p-90 advice

Vick

Soooo...I really want to get a guitar p-90's...
There are 2 main options...I cn buy the prs se one in the classifieds...or I cn get a epi lp of gumtree when one pops up and swap the pickups with SD phat cats or sumthing like that...
This is kinda a "semi-testrun-thing"
Coz I really like the p-90 sound and I want to see if its only a phase,or if its more long-term before I go buying somthing expensive

Thanx guys
Be safe

AlanRatcliffe

Ideally look at finding a two pickup P90 guitar to "test the water". The SE One is a great guitar, but I find the single pickup limiting (to be fair though, some find a single pickup guitar liberating). The full size P90s are nice if you don't like humbucker "mud", but never quite the same as the real thing.

The Hamer SAT P90 models can be found fairly cheaply (see if Antman's still selling his flametop: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/classifieds/guitar-and-amp-collection-for-sale/) and are ideal "water testers". A step up from there would be the PRS SE Soapbar, which pop up at R5.5K now and again, but they're a bit high output for my taste.

Moving on up the scale the Tokai LS95S is up with some of the best P90 guitars - the one I reviewed was my favourite LP model (review of three Tokai LP models in the next issue of Muse Mag). You should be able to get your hands on one for under R10K.

Gearhead

If you want to spend no cash, go to a store and play one of theirs. If you do want to fork out on a P90 that you might be able to sell if you don't like it, go for the 'wrong size' types like Strat size or 'bucker (easier to flog to like minds). If you can afford to buy and sell a second hand guitar, that's probably the best way. Just remember that an entry level P90 guitar will have entry level P90 pups in, and that an entry level guitar with high-end pups is not likely to play or sound as good as a high-end P90 guitar.
I was pleasantly surprised at the sound and build quality of those Hamer SAT P90s, hard to beat for the money.

aja

Matt's music in Strubensvalley had a nice fender tele semihollow with P90's in it last time I was there. Quite an interesting guitar (with 4 control knobs too)

Check it out if you are in the area again

Riaan

Alan, if you had to upgrade the P90's in the Hamer I bought from you, what would you have gone for? Not that I'm planning on doing such a thing right now, I'm still enjoying the sound (which is great BTW) as it is. But I reckon some noiseless pups sometime in future might be a good idea. Kinmann's? Looks like he makes a nice P90 in addition to Strat single coils.

AlanRatcliffe

Riaan wrote Alan, if you had to upgrade the P90's in the Hamer I bought from you, what would you have gone for?

Noiseless - Kinman or Fralin. I haven't tried either myself, but good accounts so far and I've heard Kinman clips I liked.
Single-coil - Lollar or Fralin. Both standard sets are a bit more polite than most and if you want an even cleaner. more articulate neck pickup, go for a slightly underwound neck model.

I've gotta be honest though - the Hamer's aren't bad at all.

Not that I'm planning on doing such a thing right now

Uh-huh? ?

I'm still enjoying the sound (which is great BTW) as it is.

Good to hear. Have you tried the bridge with overdrive and the tone rolled all the way off?

Sean

Alan Ratcliffe wrote I've gotta be honest though - the Hamer's aren't bad at all.

? I'm liking it

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Have you tried the bridge with overdrive and the tone rolled all the way off?

Hmm, no, will give it a go later

Slight hi-jack here :-[ (sorry Vick) @Riaan Are you finding the Hamer a bit neck heavy? ...actually will quickly start another thread... :-[

AlanRatcliffe

Sean wrote
Alan Ratcliffe wrote Have you tried the bridge with overdrive and the tone rolled all the way off?
Hmm, no, will give it a go later

That's specific to the one I sold Riaan, which has a modded tone pot/cap that gives it a very nasal, middy tone when backed off and driven.

Are you finding the Hamer a bit neck heavy?

They are a bit neck heavy, but only a little. The Gibson doublecut Specials they are modelled after are too.

Sean

Alan Ratcliffe wrote
Sean wrote
Alan Ratcliffe wrote Have you tried the bridge with overdrive and the tone rolled all the way off?
Hmm, no, will give it a go later
That's specific to the one I sold Riaan, which has a modded tone pot/cap that gives it a very nasal, middy tone when backed off and driven.

Ah, okay ?

Riaan

@Riaan Are you finding the Hamer a bit neck heavy?

Yes, it is compared to my strat but nothing I won't get used to. I'm very pleased with that axe, and it's of course a privilege to own and play something that had it's innards modified by Alan!

Vick

@sean...hahaha,don't wory man ?

@ everybody else... a.and I cn get a hamer doubelcut with p-90's for about 6500...sooo,shoud I wait for a prs se soapbar(but the thing is,then I'm gona swop the pickups,coz I use to love hot pickups,but now I cnt stand them...then 5.5 for the guit+2.5 for the pups,then I cn just as we'll buy the tokai...) to pop up...or get the hamer...o and how are the agile guits..they also have a p90 doubel cut thingy

Thanx for all the help guys

Sean

Vick wrote
@ everybody else... a.and I cn get a hamer doubelcut with p-90's for about 6500...sooo,shoud I wait for a prs se

6.5 K ? Can't be the Korean built one, I guess it's the US one?

AlanRatcliffe

6.5K is the normal price for the Asian models. You won't see them at R2k again, except secondhand.

Riaan

6.5K is the normal price for the Asian models. You won't see them at R2k again, except secondhand.

Damn good deal I got from you Alan! Thanks again! :dance:

Sean

Alan Ratcliffe wrote 6.5K is the normal price for the Asian models. You won't see them at R2k again, except secondhand.

Wow, had no idea that was their normal price. Definitely a guitar I'm going to hang onto for awhile ?

Vick

Got a secondhand hamer sat90
Yesterday...wooohooo
And yea,really enjoying it.

Thanx for all the help guys...

AlanRatcliffe

Vick wrote Got a secondhand hamer sat90
Yesterday...wooohooo
And yea,really enjoying it.

Thanx for all the help guys...

Cool! Enjoy...

Ray

this article made me quite interested in the Squier.

http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/guitars/round-up-5-affordable-soapbar-loaded-electric-guitars-239495

AlanRatcliffe

Ray wrote this article made me quite interested in the Squier.

http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/guitars/round-up-5-affordable-soapbar-loaded-electric-guitars-239495

I fiddled on one of those briefly a while back (didn't get a lot of time, because it was in the process of being sold). Interesting. Nice neck and a unique voice - not a "real" Tele to my mind, but a lot spankier than the usual Gibson-style P90 fare. The 2 volume, 2 tone arrangement stopped me from looking further later, but the overall impression was it was punching above it's price class.

Sean

Vick wrote Got a secondhand hamer sat90
Yesterday...wooohooo
And yea,really enjoying it.

Thanx for all the help guys...

WooHoo :applause: nice! Would like to hear your thoughts after you've spent more time with it ?