Gibson's Sidewinder P-90H Humbucker

[Jim Darr]

Is anybody familiar with Gibson's new Sidewinder P-90H Humbucker pickup? How it sounds or specs?

[Jim Darr]

Anybody???

[big_teee]

Here you can listen and judge for yourself.
They use a lot of razzle dazzle sales pitch to promote them.
I see nothing you can't do with a full sized or mini humbucker.
But, let's give it the benefit of the doubt, time will tell!
I tried the sidewinders some, and always go back to humbuckers.
I'm sure others here have other experiences.
Guitar companies are always trying to come up with something new to generate interest to sell guitars.
Sometimes it is better, sometimes it's not.
You be the Judge!
Good Luck,
T

[Jim Darr]

Thanks T for the video. I like the varied tones on the video with the push-pull coil taps especially the “over-driven” sound. I also like the middle switch position with both pickups on. I’ll have to try one out first hand at my local Gibson dealer.

I was interested in any published specs on the pickup. All I've been able to learn is that it is a siderwinder design with Alnico magnets. I’m curious about the DC Ohms reading, wire size and type.

Gibson also says it is coming out with the P-90SR and P-90ST later this year. Which they say will have Alnico 5 rod magnets like what was originally used in the very early version of the ES-125 model in the mid to late 40’s.

Sounds like they are offering more tonal options for the P-90 size route. It’s always nice to have options.

[big_teee]

I would suspect the dcr to be similar to a mini bucker.
Especially if they use mini bucker bobbins.
You have limited space there, and small bobbins IMO would be needed.
I heard that great overdrive on the video, and I then noticed he was on the back humbucker.
Like I said you can do those very same things with a mini bucker mounted in a P90 Route.
My favorite Mini bucker is with Steel blades like a firebird, but use steel blades instead of magnets.
I made a neck P/U for a player that was around 5700 ohms dcr, and he loved it.
Play one at the Gibby store and let us know what you think.
If you can do a comparison with other pickups, like P90s, Minibuckers, and full sized humbuckers all in the neck position.
GL,
T

[David Schwab]

I see nothing you can't do with a full sized or mini humbucker.
But, let's give it the benefit of the doubt, time will tell!
I tried the sidewinders some, and always go back to humbuckers.

Sidewinders sound like single coils, but they don't hum. Humbuckers sound like humbuckers. P-90s are single coils. So if you want that single coil tone with no hum, a sidewinder is one way to do it.

So how is a mini or full sized humbucker going to do the same thing?

Bill Lawrence was making the L-250 strat sized sidewinders for many years.

Fralin has had P-90 sidewinders out for a while now.

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