Lollar P90's, Voodoo HB's, and Ibanez Artcores...

[Slim]

I've got a new Artcore (that I love very much). But I'm looking to change the pick-ups.

I'm considering mixing one of Jason Lollar's P-90s and a Voodoo Humbucker, but need a suggestion on which would sound best in the neck and which one would sound best in the bridge.

The preferable sound I'm looking for is "good". (Okay, and maybe round, woody, jazz-y...oh, and definitely sweet!) I'd like to have at my disposal the best ES-335 sound to the woodiest, "roundiest" jazz sound you've ever heard.

In any case, I'm going to be using the neck pick-up a lot more exclusively, but am really loving the in-between sound as well; probably just as much.

And if you feel that mixing a P-90 and a humbucker is a bad idea for whatever reason, technical, sonic or otherwise, I'd like to hear that too.

I just want a nice sounding jazz box that, on occasion, is capable of getting nasty if it wants to. So please give me your opinion! Thanks!

[Rob DiStefano]

Curious - you didn't say what Artcore model?

If yer looking for a more trebly biting tone that's full 'n' rich, you might wanna check out GFS Liverpool Vintage Rectotrons - I added them to my AS73 and after messing with a huge assortment of bumhuckers, these Liverpool "Filtertrons" are just plain *awesome* - I'm getting another set.

[BB]

Originally Posted by Slim

I've got a new Artcore (that I love very much). But I'm looking to change the pick-ups.

I'm considering mixing one of Jason Lollar's P-90s and a Voodoo Humbucker, but need a suggestion on which would sound best in the neck and which one would sound best in the bridge.

The preferable sound I'm looking for is "good". (Okay, and maybe round, woody, jazz-y...oh, and definitely sweet!) I'd like to have at my disposal the best ES-335 sound to the woodiest, "roundiest" jazz sound you've ever heard.

In any case, I'm going to be using the neck pick-up a lot more exclusively, but am really loving the in-between sound as well; probably just as much.

And if you feel that mixing a P-90 and a humbucker is a bad idea for whatever reason, technical, sonic or otherwise, I'd like to hear that too.

I just want a nice sounding jazz box that, on occasion, is capable of getting nasty if it wants to. So please give me your opinion! Thanks!

I'd put the P-90 in the neck and the bucker in the bridge. Although I'm sure it would sound good either way, neck P-90 would be my preference. Lollar P-90's are wonderful sounding pickups. Have nver had the pleasure of trying a voodoo, but I hear great things about them. The middle position tone should be stellar.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by BB

....

I'd put the P-90 in the neck and the bucker in the bridge. Although I'm sure it would sound good either way, neck P-90 would be my preference. Lollar P-90's are wonderful sounding pickups.

I haven't seen an Artcore that uses P90's ... ? If so, yer relegated to using a P94. Anyhoo, Jason makes *great* pickups (love that Tele CC!) but he doesn't (won't) make a P94.

[Slim]

Hey Rob, that's my guitar! Down to the color. I have never seen P90's in an Artcore either, but for the price I paid for this wonderfully playing instrument, I don't mind mixing and mutting it up a little. Unless you're thinking the P90's will not fit in the cavity...

And so BB...the P90 is a good neck choice? I figured a 'bucker would sound good in either, but again, I just kind of wanted to get the best of both. But I've only played a P90 equiped guitar for about five minutes. Rio Grandes, I believe. They sounded so good, but I just can't remember which position (neck or bridge) I was most taken with.

Thanks again.

[gls500]

I like P90's in both positions, honestly. I don't think you'd go wrong either way. However, if you're going to mix & match, I'd go with a bucker in the bridge and a P90 in the neck - not because a P90 doesn't sound good in the bridge, but because I prefer the sound of a bridge humbucker to the neck.

BTW, another option is the Rio Grande Bastard and Fat Bastard. They're P90's that fit into humbucker sized routes.

[BB]

Originally Posted by Slim

Hey Rob, that's my guitar! Down to the color. I have never seen P90's in an Artcore either, but for the price I paid for this wonderfully playing instrument, I don't mind mixing and mutting it up a little. Unless you're thinking the P90's will not fit in the cavity...

And so BB...the P90 is a good neck choice? I figured a 'bucker would sound good in either, but again, I just kind of wanted to get the best of both. But I've only played a P90 equiped guitar for about five minutes. Rio Grandes, I believe. They sounded so good, but I just can't remember which position (neck or bridge) I was most taken with.

Thanks again.

Yes.....a P-90 ( or P-94 style as Rob pointed out ) is an excellent choice ( imho of course ) for neck pups. GFS makes the Dream 90 that fits in bucker slots.

I also love low output, vintage PAF style buckers in the neck. Very warm and bluesy with great clarity and articulation. Check out Duncan Seth Lovers. Great pickups. The Kent Armstrong 12 pole nickel covered Filtertron copy is another excellent sounding pickup. I was surprised how good it sounded for little money. Dimarzio Bluesbuckers do the P-90 thing in humbucker size. Dimarzio's Classic PAF or V V PAF are also excellent sounding pickups. For the hand wound route, check out Jon moore. For around $100 or so, he'll wind hand wind you a set to your specs.