The P90 pickup stands as one of the most iconic innovations in electric guitar history. First introduced by Gibson in 1946 this single-coil pickup design revolutionized the way musicians approached their sound delivering a raw powerful tone that sits between traditional single-coils and humbuckers.
Guitars equipped with P90 pickups have graced countless classic recordings across multiple genres from blues and rock to jazz and punk. Notable artists like Carlos Santana Pete Townshend and Paul Westerberg have relied on P90-equipped guitars to craft their signature sounds. The pickup’s distinctive warm growl and enhanced midrange response continue to captivate players seeking an alternative to mainstream pickup options.
P90 Guitar
P90 pickups feature a wide, flat single-coil design with adjustable pole pieces underneath a plastic or metal cover. These pickups consist of unique components that create their distinctive warm tonal characteristics.
History and Origins of P90s
Gibson Electric Instrument Company introduced the P90 pickup in 1946 as their standard electric guitar pickup. The P90 emerged during the post-World War II period when instrument manufacturers shifted from pre-war components to newer materials. This pickup design replaced Gibson’s earlier “Charlie Christian” pickup model used in their ES-150 guitars from 1936.
Key developments in P90 history:
1946: First appearance on Gibson ES-125 models
1952: Standard equipment on Gibson Les Paul models
1957: Replaced by PAF humbuckers on premium Gibson models
1968: Reintroduction on Gibson Les Paul Professional models
Single-Coil vs P90 Design
P90 pickups differ from traditional Fender-style single-coils in several technical aspects:
Physical characteristics:
Wider bobbin (90mm vs 70mm)
Shorter, wider coil configuration
Approximately 10,000 winds of 42-gauge wire
Flat alnico magnets instead of rod magnets
Higher output than standard single-coils
Enhanced midrange frequencies
Thicker bass response
Less treble emphasis
Increased harmonic content
Feature
P90 Pickup
Standard Single-Coil
Wire Turns
~10,000
~7,600
Resistance
7.5-8.5kΩ
5.5-6.5kΩ
Magnet Type
Alnico V Bar
Alnico Rod Poles
Bobbin Width
90mm
70mm
The Distinctive P90 Sound
P90 pickups create a unique sonic signature that combines the clarity of single-coils with the power of humbuckers. The P90’s tonal profile delivers a raw, organic sound that’s become a staple in numerous musical genres.
Tonal Characteristics
P90 pickups produce thick mids, punchy lows, and crisp high frequencies. These pickups generate a distinctive growl when overdriven, creating warm harmonics at higher gain settings. The output sits between traditional single-coils (6.5k-7.5k ohms) and humbuckers (8k-9k ohms), with P90s typically measuring around 7.5k-8.5k ohms.
Frequency Range
P90 Characteristics
Low-end
100-400 Hz – Fat, tight response
Mid-range
400-2kHz – Pronounced, aggressive
High-end
2kHz+ – Clear, detailed
Popular Music Styles for P90s
P90 pickups excel in these musical genres:
Blues rock: Enhanced midrange cuts through dense mixes
Garage rock: Raw, uncompressed attack suits aggressive playing
Jazz fusion: Warm clean tones with articulate note definition
Alternative rock: Balanced frequency response suits diverse playing styles
Clean settings showcase bell-like harmonics
Medium gain produces thick rhythm textures
High gain delivers saturated leads with defined note separation
Palm muting creates focused percussive attack
String harmonics ring with enhanced sustain
Famous Guitars Equipped with P90s
P90-equipped guitars have played a significant role in shaping modern music through their distinctive tonal characteristics. These instruments have appeared on countless recordings spanning multiple decades.
Gibson Les Paul Models
The Gibson Les Paul Junior introduced in 1954 featured P90 pickups in a single-cutaway mahogany body design. Notable P90-equipped Les Paul models include:
Les Paul Special (1955) with dual P90 pickups in a double-cutaway design
Les Paul Standard (1952-1957) featuring P90s before switching to humbuckers
Les Paul TV Model with its distinctive yellow finish showcasing P90s
Les Paul Special Double Cut in Cherry Red with dual P90s
Les Paul BFG series incorporating P90s in modern configurations
Gibson ES-330 with dual P90s in a hollow body design
Yamaha Revstar series featuring P90-style pickups
Epiphone Casino used by The Beatles during their later recordings
Gibson SG Special with P90s in various configurations
Gretsch Jet models equipped with FilterTron-sized P90s
Guild S-100 Polara featuring dual P90 pickups
Reverend Guitars’ signature models with P90-style pickups
Guitar Model
Year Introduced
Configuration
Les Paul Junior
1954
Single P90
Les Paul Special
1955
Dual P90s
ES-330
1959
Dual P90s
Casino
1961
Dual P90s
Modern P90 Pickup Manufacturers
Contemporary manufacturers produce P90 pickups in various configurations to meet diverse tonal preferences. The market includes both established companies and boutique builders who create P90s using different materials, winding techniques, and magnet types.
Boutique vs Mass Production Options
Boutique P90 manufacturers focus on handcrafted pickups with premium materials:
Lollar Pickups: Creates custom-wound P90s with Alnico magnets using period-correct materials
Bare Knuckle Pickups: Offers hand-wound P90s with multiple magnet options in vintage or modern configurations
Seymour Duncan Antiquity: Produces aged P90s that replicate the sound of classic 1950s pickups
Mass production manufacturers provide cost-effective P90 options:
Gibson Electronics: Manufactures standard P90s for their production guitars
Kent Armstrong: Supplies OEM P90 pickups to multiple guitar brands
GFS (Guitar Fetish): Produces budget-friendly P90s with consistent quality
Feature
Boutique P90s
Mass-Produced P90s
Price Range
$150-300+
$40-120
Build Time
2-4 weeks
Immediate availability
Customization
Extensive options
Limited options
Consistency
Hand-tested
Machine-tested
Warranty
Lifetime
1-2 years
Popular Guitar Players Using P90s
P90 pickups have shaped the signature sounds of numerous influential guitarists across multiple decades. These musicians showcase the versatility of P90s through their distinctive playing styles and tonal preferences.
Classic Rock Icons
Pete Townshend of The Who utilized P90-equipped Gibson SG Specials during the band’s early years, creating powerful rhythm tones on tracks like “My Generation” and “I Can See for Miles”
Leslie West of Mountain relied on P90-loaded Gibson Les Paul Juniors to achieve his thick, sustaining lead tones on “Mississippi Queen”
Carlos Santana played a P90-equipped Gibson SG Special during the Woodstock festival, delivering his signature smooth sustain
John Lennon favored his Gibson J-160E acoustic-electric with a P90 pickup for both studio and live performances with The Beatles
Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols created punk rock history using a P90-equipped Gibson Les Paul Custom on “Never Mind the Bollocks”
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day employs Gibson Les Paul Juniors with P90s for his driving punk rock sound on albums like “American Idiot”
Warren Haynes incorporates Gibson Les Paul Special DCs with P90s into his blues-rock arsenal with Gov’t Mule and The Allman Brothers Band
James McNew of Yo La Tengo uses an Epiphone Casino with P90s to create atmospheric indie rock textures
Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys achieves his raw blues-rock tone through various P90-equipped guitars
Matt Pike of High On Fire and Sleep relies on Les Paul Juniors with P90s for his heavy doom metal riffs
Installing P90s in Your Guitar
Installing P90 pickups transforms a guitar’s sonic capabilities through a systematic replacement process. The installation requires specific measurements, tools, and wiring knowledge to achieve optimal performance.
Retrofit Considerations
P90 pickups require specific routing dimensions of 1.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches long for proper fitment. Standard humbucker cavities demand modification through precise routing to accommodate P90 dimensions. Guitars with Stratocaster-style single-coils need expanded cavities plus a new pickguard designed for P90 specifications.
Key measurements for P90 installation:
Cavity depth: 0.75 inches minimum
Mounting ring height: 0.25 inches
Pole piece spacing: 50mm (bridge) 52mm (neck)
Mounting screw locations: 82.5mm center-to-center
Wiring Basics
P90 pickups connect to guitar circuits through two primary wires plus a ground shield. The standard wiring configuration includes:
Essential connections:
Hot lead (typically white/red) to volume potentiometer
Ground wire (black) to back of potentiometer
Shield wire to ground bridge
250k potentiometers for volume control
500k potentiometers for brighter tone response
Component
Value
Volume Pot
250k-500k Ω
Tone Pot
250k-500k Ω
Capacitor
0.022µF
Output Jack
1/4″ mono
The P90 pickup stands as a testament to timeless guitar innovation. Its distinctive blend of warmth gritty midrange and raw power continues to captivate musicians across genres. From vintage Gibson models to modern boutique offerings these pickups provide a unique sonic palette that’s impossible to replicate.
Whether in the hands of rock legends like Pete Townshend or modern artists like Dan Auerbach P90s prove they’re not just relics of the past. Their versatility and character make them an excellent choice for players seeking something beyond traditional single-coils or humbuckers. The P90’s legacy lives on as both a practical tool for tone-seeking guitarists and an integral part of music history.
