Robben Ford Discussion

sfhalo · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:43 am Post subject: Humbuckers vs. P-90s

Daved:

Your professional opinion would mean a lot: Could you explain the main differences in sound (etc.) between a Les Paul with Humbuckers and one with P-90 pickups. I'm buying a LP copy (Tokai) and am trying to decide beween two models with different pickups. I realize they can be swapped out, but am trying to save some money and have it "right" from the beginning. Thanks much. Adrian

frank0936 · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:57 pm Post subject: P-90's

Since Daved hasn't made it in yet, let me say that I never could understand why anyone would want a Les Paul with P90 single coils instead of humbuckers. Then I heard Sean Costello playing an LP with P90's. Wow! What a killler tone. I bought a Blueshawk that has what Gibson calls Blues 90's. It also has a dummy coil for hum cancelling. In this particular guitar, the sustain goes on for days! They have a great, meaty sound. You need to find a guitar with P90's and play it before you decide, but I love my Blues 90's.
Frank

Aeolian · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 5:25 pm Post subject:

Remember that Robben likes guitars that have openess and clarity rather than fulless and depth. He described the sound of his LP in humbucker mode at a clinic as "muddy". His incredible technique and ears bring out the full and warm sound we hear. So if you find a standard humbucker a bit choked off or muddy sounding, especially in the neck, then a P90 is a nice compromise between that and a thinner sounding Fender single coil. One of the coolest guitars I've ever played was a PRS that had three P90's and a Strat switching arrangement. If I had the bucks I'd get one instead of my Strat.
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sfhalo · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:54 am Post subject:

It's been 27 years since I last owned a Les Paul (when I quit playing professionally) and at that time I only used LPs with Humbuckers.....mostly 58s & 59s. However, my very first LP was a 1968 Reissue of a 1956 Goldtop w/P-90s that I bought brand new in Fayetteville, NC. I was at the beginning of my playing "career" and had traded a Guild Starfire IV for the LP. After about a year of playing the Goldtop, I moved on to other LPs......all with Humbuckers......and they remained my primary guitars until I quit playing out. Since it's been so long since I played a LP with either pickups, I decided to get some opinions. Thanks very much for the replies.......you were very helpful.

Daved · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:41 am Post subject:

SF,

Wish I could help you on this one but I don't thnk I have enough experience to properly answer your question.
I really haven't worked sonically with P-90s enough to be able to effectively evaluate and compare. And mechanically, they're your basic pickup, like any other pickup, with no striking out-of-the-ordinary differences.

However, you've got loads of great players around here, like Aeolian & Frank & many others, who DO have the kind of experience and knowledge of use that you're looking for.

Trust 'em. I do. Wink

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sfhalo · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 4:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks, guys, for the quick responses.......it's most appreciated. I've asked the question because I'm considering buying a LP-copy made by Tokai.......a very nice guitar for the money. And, it happens to have P-90s. I'm just trying to nail down some experienced opinions before I put my money down.

Aeolian · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:54 pm Post subject:

sfhalo, I recently had an Epiphone 56 LP thing with the Korean P90s. I used it on some rhythm tracks (If I had Robben's hands I might have used it on solo tracks). It sounded more open and clear than my 335 but not as jangly as a Fender. The frequency peak is lower down than a Strat and it has a fuller low end. There is a unique bite, but not with the sharpness of a Fender. I've heard it described as a growl. Steve Marriot on the Humble Pie Live album is playing an LP junior with P90s compared to Framton's humbuckers. There's a snarl to his sound while Pete sounds all smooth.
The Epiphone went away as I started lusting after a really nice 54 reissue hanging in a store in Redwood City. When I picked up my Fuchs from them we played that guitar though it. Both I and the manager fell in love. It had the big sound of a great Les Paul but with a quickness of response and extended tonal spectrum that no humbucking LP I've every played had. But the thing was twice as much as I've ever paid in my life for a guitar, I I had a hard time letting loose with that baseball bat neck. I've no idea how Robben goes comfortably back and forth between his modern Bakers and the vintage Tele and LP.
A couple of years ago the local GC had a red Baker with P90's and a varitone. While I've always felt that veritones dryed up the tone, this quitar was wonderful. Daved, do you know if Robben's ever played with a P90 Baker? As he's reluctant to bring the 54 on the road, maybe that would be a good solution. BTW are you coming to the brothers show in Santa Cruz? Same place you were trying to keep the 54 from buzzing, I can still picture you waving it around the stage looking for a dead spot.
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sfhalo · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 4:24 pm Post subject:

Aeolian: Thanks for the feedback. As it turns out, I was outbid at the very last "second" on eBay for the Goldtop w/P-90s. I really wanted that guitar, but was just a bit to slow getting my last bid in. Oh, well......there's always another guitar....somewhere. Since the Tokai Canadian dealer (JSD Guitar Shack) I located doesn't currently have any Goldtops w/P90 PUs (none until March/April), I decided to spring for a very nice Violin Burst LP with Humbuckers. Down the road, I'll definitely pick up another GT w/P90s. By the way, JSD Guitar Shack is one of the most reponsive businesses I've ever dealt with. If anyone is looking for a great guitar dealer to do some business with, I'd recommend them highly.......Kevin Kannus is the owner.
Again, thanks for all the help and opinions.

greenmac · Newbie Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1 Location: England

I have a Japanese Tokai Les Paul with Humbuckers and a few months ago I bought an Epiphone Les Paul Gold Top 56 with P90s. These pickups are great - they have a clarity you cant get with humbuckers but you can also make them sing and sustain too. If you like your sound to be clear and open then P90s can be great - its true that they are a bit like a halfway house between single coil strat sound and warm (muddy) humbuckers. Dont be put off by the Epiphone name - this particular guitar (with the Grover tuners) is spot on. I play in a Peter Green tribute band in England and I gig with it all the time now - I use the Tokai as a back up ( a very nice back up) and I take along a strat and a Les Paul Studio too but the Epiphone is my fave at the moment. [/img]