Epiphone P-90

Passive, single coil, dogear-style P-90. Estimated impedance about 7-8k, at best.

This pickup had come stock with an Epi Les Paul Junior. The pickup resides in the Bridge position. I would hope no artists are using this pickup.

The perceived output level is less than what it probably is. I'm currently using it with a Marshall 1st generation Valvestate 100w combo (with extension cab). The tone is very flat and dry. When I use the pickup with distortion, the output sounds very dry, very artificial. Clean, the pickup sings. The tones are bell-clear.

I generally play Green Day-esque things, and some punk rock, and noodle around. I would say that for what I play, the pickup is nowhere near what it should be. This pickup would be suitable for the neck position, only played clean.

If this pickup were uninstalled from my guitar, I wouldn't bother getting another one. I would probably instead opt for a Mighty Mite soapbar (the soapbar and dogear covers are interchangeable, so any P-90 will do), two of which I have installed on an Epiphone Les Paul Special (Junior Special?), double cut, set neck, mahogany, cherry stain, dual P-90s and four control knobs, and they sound tremendous. Probably the best bang for the buck which I have come across in the vein of pickups.

I love the clean tones, but despise the overdriven or distorted sounds. I suppose the pickup could be used for a noisecore band, or for some experimental nonsense, but for country or jazz it would be perfect.

I've been playing for five years now and currently own an 80s Hondo Superstrat copy (one bridge p/u, one volume knob, tremelo), a 90s Epi Les Paul Special (as mentioned earlier), an Epi Les Paul Deluxe, blue metallic finish, an Epi Les Paul Junior in TV Yellow (bolt-on neck), and an Arbor standard strat copy from the early 90s. Each guitar's tone is somewhat different, but I am still searing for the sound which would be definitive for me. Ultimately, I don't recommend the Epi pickup to ANYONE, unless they are playing clean.

Pickup features: Single coil, duh! ;-)
Impedence or other specs: Hmm, dunno 'bout impedance. Has three-conductor wire, though.

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone '56 Goldtop 2002
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none, why should I?!
Other pickups on guitar: All P-90s
Artists using this pickup: Other than myself, I dunno.
You musical style(s): Blues, late 60's/early 70's British rock (Zep, Purple, etc)
Reason for pickup change: Still none

Perceived output level: Somewhere in between the Classic '57 & the Trembucker, though closer to the '57.
Tone: The neck pickup is very bassy, almost like a Classic '57. The bridge pickup is a bit thin on the midregister side.
Sonic evaluation: I use a Marshall JCM 800 50 Watt Lead Model 4210 dated 27 July 1988. Power tubes by Svetlana, preamp tubes by Svetlana & Ruby Tubes.
An Epiphone ES 335 Dot Deluxe, an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus, an Epiphone Les Paul '56 Goldtop, an Epiphone Les Paul Heritage.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues, most of the time. These pickups are perfect for this style.

Comments: Tone controls could have other capacitors, I'm considering this as I type this. Otherwise these are really good pickups, very low on hum (lower than Fender Stratocaster singlecoils). I highly recommend these babies.

Pickup features: single coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les paul jr.
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Most of the classic 60's artsit
You musical style(s): cream,led zepplin,kiss,ac/dc
Reason for pickup change: I did not change my pickup yet but I am thinking about adding an emg p-90 with a baterry box.

Perceived output level: I crank it to ten on the guitar but turn the amp down to 6
Tone: middy,I cut out alot of the distortion and use other effects such as wah.
Sonic evaluation: I use a epiphone les paul jr with a fender 59 bassman reisssue. I totally cut out all the highs and lows on the amp. I use mids only with alot of clean effects such as wah,flange,chorus,and phase shifter. Very light distortion I leave it for the lead guitarist. This guitar is not made to rock out on it is a 1960's reissue it is more like a danelectro than a les paul even the body is supper thin.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: classic metal/ kiss ac/dc led zepplin cream pink floyd

Comments: I would because this guitar is built like a brick shit house I was going down a flight of stairs the gig bag accidently slipped out of my fingers a little bit and the bottom hit a stair pretty hard I pulled out later to check it and there was not even a scratch. I guess thats because it is just one solid peice of mahogany. As guitarist guys there are other effects besides distortion. Pink floyd and led zepplin was not constant distortion where every note practicly sounded a like get your own sound I like alot of bands but I don't rip of their sound. Expecially rythm guitarist, turn the distortion down a throw in some other effects. That way the lead guitarist has more of a dynamic range to build from. But then again what do I know I am not a professional playing shitty riffs I just have a bachalors degree in music and minored in guitar. I have been playing the local scene for 15 years.

Pickup features: Soap bar P-90
Impedence or other specs: F

Model of guitar or bass: Ephipone Les Paul Goldtop '56
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: The same as i rewiew
Artists using this pickup: DiLevas guitar player...
You musical style(s): Rock, blues, funk, psych.
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Higher then a singlecoil, almost like a humbucker
Tone: Middy as hell
Sonic evaluation: Les Paul - Boss Compressor - Hughes & Kettner Tubeman - Crate Vintage Club 5130

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock and psych this is great. Great for slide to.

Comments: If I lost this I would get a real, maybe a Saymoure.....
I think its a good pickup but it has its fault when you play really high on the fretboard. It sounds like a door opening or something. Not whistleing like the real P-90s...
I'm not very satisfied with this one.I'll by a real soon and change all the electronica and hopefully it will sound nearer a real Les Paul
Overall: Ephipone pickups are not that great but they work.
Use them for a while and change when you want real sound...

Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Sorento (Semi)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Quite broad, rocknroll, blues, indie, folk
Reason for pickup change: Ive gigged and recorded with these pickups for 5 years. The sound is deep and beautiful, warm, pure and strong. I adore the feedback when overdriven, the thin hollow epiphone body shakes and growls.
These pickups were the reason I chose the guitar (and also because it is red (of course)). I think they are far superior to standard epiphone humbuckers and give a more interesting flavour than the normal strat or LP sounds.

Perceived output level: more powerful than a strat single coil, but not as much as a HB
Tone: great mid
Sonic evaluation: Fender performer 2000

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Beatiful match for all styles but heavy metal

Comments: If I need to buy a different electric guitar I will sorely miss these pickups

Pickup features: Single coil!!!!
Impedence or other specs: 8.5k

Model of guitar or bass: 1956 Goldtop Les Paul
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none,,,, this pickup kicks so much ass
Other pickups on guitar: same
Artists using this pickup: everybody that is smart.
You musical style(s): Classic Rock and Blues
Reason for pickup change: i am not

Perceived output level: So-Hot-You-Don't-Need-An-Amp
Tone: everything....
Sonic evaluation: I am using a Mexican Strat and a Korina Flying V, and a Korina Explorer(Epiphone). I have a Mesa Boogie amp and a Peavy 212 Bandit.
Kicks.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Led Zepelin, LSkynyrd, ZZ Top, Guns and Roses

Comments: Best Single coil ever. If Stolen, i would buy 10 more sets of these pickups.

Pickup features: Single coil
Impedence or other specs: 8.5K

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone '56 Gold Top
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: same
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): I use this gitar mostly for Jazz and some Blues it may work well for other styles with a few exceptions such as Heavy metal or Industrial
Reason for pickup change: Buying the guitar was the reason I got these pickups, I had an ond a Les Paul Jr. with them years ago and loved them. I wanted that sound back again, and I got it!

Perceived output level: More like a humbucker in fullness and still most of the bite of a single coil, not to hot great for clean to moderate distortion.
Tone: wide range of tone options.
Sonic evaluation: I use the P-90's in the Epi as a solo guitar with a Fender Blues Jr. or with a Fender Deluxe Reverb for a 4 piece combo. Ssome times I use a Twin Reverb if needed but not often. I would not use this for hard rock setup, but it works well for my musicial styles, well some of them, other wise I use a Fender Strat or a SG.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock n Roll, Country, Modern Blues and Jazz oldies.

Comments: Don't buy these pickups if all you play is heavy metal or hard rock. Sure they can take it but if your into a wide variety of styles this pick up will do wonders to your playing.

Pickup features: passive single coil
Impedence or other specs: 8.5k

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone g-310 sg junior
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: this one
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): metal blues acid rock
Reason for pickup change: pickup was not potted right at factory too much feed back when tone control on guitar was turned to 10 sound got too fuzzy and muddy when presence control on amp was turned up to 10-----thin sounding and too much hum and buzzing

Perceived output level: average
Tone: emphasis on treble
Sonic evaluation: im using this sg junior with a marshall master lead 30 solid state amp and a dod fx 86b death metal pedal the p-90 just could not handle the high gain

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: this pickup is good for classic rock and blues----not good for death metal or thrash metal

Comments: im replacing this pickup with a KENT ARMSTRONG M-214 DISTORTION HUMBUCKER.I BOUGHT THIS EPIPHONE SG JUNIOR so i can customize it i really dont like single coil pickups