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Swapping Ibanez stock for Entwistle P90s?

Discussion in 'Just Pickups' started by KCKC, May 6, 2020.

  1. May 6, 2020 #1
    KCKC

    KCKC Tele-Afflicted

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    Hoping for your input on a pup swap!

    I have a an Ibanez AF 86 vls with stock pickups. I like it!

    https://www.zzounds.com/item--IBAAF86


    But I always love a project too! A couple of years ago I bought a pair of Entwistle P90s. They've been wrapped in a drawer since delivery. I have some time on my hands and was thinking of doing a swap.

    http://www.entwistlepickups.com/pickup.php?puid=X 90 ceramic

    I am a guitar "bonehead" hence my question! I have never played P90s but was thinking of swapping out the original Ibanez pups for the entwistles... Any thoughts, suggestions, feedback?

    I am a blues/americana fan. That's what a like to play. Big Clapton, JJ, BB etc fan.

    Very average guitar player.

    The P90s are a "hair" bigger than the stock pups and may require removal of the pick guard and I couldn't use the trim rings.

    Yay or Nay?

    tx,
    KC
     
  2. May 6, 2020 #2
    kiwi blue

    kiwi blue Tele-Afflicted

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    Your best bet for that guitar would be HB size P90s. They would drop right in without mods to the guitar. I've not looked into it in detail, but I suspect modding the guitar for normal P90s would be more trouble than it's worth.

    P90s do sound great for blues.
     
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  3. May 6, 2020 #3
    Zepfan

    Zepfan Doctor of Teleocity Gold Supporter

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    Why swap if your happy with it as is?
    I've done that with a guitar because I thought the results would be better, they weren't. Swapping can be a crap shoot.
    P94 types can be good to get those P90 tones and another option is to swap in SD P Rails to get P90 tones, Stratty tones and great HB tones from the same pickup. The Triple Shot Rings make it easy to switch between options.
     
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  4. May 6, 2020 #4
    Danb541

    Danb541 Friend of Leo's

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    Those P90's are soap bar shaped, your guitar has humbuckers. Even if you elongate the humbucker routes to fit the P90's, the routes will be too wide. I would never consider doing this, it will look horrible. Not to mention what a pain in the but it is to swap pickups in a semi hollow guitar.
     
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  5. May 6, 2020 #5
    Danb541

    Danb541 Friend of Leo's

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    It is a semi hollow guitar correct? Not full hollow body? Because if it's a full hollow body, there is no way to mount the P90's. You would need dog ear P90's that mount to the top of the guitar if it's full hollow.
     
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  6. May 6, 2020 #6
    KCKC

    KCKC Tele-Afflicted

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    All great points!

    I don't need another "some-day-done" project! Thanks for the input! Looks like it's staying stock!!

    Tx guys!

    KC
     
  7. May 6, 2020 #7
    Zepfan

    Zepfan Doctor of Teleocity Gold Supporter

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    Dog Eared P90's might cover the HB hole a bit better, but still will have a small opening on the side. So P94 types would be best. SD Phat Cats are great as are some others and GFS Mean/Surf/Dream 90's are good on a budget.
     
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  8. May 8, 2020 #8
    KCKC

    KCKC Tele-Afflicted

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    Could anyone speak to the potetial sound difference? I know that's a long shot! ;)
     
  9. May 8, 2020 #9
    richey88

    richey88 Friend of Leo's

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    Yup. Get a hollow body with P90's then you can swap with your Entwhistles. Never heard of those, what do they sound like?
     
  10. May 8, 2020 #10
    schmee

    schmee Doctor of Teleocity

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    Nay. I doubt it's worth modding the guitar.
     
  11. May 8, 2020 #11
    rocksmoot

    rocksmoot Tele-Meister

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    I can vouch for the Phat Cats, I had a pair in my Epiphone Seraton II and they sounded great. Perfect drop in replacement for PAF style humbuckers
     
  12. May 8, 2020 #12
    telepraise

    telepraise Tele-Afflicted

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    Huge difference. p90s are going to sound earthy, organic, growly if you turn them up. Might be good for jump or blues. You have a very refined looking guitar there. I'd look for a used Epiphone Sheraton with p90s if you want to experiment with that sound.
     
  13. May 9, 2020 #13
    hopdybob

    hopdybob Tele-Afflicted

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