Overall tone is brighter with less of a grind to the distortion quality.' '.these P-90s have lower output, more delicate attack, less midrange and bass, and are coupled with weak magnets. Yet the Lollar site describes the '50s wind set, which use Alnico II magnets as: Some websites (the above link included) seem to say that using an Alnico II magnet will give a darker sound compared to Alnico IV or V. It might be that both types were used either in different years or maybe just depending on day-to-day availability.)Ģ. (I'm confused as I've read about Alnico II and Alnico IV magnets being used. What was the spec of the original Casino/ES330 pickups in terms of magnets and output? However, I'm still confused on a couple of points.ġ. I have seen other websites with similar descriptions, including the Lollar one. The descriptions from this UK company might help you I also have a cheaper, 3xP90 Yamaha TVL (335-type construction) which has slightly darker sounding pickups that I don’t like as much (I might consider replacing these next).Īny ideas of what I should be looking for, or should I just trust the builders to come up with their take on a vintage P90?

I already have two guitars with P90s – a Gibson Historic ’56 Goldtop that sounds really nice but, if I'm being picky, the soapbars are a bit too hot (I tend to use them knocked back to 6-7 on the volume pots). I’m definitely after something with a lower/vintage output but I still want a bright and lively sound, especially for that in-between “jangle” position. I just thought it was worth checking here what sort of specification to ask for in terms of output and magnet type.

I’ve asked a couple of UK pickup builders and they quoted me a reasonable price to rewind the stock pickups, replace the magnets and wax pot them. I’d love some Lollars but, I’m in the UK and they'll cost too much to import, once shipping, tax and duty is added. It seems to be Lollar or Kent Armstrong and that’s it. I want to upgrade the pickups (the stock ones are very muddy) but I’ve learned there are very few after-market P90s that will actually fit a Casino. I recently bought a 1997 Epiphone Casino, Korean (Peerless).

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