Re: good PAF-sounding humbucker to fit in P90 hole?

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Posted by Mark N on February 24, 1997 at 10:38:14:

In Reply to: good PAF-sounding humbucker to fit in P90 hole? posted by jeff
puryear on February 20, 1997 at 18:06:41:

: The ‘soapbar’ pickups on my 58ish Les Paul TV Special have very weak
output and
: tend to buzz; the magnets maybe have gotten weaker with age. Is it
cost-effective to get
: these pickups refitted with stronger magnets? I have a
: Duncan ‘hot’ soapbar in the bridge position; put it there 10 years ago. It
is plenty strong
: but still has serious buzzing.

: Better yet, can anyone suggest a warm vintage PAF-sounding pickup that
will
: fit into that narrow hole in the guitar?
:
: Thanks,
: Jeff

Jeff, there are a few options worth discussing, you can decide if any of
these suit you.

First, be aware that gibson makes a P-100…its a humbucker (fair output) in
a P-90 package… avail in cream or black. They work, but are not my
favorite.

Second, ever thought of the “mini-humbuckers” like those found in a LP
deluxe? They are real screamers when turned up loud, but dont really have
allot of low end warmth.

Third idea… for a price, seymoure duncan can & will wind anything…
including a “fat sounding, paf humbucker” in a mini-humbucker frame. He’s
done it before and the results are impressive…

Last idea… and actually, my favorite. This is a bit radical, but works
SOOOOO well, I’m surprised more people dont do this. Get a humbucker that
you like… duncan’s selection is about the best… DO NOT USE OLD GIBSON”S
FOR THIS! Next, remove the covers (duncans dont have covers, so ignore this
part). Carefully examine the “plate” on which the bobbins are mounted. You
will see “lips” bent up which hold the bobbins on the plate during assembly.
If you GENTLY clamp the pickup and file off that lip, the resulting modified
pickup will fit perfectly in a p90 hole… I’ve done this mod several times,
most recently on a goldtop that the owner (wisely) did not want to modify to
house big humbuckers. Like I said, this is a radical mod, but works very
very well… in fact I learned this idea From Seymoure Duncan (the man, not
the company) himself! Give it a try If you are brave!

Good luck!

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