Best Humbucker Sized P90 Pickups for Electric Guitars
Answering the common question “which humbucker-sized P90 pickups are right for my guitar,” this guide highlights five solid options. These pickups fit standard humbucker routing while delivering the midrange punch and vocal sweetness of a P90. The best pickers are ideal for players seeking vintage warmth, solid alnico snarl, and drop-in compatibility. The buyer type ranges from tone-chasing enthusiasts to players upgrading a Les Paul-style guitar without routing. Below is a quick summary of the five selected products.
| Product | Best For | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| LAMSAM P90 Tone Pickups Set (Chrome) | Players wanting Alnico V warmth with chrome shielding | Alnico V magnets, shielded housing, adjustable pole spacing |
| Artec SHA66C Alnico 5 Splendor P90 (Bridge) | Les Paul/SG-type guitars needing clear mids | Alnico V big pole pieces, strong mid-range without mud |
| Metallor Humbucker Style P90 Set (CR) | Budget upgrade with stable bridge/neck pairing | Ceramic bar magnets, balanced bridge and neck outputs |
| Myles Music Shop P90 Style Neck & Bridge (Chrome) | Players wanting true P90 vibe in humbucker footprint | Wax-potted, versatile neck and bridge voices |
| Seymour Duncan Phat Cat (Bridge) Nickel | Players seeking vintage P90 bite under a humbucker cover | True P90 bark with hum-canceling cover advantages |
LAMSAM P90 Tone Pickups Set, Chrome
Best for players seeking classic P90 warmth in a humbucker-sized housing with chrome shielding. This set uses Alnico V magnets to balance bite and bloom while minimizing hum with a shielded housing. Pole spacing is adjustable, aiding precise fit in typical humbucker routes. Bridge and neck leads are pre-tinned with reasonable wire length for common guitar wiring. Choose this if you want a vintage-inspired voice without routing changes.
Who it’s best for: players upgrading a humbucker-equipped guitar to a P90 voice without bodywork or routing changes. Caution: ensure bridge and neck pole positions align with your guitar’s pickup route to optimize string-to-string balance.
Artec SHA66C Alnico 5 Splendor P90 Style (Bridge)
Best for players wanting a clear, mid-forward P90 voice in a humbucker-sized shell. The SHA66C uses Alnico 5 magnets with large pole pieces to emphasize mids and definition without becoming muddy in crunch tones. It’s well suited for Les Paul-style guitars with bridge position emphasis. Pole spacing and mount dimensions are designed to fit common Les Paul-style routes.
Who it’s best for: players seeking a crisp, articulate bridge voice with strong midrange. Caution: may require careful height adjustment to avoid excessive brightness in bright guitars.
Metallor Humbucker Style P90 Set (CR)
Best for budget-conscious players who want a dual-pickup set with a balanced output. Metallor uses a ceramic bar magnet with a classic P90-style voice that sits well in both neck and bridge positions. The data lists a bridge resistance around 8.0k and neck around 7.5k, offering a comparable output to traditional P90s tucked inside a humbucker chassis. Avoid if you need exceptionally bright or extremely high-output tones.
Who it’s best for: players wanting a cost-effective route-mapped upgrade with reliable, conventional P90 tonality. Limitation: ceramic magnets can sound stiffer on overly bright guitars.
Myles Music Shop P90 Style Humbucker Sized (Chrome)
Best for players who want a true P90 character within a humbucker footprint and easy drop-in installation. The neck and bridge designs deliver clear mids, robust lows, and crisp highs, with wax potting to reduce feedback in higher-gain settings. The set is designed to fit common humbucker routes, making it a practical upgrade for many Les Paul-style guitars.
Who it’s best for: players seeking versatility and a classic P90 flavor without routing changes. Caution: verify spacing for your guitar’s mounting screws to ensure perfect fit.
Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Bridge (Nickel)
Best for players wanting the classic P90 bark with a humbucker-size cover. The Phat Cat is a true single-coil P90 in a humbucker housing, designed to sit under a humbucker cover for noiseless operation. The neck model is reverse-wind/reverse-polarity to balance hum-canceling when paired. It delivers bright attack with chime-like highs and a strong midrange presence.
Who it’s best for: players chasing vintage P90 bite in a modern humbucker format. Caution: the distinctive bright edge might be louder in bright guitars or high-gain amps.
Buying Guide: Key Considerations for Humbucker-Sized P90 Pickups
What makes a humbucker-sized P90 a good fit for your guitar? Look for magnetic type (Alnico V vs Alnico 5), pole piece geometry, and mounting compatibility. Alnico magnets generally yield warmer, more musical mids, while ceramic magnets can feel tighter but harsher in some guitars. Pay attention to pole spacing (bridge vs neck) to preserve string balance and avoid weak gaps where strings fail to illuminate evenly.
How does installation differ from standard humbuckers? These pickups are designed to drop into a humbucker cavity without routing. However, you may need to adjust pole heights and screw hole alignment to optimize string-to-string balance. Wax potting reduces feedback and microphonic noise, especially at higher gain. If your guitar has a bright or Fender-like character, consider options with more mids to avoid excessive brightness in your tone.
Which pairing should you choose? A common approach is pairing a P90-neck with a P90-bridge in humbucker housing to get a balanced voice across positions. Certain models provide a single-coil-like sparkle with midrange punch, while others emphasize warmth and sustain. Reading the data on DC resistance and inductance helps estimate output and tonal character, but listening under your amp remains essential for final judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are humbucker-sized P90 pickups compatible with standard humbucker pickups? Yes, they are designed to fit in standard humbucker cavities without routing. Some models may require height and spacing adjustments for optimal fit.
- What magnet type should I choose for a vintage P90 sound? Alnico magnets (Alnico V or Alnico 5) are common for vintage warmth and clear mids. Alnico V tends to be brighter than Alnico 5 in many setups.
- Can I use these pickups in both neck and bridge positions? Many sets are designed for both positions, but check pole spacing and mounting dimensions to ensure proper alignment for neck and bridge outputs.
- Will soldering be required for installation? Yes, most sets come as loaded assemblies; you’ll connect the wires per your guitar’s wiring scheme, often soldering to volume/tone pots and a switch.
- Do P90-sized humbuckers hum like traditional single-coil P90s? They can retain more hum than a fully shielded humbucker, but many models include shielding or covers to minimize noise.
- Which guitar models are most compatible? Les Paul-type, SG, and ES-335-style guitars are common fits due to their humbucker routing. Always verify screw spacing and mounting dimensions.