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The REAL Difference Between High and Low Output P-90's

ThroBak Guitar Lounge

10,230 views

Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups. https://www.throbak.com/
High output P-90's vs low output P-90's, which is better? In episode 014 Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail debate whether a hot P-90 electric guitar pickup or a low output P-90 pickup is best in a P90 pickups comparison. In the Guitargument viewers see and hear the hotter ThroBak Special - SB P90 pickups in a Jack Briggs Apollo guitar and a ThroBak P90-DE 7.8k bridge pickup in a Gibson Les Paul Junior. Watch the live side by side playing comparison.

Pickups in video:
ThroBak Special-SB P90's in a Jack Briggs Apollo.
https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup-th...

ThroBak P90-DE 7.8k Dogear Bridge Pickup in a Gibson Les Paul Junior.
https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup-th...

Amp:
1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb
Pedal: Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive

In the tools and tips segment Jon Gundry shows the Hakko CHP-170 Micro Soft Wire Cutters.

Make sure to watch the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast each Saturday on YouTube.

ThroBak Electronics is a world leader in classic reproduction guitar pickups. To learn more visit.:
https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup.html
https://www.throbak.com/paf-pickups.html
https://www.throbak.com/stratocaster-...
https://www.throbak.com/telecaster-pi...
https://www.throbak.com/pedals.html
https://www.throbak.com/strings.html

0:00:00 Intro
0:05:41 ThroBak News - Ampeg Pickup Winder
0:11:41 Rorschach Riffs
0:21:33 The Guitargument: Hot P90's vs Low Output P90's
0:31:39 The Cool Down
0:32:09 ThroBak Special-SB P90 Pickups 8.8k Bridge, 7.8k Neck
0:36:35 ThroBak P90-DE 7.8k Bridge Pickup
0:44:19 Matthew's Musical Musings
0:54:33 Tools and Tips: Fine Wire Cutters CHP-170

Amazon Tool Links:
Hakko CHP-170 Micro Soft Wire Cutters
https://amzn.to/4osrX2Z
Lutz 15-in-1 Ratchet Screwdriver
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Virtuoso Premium Cleaner
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Jonard AT-6241 Amp Trim Pot Tool
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Guitar Pick Organizer
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TC Electronics Polytune 3 Mini
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D'Addario Eclipse Cello/Bass Tuner
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StewMac Micro-Mesh Touch Up Filing Stick
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Hosco Nut File Set
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Shinwa 150mm Steel Machinist Ruler
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Stew Mac Fretboard Finishing Oil
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Groove Tech Jack and Pot Wrench
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Grobet 4" Round Needle File Cut 0
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Weller Soldering Iron
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Weller Soldering Iron Tips Variety Pack
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Weller Wide ETD 4.8mm Soldering Tip
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Book Links:
The Ultimate Book of Blues Guitar Legends
https://amzn.to/3SZmzWD
Mike Campbell Heartbreaker Book
https://amzn.to/43zy9MR

ThroBak Electronics, located in Grand Rapids Michigan, was established in 2002 to bring the best of vintage tone back to the guitar player of today.ThroBak Electronics, located in Grand Rapids Michigan, was established in 2002 to bring the best of vintage tone back to the guitar player of today.

20 Comments

@NeverFullyDigital 1 year ago

I was listening to the podcast version of this until I heard a G&L bass was coming out then I went for a video to see.

@mattg3019 1 year ago

Cyril Jordan of the Flamin' Groovies is holding a Dan Armstrong lucite guitar on the cover of the Teenage Head album from 1970. First time I ever saw that guitar. Check out the video of Slow Death by the Groovies, both guitars are Armstrongs.

@mrcatfishjohnson 1 year ago

Here in Iqaluit, Nunavut, January and February are typically bitterly cold. Thanks to ThroBak, I’ve been able to stay warm by enjoying the Guitargument, both listening and watching.

@PascalDP 1 year ago

You’ve made me a 7k dogear last year for my JR and it’s now my main guitar. Tele on steroids, more so than a PAF Les paul to me. I find the way the dogear is set high near the strings on a JR and can’t be lowered unlike an Humbucker, It’s just too much compared to my other guitars when the pickup is hot. The bass gets quickly boomy, beeing a single coil near the string, because of the proximity effect and the uncompressed nature of the pickup. My 2 cents.

@paulmerry9715 1 year ago

Great podcast gents, informative read fun. I got all 4 at the 2nd run.

@IAmGumbyDammit 11 months ago

I was expecting a hotter hot P90 for your demo!

Epiphone has a traditional P90 that runs just under 8K. Well liked. Moderately aggressive.

But I recently tried a Casino with their 11k dog ears. Surprisingly, it was crystal clear even on 10 into a clean amp. Dirty amp and everything changes for both. But the cleans surprised me and it didn’t seem to be a pickup height difference.

Maybe you folks could explore that and enlighten us in an episode.

@wesleymorris1 1 year ago

Lesie west and mountain is a great p90 sound . But i like p90 for clarity and brightness So i like a more straty sounding p90. Like a beefy strat.

@deja_deja_youtube 1 year ago

some absolutely righteous/riotous playing today gents👌

@SpookyTooth1974 1 year ago

8.2 is a sweet spot for me in bridge

@manuelmendoza6096 5 months ago

Awesome Bass tone. That's right up my alley for most genres, unless I'm doing hard rock. I would always err on the side of underwinding. Easier to manage and you can always gain up, you can't gain down without additional electronics.

@IAmGumbyDammit 11 months ago

If you Google up the Stones at the Marquee Club 1971 you’ll find Keef playing his Dan Armstrong for the show.

@JoeGuitar6 1 year ago

Good stuff

@VintageRadius 9 days ago

All in good fun here - I wish I could’ve taken the higher output P90 side of the debate. I feel like you both prefer low output P90s so it wasn’t even a real debate 😂 First time checking out this show and I’ll have to be back

@Nizodizo 1 year ago

Can you demonstrate how the pickup winder works?

@johnsmith-ug5tp 1 year ago

I nailed 3 out of 4. I don't know the 2nd one.

@michaelcawley9414 1 year ago

Another great show!
Question: with dual P90s in Les Paul 50s wiring? What value capacitor works best?
Thanks for the show and the guitar expertise

@chriskathke 1 year ago

i know now who jon gundry reminds me of its waddy wachtel

@arthurfranca5516 11 months ago

what about a high output, put lower height to string?

@Jluck78 1 year ago

I have a Les Paul with Burstbucker Pro’s. I love the bridge position, super versatile, responsive and not too hot. Unfortunately the neck is pure crap (imho, all LP neck pick-ups are a let down). I almost never use the neck pick-up as a stand alone, I always blend it with the bridge p/u. I never use the neck p/u tone pot either, it’s always at full.

My goal is to find an under wound P-90 in a HB size format; I am hoping to get some clarity and sweetness. No, I am not expecting Strat like bell tones (wouldn’t that be nice!) but I want something cleaner and more chime.

Any thoughts, recommendations?
- Under wound P-90?
- Low output mini-humbucker?
- EJ type humbucker?
- Maybe even a Strat or Tele p/u ???

Thanks for a great video, much appreciated.