P90 vs SH-1

[gravydb]

I'm thinking about getting a Blues 90 (w/ P90 pups). I already have a BB with SH-1 pups. How would you compare the two? I've stopped by a couple local guitar stores, but they don't currently have any guitars with P90's in stock, otherwise I could answer my own question. I'd be grateful for your thoughts/opinions. Thanks!

Also, is there a difference in neck thickness between the Blues 90 and BB's? I *think* I read somewhere that the Blues 90 has a chunkier neck, but I also read that some of the BB's initially produced by Fender have the chunky neck, and then eventually Fender reverted to the original BB not-so-chunky neck. I have no idea if that is true. But I will state that my 2002 BB has what I feel is a 'chunky neck', although I don't have a Blues 90 or a pre-Fender BB to compare it to.

Thanks as always.

 

[capnjuan]

Hi Gravy and welcome to LTG. Some reading on P90s v. Humbuckers. Because they are single coils, P90s have a little more bite .. edge ... grit to them ... a little more twang ... they can also produce a little more hum. No comments on the necks; maybe someone else will have something to offer. Welcome! CJ

 

[Walter Broes]

I have a strong single coil bias, but that probably has most to do with the music I like/play. Be advised the P90's Guild used for these are not very traditional, but very hot, ceramic magnet Duncans - not ideal for bright, twangy, or shimmery clean sounds.

 

[gravydb]

Thank you! I'm glad to hear that they run a little on the hot side. That's fine, for my applications.

Hey Walter, I remember you from the Gretsch Pages. You have that old Starfire that I'm constantly drooling over. It's a beaut! Nice to hear from you!

 

[Andy Hiwatt]

Hi Gravydb
I'm a happy Blues 90 owner, who had to deal with the stock Duncans P90's that came with the guitar. I didn't like the ultra-powerful harsh tone they provided ,so after some months and research I changed them with some Lollar P90s...since then the Blues 90 is perfect for my musical tastes and needs, but I'm very much into Classic Rock and Blues music and tones, so that's what I'm playing . I got many guitars but since investing some bucks in the Lollars P90s the Blues 90 ( aquired with a great help from Cpn Juan and the BB) has become my second favourite guitar to play Live in the last year. The absolute favourite remains my 1964 T100D!

here you can read lots of infos about the Blues 90 P90s topic that we posted some months ago:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=14693

 

[mad dog]

I'd love to grab a bluesbird someday, so try every one I can get my hands on. Seems to be great variation on neck feel. More often than not, a little on the chunky side for the BB. One I tried several weeks ago had a comparatively shallow, slim feeling neck. Medium C, no more. So it might be hard to generalize.

The slimmer feeling example is at Ludlow Street guitars in NYC, if you ever happen to get over that way.
MD

 

[sugabear2133]

I've owned two Blues 90's and couldn't get passed the huge neck either time. I now have a 69' M-75 and the neck is great. I have played Les Paul's and such over the years and have never played anything as chunky as the Blues 90. They are sweet guitars I just sadly could not get used to the neck. I have yet to play a Bluesbird with Humbuckers. I too have heard the necks are different and more traditional "les paul" rounded.

P90's are unbelievable, they were the last pickup for me to try and I wondered why someone hadn't shown them to me earlier!

 

[Walter Broes]

Blues 90's------> huge neck

Dang, you're making these sound more and more interesting to me!!! :lol: Huge necks and P90's, what's not to like!?! Gotta admit I'm not crazy about most of the finishes/colors on the Blues 90's I've seen, not a big fan of transparent greens, reds, or flamed maple tops..
Didn't they do them in opaque black too?

 

[son_of_gloin]

Yeah I remember seeing a p90-bird in my hometown quite a few years back, that was a solid red.

 

[gravydb]

There was an opaque black Blues 90 on the bay recently. I had never seen that finish before, and I really liked it. I almost pulled the trigger on it, but I'm leery about the chunky neck. The neck on my 2002 Bluesbird is about as chunky as I can tolerate. I have to admit I wish it has a slightly thinner profile. If the neck on a Blues 90 is bigger, I'm pretty sure I won't like it.

 

[NeoConMan]

I have a Corona Blues 90, and it's been love/hate for 6 years.
The bullsh!t with Guitar Center should have been an omen - last guitar I bought from those idiots.

So the neck is thicker than I like, the reason I sold my first two Les Paul Standards.
I've gotten more used to it, but the Gibson 60 Slim Taper is my preference.

The other part is the shrill p-90's.
I've toyed with putting different P-90's in it since day one due to the thin sound when cranked.
I have big single coils in several other guitars, and I LOVE the P-90, but this one sucks frankly.

I was never sure how much blame would lie with the chambered body.
I'm debating selling the guitar now, or actually using it in a gear trade.
Maybe I'll find a nice set of old low-output Gibson P-90's or have Fralin wind a pair for me.

I've always wanted the Blues 90 to give me that Les Paul-ish vibe, maybe it will then...

 

[mad dog]

Neocon:

Just have those p/us rewound, remagged, or get new ones. You'll likely be much happier with a more vintage style sound in that guitar. The hottest P-90s I've had were truly unbearable. Loud, flat and harsh. Not a good sound to be had. Rewound, they are everything I was looking for in that pickup.

MD