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vintage '52 P90 identification

computron

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Joined
Jul 9, 2018
Messages
17
I want to buy vintage p90s for my 2010 LP 1954 Custom RI which has stock gibson p90 and alnico V pickups.

Can anyone share their information about how to identify and check whether they are 52 (or early fifties) ? or what are the cosmetic differences between early 50s and mid or late 50s ? or should I skip all get throbak or other boutique pickups ?

The pickups have black grommet, silver-colored back (probably nickel) and they dont have cover.

Your precious advices are really appreciated at this point.
 

mipstoo

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Messages
142
I want to buy vintage p90s for my 2010 LP 1954 Custom RI which has stock gibson p90 and alnico V pickups.

Can anyone share their information about how to identify and check whether they are 52 (or early fifties) ? or what are the cosmetic differences between early 50s and mid or late 50s ? or should I skip all get throbak or other boutique pickups ?

The pickups have black grommet, silver-colored back (probably nickel) and they dont have cover.

Your precious advices are really appreciated at this point.

I think it's easier if you work the other way around and post some pictures or links to pictures. I think there are some experts here that can help you identify them based on your pictures...
 

computron

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Jul 9, 2018
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I dont think I have the permission to share without seller's consent.

If there are experts, and willing to help me, I can send them via private message, and that would be much appreciated. Im really in need of help.

I will ask the seller though.
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
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Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
.... or should I skip all get throbak or other boutique pickups ?

I dont think I have the permission to share without seller's consent.

If there are experts, and willing to help me, I can send them via private message, and that would be much appreciated. Im really in need of help.

I will ask the seller though.

If you are not certain of what you are getting, buy the Throbaks [or similar]. One of my JG's has Throbaks and they sound fantastic. :dude:
Most modern well made pickups are great.

Tone is subjective, and mostly comes from you. :ganz
 

computron

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Joined
Jul 9, 2018
Messages
17
If you are not certain of what you are getting, buy the Throbaks [or similar]. One of my JG's has Throbaks and they sound fantastic. :dude:
Most modern well made pickups are great.

Tone is subjective, and mostly comes from you. :ganz


I cant find proper Throbak 52/54 sound samples with a Gibson.

I completely agree, I started as classical guitarist myself, I still play songs once in a while. Important part of your tone comes from your abilities.

Yet, I read some entries in this forum that 52-53 P90's are spectacular, and listened to some videos and recordings, which then Im sold... =) ... I think it would be a huge improvement over my 54 custom RI, which is already an acoustically great instrument. I just want that great harmonics and warm top end from the 52 pair.

By the way anyone knows whether there is replica for a real 54 Alnico V pickup?
 

AtomEve

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2002
Messages
4,666
Here are some pics of the P90s from a 52-56 Conversion. I won't swear they are original but pretty sure they are. :dude:

Hope this helps.
Bryan

1952P902.jpg

1952P903.jpg

1952P904.jpg

1952P905.jpg

1952P906.jpg

1952P907.jpg

1952P908.jpg

1952P909.jpg

1952P9010.jpg
 

computron

New member
Joined
Jul 9, 2018
Messages
17
Many thanks for the pictures. really helpful.

Actually the pair I wanna buy exactly looks like this.

Also, anyone having throbak 52/54 set demos are welcome.
 

duaneflowers

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
2,522
I want to buy vintage p90s for my 2010 LP 1954 Custom RI which has stock gibson p90 and alnico V pickups.

Can anyone share their information about how to identify and check whether they are 52 (or early fifties) ? or what are the cosmetic differences between early 50s and mid or late 50s ? or should I skip all get throbak or other boutique pickups ?

The pickups have black grommet, silver-colored back (probably nickel) and they dont have cover.

Your precious advices are really appreciated at this point.

You can check with James at Rewind Electric, he is quite knowledgeable about early P-90s. Another option you may want to consider is I just ordered a set of Rewind P-90s wound with 50s wire and sporting A3 mags from a set of '52 Gibson P-90s. All the tonal nirvana of vintage P-90s without the wear and tear (and hefty price tag). Supplies are extremely limited on these so you'll have to act fast if you're interested.

Can't wait to get my Fogerty on... :spabout
 

renderit

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Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
You can check with James at Rewind Electric, he is quite knowledgeable about early P-90s. Another option you may want to consider is I just ordered a set of Rewind P-90s wound with 50s wire and sporting A3 mags from a set of '52 Gibson P-90s. All the tonal nirvana of vintage P-90s without the wear and tear (and hefty price tag). Supplies are extremely limited on these so you'll have to act fast if you're interested.

Can't wait to get my Fogerty on... :spabout

All of them on his site are humbucker size...meh.
 

computron

New member
Joined
Jul 9, 2018
Messages
17
You can check with James at Rewind Electric, he is quite knowledgeable about early P-90s. Another option you may want to consider is I just ordered a set of Rewind P-90s wound with 50s wire and sporting A3 mags from a set of '52 Gibson P-90s. All the tonal nirvana of vintage P-90s without the wear and tear (and hefty price tag). Supplies are extremely limited on these so you'll have to act fast if you're interested.

Can't wait to get my Fogerty on... :spabout


Many thanks @duaneflowers for the help, really appreciated. I will deifinitely check and maybe he can help on vintage Alnico Vs, it looks intriguing. I also wonder the magnets of those years, is it mostly A4 ?

hahaha yes me too.
 

duaneflowers

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Messages
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All of them on his site are humbucker size...meh.

The pictures are, but it says "Also available in Dogear and Soapbar configurations with black, cream, or nickel plated nickel-silver dogear covers"... no need asking how that remedial reading class is working out for you my brother. :hee:laugh2::spabout
 

duaneflowers

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Aug 13, 2013
Messages
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Many thanks @duaneflowers for the help, really appreciated. I will deifinitely check and maybe he can help on vintage Alnico Vs, it looks intriguing. I also wonder the magnets of those years, is it mostly A4 ?

hahaha yes me too.

The early years were all A3, but due to the scarcity of cobalt during the war years the AlNiCo blend had to be accommodating, so A4s and A5s became much more predominant later in the 50s. James did have some Vintage A5s when last we chatted, but I'm not sure what his stock looks like now. Duncan makes an aftermarket Alnico V pup... but I've never tried it.
 

computron

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Jul 9, 2018
Messages
17
The early years were all A3, but due to the scarcity of cobalt during the war years the AlNiCo blend had to be accommodating, so A4s and A5s became much more predominant later in the 50s. James did have some Vintage A5s when last we chatted, but I'm not sure what his stock looks like now. Duncan makes an aftermarket Alnico V pup... but I've never tried it.

Yeah, I got the same answer from the seller, he thought they are alnico III.

I e-mailed James, he has been really helpful. Thanks for sharing. I also asked him about the Alnico V for neck position, whether he can make a replica of a 54 alnico V model. I can blend a real 52 alnico III for bridge and James made alnico V.
 
Last edited:

renderit

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Messages
10,951
The pictures are, but it says "Also available in Dogear and Soapbar configurations with black, cream, or nickel plated nickel-silver dogear covers"... no need asking how that remedial reading class is working out for you my brother. :hee:laugh2::spabout

Great way to market!

Show a picture of something 1 in a 10,000 want (actually I have NEVER BEEN ASKED FOR WHAT THEY ARE SHOWING!) and hide the required stuff in spindly type so you have to read about a pickup
you have no interest in buying to find one you do?

Not interested.

He doesn't really want to sell them...
 
Last edited:

duaneflowers

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Great way to market!

Show a picture of something 1 in a 10,000 want (actually I have NEVER BEEN ASKED FOR WHAT THEY ARE SHOWING!) and hide the required stuff in spindly type so you have to read about a pickup
you have no interest in buying to find one you do?

Not interested.

He doesn't really want to sell them...

Have you seen Jim Rolph's website? :hee

He also makes amazing pickups, and has been in the game a loooooooooooooooooong time... but I don't think his website has been updated in a coon's age... :f1:
 

renderit

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Messages
10,951
Have you seen Jim Rolph's website? :hee

He also makes amazing pickups, and has been in the game a loooooooooooooooooong time... but I don't think his website has been updated in a coon's age... :f1:

No, those are way outta my league money wise. Still looking for my teefs!

So far on the P90's I have tried I like
Thrōbaks! Best EVER! Saving up for more!

Speaking of witches...Put those vintage wire
Wizzes in the Black Widow.
 
Last edited:

Tom Wittrock

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42,567
Have you seen Jim Rolph's website? :hee

He also makes amazing pickups, and has been in the game a loooooooooooooooooong time... but I don't think his website has been updated in a coon's age... :f1:

Is he still in business? I thought he retired. :hmm
 

duaneflowers

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Is he still in business? I thought he retired. :hmm

That is highly possible... its been 2 years since we spoke and while he was still winding, I think it was his daughter that took over the day to day operations. At that time he was still pickin' and grinnin' and sharp as a tack. I reached out to him earlier this year to see if he was interested in contributing to Mario & James PAF book, but never heard back. Shame if he retired, he is a true gem!!
 

duaneflowers

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No, those are way outta my league money wise. Still looking for my teefs!

Speaking of witches...Put those vintage wireWizzes in the Black Widow.

The last set I got from Jim (58 Pretenders) was only $450... drop in the bucket compared to the $1800 sets Boogie J is winding and consistently selling out... :hee
 
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