best P90 for a Les Paul Junior (2024)

Following this one. I have an older Les Paul junior made by Greco that could use a new dogear. I'm not sure what may have a bigger effect, swapping my pickups or updating the pots etc. It's not as bright and punchy as I'd like. More wooly and scooped.

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Dan R. said:

Following this one. I have an older Les Paul junior made by Greco that could use a new dogear. I'm not sure what may have a bigger effect, swapping my pickups or updating the pots etc. It's not as bright and punchy as I'd like. More wooly and scooped.

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That is awesome! I’ve wanted a black DC Jr

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1- Adjust pickup heights (generally lower for better tone) and screw pole heights (generally higher for more clarity)
2- Pots 'n Caps, measure what you've got and find some at the higher end of the spec for brighter, lower for darker. Lower uF Caps for more sparkle even when wide open (move from 0.047uF stock to 0.033uF)
3- Series caps on overly muddy pickups. This cuts the pickup internal resistance bringing out clarity. First try 0.047uF
4- Swap pickup(s) and go back to the top of the list. Too many players start here and then spend on several rounds of boutique pickups to match the $20 in pots 'n caps.

As for pickup brands ... I'd suggest ordering a couple sets of the $15/pair ebay import P90s first, I've had pretty good luck if you look at the pictures of the pickup backs/construction details, unfortunately none of them are branded nor consistent branded sellers listing them. Awesome tones and generally low internal resistance just like hand-wound boutiques. Or go with the hundred other premium options you'll get on this thread. P90s are actually pretty hard to screw up.

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I have a 2020 and upgraded to a Fralin hum-canceling P90. I remember seeing a rig rundown where GE Smith said he used them in his junior, and I’ve always liked his tone. Zero regrets on that decision.

FWIW, I thought the stock P90 sounded very good, but have gotten away from single coils because they hum a lot in our rehearsal space.

Honestly, P-90’s are hard to screw up and a lot of people LOVE Gibson P-90’s. I don’t think there is any other stock pickup less people trash than stock Gibson P-90’s. If there is a particular character you think it’s missing then maybe try swapping magnets instead.

I picked up a cheap LP Special clone and didn’t really like the stock pickups much, particularly the bridge was too hot. Just for the heck of it I swapped the neck into the bridge and changed the magnets to some AddictionFX (eBay) magnets I had lying around. I actually went with 2 different magnets, an A5 and an A2, and it is absolutely the best sounding P-90 ever. It perfectly mixes the characteristics of both magnets in the most perfect way.

The most common magnets in P-90’s are A5, which are very aggressive and tight, and A2, which are mellower but thicker in the mids and looser in the low end. Some builders also use A4 which is more balanced and neutral compared to A5 and A2.

a friend of mine put these on his Gibson gold top.. It sounds pretty darn good! He said to not be put off with the price, the specs are really good and the price makes it even more awesome.. wound to 8k, and A5? classic recipe without the price tag!

https://www.stewmac.com/electronics...c-guitar-pickups/golden-age-p-90-pickups.html

otherwise, Id hunt MHS P90's that some guy pulled out of his Gibson.. the ones on my 330 are super good~

I love the wolfetones I’ve got right now. Personally like them more than the Lollars, but lollar makes killer pickups too. The wolfetones sound more vintage, the lollars more 3D and HiFi.

As one poster suggested, though - make sure you explore pickup height, pots and caps first. After messing with pickups for a while, I realized that what I was actually not liking was the pot values in my P90 guitar.

Saw an interview with Phil X where he said the key to a junior style p90 guitar is having 500k volume and a 250k tone knob. I thought 250k would take off too much time, but I had the pot, so decided to try it and he was totally right!

Legit 50’s Gibson. They aren’t outrageously priced, if you’re patient. The real thing.

Mid/late 60’s are an even better bargain. Generally not as hi fi, but still nice.

HughesP said:

I love the wolfetones I’ve got right now. Personally like them more than the Lollars, but lollar makes killer pickups too. The wolfetones sound more vintage, the lollars more 3D and HiFi.

As one poster suggested, though - make sure you explore pickup height, pots and caps first. After messing with pickups for a while, I realized that what I was actually not liking was the pot values in my P90 guitar.

Saw an interview with Phil X where he said the key to a junior style p90 guitar is having 500k volume and a 250k tone knob. I thought 250k would take off too much time, but I had the pot, so decided to try it and he was totally right!

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Phil loves P90s.

es137p said:

I just got a 2019 Les Paul JUnior, 1 pickup. I love it, but you know how it goes. From what I've read, people like the Lollars and Wolftones. Still hold true? LIke the idea of Sean Costello wolftones.

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I think the current Gibson P90 is great. I never felt a need to swap them out in my guitars.