Please educate me on P90s

[PJazzmaster]

Basically I have one question:
Are traditional (low output) P90s wound in a way that the middle position is hum-cancelling? Or is hum-cancelling / reversed polarity PUs not a thing at all with any traditional P90s setup?

If not, would anyone know if there is a brand who is selling hum canceling P90s? (I am not interested in noiseless versions, really only into a hum free option when both PUs are on the same time).

Thanks in advance!

[NICQ]

I had a P90 infatuation phase 7 years ago and ended up with a couple of Les Paul Juniors, Les Paul Specials and a Melody Maker.. on the hunt for the best vintage lower output P90 sound I found imho: my favorites by far are the Wolfetone Mean/Meaners for a bit of edge-of-breakup character in the bridge and a sweet clean neck sound. You could go Mean/Mean for a cleaner bridge. If you really want to go cleanest cleans then I'd recommend Lollars Low Wind bridge - they sound a bit more scooped and hollow compared to the Wolftones.. both sets had a RWRP neck.

Even the newer 2010s Gibson P90s in my MelodyMaker are wound RWRP in the neck by default nowadays.. the Gibson P90 are on 3rd place - solid choice as well. I also have a higher output Kinman P90 that is really good in my LPJr (no hum when I crank distortion) - but I would not choose it over the Wolfetones soundwise. Always wanted to try the Bareknuckle Nantucket which also should do the classic P90 thing really well from all I read while researching all the forums..

I think originally back in the 50s P90s didn't have RWRP neck pickups (just like "original" Strat sets didn't have a rwrp middle) but nowadays most brands have that option if you buy a set.

Keep in mind that the P90 construction is nothing too complicated and if it is build with the correct specs and ~ 7k dc you should end up with a good sounding pickup. Even cheap P90s sound like proper P90s - I just like trying out what's out there.

FWIW it's also not too hard to reverse the magnets and de/re solder the wires on a braided shielding to make a P90 RWRP - I did it following a youtube vid with 2 pickups that I bought seperately and were not RWRP and it turned out fine

[PJazzmaster]

Thanks so much NICQ

This is the expert deep dive I was hoping to get.
Also good to know that I could change the polarity easily

I will look into the mentioned PUs and keep you updated

[interceptör]

The HB-sized Tonerider Rebel 90s I had a while ago in an LP were one of my all-time top 3 pickups and I'm pretty sure they were hum-cancelling.

[Jonesie]

I've never had an issue with regular-ass Gibson P90s. They sound fantastic to me, and like NICQ said, they're RWRP in the neck position these days. I usually upgrade pickups in most of my guitars, but I've never found a reason to replace a Gibson P90.

[GreenKnee]

I've never had an issue with regular-ass Gibson P90s. They sound fantastic to me, and like NICQ said, they're RWRP in the neck position these days. I usually upgrade pickups in most of my guitars, but I've never found a reason to replace a Gibson P90.

My knowledge with P90s is limited, but I haven't once considered swapping the P90s in my SG. They took a little tweaking to balance them out and get them sounding their best, but once in the sweet spot they're absolutely perfect.
I can live with the little bit of noise because a. I play loud AF anyway so there's going to be some noise, and b. they just sound great.

[therizzla]

The best P90s I've played are the stock ones in my '99 Peavey Firenza and they are low output alnico by modern standards, just a hair more output than my Lollar Jazzmaster pickups. I think they were made by a Japanese builder named KHS under the Gotoh name. If I needed to get something similar I'd try the Lollar 50's wind which are also RWRP. I also have the standard Lollar bridge and underwound neck P90s in my Casino which I also like but not as much as the lower output Peaveys.

[OffYourFace]

My fave P90 I ever had was a Fralin with Alnico 4 magnets. I had it in the neck of a '66 NR Firebird. It was amazing.