GFS dream 90 vs Mean 90...anyone?

[JukeJointJunkie]

I have a GFS Dream 90 that I think sounds pretty good, but wish it was just slightly hotter. I have been thinking about trying a Mean 90, which is supposed to be closer to a true P90 sound (the Dream 90 is more like a standard single coil in a humbucker case). Anyone here have experience with these?

 

[crossroader]

I recently put a Dream 90 in the neck position of my MIM Standard Tele - paired with a GFS Hot Alnico 60's bridge pickup.
I REALLY like this setup!!
I would agree that the Dream 90 sounds like a really fat single coil - not quite a true P90 tone, but it's working for me.
To balance the pair, the Dream 90 is almost flush with the pickguard, but it sounds great there and the middle switch position is real sweet with the tone rolled back a bit.

I've heard/read the same comments about the Mean 90 - more P90-ish - but I have no direct experience.

 

[Gibson]

I have a Mean 90 for the neck position and I think it's aces. While I've never had an opportunity to compare it with a Dream 90, I understand it's hotter a pickup—it definitely growls. If I recall correctly, forum regular Rob DiStefano is also a fan and as a resident pickup guru his opinion should carry more weight than mine.

That said, while they surely differ, whether that difference is an improvement will depend on your gear and your ear. Since they're not that pricey, perhaps order one to compare and sell whichever pickup doesn't meet your needs?

Edit:Here's a link to his comment I found using Google.

 

[AJBaker]

You should maybe also consider the surf 90, which is also a fat single coil, but with alnico slugs.

 

[blowtorch]

I've got a big hollowbody jazz guitar that I put a pair of Dream 90s in, and then decided I wanted to try a Mean 90 in the bridge. It's hotter, for sure, but I think I will be going back to the Dream 90, because it the combination position those two D90s sounded so beautifully great in a clean context together. The Mean 90 is good, I have a another guitar with two M90s in it, that I like for more rockin stuff, but those two D90s together were magic

GFS Surf 90s are great also, but that's a whole different level, clean clean super clean.

And then of course there are the Goldfoils, which I highly recommend if you are after those Auerbach/Jack White sounds

 

[AJBaker]

I found the surf 90 set a touch unbalanced. The bridge is a bit thin compared to the neck. A surf 90 / mean 90 combo might work...

 

[Loudog99]

I have the same setup as crossroader, dream 90 neck, hot 60s bridge. Love it! The dream 90 is very versatile and does great with distortion, but cleans up nicely with volume rolled back.

 

[Frank'n'censed]

My Naylor-made Reverend, has a single GFS Surf 90, short scale, all pau ferro neck & an unfinished, pine body...

 

[Lelik]

Hello
I'm also very interested in a Surf 90 (neck) + Mean 90 (bridge).
But I'm worried about single coil noise, because I'm not used to it anymore (using stacked Dimarzio pickups).
What about the GFS Surf and Mean 90 with overdrive and distortion? Are they noisy? Thanks for any info!

 

[JukeJointJunkie]

What I'm looking for is a twangy sound with just a hint of hair around the edges.

The Dream 90 I have is in a PRS Singlecut SE. Maple cap on mahogany. It is close to what I'm looking for, except that tiny bit of hair around the edges is not there.

I'm curious about trying the Surf 90 now.

 

[6stringcowboy]

You may want to consider the GFS NYII as well. P90ish pickup that I absolutely love in my Pro Jet.

Just a thought

 

[crossroader]

Hello
I'm also very interested in a Surf 90 (neck) + Mean 90 (bridge).
But I'm worried about single coil noise, because I'm not used to it anymore (using stacked Dimarzio pickups).
What about the GFS Surf and Mean 90 with overdrive and distortion? Are they noisy? Thanks for any info!

The neck pickups of both models are reverse wound, so they are hum-cancelling with both pickups on. The combined model pair should do the same.
Individually, I don't hear an excessive amount of noise with my Dream 90, even with distortion. I'd say it's relatively quiet for a single-coil pickup.

 

[AJBaker]

What I'm looking for is a twangy sound with just a hint of hair around the edges.

The Dream 90 I have is in a PRS Singlecut SE. Maple cap on mahogany. It is close to what I'm looking for, except that tiny bit of hair around the edges is not there.

I'm curious about trying the Surf 90 now.

They certainly are twangy!

 

[JukeJointJunkie]

Well, I'm bummed. I decided to order a Mean 90. When I went to the site, it said they were out of stock. So I went ahead and ordered another Dream 90. Later, went back to the site and discovered that it was only the chrome covered Mean 90s that were out of stock. The black ones were in stock. Oh well, another day....

 

[Ira7]

View attachment 350624 My Naylor-made Reverend, has a single GFS Surf 90, short scale, all pau ferro neck & an unfinished, pine body...

Now this guitar is what I'm Talkin' 'Bout!!!

Bee-u-ti-ful.

 

[blowtorch]

JJJ I would not look at a S90 to be "hairier" than the D90, if that is what you were thinking.

I think your consideration of the M90 is a better direction, considering what you're wanting tonally, again assuming that that is "a bit more hair"

I own/play all three, and to my ear, from cleanest to "hairiest", it's S90>D90>M90

But that S90 sure does twang, in a Dearmond kinda way

 

[Buzzardeater]

Well, I'm bummed. I decided to order a Mean 90. When I went to the site, it said they were out of stock. So I went ahead and ordered another Dream 90. Later, went back to the site and discovered that it was only the chrome covered Mean 90s that were out of stock. The black ones were in stock. Oh well, another day....

Just phone them with your order number. They'll fix it for you. GFS has hands on customer service.

 

[JukeJointJunkie]

Just phone them with your order number. They'll fix it for you. GFS has hands on customer service.

Well, as luck would have it the USPS was very quick on this order. I received it today.

 

[AJBaker]

JJJ I would not look at a S90 to be "hairier" than the D90, if that is what you were thinking.

I think your consideration of the M90 is a better direction, considering what you're wanting tonally, again assuming that that is "a bit more hair"

I own/play all three, and to my ear, from cleanest to "hairiest", it's S90>D90>M90

But that S90 sure does twang, in a Dearmond kinda way

Do you think a combination of any of those two would balance well?

 

[blowtorch]

While you would think so, awhile back I took a big archtop that I had a set of D90s in, and put an M90 in the bridge for more oomph, While the result was not bad, I lost the beautiful combo sound that I was getting using both D90s , in the middle position, and switched back,

I almost think a D90/S990 combo might be good, but I've not tried it