Is it possible to replace a Franz with a P90?

[MikeS]

Hey guys!

This is mostly a question of curiosity as I've been trying to solve the p90/hollowbody thing for awhile. Just for the sake of argument, if I were to have something like an T100D with Franz pickups in it and I wanted to put p90s in, what would be involved? I'm happy to keep the original covers in this scenario, but would like to know if I can get a real p90 mounted somehow or some sort of modern repro made to work. What are my options?

Thanks!

 

[matsickma]

Them fighten words at LTG!

 

[Quantum Strummer]

I just measured the soapbar P-90 in my SG Jr. and the repro bridge Franz in my NS Aristocrat:

P-90: 3 5/16" x 1 5/16"
Franz: 3 1/8" x 1 3/8"

I assume the repro Franz is accurate size-wise. Dunno if the dogear style versions (that's what you've got, yes?) are the same proportionally. If so you'd have to widen the guitar's pickup cutouts horizontally and also accept slight gaps vertically. Maybe have custom covers made.

Another option would be to have the Franzes fitted with P-90 type magnets and rewound to the specs of your choice.

-Dave-

 

[jp]

Hey guys!

This is mostly a question of curiosity as I've been trying to solve the p90/hollowbody thing for awhile. Just for the sake of argument, if I were to have something like an T100D with Franz pickups in it and I wanted to put p90s in, what would be involved? I'm happy to keep the original covers in this scenario, but would like to know if I can get a real p90 mounted somehow or some sort of modern repro made to work. What are my options?

Thanks!

Well, you would start by first carefully removing your Franz pickups and sending them directly to me.:joyous:

Seriously though, if you want to use the Franz covers, you should first make sure that the holes for the magnets line up properly with the magnets on the P90s. You can do this easily by taking off the covers first. You don't have to fully remove the pickups to just take the covers off. Try to see if they'll fit over the P90 guts. If they don't match up, then you'd have to install the entire P90 pickups. . .

. . . and then as mentioned above, send your original Franz pickups to me! :eagerness:

 

[MikeS]

Them fighten words at LTG!

Haha. I suspected it might be sacrilege. I haven't purchased a guitar yet, I'm sort of just considering a franz equipped guitar. Not knowing what they sound like just has me wondering if I bought a guitar and it didn't get the sound I'm after if replacing the pickups would be a viable option. Ideally I'd just love them and move on!

 

[MikeS]

What started this whole thought process was two things: 1) My '66 Starfire IV is one of the best guitars I've ever played (I've used it almost exclusively on the road for 2 years) and 2) I played a 90s Starfire III with P90s that I should have bought. Haven't seen one since.

 

[Walter Broes]

it's much easier to find a thinline archtop with two P90's than to find a double-Franz equipped guitar. So I'd let the dual Franz guitars be. Putting P90's on a Franz equipped guitar would involve modifying the guitar, the pickups, or both.

 

[zizala]

Since I'm sort of on the fringe here anyway.....I guess I can come clean and take a chance on getting booted off the forum!
Yes its true.....I mounted a neck P-90 on a '60 CE-100 for awhile.

Here 'tis....



It was completely reversable and I would not have done it if it wasn't.
The two top mounting tab screw holes on the P-90 lined up perfectly with the two holes that attach the Franz pickup cover to the top.
Otherwise the body of the pickup sat down in the opening just fine.
I'm pretty sure adding a bridge P-90 to a two Franz Guild would involve some cutting and wouldn't go that far.
I used the P-90 cover as the Franz cover didn't quite fit over the mounting tabs.....the Guild pickguard cutout was too narrow so had to make a new pickguard for the wider P-90.

After all that fussing I eventually put the Franz back.....guess I satisfied that "inquiring mind" thing.

 

[AcornHouse]

Why on earth would you want a P90 instead of a Franz?!?

 

[matsickma]

It seems to me that different P-90's have different tone variation. Franz are more similar to each other. That simply may be due to so many different companies making P90's.
M

 

[MikeS]

it's much easier to find a thinline archtop with two P90's than to find a double-Franz equipped guitar. So I'd let the dual Franz guitars be. Putting P90's on a Franz equipped guitar would involve modifying the guitar, the pickups, or both.

Fair enough. The guitar in question has already been modified or I wouldn't dream of it. I've actually been hunting for a dual p90 thinline for a long time and have struggled finding one that met my needs.

 

[MikeS]

Since I'm sort of on the fringe here anyway.....I guess I can come clean and take a chance on getting booted off the forum!
Yes its true.....I mounted a neck P-90 on a '60 CE-100 for awhile.

Here 'tis....



It was completely reversable and I would not have done it if it wasn't.
The two top mounting tab screw holes on the P-90 lined up perfectly with the two holes that attach the Franz pickup cover to the top.
Otherwise the body of the pickup sat down in the opening just fine.
I'm pretty sure adding a bridge P-90 to a two Franz Guild would involve some cutting and wouldn't go that far.
I used the P-90 cover as the Franz cover didn't quite fit over the mounting tabs.....the Guild pickguard cutout was too narrow so had to make a new pickguard for the wider P-90.

After all that fussing I eventually put the Franz back.....guess I satisfied that "inquiring mind" thing.

Does the bridge pickup mount differently than the neck? Why would it require cutting?

Thanks!

 

[MikeS]

Why on earth would you want a P90 instead of a Franz?!?

Also a fair question. Maybe I won't. I don't really know much about how the Franz sounds but I do know I like p90s. This is more of a thought experiment at this point, haha.

 

[Zelja]

I would get some reissue Franz pickups & then get them rewound & magnets changed by the pickup winder of your choice.

 

[zizala]

MikeS...

I have a '59 T-100DP "husk" in storage and took another look.
Forget what I said about cutting the top for a bridge pickup....I see no reason why a bridge P-90 couldn't be mounted on a two pickup Franz pickup era Guild without modification.

 

[MikeS]

I would get some reissue Franz pickups & then get them rewound & magnets changed by the pickup winder of your choice.

This is a very good solution. Lets me try something different and doesn't desecrate a classic!

 

[MikeS]

MikeS...

I have a '59 T-100DP "husk" in storage and took another look.
Forget what I said about cutting the top for a bridge pickup....I see no reason why a bridge P-90 couldn't be mounted on a two pickup Franz pickup era Guild without modification.

Thanks! I may just buy a guitar and see what happens. Thanks for all the knowledgable input everybody!

 

[Walter Broes]

I would get some reissue Franz pickups & then get them rewound & magnets changed by the pickup winder of your choice.

Different baseplates than original ones. Not a straight swap either.

 

[txbumper57]

Hey Mike, are looking for guitars like these? Both of these in the pic are my P90 babies. There is a Starfire III-90 for sale on New Jersey CL for $1800. It has been listed for at least 6-8 months at that price. I don't know where you are located but Here is the link if that is what you are looking for. Hope this helps and Welcome to LTG!


http://cnj.craigslist.org/msg/5131768262.html

 

[MikeS]

Oh man, the Starfire III-90 in cherry is awesome. I'm in LA, so it might be a long shot, but I'll reach out. I'd have a hard time paying $1800 for a guitar built in the 90s, but they are so rare...hmmm...thanks for the heads up!