'55 style Les Paul Standard w/wrap tailpiece. IMO the wrap tailpiece gives that instrument a little extra something. Great content Rhett, thank you. EDIT, a '54 LP Custom would also work for me!
I love how Rhett just says: "I borrowed this Gold Top Les Paul from Rick Beato..." as if we all know who the man is. But of course, we all know who the man is, ha ha.
Sure Rick's kid can nail pitch and ear training on the spot but does Rick know how many of us can hear his voice when we hear anything resembling the sound of "Beato?" lol
I love P-90s. Everything from surf to metal. If they are too "spanky" for your high gain sound, just roll off the tone knob on your guitar a little bit, and you have instant humbucker!
You nailed it. I was thinking of upgrading the ones in my Hagstrom but all I had to do was dial the tone knob back some. I love the versatility of P-90's.
I’ve been playing for over 40 years, and I unbelievably have never played P 90s until the other week. My friend bought a Harley Benton with P 90s and he said give it a try. I couldn’t believe how awesome the pick up sounds! Just one pick up and using the tone and volume gives you so many variations of sounds unbelievable! I love them.
In my first band, in 1968, the other guitar player had a mint condition LP with P90s. We both wanted SGs. He traded his LP for $90 toward an SG Standard which cost $335 at the time. I got an SG Special, with P90s that I played professionally until 1983.
Dude, the *second* you mentioned “the solo you thought was a strat”, I knew exactly which tune you were talking about. I was mindblown when I first found out that was a p90 Les Paul. I always had that solo categorized in my brain as “a killer strat neck sound”. Finding out that was a p90 made me reevaluate a lot of what I know about single coil sound and personal finger tone, in general.
@@f2detaboada Really? That’s funny…strat neck tones a la “shine on you crazy diamond” and middle position sounds like “free ride” are some of my favorite guitar tones. They just sit so perfectly within a band context imo
@@manifestgtr I thought about it and I realized I forgot the dual lead tone in Any Colour You Like, which is actually a fantastic strat sound of both the bridge and the neck pick ups calling and answering each other. But as for the songs you mentioned, within the context of the music they sound great but if I isolate the sounds, they stop being pleasant for me. I think that if Gilmour used p90's on Shine on, it would have sounded even better.
Before punk,Leslie West,played a burst SC Junior,and Mick Ralphs,an Englishman,from Mott the Hoople ,who saw West, get a Junior in a pawnshop in the US before joining Bad Company.Punk came ,and the great Johnny Thunders is the one that put the DC Junior on the map.Mick Jones,and Steve Jones,who was just an occasionnal user of a Junior followed. The story is ,when the NY Dolls get their first record deal,the two guitar players of the Dolls get some money to buy good guitars before recording.Sylvain Sylvain,the one who taught guitar to Thunders,and who knows the power of P90s took a TV Yellow Special,and Thunders a black Les Paul Custom.After a few days,Thunders,in love with P90s played loud,change guitars .And got the Special.During a TV show,the Midnight Special,he accidently changed pickups during a song,and got a one pickup DC Junior after that.
I recently picked up a 2019 Les Paul Special with P90's and honestly, it's really hard to not say it's now my number 1 after being a huge strat fanboy for ages. I still love the strat for cleans and that bright "edge of breakup" tone. But for raunchy leads, the P90's just do a thing I didn't realize I needed so badly. I'm in love with the thing.
Exactly the same, here. Except it's a 2008 SG with P90s I've bought. It's got some magic my strat and my tele don't. And I love the whole spectrum from clean, crunch... to fat early Black Sabbath tones. Only con : you might need a bright channel on your amp...
@@mouluc9969 ugh I had an ‘08 SG Classic that I absolutely loved because of it’s fat neck and the p90’s it came with. Had to sell it to save up for my wedding. Someday I’ll have a p90 guitar in my arsenal again if not an SG, then probably a Revstar
Planning to get an Epiphone Les Paul Special SC Pro TV Yellow as soon as possible. After having both Strat and Tele, my inner soul just always reserves a special place for a Les Paul since it's my first love for electric guitar back in 2009... But I don't really want to get a humbucker, so the LP Special SC Pro is my best bet with a really reasonable price at $375 brand new!
I'm officially shocked! Gilmour played a P-90 gold top. WAAAAAY back in 1980 I was trying to emulate that sound on a P-90 LP junior and got so very close. And I would tell people it would sound right if I had a Strat! wow. Thanks, Rhett, once again you have been a major confidence booster! Great info and excellent video!
I think that’s true of most of us who grew up playing, or learning to play during that time frame. But one of the problems back then was that the Internet was still decades away, and the only way to find out what our guitar heroes were playing with was, 1. By the incredibly inaccurate way of studying every album cover and sleeve, and pray that the guitars and amps in the photos actually were what they were usually playing live and in the studio. 2. Subscribing to Guitar Player Magazine (the only guitar mag way back then,) and pray that the interviewer asked them about their equipment, and 3. Never miss any of their concerts. (Definitely the most fun choice!) I remember him saying in the GP Mag interview that his main axe was a ‘50s (don’t remember what year) Les Paul Jr., and another Jr that was his backup which, while it sounded great, wasn’t as great as his main. But I *SWORE* back then that he lied like a thief about the amp he played through! In fact, nobody believed it...until they attended the concert. The story West told is that they opened the boxes that were supposed to contain the Marshall amps and cabs he (and damn near everybody else back then) always used live and in the studio, but what he found was the Sunn P.A. amp we’ve all heard about by now, along with four 4 X 12 cabs... He went on in the interview, talking about how he wondered WTF he was gonna do because he could NEVER get a good sound out of that equipment, much less a *great* sound...but those old Sunn P.A. heads had four input level controls (basically the same as a Gain control today,) and a Master Volume control, just like guitar amps would eventually have in the future. Yep, guitar amps by and large usually had only a volume control with no preamp gain control stage. Nobody was more surprised at the sound he got so easily, than Leslie West, himself, and the best thing about it...? Nobody else sounded like him with a “student guitar and one P90 pickup,” because nobody else was using a P.A., and most of all, nobody else had his hands.
@@StarQueenEstrella Vastly under-appreciated guitars by many. I've shown up for jams with an LP Jr. and early smirks turn to appreciation by the end of the jam.
The Brick in the Wall solo is such a great example of what makes the P90 special. Its a sound only a P90 can really do. Really glad you made this video, I always wanted to know more about these pickups!
That Gilmour thing was THE guitar revelation for me this year... Man I would have swear on that being a strat! Loved the whole video approach, it would be great to see one with the sounds of Jazzmasters and the Filtertrone styled pickups.
Totally agree that P90s are very versatile. Once you get over that "weird vintage guitar" look, you realize that they sound very good and articulate really well. You don't get the muddiness you sometimes get with humbuckers, yet they have that big tone. That's why they work well for jazz and fusion in solidbody guitars. I've got a pair of Seymour Duncan P90s in my Godin LG, and it sounds like a jazz-box in the neck position. At the same time they've got some nasty rockabilly bite in the middle, and cool surf tone in the bridge.
@@kenburkard He was known to have run everything a full except the bass, which would be backed off...idk how far...and then he would use a MODDED treble booster.
@@anmolatwal and I thought that pinched harmonic at the beginning of the 2nd solo (the greatest guitar solo ever) on Comfortably Numb screamed Fender Strat!
@Marcel Funny you should say that. I actually did jump head first into the ceiling once from being inspired by Pete. It was the opening chord to Have You Seen the Real Me. With guitar in hand I jumped off my coffee table, imitating Pete, forgetting that the coffee table put me only a few inches from the ceiling. I came to a few seconds later with the popcorn insulation in my hair.
Pete Townshend - the Who used this same setup (guitar/amp) at Woodstock also in August 1969. Listen to Sparks from Woodstock. That Classic Guitar sound.
9:24 I’m sold! Hearing that guitar solo was what convinced me to pick up the electric guitar when I was 14. I’ve always wondered why I couldn’t ever get that exact sound out of a strat.
Classic P90 tones; Leslie West, Charlie Hargrett on Blackfoot’s first two albums, The Henry Paul Band Feel the Heat album, Martin Barre Aqualung solo, Pete Townsend Live at Leeds.
Pete Townsend Live at Leeds sound reverberates for me, big time. Love me some P90s with their snarl and attitude. Also love Gretsch style pups, with that 'in between' (between single coils and humbuckers) sound that has some treble bite and midrange snarl.
I can't believe you didn't mention The Beatles - Paul, George, and John all bought Epiphone Casinos, and John in particular used his Casino a ton from 1966 on, famously playing it at the rooftop concert in Let It Be. Paul McCartney played the leads on Ticket to Ride, Drive My Car, and Taxman on his Casino, and 2 of the 3 guitars in the "The End" solo "battle" were John and Paul on Casinos.
You are correct on all counts except for the solo on Taxman was Paul playing a Gibson SG through a dimed ac30. I got that information from the Beatles recording gear
Slightly off topic, but PRS made a "narrowfield" pickup on the 25th anniversary line that was billed as humbucker style P90's. Have several guitars with those pickups. Quite awesome to my ears.
I don't think they beg for new pickups if every time you play them they sound sweet... I think you're just gear obsessed and have a hard time being happy with what you have.
Good shout out for the 77 punks, it's common to overlook their choices of guitars and how it shaped their sounds, but Steve Jones or Mick Jones were really digging the possibilites of P90!
Thank you Rhett. Been playing almost 30 years and nobody told me I needed p90s. Just got Epi LP P90 today. $119 and is as fun as any $1000 guitar I've played. Kinda hurt it took so long. Perfect for me. I'll get over it when I pick it back up.
My first real guitar was a Gibson sg special with P-90s. This was stolen years later but I recently found another. I absolutely love its sound, there is nothing else that comes close.
He can't. It will destroy Gibson and Fender's market. Tho that gold top gibson with P90's will always be the best looking guitar to me no matter how much I love the Duo Jets.
@@annekedebruyn7797 She has bought all of my favorite gear. Most of my favorite gear. The best story is she wanted a dog. We mad a bargain. I get a guitar she can get the dog. The dog is gone because it kept biting our kids. But, I still have the guitar. She is the best. 15 years strong.
This is the 4th time I've come across your channel in my guitar deep dive and every video is well researched, presented, and informative. You've earned my sub man
Dude, LOVE your videos & how you explain everything musical -- you never disappoint. (Side note: couldn't help but notice it sounded like someone had turned down the high/presence on the amp in the guitar store - was excited about hearing that top end sizzle/"chirp" of the 90's there, but it sounded more jazzy. However, in YOUR studio, you had it dialed in!!) As always, THANKS!
Just finished my SG upgrade to P-90's.. Love it. After my Classic Tele build, I am on to the P-90 Tele build. Love the tone. Thank You for the channel. I am a new guitar player, well, 7 years now. Totally have GAS...
Leslie West....his tone , along with superb playing was a huge endorsement of P90 tone...influencing guys like Mick Ralphs & others...two superb examples....Mick's solo on Mott the Hoople's version of " Sweet Jane."...Leslie on Mountain's " theme for an imaginary western "....both probably Les Paul juniors.....both are magical solos with classic P90 tone....
I own a '76 Hagstrom Swede that I modified with a Filtertron at the bridge and a P90 at the neck. The two p'ups blend so beautifully for my clean tones that it's become my go-to clean guitar over the other 3, very fine guitars in my collection (Epiphone 335 Deluxe with LR Baggs T bridge - close second... / '69 Strat / Squier CV Tele thinline). Love ALL these instruments, but there's something so inspiring about the P90 neck tone... :-))
@@alexlogan124 The John Birch Simplux was still a P-90 style single coil and it was only the neck pickup. A regular Gibson P-90 was in the bridge position.
The neck pickup on my P90 Goldtop is slightly under potted. You can't talk into it, but if you stand facing away from the amp, (I use my Tweed Tremolux) and crank it, then turn and walk slowly towards the speaker, the sustain will gradually morph into an amazing feedback that's totally controllable, depending on which way you're facing, the volume control, and your vibrato. Harmonics explode off of my fingers, and it all goes away with hand damping. If you ever come across a P90 guitar that has an under potted pickup like that, or even just the pickup itself, grab it. You'll have lots of fun with it.
@@lqr824 You might be right, but whatever it is, it rides that saturation/cutoff curve that you see in the old tube books. The little ridges in your fingers that make your fingerprints will generate those harmonics, and the spot you choose for your right hand is all the EQ you need. The tone knob on a Tremolux doesn't do much anyway. This is the poster rig for "Less is More" Pedals? What's a pedal? I have two on the bike. People with no technique hate this rig.
First electric guitar I bought, senior year of high school, was a 1959 Les Paul Jr., with a GA5 amp. Even in 1976 it was a steal at 50$. It was my introduction to the awesomeness that was the P90. I’ve had it ever since, and it will go to my heirs.
Found you from a shout out on Home Skoolin’ with Uncle Larry and just wanna say thanks. What you do is noble and generous. Yer videos are awesome. Ride On.
I had a 54’ Jr. That was amazing. That dog eat P-90 would sing, grind, and I could get the Clapton woman tone. I’d just set the tone knob to 5, and there it was. Thanks again Rhett for a great video. It’s always cool when someone talks about the gear I love.
dude i love you so much. you are able to concisely able to communicate what i've been trying to tell my friends for years through a 30 minute disorganized rant. that david gilmour part was something special, i always thought it was a fender strat in the neck position as well. thank you so much for the good work Rhett!
I always figured it was the the neck or center pickup on a stratocaster with a compression pedal sounds pretty close, i'm still unsure if the compression came from the FX or the pickup.
Fantastic review of an historical pickup and quality of sound that is very notable...The P90 Sound. Thanks for your time on this journey of what makes guitar players "Joy" of playing, Loud, Clean, Distortion, and just unreal!!! Keep it up! JD
I have owned at least one P90 guitar (Les Paul) since 1978. Have had quite a few in the last 20 years. I love P90s! Check out Les Dudek's first 2 solo albums.
One day I walked into a small music shop determined to finally buy an electric guitar and start my journey. I tried every electric in there, but this one had a sound I loved, it was the only one with a P90 in it. I may not have gotten a guitar at all if it wasn't for that P90.
True! Distortion, fuzz and overdrive will only masquerade it's true clean pickup sound. These youtubers should always demo the clean tone first before any distortion is used. The inventor of the p90 didn't even have distortion in mind. Rockers love overdrive, Jazzers want a clean tone. There is a place and a moment for everything.
He touched on that with the different windings. I think the versatility(headroom and breakup) he found comes from the large magnets but its harder to get a real clean tone from P90
Hey man, love the video. Love p90s. One suggested: don't record the voice over sections of your videos in stereo. Every time you moved left or right I'd have to move to not feel a little sick. Thanks.
They're amazing for cleans, especially when they're set a lil bit lower than they usually are. They've got a nice depth to them without being muddy. Also sound great as individual pickups, as well as the middle position. I put one in the neck position of a 7 string, and it's such a versatile guitar now because of it
The answer to your question is YES. Why? Every P90 guitar sounds a little different from its cousin, as explained in Rhett's video. I have around a dozen 50's Gibson guitars that span the range of tone from pristine to crunchy, all from the same amp (Overdrive Special Dumble clone). Clean with a hint of overdrive is a specialty of the Klon Centaur. Heavier and bluesy overdrive can be achieved with BK Butler's pedal. If you want even more flexibility hook up the guitar to an Axe FX-3. To avoid spending thousands of dollars on vintage guitars, try out a modern Gibson Les Paul Junior or Special. Let your effects pedals do the tone shaping.
I love your allusions to Gary Clark Jr in your playing on this video. He introduced me to the P90 sound and now im considering putting a pair in my explorer.
But those amps! GMT Spaceship.226 watts of raw power. I got one that supposedly belonged to the Santana bass player. It was cool to watch the movie years later and see those again.
Rhett, recently discovered your channel thru Rick Beato, love your tone, playing and you were built to speak publicly....love this series and the channel......your solo on Paul Davids channel was awesome....be well and thanks!
After almost 40 years of playing I recently picked up a Reverend 290 and I'm exploring this P90 sound... I have to say not only are they VERY versatile but they sound amazing with your Helix patches that I have found myself using over and over again the past 18 months when playing live. Kudos to all the work you put into them!
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
Whats your favorite P90 guitar?
Thinline Tele's haha, they are like top tier guitars for me
I think the gold top les Paul with the p 90s, just like the guitarist from canned head played (don't remember his name rn)
'55 style Les Paul Standard w/wrap tailpiece.
IMO the wrap tailpiece gives that instrument a little extra something.
Great content Rhett, thank you.
EDIT, a '54 LP Custom would also work for me!
Lp junior
Epiphone casino
What is the “metal zone into fender practice combo” sound next please.
I'm just laughing.. that's just funny.
I have the answer, it’s the _best_ sound
Please
Metal zone into Line 6 Spyder II on Insane
🤣
I love how Rhett just says: "I borrowed this Gold Top Les Paul from Rick Beato..." as if we all know who the man is. But of course, we all know who the man is, ha ha.
Yes
Bick Reato who?
Sure Rick's kid can nail pitch and ear training on the spot but does Rick know how many of us can hear his voice when we hear anything resembling the sound of "Beato?" lol
Yeah he's a stinking musical genius!!! Love his channels too
What!? you don't own a gold top with P-90s???? (Hint to your lovely wife?)
I love P-90s. Everything from surf to metal. If they are too "spanky" for your high gain sound, just roll off the tone knob on your guitar a little bit, and you have instant humbucker!
You nailed it. I was thinking of upgrading the ones in my Hagstrom but all I had to do was dial the tone knob back some. I love the versatility of P-90's.
Hey I had to do it tonight during practice
They are not spanky at all
@@jaguarandi2 Ok, barky. Feel better?
@@ericv7720 Fizzy is how i'd describe them. Inarticulate.
I’ve been playing for over 40 years, and I unbelievably have never played P 90s until the other week. My friend bought a Harley Benton with P 90s and he said give it a try. I couldn’t believe how awesome the pick up sounds! Just one pick up and using the tone and volume gives you so many variations of sounds unbelievable! I love them.
In my first band, in 1968, the other guitar player had a mint condition LP with P90s. We both wanted SGs. He traded his LP for $90 toward an SG Standard which cost $335 at the time. I got an SG Special, with P90s that I played professionally until 1983.
What is the “Line 6 Spider IV Insane-Mode” sound?
Hell yeah
An amazing one used on your local metalcore band’s latest record
@Magic I wasn’t gonna be the first one to say it
@Magic is* there fixed that for ya
@@Rxbandit421 no?
Could you do "what is the jazzmaster sound?" I really love the sound of this guitar and there is nothing that sounds quite like it
Ooh yeah that’s a good one
Yes! This!
True. Not to mention the way that Stapelton has crafted it to suit his epic sound!
Yes!!
Hell yeah, also no one makes cheap real jazzmaster pickups like they do every other kind of pickup
Dude, the *second* you mentioned “the solo you thought was a strat”, I knew exactly which tune you were talking about. I was mindblown when I first found out that was a p90 Les Paul. I always had that solo categorized in my brain as “a killer strat neck sound”. Finding out that was a p90 made me reevaluate a lot of what I know about single coil sound and personal finger tone, in general.
Same here, my jaw dropped from here to Antarctica! Would have _never_ thought!
I used to think of that solo as "the one fender strat sound I like", I guess not lmao
@@f2detaboada
Really? That’s funny…strat neck tones a la “shine on you crazy diamond” and middle position sounds like “free ride” are some of my favorite guitar tones. They just sit so perfectly within a band context imo
@@manifestgtr I thought about it and I realized I forgot the dual lead tone in Any Colour You Like, which is actually a fantastic strat sound of both the bridge and the neck pick ups calling and answering each other. But as for the songs you mentioned, within the context of the music they sound great but if I isolate the sounds, they stop being pleasant for me. I think that if Gilmour used p90's on Shine on, it would have sounded even better.
Before punk,Leslie West,played a burst SC Junior,and Mick Ralphs,an Englishman,from Mott the Hoople ,who saw West, get a Junior in a pawnshop in the US before joining Bad Company.Punk came ,and the great Johnny Thunders is the one that put the DC Junior on the map.Mick Jones,and Steve Jones,who was just an occasionnal user of a Junior followed.
The story is ,when the NY Dolls get their first record deal,the two guitar players of the Dolls get some money to buy good guitars before recording.Sylvain Sylvain,the one who taught guitar to Thunders,and who knows the power of P90s took a TV Yellow Special,and Thunders a black Les Paul Custom.After a few days,Thunders,in love with P90s played loud,change guitars .And got the Special.During a TV show,the Midnight Special,he accidently changed pickups during a song,and got a one pickup DC Junior after that.
I recently picked up a 2019 Les Paul Special with P90's and honestly, it's really hard to not say it's now my number 1 after being a huge strat fanboy for ages. I still love the strat for cleans and that bright "edge of breakup" tone. But for raunchy leads, the P90's just do a thing I didn't realize I needed so badly. I'm in love with the thing.
Exactly the same, here. Except it's a 2008 SG with P90s I've bought. It's got some magic my strat and my tele don't. And I love the whole spectrum from clean, crunch... to fat early Black Sabbath tones. Only con : you might need a bright channel on your amp...
@@mouluc9969 ugh I had an ‘08 SG Classic that I absolutely loved because of it’s fat neck and the p90’s it came with. Had to sell it to save up for my wedding. Someday I’ll have a p90 guitar in my arsenal again if not an SG, then probably a Revstar
@@robjgolde3221 The sad thing, here is both a wedding and a divorce cost as much as many nice guitars with P90s ^^
Just picked up a LP special tribute. I love this guitar, the neck is amazing.
Planning to get an Epiphone Les Paul Special SC Pro TV Yellow as soon as possible. After having both Strat and Tele, my inner soul just always reserves a special place for a Les Paul since it's my first love for electric guitar back in 2009... But I don't really want to get a humbucker, so the LP Special SC Pro is my best bet with a really reasonable price at $375 brand new!
I'm officially shocked! Gilmour played a P-90 gold top. WAAAAAY back in 1980 I was trying to emulate that sound on a P-90 LP junior and got so very close. And I would tell people it would sound right if I had a Strat! wow. Thanks, Rhett, once again you have been a major confidence booster! Great info and excellent video!
I am really enjoying this series man. It is so appreciative of what makes a tone so unique and killer! Great work
For me, the classic sound of a p90 is Leslie West of Mountain fame. Killer tone. Great vid Rhett.
Mississippi Queen!!!
Agreed! That is the Les Paul Junior sound defined!
I think that’s true of most of us who grew up playing, or learning to play during that time frame. But one of the problems back then was that the Internet was still decades away, and the only way to find out what our guitar heroes were playing with was, 1. By the incredibly inaccurate way of studying every album cover and sleeve, and pray that the guitars and amps in the photos actually were what they were usually playing live and in the studio. 2. Subscribing to Guitar Player Magazine (the only guitar mag way back then,) and pray that the interviewer asked them about their equipment, and 3. Never miss any of their concerts. (Definitely the most fun choice!) I remember him saying in the GP Mag interview that his main axe was a ‘50s (don’t remember what year) Les Paul Jr., and another Jr that was his backup which, while it sounded great, wasn’t as great as his main. But I *SWORE* back then that he lied like a thief about the amp he played through! In fact, nobody believed it...until they attended the concert. The story West told is that they opened the boxes that were supposed to contain the Marshall amps and cabs he (and damn near everybody else back then) always used live and in the studio, but what he found was the Sunn P.A. amp we’ve all heard about by now, along with four 4 X 12 cabs...
He went on in the interview, talking about how he wondered WTF he was gonna do because he could NEVER get a good sound out of that equipment, much less a *great* sound...but those old Sunn P.A. heads had four input level controls (basically the same as a Gain control today,) and a Master Volume control, just like guitar amps would eventually have in the future. Yep, guitar amps by and large usually had only a volume control with no preamp gain control stage. Nobody was more surprised at the sound he got so easily, than Leslie West, himself, and the best thing about it...? Nobody else sounded like him with a “student guitar and one P90 pickup,” because nobody else was using a P.A., and most of all, nobody else had his hands.
@@StarQueenEstrella Vastly under-appreciated guitars by many. I've shown up for jams with an LP Jr. and early smirks turn to appreciation by the end of the jam.
@@flamulated I know what you mean!
The Brick in the Wall solo is such a great example of what makes the P90 special. Its a sound only a P90 can really do. Really glad you made this video, I always wanted to know more about these pickups!
That Gilmour thing was THE guitar revelation for me this year... Man I would have swear on that being a strat!
Loved the whole video approach, it would be great to see one with the sounds of Jazzmasters and the Filtertrone styled pickups.
Totally agree that P90s are very versatile. Once you get over that "weird vintage guitar" look, you realize that they sound very good and articulate really well. You don't get the muddiness you sometimes get with humbuckers, yet they have that big tone. That's why they work well for jazz and fusion in solidbody guitars. I've got a pair of Seymour Duncan P90s in my Godin LG, and it sounds like a jazz-box in the neck position. At the same time they've got some nasty rockabilly bite in the middle, and cool surf tone in the bridge.
For me it's the sound of the first two Black Sabbath records.
yes Sir!
A PICKUP IN BLACK THAT POINTS AT ME
Can never argue with that!
60s SG Into an early model Laney amp at full bore, I believe iommi used a rangemaster treble booster as well
@@kenburkard He was known to have run everything a full except the bass, which would be backed off...idk how far...and then he would use a MODDED treble booster.
That Gilmour solo discovery shook my reality like nothing else in the last few years. How did I not know that?!
Blasphemy I say!!
For me, i was shocked early one when i found out that the comfortably numb solo was a strat and not a les paul!!
@@anmolatwal and I thought that pinched harmonic at the beginning of the 2nd solo (the greatest guitar solo ever) on Comfortably Numb screamed Fender Strat!
I thought it was common knowledge
Actually a 54 gold top, wrap around tailpiece
Pete Townshend's tone during the Tommy era is my favorite P90 tone.
i love that tone too...Townshend himself wasn’t a fan though, he expected all the Tommy guitars to be re-recorded but it never happened.
@@JeremyJames_studio Producers can be soooooo clueless.
I'm really liking the "What is the sound" series. I'm learning so much from them. Great idea.
David Gilmour’s 5am solo is a cracking P90 tone. Great version on Live at Pompeii.
P90s and Hiwatts were the Live at Leeds tone, probably one of the most dynamic combos ever.
Plus Pete's fingers...👍 😄
@@schmoemi3386 Goes without saying. Saying Pete Townshend is good at guitar is like saying grass is green in spring.
@@PANICBLADE u ain't lyin'.
@Marcel Funny you should say that. I actually did jump head first into the ceiling once from being inspired by Pete. It was the opening chord to Have You Seen the Real Me. With guitar in hand I jumped off my coffee table, imitating Pete, forgetting that the coffee table put me only a few inches from the ceiling. I came to a few seconds later with the popcorn insulation in my hair.
Pete Townshend - the Who used this same setup (guitar/amp) at Woodstock also in August 1969. Listen to Sparks from Woodstock. That Classic Guitar sound.
When I got a Gibson '56 reissue, I fell in love with the P-90's on the middle position. Just heavenly!
Man, the quality of Rhett videos is so amazing... Impressed with the informative content and great playing of this one!
9:24 I’m sold! Hearing that guitar solo was what convinced me to pick up the electric guitar when I was 14. I’ve always wondered why I couldn’t ever get that exact sound out of a strat.
Mountain's Mississippi Queen. Leslie Wests usage of the P90 was a huge part of that sound if not mistaken?
Classic P90 tones; Leslie West, Charlie Hargrett on Blackfoot’s first two albums, The Henry Paul Band Feel the Heat album, Martin Barre Aqualung solo, Pete Townsend Live at Leeds.
Albert King hide away, the doors, sean costello
Pete Townsend Live at Leeds sound reverberates for me, big time. Love me some P90s with their snarl and attitude. Also love Gretsch style pups, with that 'in between' (between single coils and humbuckers) sound that has some treble bite and midrange snarl.
Black sabbath
I can't believe you didn't mention The Beatles - Paul, George, and John all bought Epiphone Casinos, and John in particular used his Casino a ton from 1966 on, famously playing it at the rooftop concert in Let It Be. Paul McCartney played the leads on Ticket to Ride, Drive My Car, and Taxman on his Casino, and 2 of the 3 guitars in the "The End" solo "battle" were John and Paul on Casinos.
Maybe? He could have used his tele. The same 1 he used during this era for Mccartney 1
You are correct on all counts except for the solo on Taxman was Paul playing a Gibson SG through a dimed ac30. I got that information from the Beatles recording gear
There's also that reggae guy... Bob Marley
My two PRS 25th Anniversary 245’s. They beg for new pickups ..,then I play them and they just sound so sweet just as they are.
Keith, I need one of those now.
Slightly off topic, but PRS made a "narrowfield" pickup on the 25th anniversary line that was billed as humbucker style P90's. Have several guitars with those pickups. Quite awesome to my ears.
Two! but I thought we were trying to get the most music from the least gear ;)
I don't think they beg for new pickups if every time you play them they sound sweet... I think you're just gear obsessed and have a hard time being happy with what you have.
They're not begging for nothing man. As u said, they're perfect already. 💚
When I think of P-90s, I think of Pete Townshend thrashing his SG Special on "Live At Leeds." Heaven.
yeah, I was gonna say...
Let's not forget their performance of "A Quick One" for the Rolling Stones' Rock n Roll Circus, as well.
The P90 sound is the sound of pure awesomeness.
Good shout out for the 77 punks, it's common to overlook their choices of guitars and how it shaped their sounds, but Steve Jones or Mick Jones were really digging the possibilites of P90!
That's why I've been playing P-90s for the past 35 years.
These videos are huge! After years of playing, I myself cannot articulate what you are demonstrating. This is a home run series Rhett!!!!!!!
Rhett, you’re definitely coming into your own as a true knowledge resource on RUclips. Good stuff.
Have to agree! Rhett is becoming mi go-to watch
Just bought my first P90! A Yamaha revstar. Super stoked to get to learn its nuances
is it the RS02T? That thing is such a beauty!
How is it a year in?
That’s blown my mind. That has always been one of my favourite solos, guitar tones and the main reason I bought a Strat! 😂
Same here, Alex! Not in a million years would have had an idea it might have been anything BUT a Strat! Blew my mind, too!
I had no idea about the Brick solo! That's awesome, explains a lot.
I know what Gilmour used, but all of my Strat clones come pretty close to it.
This is great. Now "What is the sound of the Firebird" PLEAAAASE.
Thank you Rhett. Been playing almost 30 years and nobody told me I needed p90s. Just got Epi LP P90 today. $119 and is as fun as any $1000 guitar I've played. Kinda hurt it took so long. Perfect for me. I'll get over it when I pick it back up.
I have always found a P90 to be a brilliant marriage between the spank of a single coil and the balls of a humbucker.
Yes he meant the literal testicles of a male human being lol
Relax.
yep, thats why the p90 spank balls!
Amen
@@alexad7570 couldn't be said better
And I love my some spanky balls
My first real guitar was a Gibson sg special with P-90s. This was stolen years later but I recently found another. I absolutely love its sound, there is nothing else that comes close.
I recently bought a Gibson LP Traditional Pro that has P-90s. Incredible sounding guitar, love it!
Always loved the sound of P90’s! It’s nice to learn a little more about them. Thank You!
'What is the Gretsch sound?' Next?
He can't. It will destroy Gibson and Fender's market.
Tho that gold top gibson with P90's will always be the best looking guitar to me no matter how much I love the Duo Jets.
@@annekedebruyn7797 Yes in my time i've played les paul's, telecasters and strats but haven't found anything as good as Gretsch
I'm pretty sure my wife just bought me a Gretsch for Christmas. fingers crossed.
@@Cadet44642 Can I borrow your wife in that case? Lucky man if she does that for you!
@@annekedebruyn7797 She has bought all of my favorite gear. Most of my favorite gear. The best story is she wanted a dog. We mad a bargain. I get a guitar she can get the dog. The dog is gone because it kept biting our kids. But, I still have the guitar. She is the best. 15 years strong.
I was just f8cking expecting you to talk about that solo, and then you go and just play it. I just love it. Great vid,
This is the 4th time I've come across your channel in my guitar deep dive and every video is well researched, presented, and informative. You've earned my sub man
As I got older and developed my own taste for guitar sounds and quit focusing on aesthetics the P90 became my favorite
Same here! I put one into a buddy's LP (SD Phat Cat), and it was incredible! I ended up getting an LP Classic with P90s (and modded it already!).
Since you mentioned Mesa Boogie, what's the Mesa Boogie sound? I'd like to get your take on it. Thanks!
It's crazy cause the Boogie sound is either Thrash, Grunge, Funk, or Santana.
lot of different boogies out there but the initial boogie sound is a hot rodded bassman circuit.
@@0megalul309 early Metallica was Marshall.
@Dan D Weezer used it in the blue album with p90s
@@jsullivan2112 yeah, that's what early means.
Dude, LOVE your videos & how you explain everything musical -- you never disappoint. (Side note: couldn't help but notice it sounded like someone had turned down the high/presence on the amp in the guitar store - was excited about hearing that top end sizzle/"chirp" of the 90's there, but it sounded more jazzy. However, in YOUR studio, you had it dialed in!!) As always, THANKS!
Just finished my SG upgrade to P-90's.. Love it. After my Classic Tele build, I am on to the P-90 Tele build.
Love the tone. Thank You for the channel. I am a new guitar player, well, 7 years now. Totally have GAS...
I liked Pete Townshend’s tones playing an SG with P90’s into a cranked Hiwatt!!!!
Indeed - as he did at Woodstock.
Pete Townshend+SG Special+Univox Superfuzz+HIWATT= Stellar Tone
Leslie West....his tone , along with superb playing was a huge endorsement of P90 tone...influencing guys like Mick Ralphs & others...two superb examples....Mick's solo on Mott the Hoople's version of " Sweet Jane."...Leslie on Mountain's " theme for an imaginary western "....both probably Les Paul juniors.....both are magical solos with classic P90 tone....
Thanks for mentioning Leslie West!
I own a '76 Hagstrom Swede that I modified with a Filtertron at the bridge and a P90 at the neck. The two p'ups blend so beautifully for my clean tones that it's become my go-to clean guitar over the other 3, very fine guitars in my collection (Epiphone 335 Deluxe with LR Baggs T bridge - close second... / '69 Strat / Squier CV Tele thinline). Love ALL these instruments, but there's something so inspiring about the P90 neck tone... :-))
Thanks for the run through. Very helpful and informative
Wow! when you turned the volume down it sounded waaay better. Thanks man. I think I've found what I've been missing with my LP.
You forgot to mention Tony Iommi, who used a 1965 Gibson SG Special with 2 P90's on the vast majority of Black Sabbath's first 6 albums.
Word 👊
Actually they aren’t p90s, they’re custom pickups made from a luthier named John Birch
@@alexlogan124 The John Birch Simplux was still a P-90 style single coil and it was only the neck pickup. A regular Gibson P-90 was in the bridge position.
Vol. 4 was recorded with a Les Paul with standard humbucker pickups
@@juniorfreitas15 What evidence do you have for this?
For some reason, before you said Another brick in the wall, i thought about that song, it was mindblowing lol
Gilmour is my favorite guitarist and a great vocalist!
The neck pickup on my P90 Goldtop is slightly under potted. You can't talk into it, but if you stand facing away from the amp, (I use my Tweed Tremolux) and crank it, then turn and walk slowly towards the speaker, the sustain will gradually morph into an amazing feedback that's totally controllable, depending on which way you're facing, the volume control, and your vibrato. Harmonics explode off of my fingers, and it all goes away with hand damping.
If you ever come across a P90 guitar that has an under potted pickup like that, or even just the pickup itself, grab it. You'll have lots of fun with it.
That description sounds totally like regular feedback, not microphonics.
It sounds like what Jared James Nichols has going on with his 52 gold top. Unbelievably killer feedback!
@@lqr824 Whatever it is, it's totally useable and controllable, and that makes it a useful addition to the sonic pallete.
@@jpalberthoward9 sure, I believe that it has great feedback! I'm just saying it's probably not due to pickup potting.
@@lqr824 You might be right, but whatever it is, it rides that saturation/cutoff curve that you see in the old tube books. The little ridges in your fingers that make your fingerprints will generate those harmonics, and the spot you choose for your right hand is all the EQ you need. The tone knob on a Tremolux doesn't do much anyway. This is the poster rig for "Less is More"
Pedals? What's a pedal? I have two on the bike. People with no technique hate this rig.
This was amazingly good. You are an excellent presenter!
First electric guitar I bought, senior year of high school, was a 1959 Les Paul Jr., with a GA5 amp. Even in 1976 it was a steal at 50$. It was my introduction to the awesomeness that was the P90. I’ve had it ever since, and it will go to my heirs.
You're like Rick Beato and Five Watt World's son; and I actually kinda love it.
Best comment ever...!
Would also love a discussion about the difference between P90's and a split coil humbucker as far as tones.
I have both. Apples and oranges when it comes to tone. The split coil tone is much thinner than the P90s.
@@stickman33 Split HB sounds like... you know it, a shlt
@@tomasvanecek8626 Depends. I get a cleaner sound for rhythm with some light overdrive. Full humbuckers can get mushy in the midrange.
Found you from a shout out on Home Skoolin’ with Uncle Larry and just wanna say thanks. What you do is noble and generous. Yer videos are awesome. Ride On.
I had a 54’ Jr. That was amazing. That dog eat P-90 would sing, grind, and I could get the Clapton woman tone. I’d just set the tone knob to 5, and there it was. Thanks again Rhett for a great video. It’s always cool when someone talks about the gear I love.
dude i love you so much. you are able to concisely able to communicate what i've been trying to tell my friends for years through a 30 minute disorganized rant. that david gilmour part was something special, i always thought it was a fender strat in the neck position as well. thank you so much for the good work Rhett!
I’m a simple man. I see a video about P90’s and I click.
Likewise!
I'd really like to see a "What's the Plexi Sound?" or a "What's the SG Sound?"
Great video as always!
Rick Beato did the "what is the plexi sound" a few weeks ago. Go check that out.
Never thought that about Gilmore's solo. Really cool.
gilmour
I always figured it was the the neck or center pickup on a stratocaster with a compression pedal sounds pretty close, i'm still unsure if the compression came from the FX or the pickup.
Great vid bro. Thank you. Im a p 90 fanatic and enjoyed your input on the legacy of the perfect pick up.
Fantastic review of an historical pickup and quality of sound that is very notable...The P90 Sound. Thanks for your time on this journey of what makes guitar players "Joy" of playing, Loud, Clean, Distortion, and just unreal!!! Keep it up!
JD
That was a killer rendition of Third stone from the sun holy heck
I have owned at least one P90 guitar (Les Paul) since 1978. Have had quite a few in the last 20 years. I love P90s! Check out Les Dudek's first 2 solo albums.
Got to meet Les and drink with him at soundcheck in San Diego. Was a gas - what a cool guy!
@@tubesrule123 I have owned his first 2 solo albums since the late 70s. Great stuff. I believe both featured him exclusively playing P90 Les Pauls.
Tittle : "What Is The "P90" Sound?"
me a CSGO player : BBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Rhett, I cant thank you enough for the knowledge you pursue and share. Thank you!
One day I walked into a small music shop determined to finally buy an electric guitar and start my journey. I tried every electric in there, but this one had a sound I loved, it was the only one with a P90 in it. I may not have gotten a guitar at all if it wasn't for that P90.
9:22
Dear youtube, please do not do that again. 2 unskipable adds there? Do you want to kill me of suspense?
Download a free adblocker.
@@ParaBellum2024 That’s a great idea (do you have any links you could recommend?)
@@BeesWaxMinder Firefox has a built in adblocker extension for youtube
@@andrewpartington7274
Ah!
I’ve only got Internet on my iPhone am afraid but I suppose I could stop using the app and go direct…
Thanks🙂
@@BeesWaxMinder I only use a PC, never a phone so I'm not sure what phone adblockers are available. On my PC I use Adblock Plus.
You need to make a "What is The "Position Four" sound" episode!
How about showing the P90's without distortion. A demonstration of clean (and some jazz) would be nice.
True! Distortion, fuzz and overdrive will only masquerade it's true clean pickup sound. These youtubers should always demo the clean tone first before any distortion is used. The inventor of the p90 didn't even have distortion in mind. Rockers love overdrive, Jazzers want a clean tone. There is a place and a moment for everything.
I prefer humbuckers in my rock band, but I keep my Blueshawk around mostly for cleaner jazz tones.
He touched on that with the different windings. I think the versatility(headroom and breakup) he found comes from the large magnets but its harder to get a real clean tone from P90
@@1mespud the amps in those days were so simple !
Super interesting ! Your voice is so easy to listen to ! Thanks Rhett
Great video. Thanks for sharing!
Hey man, love the video. Love p90s. One suggested: don't record the voice over sections of your videos in stereo. Every time you moved left or right I'd have to move to not feel a little sick. Thanks.
Your ear must be really attentive.
@@Otis-Isom Think he must be on phones
@@ChristopherDowning ah, that makes sense
Seems like you’re the only one who had that problem.
I hope he makes his voice swirl in your headphones so you vomit and ruin your day. You are lame.
Love me a P90... more and more of my guitars have them.
You also need at least one P94 equipped guitar too.
@@allanallan4791 Just put one in the bridge
position of one of my Strats
Gee, I just learned what "alnico" means. Thank ya. Love P90's, in anything.
Wow!......that was absolutely brilliant that. Thanks!!
I remember Leslie West would play a Junior with P 90’s and the sound was incredible.
Hey! Question, are the P-90's good at clean sounds? Or are they only meant to be used for distorted sounds?
They're amazing for cleans, especially when they're set a lil bit lower than they usually are. They've got a nice depth to them without being muddy. Also sound great as individual pickups, as well as the middle position. I put one in the neck position of a 7 string, and it's such a versatile guitar now because of it
@@sammccomiskey5882 Yeah, I just got a guitar built to sound exactly like gibson SGs but without the neck-dive with some p-90’s!
The answer to your question is YES. Why? Every P90 guitar sounds a little different from its cousin, as explained in Rhett's video. I have around a dozen 50's Gibson guitars that span the range of tone from pristine to crunchy, all from the same amp (Overdrive Special Dumble clone). Clean with a hint of overdrive is a specialty of the Klon Centaur. Heavier and bluesy overdrive can be achieved with BK Butler's pedal. If you want even more flexibility hook up the guitar to an Axe FX-3. To avoid spending thousands of dollars on vintage guitars, try out a modern Gibson Les Paul Junior or Special. Let your effects pedals do the tone shaping.
Mike Ness, Social Distortion, Gibson Les Paul, Gold Top with p-90's!!!!!🔥🔥🔥
The “Gilmore used a P90 loaded Gibson for The Wall solo” factoid kind of just blew my mind. 🤯
Gilmour
Him too
I need a source for that
Great, great vid on the P90, Rhett! My 2018 Classic P90 Gold Top is the best axe I've bought so far. P90s are highly recommended!
I love your allusions to Gary Clark Jr in your playing on this video. He introduced me to the P90 sound and now im considering putting a pair in my explorer.
Santana performing Soul Sacrifice at Woodstock with a P-90 equipped Gibson SG: THAT is the P-90 sound.
But those amps! GMT Spaceship.226 watts of raw power. I got one that supposedly belonged to the Santana bass player. It was cool to watch the movie years later and see those again.
I loved hearing Bored And Razed
Your boy Zach looks like his fretting arm is all tense and twisted, made me cramp up haha. Nice vid
I didn’t catch that the first time. It does look really uncomfortable. Lol
Very nice playing by Zach
I’m thinking it must be due to an injury like a broken arm or something.
Rhett, recently discovered your channel thru Rick Beato, love your tone, playing and you were built to speak publicly....love this series and the channel......your solo on Paul Davids channel was awesome....be well and thanks!
My first P90 style pickup is in the neck position of the Reverend Double Agent OG. It’s so very expressive. Thanks for another fab educational vid!
I love P90s for all these reasons, everyone needs a guitar with P90s in their armoury
The greatest example of what a P90 can do is Pete Townshend’s playing on The Who’s Live at Leeds.
4:01 that has to be one of the most awkward transitions I have ever seen in this channel
Not as awkward as 6:50
After almost 40 years of playing I recently picked up a Reverend 290 and I'm exploring this P90 sound... I have to say not only are they VERY versatile but they sound amazing with your Helix patches that I have found myself using over and over again the past 18 months when playing live. Kudos to all the work you put into them!