As much as we would like to believe that playing an instrument is a creative person's pastime, a lot of how an instrument works is based on physics. The P90 guitar takes advantage of the unique properties of this type of pickup to create a sound that is both musical and distinctive.
P90 pickups were first introduced in 1946 by Gibson. They are made with a single coil of wire wrapped around a magnet, which gives them a unique sound that is often described as "fat" or "punchy." P90s are known for producing a wide range of tones, from clean and bright to dirty and grungy. They are also relatively inexpensive, making them a popular choice for budget-minded guitarists.
Additionally, P90 pickups are a fantastic option if you're looking for a great vintage tone with modern-day reliability. There's a reason they've been around since the 1950s and are still one of the most popular types of pickups today. In this guide, we're going to look at what makes P90 pickups so special and some of the best models on the market.
What are P90's Good For?
P90 pickups are best known for their bright, clear tone with plenty of midrange growl. They're often described as sounding between a single-coil and a humbucker, giving you the best of both worlds. P90 pickups are also very versatile, able to be used for genres ranging from country to metal.
The clear, bright tone of P90 pickups makes them a great choice for players who want to be heard in a band setting. The midrange growl gives them extra punch and helps them cut through the mix. P90 pickups are also suitable for players who want to add some grit and distortion to their sound without sacrificing clarity.
P90 Vs Humbucker Pickups
P90 pickups are often compared to humbucker pickups, as they both offer a great vintage tone with modern-day reliability. However, there are some key differences between these two types of pickups.
Humbucker pickups are typically known for their warm, smooth tone with less midrange growl. They're often described as sounding darker than P90 pickups. Humbucker pickups are also less versatile than P90s, as they're not as well-suited for genres like country and metal.
P90 pickups are better for players who want a brighter, clearer tone with a more midrange growl. They're also more versatile and can be used for a wider range of genres. If you're unsure which type of pickup is best for you, it's always best to try out both and see which one you prefer.
Now that we've gone over what makes P90 pickups so special, if you're looking for a great P90 pickup guitar, then check out our list of the best guitars with p90s below:
TOP P90 GUITAR
BEST P90 GUITAR REVIEW
1. GROTE JAZZ HOLLOW BODY GUITAR WITH P90 PICKUPS
PRODUCT DETAILS
The Grote Jazz is a great option for players looking for a vintage P90 tone with modern-day reliability. This 24.75 inches Full-Scale Size guitar with a contoured Body, Double Cutaway, and Set-in Neck Joint makes it an excellent guitar for any player. Let's elaborate on this.
The body and neck of this guitar are made of mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard. The guitar has a nice finish that looks great on stage or in the studio.
The Grote Jazz P90 guitar has a set-in neck joint that gives easy access to the upper frets and makes this guitar very comfortable. Also, it is equipped with two P90 pickups, each with its volume and tone control.
This gives you a lot of flexibility in shaping your sound. It also has a three-way pickup selector switch so that you can choose between the neck pickup, the bridge pickup, or both pickups simultaneously.
When the strings are not tight, there is less danger of damage during transit. The package comes with an adjustment tool, allowing you to change the guitar string independently. Also, you can choose the color of your Grote Jazz to match your style.
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2. YAMAHA PACIFICA PAC611VFM - BEST P90 GUITAR OF ALL TIME
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Coming up next is another best P90 guitar for people who want quality and durability. Yamaha Pacifica PAC611VFM TBL is a great-sounding guitar that sports a solid alder body with a flamed maple veneer top, providing excellent tone and sustain and a rosewood fingerboard that promises rich, full sound.
The guitar also has a vintage tremolo system that gives it a vintage look and feel. The best thing about this guitar is its price tag, which is very reasonable.
A pair of Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro humbucking pickups give the Yamaha P90 guitar plenty of tonal range, while a push-pull coil tap on the tone control provides single-coil tones. A Wilkinson VS100 vibrato bridge rounds out this guitar's great appointments. Also, this p 90 guitar has some premium features and stellar sound that will awe you.
This guitar is perfect for those looking for a durable and high-quality instrument. This premium-looking ax also delivers an exceptional tone and sustain and is an excellent choice for those who want a guitar that has a vintage look and feel.
Overall, I would say this Yamaha's Pacifica guitar with premium features, great playability, and stunning good looks is a good bet at this amazing price.
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3. GODIN 5TH AVENUE KINGPIN ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR
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The Godin 5th Avenue Guitar is a vintage-style instrument that will turn heads when you play it. With a comfortable round shoulder design, the 5th Avenue is perfect for those who want to get the best possible sound out of the guitar.
The P90 pickups give this guitar a warm, rich tone, perfect for jazz and blues. The Cognac Burst finish looks amazing, and the overall Quality of this guitar is top-notch.
This guitar bundle combines a gorgeous acoustic-electric guitar with a fantastic collection of free extras, including Snark Clip-On Tuner, Capo, Picks, and Polishing Cloth. This guitar also has an adjustable Tusq bridge by Graphtech, which gives it excellent intonation. The guitar itself is a work of art, with a beautiful cognac burst finish and intricate wood inlays.
But it's not just about looks - this guitar sounds incredible too, thanks to the P90 pickups that give it a rich, whole tone. And with the included hard case, strap, and tuner, you'll be ready to hit the stage or studio right out of the box.
If you're looking for an acoustic-electric guitar as stylish as it is playable, you need the 5th Avenue Kingpin P90.
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4. GUILD GUITAR I JET 90 - BEST SEMi HOLLOW BODY GUITAR WITH P90 PICKUPS
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Guild I JET is the best P-90 guitar for those who want a vintage vibe without sacrificing quality or playability. The Starfire I Jet 90 is a throwback to Guild's legendary models of yesteryear, continuing the Guild tradition of excellence and value.
This p-90 features a comfortable C shape with a laminated mahogany body and neck with a rosewood fretboard and two of their vintage PAF-style pickups.
From the street-smart Florentine cutaway to its sleek dual humbuckers, the Guild Starfire I Jet 90 is one of the coolest semi-hollow body electric guitars.
The pair of Guild HB-2 pickups give you plenty of crunches and bite for rockin' tones, and the Jet 90 also features a Guild Tremolo bridge system for smooth vibrato action. The result is a warm and full-bodied tone that's perfect for any style of music. The Starfire I Jet 90 comes with a hardshell case, making it a great value for the money.
The six-way rotary switch allows players to dial in a wide range of tones from the HB-2 pickups, while the Guild Tremolo bridge system provides smooth vibrato action.
If you're looking for a great semi-hollow body electric guitar with an elegant look, the Guild Starfire I Jet 90 is worth checking out.
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5. FENDER MUSTANG 90 - BEST P90 GUITAR UNDER $1000
PRODUCT DETAILS
This is a superb guitar for those looking for their first P-90, or indeed any guitarists after a great value P-90 instrument. It's got a comfortable 24" scale length, making it great for beginners or players with smaller hands. Plus, it has two Mustang MP-90 pickups for that classic Fender sound.
The 9.5" radius fingerboard is perfect for fast lead playing, and the six-saddle string-through-body hardtail bridge keeps your tuning stable. Master volume and tone controls, plus a three-way pickup switch, give you plenty of control over your sound. This Fender P90 guitar in Seafoam Green looks amazing and plays even better.
The addition of a five-way pickup selector switch and coil-split capability give this guitar even more versatility. Featuring an alder body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard, this guitar is perfect for those seeking a vintage-style P-90 guitar with modern playability.
The best thing about the Mustang 90 is undoubtedly its pair of MP-90 pickups. These fantastic single-coil pickups offer increased clarity and punchiness compared to traditional P-90s, making them perfect for various genres. If you're looking for a P-90 guitar that can do it all, the Mustang 90 is an ideal choice!
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6. GRETSCH G2622T-P90 GUITAR
PRODUCT DETAILS
The Gretsch G2622T-P90 Streamliner Center Block is a semi-hollow-body electric guitar that has been designed for the modern player. It is outfitted with all of the best features that Gretsch offers.
It is an excellent guitar for those looking for a versatile instrument that can be used for various genres. The semi-hollow body design provides excellent resonance and tone, while the Bigsby tailpiece adds a touch of vintage style.
The P-90 pickups offer power and clarity, making this guitar perfect for rock and blues styles. The Nato neck provides a comfortable and fast playing experience, while the laurel fingerboard adds a touch of class. The Master volume, master tone, individual pickup volume controls and three-position pickup toggle switch provide complete tone-shaping flexibility.
The Bigsby B70 vibrato tailpiece and Anchored Adjusto-Matic bridge give this guitar a great look and feel. The Stylized pickup bezels and radio arrow control knobs add a touch of style to the guitar. The Nickel hardware and available in Brownstone and Forge Glow with black pickguard or in Gunmetal with tortoise pickguard make this guitar perfect for any player.
This guitar is sure to please anyone looking for an instrument that looks great and sounds even better. Ultimately this is a great choice for any player who wants a versatile guitar that can handle any style of music.
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7. D'ANGELICO P90 GUITAR
PRODUCT DETAILS
If you're looking for a P-90 guitar that gives you the best of both worlds, then the D'Angelico 6 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar is the perfect instrument for you. This guitar features a basswood body with a matte stone finish that is sure to turn heads.
Additionally, it has an ovangkol fingerboard that provides a smooth, comfortable playing experience. Plus, with one single-coil pickup and two P-90 pickups, you'll have a wide range of tones to choose from.
The D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford is a high-performance solidbody electric guitar based on Bob Weir's top-of-the-line Deluxe model. This guitar is equipped with everything you need to get the best possible sound, whether you're playing at home or on stage.
With its versatile pickup configuration, this guitar can handle any genre of music with ease. So, if you're looking for a P-90 guitar that can do it all, then the Bob Weir Bedford is the perfect instrument for you.
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BUYERS GUIDE FOR BEST P90 GUITAR
Quality of the Pickup
The quality of the pickup is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a P-90 guitar. There are many different types of pickups available on the market, so it's important to choose one that will best suit your needs.
Materials & Build Quality of guitar
Another important factor to consider is the materials and build Quality of the guitar. You want to make sure that the guitar you purchase is built with high-quality materials that will last for years to come.
Playability
The playability of the guitar is also an important factor to consider. You want to make sure that the guitar is comfortable to play and that it has a smooth action.
Body Style
The body style of the guitar is also something to consider. There are many different styles of guitars available, so you want to make sure that you choose one that best suits your needs.
Price
Of course, you also need to consider your budget when purchasing a P-90 guitar. There are many different price points available, so be sure to find one that fits within your budget.
CONCLUSION
Now that you've read about some of the greatest p90 guitars on the market, it's time to make your decision. Consider the features that were important for you and find the guitar that best suits your needs. With so many best guitars with p90s available, you're sure to find the perfect P-90 guitar for your collection. Good luck and happy instrumenting!
Hello readers, welcome to my blog! I’m Stefan. I’m in hard love with the music and used to collect all kinds of musical instruments at my garage. While looking for the best instruments, initially, I’ve struggled a lot. Like me, some of you might be struggling to choose the best musical equipment. So, keep reading my articles and get the best musical instrument that is worth your pay.