P-94 bobbins.

[David Schwab]

Yeah, just no P-90s or similar.

Wonder why?

Because they are copies of someone else's design, and back then, that design didn't have blades. If you are just going to slavishly copy something over and over, it won't advance any from where it was started.

There is little thought put into some of these copies of Gibson and Fender designs.

As far as a P-90 with blades... the P-90 had been rather unipolar until fairly recently. But look at the Charlie Christian pickup. That's a single coil with a blade.

There's no advantage to having pole pieces, and in fact with blades you can do things like use a very thing blade without worrying about the string bending away from a thin diameter pole.

It opens up a whole new world.

Do you want to make something someone else designed, or do your own thing?

[JGundry]

Because they are copies of someone else's design, and back then, that design didn't have blades. If you are just going to slavishly copy something over and over, it won't advance any from where it was started.

Do you want to make something someone else designed, or do your own thing?

Why must this be an either or proposition? Musical instrument history is largely based upon copying classic designs that have stood the test of time. Some of these designs are considered the pinnacle by players and the vast majority of the rest of the designs end up as oddities. Just about every violin is a copy of a Strad because musicians love the attributes of the design. Same goes for PAF's, P-90's Tele pickups...... It is perfectly valid to be doing your own thing by copying a classic design. There are enough variables in construction and tone for everyone to do their own thing regardless of design or origin.

[David Schwab]

Why must this be an either or proposition? Musical instrument history is largely based upon copying classic designs that have stood the test of time.

Which history? You mean after Fender and Gibson? Who where they copying? Now everything is as if they were the only guitars ever produced. Of course they stood the test of time... they worked. The copiers don't change anything, so nothing is broken. I personally find it lacks any kind of originality, and it's akin to taking someone else's song, changing the lyrics a little, and calling it your own.

If you want a Gibson tone, play a Gibson. Or play a Strat. Do we need 200 Strat copy guitars? That's cashing in on someone else's hard work.

Some of these designs are considered the pinnacle by players and the vast majority of the rest of the designs end up as oddities. Just about every violin is a copy of a Strad because musicians love the attributes of the design. Same goes for PAF's, P-90's Tele pickups...... It is perfectly valid to be doing your own thing by copying a classic design. There are enough variables in construction and tone for everyone to do their own thing regardless of design or origin.

Some of the famous players were using Gibsons and Fenders. Some weren't. That doesn't mean all the guitars and pickups should be copies of Fenders and Gibsons.

Just because a Gibson or Fender was used on famous recordings doesn't mean we should endure hearing the same tired tones over and over again. This is why when someone does something even slightly different they sound so original. Everything else in music these days is like a cookie cutter uniform you rent. You play blues? Play all the same cliché licks with the same tone as everyone else. How do you stand out by fitting in? Ooh, that's exciting!

To me it's the most boring thing in the world. You used to be able to tell who a guitarist was after a few seconds by hearing their tone. Now so many sound alike, play the same riffs and use the same tones.

Rather than making a reproduction of a PAF, try making a totally new pickup that gets the classic tones. Break out of that form factor. Use a new shape. A new mounting ring. Now you did something new.

As tired as I am at seeing PRS guitars, he has some original hardware on some of the models. Same with the Taylor Electrics.

[JGundry]

David I really don't think you get it when it comes to the popularity of vintage designs and you really don't need to. Everybody should make what they want. If a new approach does it for you then good for you. But musicians decide what is popular among them. What you personally want or find exciting has little to do with that. Sure there is an audience among musicians for more obscure approaches and periodically those catch on and have mass appeal. Which is more important to a musician? IMHO they both are important. We all make what we like whether it is a new design or old. Some incorporate both new and old. In fact I'm doing a humbucker mounted P-90 in a way that no others have done. Is that new? Who knows I just know I like it and hopefully others will also.

[David Schwab]

David I really don't think you get it when it comes to the popularity of vintage designs and you really don't need to. Everybody should make what they want. If a new approach does it for you then good for you. But musicians decide what is popular among them. What you personally want or find exciting has little to do with that. Sure there is an audience among musicians for more obscure approaches and periodically those catch on and have mass appeal. Which is more important to a musician? IMHO they both are important. We all make what we like whether it is a new design or old. Some incorporate both new and old. In fact I'm doing a humbucker mounted P-90 in a way that no others have done. Is that new? Who knows I just know I like it and hopefully others will also.

Sure I do. I'm a player and meet and play with a lot of musicians. But rather than get into that crowded field, I decided to do other things. Plus, I meet a lot of guitarists all the time, and you'd be surprised how many of them want something different. Besides making pickups, I do repairs and set ups and stuff, and most of the pickups I install are some more modern designs like Dimarzio Tone Zones and Duncan Rails and JBs.

In the last band I was in, one guitarist had three PRS guitars and a Les Paul. All the guitars had Duncan JBs at the bridge, and one PRS had three P-90s, which was a Dimarzio DLX at the bridge, and two Fralin sidewinders. The other guitarist had two Barden humbuckers in his '74 LP Custom. Where's the vintage stuff? These guys have been playing like 40 years.

So far I only do guitar pickups on a custom basis, and those have been people who want something very different. The current set I'm doing is for an 8-string guitar. The neck has to be very clean and clear for finger style playing, and the bridge has to have some bite without sounding like mud. These are installed in an EMG-40 size bass pickup shell.

I agree, make what you want, and what sells the most if that's important. I'm just trying to show other options for new pickup makers to think about. There are people how want something different.

[Peter Naglitsch]

As far as a P-90 with blades...

...its called a P-13 and predates the P-90s

[David Schwab]

...its called a P-13 and predates the P-90s

Yeah, that too! Adjustable poles was a big marketing point for Gibson. Even Lover didn't want them on the humbucker, but marketing said they had to because Fender didn't have it.

Personally I think a P-90 with a blade would look really hot! I'm jet going to have to start making them myself.

And look how nice and clean this is:

[belwar]

Yeah, that too! Adjustable poles was a big marketing point for Gibson. Even Lover didn't want them on the humbucker, but marketing said they had to because Fender didn't have it.

Personally I think a P-90 with a blade would look really hot! I'm jet going to have to start making them myself.

And look how nice and clean this is:

Wow, that does look really nice

[David Schwab]

Wow, that does look really nice

The original Bill Lawrence L-90 from 1976.