What Is The "P90" Sound?

P90 pickups were invented by Gibson in 1946 as a replacement for the Charlie Christian pickup, they didn't know at the time but they were creating one of the best electric guitar pickups of all time. What is the p 90 sound?
Thanks to ‪@CarterVintageGuitarsNashville‬ for having us to shoot.
Thanks to ‪@gibsonguitar‬ for arranging these vintage Gibson guitars
Thanks to ‪@MythosPedals‬ (Zach Broyles) for helping out with the playing.
Check out ‪@DippedInTone‬ for our weekly guitar podcast.
#vintage #guitar #gibson #cartervintage #rhettshull
Gear Used In This Video:
Gold Top Custom Shop Reissue (borrowed from Rick Beato) (affiliate link)
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Novo Serus J (non affiliate link)
www.novoguitars.com/serus
Wide Sky P125 (non affiliate link)
www.wideskyguitars.com/
BAE Royaltone Fuzz (affiliate link)
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Hiwatt SA20 (non affiliate link)
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AxeFX III (non affiliate link)
www.fractalaudio.com/iii/
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[@RhettShull]

Whats your favorite P90 guitar?

[@harleybiancardi7869]

Thinline Tele's haha, they are like top tier guitars for me

[@juliorn1243]

I think the gold top les Paul with the p 90s, just like the guitarist from canned head played (don't remember his name rn)

[@hkguitar1984]

'55 style Les Paul Standard w/wrap tailpiece. IMO the wrap tailpiece gives that instrument a little extra something. Great content Rhett, thank you. EDIT, a '54 LP Custom would also work for me!

[@artinrahideh1229]

Lp junior

[@jeramym9506]

Epiphone casino

[@ryuuwyvern90]

What is the “metal zone into fender practice combo” sound next please.

[@jonbenedict920]

I'm just laughing.. that's just funny.

[@moyano6197]

I have the answer, it’s the _best_ sound

[@andyformanszombie]

Please

[@cesargomezu1459]

Metal zone into Line 6 Spyder II on Insane

[@vladimirerfan7721]

🤣

[@EnterMyNameHere]

I love how Rhett just says: "I borrowed this Gold Top Les Paul from Rick Beato..." as if we all know who the man is. But of course, we all know who the man is, ha ha.

[@anuvette]

Yes

[@alexo5861]

Bick Reato who?

[@deadoctopi5070]

Sure Rick's kid can nail pitch and ear training on the spot but does Rick know how many of us can hear his voice when we hear anything resembling the sound of "Beato?" lol

[@1badsteed]

Yeah he's a stinking musical genius!!! Love his channels too

[@oldrrocr]

What!? you don't own a gold top with P-90s???? (Hint to your lovely wife?)

[@ericv7720]

I love P-90s. Everything from surf to metal. If they are too "spanky" for your high gain sound, just roll off the tone knob on your guitar a little bit, and you have instant humbucker!

[@Bob-tp3nx]

You nailed it. I was thinking of upgrading the ones in my Hagstrom but all I had to do was dial the tone knob back some. I love the versatility of P-90's.

[@cjlv]

Hey I had to do it tonight during practice

[@jaguarandi2]

They are not spanky at all

[@ericv7720]

@@jaguarandi2 Ok, barky. Feel better?

[@elephantcemetery]

@@ericv7720 Fizzy is how i'd describe them. Inarticulate.

[@dkpitt3912]

I’ve been playing for over 40 years, and I unbelievably have never played P 90s until the other week. My friend bought a Harley Benton with P 90s and he said give it a try. I couldn’t believe how awesome the pick up sounds! Just one pick up and using the tone and volume gives you so many variations of sounds unbelievable! I love them.

[@allanallan4791]

For me it's the sound of the first two Black Sabbath records.

[@Gledii]

yes Sir!

[@johnfrenette]

A PICKUP IN BLACK THAT POINTS AT ME

[@rhesreeves5339]

Can never argue with that!

[@kenburkard]

60s SG Into an early model Laney amp at full bore, I believe iommi used a rangemaster treble booster as well

[@saintrhoads3375]

@@kenburkard He was known to have run everything a full except the bass, which would be backed off...idk how far...and then he would use a MODDED treble booster.

[@RC32Smiths01]

I am really enjoying this series man. It is so appreciative of what makes a tone so unique and killer! Great work

[@1Rockstok]

In my first band, in 1968, the other guitar player had a mint condition LP with P90s. We both wanted SGs. He traded his LP for $90 toward an SG Standard which cost $335 at the time. I got an SG Special, with P90s that I played professionally until 1983.

[@manifestgtr]

Dude, the *second* you mentioned “the solo you thought was a strat”, I knew exactly which tune you were talking about. I was mindblown when I first found out that was a p90 Les Paul. I always had that solo categorized in my brain as “a killer strat neck sound”. Finding out that was a p90 made me reevaluate a lot of what I know about single coil sound and personal finger tone, in general.

[@wesboundmusic]

Same here, my jaw dropped from here to Antarctica! Would have _never_ thought!

[@f2detaboada]

I used to think of that solo as "the one fender strat sound I like", I guess not lmao

[@manifestgtr]

@@f2detaboada Really? That’s funny…strat neck tones a la “shine on you crazy diamond” and middle position sounds like “free ride” are some of my favorite guitar tones. They just sit so perfectly within a band context imo

[@f2detaboada]

​@@manifestgtr I thought about it and I realized I forgot the dual lead tone in Any Colour You Like, which is actually a fantastic strat sound of both the bridge and the neck pick ups calling and answering each other. But as for the songs you mentioned, within the context of the music they sound great but if I isolate the sounds, they stop being pleasant for me. I think that if Gilmour used p90's on Shine on, it would have sounded even better.

[@johnvolume3384]

Before punk,Leslie West,played a burst SC Junior,and Mick Ralphs,an Englishman,from Mott the Hoople ,who saw West, get a Junior in a pawnshop in the US before joining Bad Company.Punk came ,and the great Johnny Thunders is the one that put the DC Junior on the map.Mick Jones,and Steve Jones,who was just an occasionnal user of a Junior followed. The story is ,when the NY Dolls get their first record deal,the two guitar players of the Dolls get some money to buy good guitars before recording.Sylvain Sylvain,the one who taught guitar to Thunders,and who knows the power of P90s took a TV Yellow Special,and Thunders a black Les Paul Custom.After a few days,Thunders,in love with P90s played loud,change guitars .And got the Special.During a TV show,the Midnight Special,he accidently changed pickups during a song,and got a one pickup DC Junior after that.

[@nickcleveland2810]

What is the “Line 6 Spider IV Insane-Mode” sound?

[@cassette_ed]

Hell yeah

[@Sjrm126]

An amazing one used on your local metalcore band’s latest record

[@Sjrm126]

@Magic I wasn’t gonna be the first one to say it

[@Rxbandit421]

@Magic is* there fixed that for ya

[@radio7353]

@@Rxbandit421 no?

[@metalwolfdraakje]

Could you do "what is the jazzmaster sound?" I really love the sound of this guitar and there is nothing that sounds quite like it

[@sqmps8709]

Ooh yeah that’s a good one

[@FantasticExplorers]

Yes! This!

[@GuitarWithRyan]

True. Not to mention the way that Stapelton has crafted it to suit his epic sound!

[@igorbroeckel279]

Yes!!

[@benjaminfowler4513]

Hell yeah, also no one makes cheap real jazzmaster pickups like they do every other kind of pickup

[@renatobernal7674]

Man, the quality of Rhett videos is so amazing... Impressed with the informative content and great playing of this one!

[@JWhitneyInc]

I recently picked up a 2019 Les Paul Special with P90's and honestly, it's really hard to not say it's now my number 1 after being a huge strat fanboy for ages. I still love the strat for cleans and that bright "edge of breakup" tone. But for raunchy leads, the P90's just do a thing I didn't realize I needed so badly. I'm in love with the thing.

[@mouluc9969]

Exactly the same, here. Except it's a 2008 SG with P90s I've bought. It's got some magic my strat and my tele don't. And I love the whole spectrum from clean, crunch... to fat early Black Sabbath tones. Only con : you might need a bright channel on your amp...

[@robjgolde3221]

@@mouluc9969 ugh I had an ‘08 SG Classic that I absolutely loved because of it’s fat neck and the p90’s it came with. Had to sell it to save up for my wedding. Someday I’ll have a p90 guitar in my arsenal again if not an SG, then probably a Revstar

[@mouluc9969]

@@robjgolde3221 The sad thing, here is both a wedding and a divorce cost as much as many nice guitars with P90s ^^

[@frankrizzo5710]

Just picked up a LP special tribute. I love this guitar, the neck is amazing.

[@theramatube]

Planning to get an Epiphone Les Paul Special SC Pro TV Yellow as soon as possible. After having both Strat and Tele, my inner soul just always reserves a special place for a Les Paul since it's my first love for electric guitar back in 2009... But I don't really want to get a humbucker, so the LP Special SC Pro is my best bet with a really reasonable price at $375 brand new!

[@richardcaliendo3138]

These videos are huge! After years of playing, I myself cannot articulate what you are demonstrating. This is a home run series Rhett!!!!!!!

[@peaceman7321]

Dude, LOVE your videos & how you explain everything musical -- you never disappoint. (Side note: couldn't help but notice it sounded like someone had turned down the high/presence on the amp in the guitar store - was excited about hearing that top end sizzle/"chirp" of the 90's there, but it sounded more jazzy. However, in YOUR studio, you had it dialed in!!) As always, THANKS!

[@fkkkkkenig]

This is the 4th time I've come across your channel in my guitar deep dive and every video is well researched, presented, and informative. You've earned my sub man

[@booyakuhsha24]

dude i love you so much. you are able to concisely able to communicate what i've been trying to tell my friends for years through a 30 minute disorganized rant. that david gilmour part was something special, i always thought it was a fender strat in the neck position as well. thank you so much for the good work Rhett!

[@ThibaultKV]

Good shout out for the 77 punks, it's common to overlook their choices of guitars and how it shaped their sounds, but Steve Jones or Mick Jones were really digging the possibilites of P90!

[@unclefoiley819]

That's why I've been playing P-90s for the past 35 years.

[@TejoAgus]

That Gilmour thing was THE guitar revelation for me this year... Man I would have swear on that being a strat! Loved the whole video approach, it would be great to see one with the sounds of Jazzmasters and the Filtertrone styled pickups.

[@mralvarodapollonio]

This is awesome Rhett, I was just looking for a goldtop p90s literally 5 minutes before your new video notification came up. Thanks for all the amazing job you're doing on your channel. You're such an inspiring value for all the guitar community especially for younger generations. No plan B.

[@tjmacworship-team1208]

I'm officially shocked! Gilmour played a P-90 gold top. WAAAAAY back in 1980 I was trying to emulate that sound on a P-90 LP junior and got so very close. And I would tell people it would sound right if I had a Strat! wow. Thanks, Rhett, once again you have been a major confidence booster! Great info and excellent video!

[@robrdavis]

I'm really liking the "What is the sound" series. I'm learning so much from them. Great idea.

[@jray5363]

Always loved the sound of P90’s! It’s nice to learn a little more about them. Thank You!

[@stevecowles8073]

Thanks for the run through. Very helpful and informative

[@MaartenBrinkerink]

I like your taste in tone Sir. Your series covers one of my personal favorites again. Great video, thanks for posting!

[@Matthordika]

The Brick in the Wall solo is such a great example of what makes the P90 special. Its a sound only a P90 can really do. Really glad you made this video, I always wanted to know more about these pickups!

[@justinpridham7919]

As I got older and developed my own taste for guitar sounds and quit focusing on aesthetics the P90 became my favorite

[@DanCooz323]

Same here! I put one into a buddy's LP (SD Phat Cat), and it was incredible! I ended up getting an LP Classic with P90s (and modded it already!).

[@rockncenter]

Fantastic review of an historical pickup and quality of sound that is very notable...The P90 Sound. Thanks for your time on this journey of what makes guitar players "Joy" of playing, Loud, Clean, Distortion, and just unreal!!! Keep it up! JD

[@PhreddCrintt]

Brilliant. Thank you so much for this video. Answered SO many questions I had in my head.

[@fivewattworld]

My two PRS 25th Anniversary 245’s. They beg for new pickups ..,then I play them and they just sound so sweet just as they are.

[@JasonChannell]

Keith, I need one of those now.

[@johndkeene]

Slightly off topic, but PRS made a "narrowfield" pickup on the 25th anniversary line that was billed as humbucker style P90's. Have several guitars with those pickups. Quite awesome to my ears.

[@OnTheOne.]

Two! but I thought we were trying to get the most music from the least gear ;)

[@karlcarlsburg9641]

I don't think they beg for new pickups if every time you play them they sound sweet... I think you're just gear obsessed and have a hard time being happy with what you have.

[@hugomolinaOG]

They're not begging for nothing man. As u said, they're perfect already. 💚

[@spideymarino]

For me, the classic sound of a p90 is Leslie West of Mountain fame. Killer tone. Great vid Rhett.

[@flamulated]

Mississippi Queen!!!

[@StarQueenEstrella]

Agreed! That is the Les Paul Junior sound defined!

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

I think that’s true of most of us who grew up playing, or learning to play during that time frame. But one of the problems back then was that the Internet was still decades away, and the only way to find out what our guitar heroes were playing with was, 1. By the incredibly inaccurate way of studying every album cover and sleeve, and pray that the guitars and amps in the photos actually were what they were usually playing live and in the studio. 2. Subscribing to Guitar Player Magazine (the only guitar mag way back then,) and pray that the interviewer asked them about their equipment, and 3. Never miss any of their concerts. (Definitely the most fun choice!) I remember him saying in the GP Mag interview that his main axe was a ‘50s (don’t remember what year) Les Paul Jr., and another Jr that was his backup which, while it sounded great, wasn’t as great as his main. But I *SWORE* back then that he lied like a thief about the amp he played through! In fact, nobody believed it...until they attended the concert. The story West told is that they opened the boxes that were supposed to contain the Marshall amps and cabs he (and damn near everybody else back then) always used live and in the studio, but what he found was the Sunn P.A. amp we’ve all heard about by now, along with four 4 X 12 cabs... He went on in the interview, talking about how he wondered WTF he was gonna do because he could NEVER get a good sound out of that equipment, much less a *great* sound...but those old Sunn P.A. heads had four input level controls (basically the same as a Gain control today,) and a Master Volume control, just like guitar amps would eventually have in the future. Yep, guitar amps by and large usually had only a volume control with no preamp gain control stage. Nobody was more surprised at the sound he got so easily, than Leslie West, himself, and the best thing about it...? Nobody else sounded like him with a “student guitar and one P90 pickup,” because nobody else was using a P.A., and most of all, nobody else had his hands.

[@stickman33]

@@StarQueenEstrella Vastly under-appreciated guitars by many. I've shown up for jams with an LP Jr. and early smirks turn to appreciation by the end of the jam.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

@@flamulated I know what you mean!

[@MarbsMusic]

After almost 40 years of playing I recently picked up a Reverend 290 and I'm exploring this P90 sound... I have to say not only are they VERY versatile but they sound amazing with your Helix patches that I have found myself using over and over again the past 18 months when playing live. Kudos to all the work you put into them!

[@facubesteiro]

I was just f8cking expecting you to talk about that solo, and then you go and just play it. I just love it. Great vid,

[@TheMichaelCox]

I can't believe you didn't mention The Beatles - Paul, George, and John all bought Epiphone Casinos, and John in particular used his Casino a ton from 1966 on, famously playing it at the rooftop concert in Let It Be. Paul McCartney played the leads on Ticket to Ride, Drive My Car, and Taxman on his Casino, and 2 of the 3 guitars in the "The End" solo "battle" were John and Paul on Casinos.

[@bobbystereo936]

Maybe? He could have used his tele. The same 1 he used during this era for Mccartney 1

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

You are correct on all counts except for the solo on Taxman was Paul playing a Gibson SG through a dimed ac30. I got that information from the Beatles recording gear

[@DanielPalmisano1]

There's also that reggae guy... Bob Marley

[@carloschon]

Pete Townshend's tone during the Tommy era is my favorite P90 tone.

[@JeremyJames_studio]

i love that tone too...Townshend himself wasn’t a fan though, he expected all the Tommy guitars to be re-recorded but it never happened.

[@edwardleaver7838]

@@JeremyJames_studio Producers can be soooooo clueless.

[@ladyofthelake3382]

Man, I am so glad I found your channel, I'm learning so much about all kinds of gear. All the questions i had, answered. Thank you! I just about bought a gold top p90 Les Paul earlier this year but decided to get a humbucker one instead (which I absolutely adore and don't regret getting one little bit), but I think a gold top p90 just went back on the list ...

[@GoLongboardBroseph]

Rhett, I cant thank you enough for the knowledge you pursue and share. Thank you!

[@ollielloyd4566]

'What is the Gretsch sound?' Next?

[@annekedebruyn7797]

He can't. It will destroy Gibson and Fender's market. Tho that gold top gibson with P90's will always be the best looking guitar to me no matter how much I love the Duo Jets.

[@ollielloyd4566]

@@annekedebruyn7797 Yes in my time i've played les paul's, telecasters and strats but haven't found anything as good as Gretsch

[@Cadet44642]

I'm pretty sure my wife just bought me a Gretsch for Christmas. fingers crossed.

[@annekedebruyn7797]

@@Cadet44642 Can I borrow your wife in that case? Lucky man if she does that for you!

[@Cadet44642]

@@annekedebruyn7797 She has bought all of my favorite gear. Most of my favorite gear. The best story is she wanted a dog. We mad a bargain. I get a guitar she can get the dog. The dog is gone because it kept biting our kids. But, I still have the guitar. She is the best. 15 years strong.

[@christyrpak4378]

I have always found a P90 to be a brilliant marriage between the spank of a single coil and the balls of a humbucker.

[@mcd5778]

Yes he meant the literal testicles of a male human being lol Relax.

[@alexad7570]

yep, thats why the p90 spank balls!

[@GlennJimenez]

Amen

[@mihailmilev9909]

@@alexad7570 couldn't be said better

[@karterdowd606]

And I love my some spanky balls

[@domg9186]

Thanks for the information to you & Jim! Always learnin! 🤙🏼

[@zippy61]

Really enjoyed this! Great job !! Thanks

[@bigbrownhouse6999]

9:24 I’m sold! Hearing that guitar solo was what convinced me to pick up the electric guitar when I was 14. I’ve always wondered why I couldn’t ever get that exact sound out of a strat.

[@markschuth8036]

Thank you Rhett. Been playing almost 30 years and nobody told me I needed p90s. Just got Epi LP P90 today. $119 and is as fun as any $1000 guitar I've played. Kinda hurt it took so long. Perfect for me. I'll get over it when I pick it back up.

[@dwalsh2112]

Great video, thank you. I really enjoy your series on this stuff. Very informative. Be well.

[@RockerThomas]

Great overview, Rhett! Thanks for these videos - they pacify the inner geek in all of us : )

[@woodyboley9785]

Found you from a shout out on Home Skoolin’ with Uncle Larry and just wanna say thanks. What you do is noble and generous. Yer videos are awesome. Ride On.

[@Bixll09]

Just finished my SG upgrade to P-90's.. Love it. After my Classic Tele build, I am on to the P-90 Tele build. Love the tone. Thank You for the channel. I am a new guitar player, well, 7 years now. Totally have GAS...

[@DennisMike]

This was amazingly good. You are an excellent presenter!

[@bobdobslob]

I had no idea about the Brick solo! That's awesome, explains a lot.

[@edwardjamyangmacarchick1847]

I know what Gilmour used, but all of my Strat clones come pretty close to it.

[@MrFatshit6]

P90s are easily my favorite pickup. I purchased a Hagstrom F200P and always find myself gravitating toward that guitar when I want to play, over all of my other instruments.

[@raypreseau2047]

Great vid bro. Thank you. Im a p 90 fanatic and enjoyed your input on the legacy of the perfect pick up.

[@rcolang1]

Rhett, recently discovered your channel thru Rick Beato, love your tone, playing and you were built to speak publicly....love this series and the channel......your solo on Paul Davids channel was awesome....be well and thanks!

[@victorleon3173]

My first real guitar was a Gibson sg special with P-90s. This was stolen years later but I recently found another. I absolutely love its sound, there is nothing else that comes close.

[@PANICBLADE]

P90s and Hiwatts were the Live at Leeds tone, probably one of the most dynamic combos ever.

[@schmoemi3386]

Plus Pete's fingers...👍 😄

[@PANICBLADE]

@@schmoemi3386 Goes without saying. Saying Pete Townshend is good at guitar is like saying grass is green in spring.

[@dylandenney3980]

@@PANICBLADE u ain't lyin'.

[@davidewing2485]

@Marcel Funny you should say that. I actually did jump head first into the ceiling once from being inspired by Pete. It was the opening chord to Have You Seen the Real Me. With guitar in hand I jumped off my coffee table, imitating Pete, forgetting that the coffee table put me only a few inches from the ceiling. I came to a few seconds later with the popcorn insulation in my hair.

[@robmac6508]

Pete Townshend - the Who used this same setup (guitar/amp) at Woodstock also in August 1969. Listen to Sparks from Woodstock. That Classic Guitar sound.

[@johnnewman8412]

Great vid! Nice to see this, arguably underappreciated, pickup get the love it so richly deserves. For flat-out, snarling, roaring rock 'n 'fn roll nothing beats a P-90. And, as you show, it's versatile enough to cover just about any sonic territory you might need to visit. Nearly bankrupted myself getting my Les Paul '50's with P-90's, but over the last two years, when I reach for a guitar, that's the one I pick up 90% of the time.

[@tomandtheoutlaws]

David Gilmour’s 5am solo is a cracking P90 tone. Great version on Live at Pompeii.

[@SyntagmaStation]

Rhett, you’re definitely coming into your own as a true knowledge resource on KZbin. Good stuff.

[@popogejo7245]

Have to agree! Rhett is becoming mi go-to watch

[@davidneath8194]

As always, very informative and great vid!

[@planoflyer]

Thanks for the Informative description of the P90s. I bought a new Les Paul reissue (57 I think) with P90s back in about 2017 as my first electric and I had no idea what the differences were. Excellent description.

[@joetamm]

Classic P90 tones; Leslie West, Charlie Hargrett on Blackfoot’s first two albums, The Henry Paul Band Feel the Heat album, Martin Barre Aqualung solo, Pete Townsend Live at Leeds.

[@titi64230]

Albert King hide away, the doors, sean costello

[@robertstager6538]

Pete Townsend Live at Leeds sound reverberates for me, big time. Love me some P90s with their snarl and attitude. Also love Gretsch style pups, with that 'in between' (between single coils and humbuckers) sound that has some treble bite and midrange snarl.

[@oldschool1107]

Black sabbath

[@Mr68Strat]

I own a '76 Hagstrom Swede that I modified with a Filtertron at the bridge and a P90 at the neck. The two p'ups blend so beautifully for my clean tones that it's become my go-to clean guitar over the other 3, very fine guitars in my collection (Epiphone 335 Deluxe with LR Baggs T bridge - close second... / '69 Strat / Squier CV Tele thinline). Love ALL these instruments, but there's something so inspiring about the P90 neck tone... :-))

[@Sogeking995]

Great video! I have always been mesmerized by that exact Gilmore solo, and is the main reason why P90’s are also my favorite.

[@toneshop]

When I got a Gibson '56 reissue, I fell in love with the P-90's on the middle position. Just heavenly!

[@geeksuperstar8564]

This is great. Now "What is the sound of the Firebird" PLEAAAASE.

[@less_concerned1221]

I liked Pete Townshend’s tones playing an SG with P90’s into a cranked Hiwatt!!!!

[@N01NP]

Indeed - as he did at Woodstock.

[@deadbang241]

Super interesting ! Your voice is so easy to listen to ! Thanks Rhett

[@richardgriffithsmusic]

Great video. Thanks for sharing!

[@maggieo]

When I think of P-90s, I think of Pete Townshend thrashing his SG Special on "Live At Leeds." Heaven.

[@CommonGroundser]

yeah, I was gonna say... Let's not forget their performance of "A Quick One" for the Rolling Stones' Rock n Roll Circus, as well.

[@alexpurcell2012]

That’s blown my mind. That has always been one of my favourite solos, guitar tones and the main reason I bought a Strat! 😂

[@wesboundmusic]

Same here, Alex! Not in a million years would have had an idea it might have been anything BUT a Strat! Blew my mind, too!

[@chriswhitehurstrealestate]

always like your videos-so informative...EVERYTIME

[@keithbirdsong1036]

Always have been drawn to the more distorted sounds but there will be a P90 loaded guitar in my rack before the end of next year. Thank you for the information. Very useful stuff

[@TheTwangKings]

Totally agree that P90s are very versatile. Once you get over that "weird vintage guitar" look, you realize that they sound very good and articulate really well. You don't get the muddiness you sometimes get with humbuckers, yet they have that big tone. That's why they work well for jazz and fusion in solidbody guitars. I've got a pair of Seymour Duncan P90s in my Godin LG, and it sounds like a jazz-box in the neck position. At the same time they've got some nasty rockabilly bite in the middle, and cool surf tone in the bridge.

[@sergioserramusic]

That Gilmour solo discovery shook my reality like nothing else in the last few years. How did I not know that?!

[@johnjenkins8782]

Blasphemy I say!!

[@anmolatwal]

For me, i was shocked early one when i found out that the comfortably numb solo was a strat and not a les paul!!

[@1badsteed]

@@anmolatwal and I thought that pinched harmonic at the beginning of the 2nd solo (the greatest guitar solo ever) on Comfortably Numb screamed Fender Strat!

[@redielg]

I thought it was common knowledge

[@christurner4392]

Actually a 54 gold top, wrap around tailpiece

[@jmanxoom]

Thank you for this video. I learned so much.

[@amziadi]

Nice job on Third Stone From The Sun. Loved your take!

[@leftyguitarist8989]

You forgot to mention Tony Iommi, who used a 1965 Gibson SG Special with 2 P90's on the vast majority of Black Sabbath's first 6 albums.

[@jplew138]

Word 👊

[@alexlogan124]

Actually they aren’t p90s, they’re custom pickups made from a luthier named John Birch

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

@@alexlogan124 The John Birch Simplux was still a P-90 style single coil and it was only the neck pickup. A regular Gibson P-90 was in the bridge position.

[@juniorfreitas15]

Vol. 4 was recorded with a Les Paul with standard humbucker pickups

[@leftyguitarist8989]

@@juniorfreitas15 What evidence do you have for this?

[@dr103]

Pete Townshend+SG Special+Univox Superfuzz+HIWATT= Stellar Tone

[@jcavender00]

I recently bought a Gibson LP Traditional Pro that has P-90s. Incredible sounding guitar, love it!

[@gotogsm]

Dude! Love your videos! Thank you!

[@brandonlesko3126]

The P90 sound is the sound of pure awesomeness.

[@richardlynch5632]

Mountain's Mississippi Queen. Leslie Wests usage of the P90 was a huge part of that sound if not mistaken?

[@cvfunnsixspeed9213]

Nice, informative video! Enjoyed it.

[@tenthirtythreego]

Sweet lesson bro. I got P90’s in my 70’s era Les Pauls and they sound money through my Bassman. I appreciate you covering the details on them👍🏼✊🏼🤘🏼

[@billwhitton500]

Leslie West....his tone , along with superb playing was a huge endorsement of P90 tone...influencing guys like Mick Ralphs & others...two superb examples....Mick's solo on Mott the Hoople's version of " Sweet Jane."...Leslie on Mountain's " theme for an imaginary western "....both probably Les Paul juniors.....both are magical solos with classic P90 tone....

[@richienicosia1986]

Thanks for mentioning Leslie West!

[@tedjinks9224]

im liking these specific deep dives into pickups, they have such a huge impact on guitar tone. "what is the tele sound" would be great

[@chrisstringfellow4756]

Rhett, that Novo sounds so amazing! I'm currently working specs for a custom build with pine body and double P-90s.

[@bear59guitars33]

Awesome explanation Rhett. Thanks for another great video!

[@keentobekeane3712]

Tittle : "What Is The "P90" Sound?" me a CSGO player : BBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[@hydro5168]

That was a killer rendition of Third stone from the sun holy heck

[@timmungenast]

Thanks for another good and useful video, Rhett. This one also reminds me of what a good player you are (no flies on your friends!).

[@freddiebowers1125]

Great video thanks for your hard work 🤙

[@jaybee4694]

You're like Rick Beato and Five Watt World's son; and I actually kinda love it.

[@johnnymovz]

Best comment ever...!

[@jpalberthoward9]

The neck pickup on my P90 Goldtop is slightly under potted. You can't talk into it, but if you stand facing away from the amp, (I use my Tweed Tremolux) and crank it, then turn and walk slowly towards the speaker, the sustain will gradually morph into an amazing feedback that's totally controllable, depending on which way you're facing, the volume control, and your vibrato. Harmonics explode off of my fingers, and it all goes away with hand damping. If you ever come across a P90 guitar that has an under potted pickup like that, or even just the pickup itself, grab it. You'll have lots of fun with it.

[@lqr824]

That description sounds totally like regular feedback, not microphonics.

[@Randy-jz9ox]

It sounds like what Jared James Nichols has going on with his 52 gold top. Unbelievably killer feedback!

[@jpalberthoward9]

@@lqr824 Whatever it is, it's totally useable and controllable, and that makes it a useful addition to the sonic pallete.

[@lqr824]

@@jpalberthoward9 sure, I believe that it has great feedback! I'm just saying it's probably not due to pickup potting.

[@jpalberthoward9]

@@lqr824 You might be right, but whatever it is, it rides that saturation/cutoff curve that you see in the old tube books. The little ridges in your fingers that make your fingerprints will generate those harmonics, and the spot you choose for your right hand is all the EQ you need. The tone knob on a Tremolux doesn't do much anyway. This is the poster rig for "Less is More" Pedals? What's a pedal? I have two on the bike. People with no technique hate this rig.

[@robbiejaster8743]

Hey Rhett, I love the P90 sound! I have a '78 Les Paul Pro, and it originally came with the P90 soapbars. At the time, I felt they had a little too much hum for my liking, and I ended up swapping them out for a couple of drop-in Seymour Duncan humbuckers. I now build guitars, and after watching this video, I want to once again put those same soapbars (which I thankfully kept) into a new build. Thanks for what you do!

[@ngsanfo7927]

Didn’t know you were a fan of that great classic punk, Rhett. Makes me like you and your channel even more. A early punk Backstage Live would be EPIC!!

[@mattwilliams3104]

Just bought my first P90! A Yamaha revstar. Super stoked to get to learn its nuances

[@theramatube]

is it the RS02T? That thing is such a beauty!

[@JosephGallagher]

How is it a year in?

[@robjgolde3221]

I’m a simple man. I see a video about P90’s and I click.

[@tyrssen1]

Likewise!

[@davidclark3603]

Wow!......that was absolutely brilliant that. Thanks!!

[@loombaron]

nice video and good playing, thanks!

[@juangi_mx6774]

For some reason, before you said Another brick in the wall, i thought about that song, it was mindblowing lol

[@edwardjamyangmacarchick1847]

Gilmour is my favorite guitarist and a great vocalist!