Before I call the marines, please tell me I'm wrong. P 90 question and a sad mood....

[Telemachos]

Hi everybody. I own my 1968 LP GT w. P90 since 1979. Within the last 25+ years I was generously borrowing it to local session and band musicians. Only a few days ago I took off the plastic caps to take a look at the P90. I was surprised to see that the bobbins were different from what I had in memory. The picture on top of my head was P90ies w. clear plastic bobbins. I can't really remember if I had seen those clear plastic bobbins on one of my other P90 guitars, like that early SG Special for instance. That was the one w. 2 P90 and a Maestro. I think it was from 1965 but it could also be from later than 1068, can't really remember. It's many moons ago since I checked my LP's PUs, so I remain insecure if my memory serves me right.
Any thoughts? Did they use black bobbins in 1968 ? That's what they are. They're also twisted at the edges.....Hmmm

[Telemachos]

Here are some pics of my P90 in question

[Telemachos]

That's how I remember them to look like. Burt again, it's been about 30 years ago and I might confuse them w. an other guitar w. P90 that I had piled up back then.

[EFK]

I'm not sure when Gibson switched to clear bobbins, but I always thought it was later than 1968. I've had 2 1969 SG Specials, 1 1969 SG jr., 1 1970 SG special and 1 1971 SG Special, and every one of them had black bobbin pickups with wood spacers just like yours. I have a 1972 P90 w/ the white embossed "Gibson" plastic cover, and that one is the clear acrylic bobbin with the red wire.

[copperheadroads]

I always figured Gibson switch to the clear bobbins around 1969 or 1970 ,anyway they do look like genuine Gibson p-90's from that era
If you possibly think they were switched ,There may signs of a a poor solder job on the pots

[Telemachos]

Here's an interesting thread that I found

[David Schwab]

I always figured Gibson switch to the clear bobbins around 1969 or 1970

I think that sounds about right.

[Telemachos]

I very clearly remember having seen a clear bobbin on one of my P 90 guitars. Thought it was on the LP, but It could have been possibly on either the LP or the SG Special that I once owned. I can't remember what year the SG was. It was a near mint cherry red vintage beauty featuring 2 black P90, dot markers, small peg head, Klusons, small pick guard and a Maestro Vibrola w/o the cover. If this SG Special was built after 1968 then there might be a chance that the clear bobbin that I remember was on this SG. In this case I'd be happy not to suspect that s.o. secretly replaced my orig. PU w. s.th. else.

[David Schwab]

Every SG I have ever seen with P-90s had clear bobbins. I used to have a set from a mid 70s SG. I unwound one of them to vintage specs and put it in the neck position of a Sekova Les Paul copy with an old patent label humbucker. Unfortunately I no longer have that guitar. The other one got slightly modified by having the spacing on the pole screws widened, and then put under a Jazzmaster cover and into a mid 60s Jazzmaster that belonged to the guitarist I was playing with at the time.

[EFK]

I made a mistake: I went and looked at old pictures I have, and the 1971 SG had clear bobbin P90s. The others all definitely had black, original black. I would guess that during the 69-70 period, they probably were switching over and it was likely a crap shoot as to whether or not you got black or clear. If your LP is definitely a 68, I would personally expect to see black bobbins in it and would be more worried if they were clear! IMHO.

[Telemachos]

I was also very surprised to notice that the tape that is used to insulate the lead connections was quite juicy. I had expected to see super dry and brittle tape. Stired me up

[jonson]

I was also very surprised to notice that the tape that is used to insulate the lead connections was quite juicy. I had expected to see super dry and brittle tape. Stired me up

Try pulling some old Hofner and other european pickups from the 50s and 60s apart and the tape is runnier than the day it was made. Glue can go both ways. Dry out or get sticky.

[Telemachos]

Thanx for the info. Kinda makes me calm down