Introduction:

QUICK RUNDOWN

If you are in a hurry here is a quick comparison:

1. Gibson Gear IMP9R-CC P-90 Single Coil with Creme Soapbar Cover (UNDER $200)

Gibson invented P90 pickups, so it’s only normal that the originals are superior when compared to others. This particular pickup is the best model in our review, as it offers a precise tone, balanced mid-section, and full, rich sound. Surely enough, it costs quite a lot, but the price is fair, considering that IMP9R-CC single coils are among the best in the series. This P90 pickup features the “soap-bar” design – a crème colored magnet that’s on point in regards to aesthetics and performance. Overall, you can’t make a mistake if you go with Gibson, especially if you’re looking for that twangy, slightly driven sound.   For more about Gibson Gear IMP9R check out customer reviews on Amazon.

2. Seymour Duncan SPH90 Phat Cat P90 Electric Guitar Pickup (UNDER $100)

Now, Seymour Duncan is a reputable brand, and, even though they might not have invented P90s, they surely make them good. Here we’re looking at SPH90 Phat Cat P90 pickup with Alnico 2 magnet and a single conductor cable – a perfect hardware setup for people who don’t mind paying top dollar. It features a beautiful nickel casing, amongst other things, which is decently durable. Overall, you’d have to search really hard to find a better P90 pickup in the price range – great performance, amazing aesthetics, and absolute reliability is the least you should expect from Seymour Duncan SPH90 Phat Cat. For more about Seymour Duncan SPH90 check out customer reviews on Amazon.

3. TFW Replacement Pickup Set – P90, Humbucker Size Set of 2 (UNDER $50)

This price range is filled with great P90 pickups, and TFW’s P90s are a perfect example of that. These pickups come in a set of two, which is why they’re considered as “replacements”. Surely enough, they offer full, defined sound, and they’ll capable of complementing virtually any axe you have. These are ceramic magnets that come fully equipped with necessary hardware, so just plug them in and play. They’re the size of a standard humbucker, and they bear some semblance to it in terms of design. Great for the cash, even though they’re far from perfect. For more about TFW Replacement P90 – Humbucker Size check out customer reviews on Amazon.

4. Kmise MI0159 Set of 2-Piece Cream Ivory Guitar P90 Soapbar Pickup (UNDER $20)

Kmise is, perhaps, the most successful brand of low-end pickups, and their MI0159 model is simply great for people who’re low on cash. Most people like the sound this pickup gives you, even though they’re physically a bit too large for some guitars. Overall, we can characterize the performance of MI0159 as decent, at best. They’re pretty neat in terms of aesthetics, as they feature the dog-ear design, but, as we said, they’re huge. Overall, great for experimenting, if you’re up for it.   For more about Kmise MI0159 check out customer reviews on Amazon.

5. Kmise A1861 P-90 Soapbar Single Coil Pickups Bridge and Neck Cream (BUDGET)

The last item on the menu is another product from Kmise – the A1861 P-90 soapbar pickup pair. Now, these pickups are some of the best in the price range, as they give a welcome boost to your tone, but they simply can’t compare to better pickups, like Gibson’s, or Seymour Duncan’s. Anyhow, the DC resistance of these pickups is estimated at 8,000, and they feature a pole spacing of 50 millimeters – which is pretty nice for a budget set of P-90 pickups.   For more about Kmise A1861 check out customer reviews on Amazon.

Most notable benefits of using p90 pickups

Getting the perfect sound is very hard, as you often have to balance between a good, deep bass output, not overly accentuated highs, and, of course, the biggest problem – clean, crispy mids. This is where P90 pickups come into play, as they offer a well-balanced soundstage, boosting your midsection without cutting out your attuned frequencies. Needless to say, if you’re trying to get the best from your guitar with easy mods, you might want to consider trying P90 pickups out. There are different price ranges for everyone to find what they’re looking for – from measly $20, to way over $200.

P90 pickups variations and types

There are three most common P90 pickup variations – the soap bar, the dog ear, and the humbucker casing:

If you’re looking for good magnets – the ones that are equally powerful as they are accurate, you are looking for P90 magnets. Even though they aren’t the latest name in technology, they’re counted among the best in various fields of performance. First of all, they’re extremely reliable, and you don’t have to worry about them dying on you when they’re most needed. Secondly, most P90 pickups are decently affordable – even the most expensive models don’t cost a fortune. Last, but not least – they sound amazing, and that’s a rule.