middle pickup RWRP, with changeable magnet design. My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets. Neck pickup RWRP.	$279 set	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW Ni - set3	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil pickup, set of 3 (bridge pickup, middle pickup and neck pickup), middle pickup, RWRP, with changeable magnet design (bridge pickup and neck pickup), neck pickup, RWRP. My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets. Nickel plated metal covers.	$290 set	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW B Black	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil bridge position pickup (North up, clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets.	$99 each	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW B Creme	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil bridge position pickup (North up, clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets.	$99 each	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW B Faux Tortoise Shell	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil bridge position pickup (North up, clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets.	$99 each	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW M Black	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil middle position pickup (South up, counter clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets.	$99 each	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW M Creme	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil middle position pickup (South up, counter clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets.	$99 each	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW M Faux Tortoise Shell	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil middle position pickup (South up, counter clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets.	$99 each	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW N Black	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil neck position pickup (North up, clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets.	$99 each	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW N Creme	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil neck position pickup (North up, clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets.	$99 each	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW N Faux Tortoise Shell	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil neck position pickup (North up, clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets.	$99 each	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW B Ni	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil bridge position pickup (North up, clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets. Nickel plated metal cover.	$105 each	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW M Ni	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil middle position pickup (South up, counter clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets. Nickel plated metal cover.	$105 each	1 2 3 4 5
HS-90 SW N Ni	Humbucker size P-90 style single coil neck position pickup (North up, clockwise). My current design for these pickups allows the owner to change the magnets with ease. I ship these pickups with two complete sets of magnets. Magnet types available include: AlNiCo-II, AlNiCo-III, AlNiCo-V and ceramic-8. The AlNiCo-II magnets give a warm vintage tone, the AlNiCo-III magnets boost output and give a little sharper attack. The AlNiCo-V magnets give even higher output and sharper attack; for the highest output and sharpest attack choose the ceramic-8 magnets. Nickel plated metal cover.	$105 each	1 2 3 4 5
Magnets	Purchasing a quantity of 1, 2, 4, or 6 Please note that two magnets are needed per pick-up	$2.25 each	1 2 4 6
Magnets	Purchasing a quantity of 8, 10, or 12 Please note that two magnets are needed per pick-up	$2.00 each	8 10 12