Inside a China P90

[Lyrebird Steve]

Upgrading a "Jazzmaster" type guitar that arrived from China last month.

The pickups in this one were reasonable sounding, but not great .... so I'm building a new set for it, and re-doing the wiring to actually have Rhythm/Treble circuits.

Thought some might be interested in what's inside the latest China made pickups.

• The Bridge measured 8.92k the Neck 9.23k of Single Poly wire that didn't look overly tensioned.
• Brass baseplates.
• Both pickups have north oriented ceramic magnets.
• Nickel plated steel poles & spacer
• The pickups were wax potted in what looked like a high parafin/candle wax (very white)

Will be rewinding to around the 8.2k mark with Plain Enamel, A2 Bridge & A5 Neck. Nickel-Silve baseplates.
I'm going to try to keep the tension reasonably tight so I can just flash pot them before taping up.

Also ... I'll be using braided hookup wire




Will also be winding them RWRP for noise cancelling in middle position.


Will post final product

[Lyrebird Steve]

Another example of China P90

This set was pulled out of a China "Gold Top" Knock-off



Wasn't all that surprised to see the internals given that it came in at 5.42k on the meter reading

Other "Features" include

(1) Ceramic magnets
(2) Aluminium base plate
(3) Imaginary keeper bar

At least the pole screws look re-usable

I guess people are getting what they pay for