P90s or Humbuckers? Gibson Les Paul Gold Top Comparison

[@PlayandTradeGuitars]

CLICK TO BUY - Gibson Les Paul Standard 50's Gold Top P90: www.zzounds.com/a--3979398/item--GIBLPS5P900?siid=257867 Gibson Les Paul Standard 50's Gold Top Humbucker: www.zzounds.com/a--3979398/item--GIBLPS5P00?siid=257863 SUBSCRIBE TO WIN - GIBSON LES PAUL GIVEAWAY: 1) SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications 2) Enter on GLEAM: gleam.io/competitions/pvVrO-gibson-les-paul-giveaway Browse ALL GEAR: www.zzounds.com/a--3979398 CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP SIGN UP: kzbin.info/door/9IULQ7EHJoserChf09I_4wjoin

[@adamkaminski]

It goes like this: when you are young - humbuckers and a lot of distortion; when you get older - P90s and a little bit of overdrive.

[@thegrandpencil4374]

I went the inverse route.

[@The_reel_archer]

No truer words

[@Fox-86]

So true

[@zdenekdolezal9646]

Well in those terms short after my 36th birthday I am officialy old. :D Or if you want best of both words - Seymour Duncan stack P90 (Which is technically humbucker, but instead being 2 singlecoils next to each other, those are 2 P90s above each other, which makes much better sound IMO).

[@whenlifehandsyou]

what if i'm 42 and still want to be young?

[@ernestschultz5065]

The goldtop with P90s is just so iconic looking.

[@amdelux1]

I have both and I find myself favoring the P 90s , they have a unique and distinctive chime when clean and a knarly growl when pushed like old Black Sabbath.They are great in a band setting also because everyone else will likely have some kind of double coil or a Strat and you can really hear the difference with the guitars.

[@mikezehype]

Especially on an SG model, good P90 pickups can express their full potential. Even on a cheap model : I have a budget Harley Benton "DC custom cherry" german guitar, copy of the SG, with Tonerider "P90 Rebel" english pickups, and it sounds amazing !! I can reach the exact old Black Sabbath tones with that.

[@richardvirginia3037]

I love the sound of the P90's. I have several humbucker loaded Les Paul's which I use for all types of music but the P90 sound is what I favor.

[@ziggylayneable]

I don't even need to watch the video to tell you P90s.... whether you're playing blues or Doom metal. Humbuckers are fine but P90s have a more nasally growl

[@voodoornb]

P90s in an SG as well?

[@ziggylayneable]

@@voodoornb if you've never tried a SG with P90s you would be surprised. Tony iommi did the first two Sabbath albums with P90s in the "monkey SG"

[@lukscar2000]

@@ziggylayneable First 6. Mini humbuckers mostly afterwards.

[@maxpeck4154]

It's not just about the growl. P90s clean up with the volume knob of the guitar in a way humbuckers don't.

[@darrylmoore127]

P 90 easy to change magnets to change it up or experiment

[@ripplewine6112]

I'm all about P-90's they are warm and magical, but I do enjoy coil tapped humbuckers. I love the P-90 over the Humbuckers in this video

[@letbymorgan2879]

Got an old epi les Paul with p90s , even at epi prices it packs a punch way above the bucker for everyone who's heard it , love the channel

[@guymansfield-smith1135]

I’m not a huge Les Paul fan, but they both sounded fabulous! It’s the P90’s that really got me excited and wanted to pick up a guitar. I instantly thought of early Heartbreakers.

[@dreamscuba]

Both look and sound fantastic. But, for me, it is the P90 every time. Great video comparison.

[@weightoawesome3455]

Honestly I think the P90s win here. I have a Heritage Big Kahuna with humbuckers and a Harley Benton LP with P90s. And the heritage blows the benton outta the water but with both of yours being Gibson it’s really apparent what the 90s got. I’d love to see the comparison of the 2 with a bit more beef, some real high gain chugging. I bet the bucker starts sounding better the heavier you get. But yeah man, awesome vid. Awesome collection and AWESOME playing my brother! Love your style.

[@stevehughes1510]

P90s are always a crisper more vibrant sound, that's why I prefer them. Thanks for the A/B.

[@jjdillon2007]

I've been playing since 1968, and I'm definitely a humbucker person. I play mostly clean (think Pat Metheny and Lee Ritenour), and I feel that P90s are good with some gain. That being said, P90s sound great in hollow body guitars, if you want more articulation.

[@ratwynd]

My P 90 equiped guitar is a D'Angelico semi-hollow. But the key is 'which' P-90. I had a couple of Gretsch with P-90s and never got "the sound" but the Seymour-Duncans in the D'Angelico are creamy and sweet.

[@RaptorV1USA]

P90 Took me 50 years to realize much of the music I love was played on P90's,.... once I understood,... I now have 4 guitars with P90s & more to come

[@mikecito1717]

Humbuckers sounded better overall to me but I'd sure like to have both. Great comparison!

[@kongper]

humbuckers sounds better in the bridge and p90 sounds better in the neck.

[@aagmty1]

P90s sound clearer, especially in the midrange. I prefer the sound of them. Great comparison, thank you.

[@672macknasby7]

Jeff Lynne, (Electric Light Orchestra) played a P-90 Gold Top through the most sucessful years of ELO. That guitar is now resting, in the Rock-N-Roll Hall Of Fame.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Tom of Boston used a LP with P 90s of most of Boston's first album.

[@azerreza4770]

P 90 in neck position and Humbucker in bridge position. 😁

[@RaptorV1USA]

yes. My next build will be such a beast ;-)

[@HueYing]

That was exactly what I was thinking the whole time

[@steves12strings]

JB bridge and phat kat p90 is an incredible combo.

[@minidyrus89]

Gibson BFG's have that layout, some are pretty cheap on Reverb

[@disheveled_]

Fender jazzmaster had this

[@neojohn44]

Interesting. I thought the P90s sounded better. I use humbucker type pickups almost exclusively (rarely full size )but often coil split. If you've ever gigged in a place where the stage electrical feed is shared by fluorescent lights, you'll fall out of love with single coils real quick. The hum and buzz (on older P90s) really spoils the fun. Not only do that not have hum cancelling, they aren't wax potted either, adding to the cacophony at volume.

[@martyshwaartz971]

P90s fix every problem I have with humbuckers while still retaining what’s great about them. P90 bridge is second best pickup position after Strat neck imo

[@mortonwilson795]

First proper comparison I have seen of this nature, thanks! I have played a 1968 LP Custom since the 70s - still very happy with the original pick-ups, BUT, this was quite a revelation! If I should buy another Gibson or Eastman LP style I will definitely go for the P90s - they offer a clear, bright, chimey (and yes ' Tele-like') contrast to the PAF sound.

[@WilliamHaisch]

The middle setting of humbucker guitars is my favorite sound. So deep and chimey at the same time.

[@boogiemorgan]

That is where I play rythem on my Les Paul, middle setting humbuckers !

[@lumberrivermusicrobertbyrd9160]

I love my Gibson Les Paul 50’s Goldtop with Humbuckers! I also love my Gibson Les Paul wine red with P90s. Just depends on my mood which one I play. Like you pointed out, they sound great together in a recording. Two rhythm tracks, one panned L and one panned R about 70 percent!!!❤

[@bushcry1]

That sounds cool...

[@thomassteiner638]

Mine with the P90s comes this Friday. I have a Gibson LP with Humbuckers already, but I like the sound of the P90s--they have a much crisper sound, (don't know how else to describe it) but more slap sound when striking the strings than the Humbucker, and much more natural growl. Can't wait to get it!

[@PlayandTradeGuitars]

Great way to describe it, congrats on the new guitar and enjoy! Thanks for watching

[@michaelheller8841]

Both great guitars. I love the quack you get out of P-90’s but I’d rather have Unpotted humbuckers. They have their own reaction and attack. Once you put it in the mid position you get that Tele on steroids. You can even get Some Strat tones with the volume rolled back. Best of all worlds? Get a Les Paul with humbuckers, one with P-90’s, A Fender Strat and Fender Telecaster. After that, you’re good to go lol. Each guitar you pick up you play differently. There is never only one. It is all about what kind of mood you have.

[@bushcry1]

Agreed! I am the same...

[@safiramusica]

I have one Gold Top Reissue from 1991 with P90's and I love them. The neck pickup has a beautiful and sweet sound.

[@300rivers7]

I really like the P90's. They have a "fat" telecaster sound, but can get rich and warm as well. I'm torn, so I'll take them both, please!

[@M5guitar1]

Really dig your playing style. 70s awesome and extremely musical. I have P90s in a Casino and JBs in my Les Paul. GOTTA have both.

[@willemmoller6736]

I have both . . . Gibson custom shop 1957 reissue (maple cap, seriously heavy) with buckers, and an Epiphone custom shop 1956 reissue (mahogany cap, comfortable weight) with P90s. The goldtop finishes are quite different - the 57 is darker and less sparkly - but they're both great players with excellent sustain and I love both kind of pickups. The P90s have slightly less output but I can easily switch between them on stage without having to change my pedals/amp settings. In the studio I pick one depending on the kind of pickup sound I need for a particular track. I love my goldies!

[@Beezi.]

I have a gold top with p90s and love it! I do need a Gibson with humbuckers so I’m looking at a ES335 most likely

[@Po1itica11yNcorrect]

I've got a Gibson Les Paul Standard 50's with P90's and a Gibson Les Paul Classic with humbuckers. The humbuckers are nice but the P90's are otherworldly.

[@lukehudson9594]

Humbuckers are amazing. But the tones you can get out of p90s. Both great pickups but p90s have a soft spot in my heart. You can do anything with them, even more in todays world.

[@daleonov]

Great comparison! Can't decide which ones I prefer. Probably both!

[@john564holloway]

Absolutely the best comparison I've seen between these pups. Great vid! They are so close that I compare both as if the P90s tone knob was at 10 and the HB tone knob was at about 6 or 7. It's like the HB mids are rolled off a bit which makes the HBs just a tad warmer. To me, you can hear a bigger difference between actual Strat single coils vs HBs.

[@TheJeffcurran]

P90s for the win. Humbuckers were developed when the electrical systems in structures weren't grounded. That's what they were designed to solve. Now that the vast majority of electrical systems are grounded, and amplifiers are grounded, you don't need humbuckers anymore. P90s have more glass and more grit. And more clarity and articulation. Also, P90s will shed some of that glass and grit with proper use of the volume and tone controls. If you turn down the volume and tone just a hair, they can sound just like a humbucker.

[@markleadbeatter6196]

Great upload thanks guys. I put SD P Rails in my Gold Top Agile single cut with the triple shot rings plus a phase reverse push pull on one tone pot, so I can now dial in an absolute stack of tones. It’s now my Swiss Army knife guitar. ❤

[@bushcry1]

That sounds awesome!

[@maraviyoso8473]

and. . .

[@markleadbeatter6196]

@@maraviyoso8473 I would recommend this setup to anyone looking for a versatile option. The Agile AL-3200MCC is a great instrument, with amazing specs for the price and being neck-through, upper fret access is about as good as it gets. Even with the pickup upgrade, it is still a lot cheaper than a Gibby or other high-end model, so the bang for your buck is sensational. The only downside is actually getting hold of one, as they aren’t made in huge numbers, so I am glad I purchased mine when I did, especially the double cut AD-3200MCC, which are even scarcer.

[@Sig8066]

This was a great episode! I'm a P90 nut! Well done john. Zack fantastic videography that was really cool

[@baDWolf_75]

I just love that PAF sound. P90s are great for loud and driving sounds for me, but the slightly dirty sound of PAFs vs slightly dirty p90s, I am a sucker for PAF. Just my opinion though.

[@Walks-With-Pride]

P-90s have more clarity and warmth. That is how my ears hear it.

[@martyshwaartz971]

Out of the mud and into the articulate

[@bushcry1]

An articulated warmth I'd say...

[@Iggysluckytonite]

out of all my HB guitars and my p-90s , P-90s reign in tone for me!

[@scouser2230]

As I have single coils (not P90’s) on my Strat I would choose a Les Paul with humbuckers.

[@gwenford8428]

It's horses for coarses, hum buckers for some songs and p90 for others, I like then both, we would all like both, in reality, most of us would be happy with either, if I could pick 1 P90's for me,. Great video, thanks.

[@ratwynd]

The P 90, without question for my ear. Much more articulate and sweet. Too many 'buckers are muddy and dense to my ear. Second choice is the DynaSonic.

[@timothyplonk2982]

I preferred the P-90s for their articulate response and jangly tone,love them distorted 🎸👍🎸

[@Mike-ky9jz]

The P90's just have more bite...I prefer their sound in general.

[@savage11smw33]

Its 100% preference, I love the low end with the humbucker, P90s are too bright for me.

[@ninjacjcgamez6171]

After hearing both sets I personally like the sound of the hum-buckers better

[@spartan6931]

It pretty much depends on one's playing style. I prefer humbuckers.

[@timmotel5804]

Very good comparison. I do favour the P90 a bit. Thanks

[@rhk4680]

I used to hate the look of the P90s but they kind of grew on me...

[@bigsby6bender]

We are living in a great time to have such choices. Great playing btw!

[@charlescopeland1436]

Those P-90s seem to have some extra character goin on that is really pleasant. I'd take the P-90 one.

[@rrhett2119]

Very helpful. Not sure why I hadn’t heard back to back demos before, but you really captured the difference and applications of each style.

[@PlayandTradeGuitars]

Thank you! I appreciate it, thanks for watching

[@rebbeach611]

There is a very high probability that the unplugged sound of a humbucker guitar will not be good. Good wood and PAF pickups never sound that dull.

[@Rogijimbex]

Just came home from the shop with a Tobacco Burst 50's Les Paul with P90s. Thanks for the video. Very enjoyable playing too!

[@jazzpezzas]

I have a Mustang Player with P90's and they are my favorite pick ups.

[@stereo8665]

It was mysterious ,P90 was my favorite sound.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

Thanka for the video. I like that there are options for us. P90's sound thin to me when clean, prefer the PAF. With gain I like both the tones, different but both useful.

[@mrjonesmusic5770]

I love the bite of the P90s

[@zachmiller4575]

My ears prefer the p90s my main guitar is a tele and it’s really bright which I like and the p90s sounded brighter to me

[@JesseJuup]

This is why I have two Les Pauls. One with humbuckers, one with P90s. 😂

[@DrJeebles]

Something about a Gold Top with P90's just fits. You should probably keep that one, John. Obviously, Zach is right. P90's are heavier.

[@AuntAlnico4]

P90 are because they have 2 bar alnico magnets and the same amount of copper wire as the PAF.

[@Crema59]

The humbuckers are such an ear smoothener❤

[@jeffbeck6501]

Humbuckers for me. P90's for Terry McNichols, from Nashville. A beast.

[@dw7704]

I have humbuckers and a guitar with a P-Rail, and love both, but nothing with regular P-90s and would pick that, at least in the neck

[@johncarlo7395]

I love humbuckers and I love p90s, I have both so I can choose which one suits the particular gig that night

[@maxpeck4154]

P90s hands down

[@bruffx9736]

I'm not seeing a lot of better or worse in either I'm just seeing different. There are times where I could find use in either or both.

[@sixbladeknife44]

Gotta have both! Great demo 😎

[@niclasfinnander9088]

Great video ! I play all kind , Gibson P90 , Humb. Fender singel än more , you'll never know !

[@lorimeyers3839]

Always wanted a p90LP in an iced tea or dark cherry burst.

[@victorycrosby4896]

P90's for me.

[@dragan4658]

I have two Agile LP guitars, p90 goldtop and a white humbucker model. Both nice but I prefer the humbuckers.

[@ericdavid199]

Thanks for comparing these. I think this helped me make up my mind to go with the P-90s.

[@StingRey_7]

The PAF Humbuckers have that classic standard Gibson sound. To my ears, I prefer the sound of the P-90. Even within different P-90 of different eras there is a surprising variance of sound. A bit rare and hard to find are the P-90 slugs. However Gibson to my knowledge have never sold them directly as a standalone part. Modern ones are called the P90SR - (rhythm/neck) & P-90ST - (treble/bridge) and were only available for a couple of years on a couple of models. These slug poled pickups were the original post war P-90 until 1950 or so when they switched to screws instead of alnico slugs for poles. They’re not as pretty as they have pole slug magnets instead of the more common shiny screws. However for the ultimate raw overdriven P-90 sound they have no equal. These work best in overdriven blues and rock. If you keep them clean they can work in jazz. However even clean they drive and have a very pronounced bright crunchiness. I was lucky enough to play one in a used bookstore of all places. Once plugged into a tube valved Marshall, I was hooked on their rawness and will hard pressed to ever sell it.

[@carguy3460]

EVH took a strat and put HB on it to make it sound like a LP but....this is the opposite, the p90 looks like an LP but sounds like a tele. I say just get the HB LP and a tele for a lot cheaper. Single coil LP.....Humbug! Nice comparison.

[@hog7203]

Nothing against the P90s, they sound good, but I prefer humbuckers on a LP. Also on the SG. Probably cause that's the sound I originally started with on those guitars. Same with mini humbuckers on a Firebird, single coils on a Strat, and the standard two pickups on a Tele. A P90 equipped guitar is definitely a great addition to an arsenal though. Now I gotta get one. Imo all the different tones can inspire a persons playing.

[@JamesPetroff]

I do love the P90 spank. You really should have both. : )

[@anonamos8129]

I had a goldtop with p90s around 2010. Sold it. Didn’t know what I had.

[@andyhayes7828]

Gotta say P90'S !!!! I am reminded of why I always liked Scott Gorhans solo's ( I know, mini humbuckers, but close enough to p90's 🤘)

[@jeremybaker195]

Yes please. Ill take one of each😁

[@honeygun1554]

Not enough people do a “in the mix” comparison. I think the buckers are probably “better” on their own but the p90’s win in the mix as they cut through so nicely. Both are great though

[@dumpsterchicken6287]

No contest, P90's all the way. I am really surprised.

[@rickrevoir1683]

I have both also and love the p90 growl . Humbucking pups are great in their own right but imho the p90 win

[@angellsantiago3135]

This video really helps me in deciding whish one to select, and definitely I'll get the HB, like the cleanses of the sound versus the P-90. Don't get me wrong, both sounds great, but for my personal purpose the HB works better for me. Thank you

[@TheGalilee416]

I could have listened to an hour of that backing track jam. Awesome demo of both 🙌

[@markmcdonald5711]

Lou Reed, Down on the Dirty Blvd.

[@pablohill4048]

this is a video I wanted to see, I own a p90, and always wondered if I bought the right one.

[@craigthomson3621]

A few boutique guitar makers are putting a P90 in the neck position and a Humbucker in the bridge position. I have a PJD Carey Elite with such an arrangement. I wonder if Gibson will ever do a limited run with the same combination - perhaps as part of their Modern collection. Gibson Les Pauls sound great with either P90s or Humbuckers (and mini Humbuckers and 3 Pickup with Humbuckers).

[@timothyparks]

They have. Gibson Les Paul BFG.

[@mortonwilson795]

I recently bought a Duesenberg Starplayer (semi acoustic, sort of '335 meets Gretsch single cutaway - ish') and they come stock with P90 Neck & Humbucker Bridge and this really is a terrific combination - neck & bridge both very distinctive and middle position absolutely perfect for chimey clean chordal stuff!

[@larrylynch8113]

I am a singer and I prefer playing a humbucker to get a little less of high pitch sound while singing and playing

[@raymeedc]

Been playing for nigh on 50 years, tuned into the P90s from day one, never cared much for the relatively civilized Humbucker. My Holy Grails have always been the Specials, not the Standards & Customs. Fortunately for me, I also prefer the lesser adorned appointments of the “lower class” Gibsons 👌

[@duaneddymunster4182]

Nice comparison . Thankyou. I definitely preferred the p90's.

[@inakidb]

This is one I pre-selected to buy (Epiphone version), zzounds good price btw. great comparison.

[@wengjai]

Humbuckers for me. That’s the great thing about musical opinion there’s no right or wrong

[@fotografjindra6442]

Eventhough I do like that P90 sound a little bit more, I would go for humbuckers :D

[@rhum66]

Thanks for that great job (both guitar on the same backtrcks perfectly synchronized). I can't do any choice, both are great, depends on the application and style of music you want to play. P-90 are near to perfection for old blues app (think old freddy King's records) but for harder things, hard blues or southest rock (ZZ top ) humbuckers is the real mc coy; more agressive, more radical, full of rock n roll attitude. Plus, i am a serious strat player ant P_90 LP can't win against a good old stratocaster; everytime i va played a P-90 Lp, i was seeking after 5 minutes, for that hard drive sounds that can only delivers humbuckers. P-90 can't be beaten in a all mahogany guitar as SG and LP spécial (DC): that is where i love them best.

[@danielmiller2886]

Great AB comparison, thank you. I'm curious though, where were the volume knobs set? Both on 10 all the time?

[@bobbab5759]

I used an '89 Standard with humbuckers in a band and the thing that bothered me was how muddy it would sound in a mix and especially when soloing in lower register. From this video I think I might want to get P90s.

[@ryqfytDdufffdidu]

Yooo bro my friend love that green guitar what is the model

[@jpalberthoward9]

I've had my P90 Gold Top since 1987. It goes with Tweed amps like peanut butter and jelly' The middle switch position defies description at all levels of clean or dirt. Pedals? what are pedals? bicycles have pedals. Frank Zappa say: "SHADDUP AN" PLAY YO GEETAR" I go now and do that.

[@rootshers]

90‘s all the way. They make the guitar sound more organic, like a singing voice!