MM90s compared to other P90s - comments please

[Brian G]

As per the pics I posted a while ago in the "show your guitar" thread, I have a Black Cherryburst Axis SS with MM90's. Based on use through my amp (a Rivera Fandango), and no other frame of reference, the MM90's in this guitar seem to me to be fairly full sounding, and with a bit of openness that is apparent compared to a humbucker. But the overall personality is smooth, not aggressive, and they don't seem to have the "bite" that many others tend to describe as characteristic of P90's.

I did have the opportunity to hear Albert Lee play an MM90-loaded AL right after playing the AL with the standard single coils through the same amp , so I know the MM90's definitely sounded "big" and clean.

For those of you who can comment from experience with other P90's, is my description about right, and can you suggest how other flavours of P90's would be different in sound? Comments supported by some detail would be most appreciated.

It also seems that there's no easy way to fine-tune height adjustment in an Axis SS, as the pickups are screwed down to the wood. It may be that they're at an optimum height, but sometimes you just have to play with settings . . .

I love the guitar, just curious about the characteristics of the pickups.

Thanks in advance,
Brian

 

[PugNinjas]

Hey Brian,

I have an MM90 loaded AL and I love the pickups more than any other I have tried. I used to swear by humbuckers but the fullness and round sound of these mm90's fit me perfectly.

I did check out some other manufacturer's p90 loaded guitars but it would be a hard comparison for me to make considering the aforementioned guitars are made of mahogany whereas my AL is ash. I did feel that the p90's I tried were a little murky sounding and required a roll back of the volume knob (at least for my tastes.

I would really like to try out one of those legendary Jason Lollar P90's someday.

 

[robelinda2]

a few of my students have Les Pauls with P90's, they sound completely different than my two MM90 ASS's. much prefer the balls, even if it is just the neck itself that proves the difference.

 

[Jim7895]

I have not had the chance to try out a vintage Les Paul with P-90s. I think this may be the "standard" by which all P-90s are measured. That being said, I will comment on the ones I have tried.

I started out by trying some humbucker sized P-90s. The particular brand I picked out were ok. They did have a nice sizzle to them. In fact, they were a bit overwound, and the 60 cycle hum they generated was more than any single coil I had ever used. I did, however, really like how the cleaned up as the guitar's volume knob was rolled back.

I did own a guitar that had Duncan P-90s in them. Again, nice cleanup and clarity when the volume was rolled back. When opened up, they had a nice midrange, while the low end remained clear. Now, P-90s don't get the low end chunk out a humbucker, but they do not suffer from the muddiness that many (not all) buckers have.

I am about 90% sure I'm going for an AL with MM90s. I REALLY like the qualities of the P-90, but the fact that EB has the silent circuit is a real plus. I have to see how the old taxes turn out before I pull the trigger, however.

 

[Brian G]

Thanks for the comments, all. I also like the MM90's.

robelinda2 - can you be a bit more specific as to HOW the other P90's sounded different? Were they brighter, more lean, more sizzle, less clean, or . . . .

I'm not so much looking for opinions on whether a particular user likes their MM90's (I assume most do), but rather descriptions of how the other P90's were different.

I've also heard a lot of great things about Lollar's P90's, and I'm not saying I'd necessarily change out the MM90's, but does anyone know if alternatives like the Lollar's would fit without additional routing?

Brian

 

[PugNinjas]

I've also heard a lot of great things about Lollar's P90's, and I'm not saying I'd necessarily change out the MM90's, but does anyone know if alternatives like the Lollar's would fit without additional routing?

Brian

There was a post here probably well over a year ago where someone discussed putting the Lollars into thier AL. I do believe he mentioned additional routing was necessary.

I would love to find a guitar with the Lollars already installed just to do a nice comparison with these incredible MM90's

 

[augustyn]

i gigged my rosewood ASS MM90 yesterday and i had the chance to test a wolfetone P90s driven mahagony setneck guitar a few weeks ago.
its so difficult to compare such different guitars.
the wolfetones sounded rougher but still warm enough for my taste. of course there was much more noise.
i feel the MM90s nearer to HBs than the wolfetones i've tested.
i loved both and i am growing to a hughe P90 fan....

 

[candid_x]

I've not yet tried MM P90's, but I played a 1966 Gib 330 with P90's for a few years. To my ears, they were well balanced and not especially "bitey", even with the maple Gib top. They didn't distort as quickly/easily/smoothly as either single coils or buckers, though.

If I get an AL, it will be with standard single coils. Curious if EBMM will ever come out with an AL in HSS.

 

[Spudmurphy]

If I get an AL, it will be with standard single coils. Curious if EBMM will ever come out with an AL in HSS.

Pete Dubaldo has a "factory" AL HSS - very much doubt if he would get rid of it though

 

[threeminutesboy]

Played my ASS MM90 this afternoon I love the sound I get from those ...I can't explain the difference with P90 but I can tell you that those pickups are trully inspiring

you must try I am sure you will love them

 

[Lance Romance]

Hi Brian, Eric @The Arts here. I've got an Albert Lee Ltd., a '54 RI LP Goldtop, and a Santana SE with three Phat Cats (close but no cigar). My goldtop, although chambered, is pretty much a benchmark for "classic" P90 Tone. It has the stock, non-RWRP, both neck and bridge wound the same pickups. It has that slightly rude P90 tone when dimed, cleans-up nicely with the volume control, lotsa noise and artifacts, all the stuff you'd want out of a P90. My Albert sounds somewhat more polite, less raw and rounder (so hard to describe tone). Between construction differences, hardware differences, and the Silent Circuit, it's really hard to make a comparison. I too have wondered about putting Lollars and RS electronics in it, but it sounds so darned good I'm afraid to fix something that isn't broken. If any of you forumites have tried this, please let us know how they work!
I've owned a bunch of P90 guitars in my career, and the MM pickups seem to be the most refined of all the P90s out there. All the singlecoil goodness is there, but if you're thinking "Mississippi Queen", look elsewhere. I am constantly amazed at what my Albert is capable of though; at 8 on the volume control it's a strat, at 10 it's a real heavy hitter. It's rapidly becoming my Number One, just because it does so many jobs so well.
Brian, as to height adjustment, some pickup foam under your 90s will let them raise/lower, but keep in mind 90s sound best a lot lower than your HB guitars. No harm in experimenting...-Eric

 

[GWDavis28]

Pete Dubaldo has a "factory" AL HSS - very much doubt if he would get rid of it though

That was created by a former EBMM employee. Unless AL wants a HSS configuration it isn't going to happen.

Pete was lucky enough to win that EvilBay auction. Kudos to him.

Glenn |B)

 

[Brian G]

Hiya Eric. Glad to have your input, as always (and ditto to everyone else who chimed in). When I compare the MM90's to my HB-equipped guitar (Eric knows the pickups since he installed them, and the RS kit), the MM90's are very much like a good humbucker, but with a "pinch" of open coil character. Similar warmth and roundness to the tone, good amp drive - essentially a good HB alternative.

I listened to the guitar with and without the battery for the noise reduction circuit, and in my limited (home use) situation, didn't find much difference, which testifies to the fact that the circuit is not doing much, if any, harm to the output signal. I do get some buzz with either pickup by itself, but I get this with the Silent Circuit engaged as well.

Compared to my Str*t with Texas Specials, the SC's have much more of that single-coil attack and character, as you would expect.

I think it would be interesting to hear the ASS with some alternative P90's, although I can imagine the MM90's might go back in for their low noise and smooth but still open character. Eric, maybe I'll do some more research on dimensions and we can use my ASS as a test guitar? (Inquiring minds want to know . . . ).

Also wonder what the pot values are . . . maybe pots with a bit higher value might be interesting.

Now where did I put my medication . . .

Brian

 

[Lance Romance]

Hi Brian!
Offer: You buy the three Lollar P90s, I'll rout my Albert, and we'll settle this for once and for all. I keep the pickups. kidding...Eric