P90 fiber baseplate and not metal

[dnabbet2]

I'm trying to fine tune a Lollar 50s P90 so it works best in combination with a staple pickup, so I'm swopping magnets, and I notice the pickup has a fiber baseplate instead of a metal one.

All the other P90s I've worked with had metal baseplates. What gives?

I'm not complaining. I'm just interested. I understand the metal baseplates on Tele bridge pickups is a big part of the sound, and some Strat players add pickup baseplates too.

 

[renderit]

I never cared for that on Lollars.

Love his pickups, just don't care for that.

I did get some Throbaks to replace one set in a Collings and was very happy with his ability to wind them to your specs.

I would assume maybe Lollar would do the same?

 

[dnabbet2]

It's an underwound pickup, and that's fine, that's what I wanted: I play jangly R 'n' B and Soul stuff.

But it's a '54 style Custom and the staple pickup on the neck out-powers it. That's why I tried a pair of ceramic 8s, which were too bright, then a pair of ALNICO 5s which kind of wrecked the middle position sound, then a combination of the original degaussed magnet -- an ALNICO 2, I'm assuming -- with an ALNICO 5, and that sounds pretty good.

I just wonder if a metal baseplate makes a difference, 'cause I guess I would try that though it's more work than switching magnets.

 

[renderit]

I have never switched magnets in a P90 before so you are miles ahead of my knowledge there.

If I had (and I do) some that I don't care for in an individual guitar I usually replace them.

I have found Jon at Throbak to be an INCREDIBLE resource there.

He has always delivered EXACTLY what I needed.

I might suggest you call him and get his opinion on magnets as I am sure he will steer you where you wish to go, even with other makers pickups.

In my experience Lollars are the go-to for the clearest and most piano like pickups out there.

If that is your direction they are an excellent choice and you are wise using them.

And yes, the staples seem to be more powerful and clearer yet so I understand your problem.

Have you thought about maybe sticking a Lollar staple in the bridge? I would love to hear that!

(I am pulling the checkbook out as we speak as that sounds damn interesting to me.)

 

[dnabbet2]

"Piano" clarity is a good description. And I think the wind is good, and I think I have the magnets figured out.

I did try a Lollar staple in the bridge, and it's a good pickup, but it too kind of wrecked the middle position sound, to my ear -- and I use that sound a lot.

In fact, besides the baseplate question, I'd like to know about the magnetic field between the TWO pickups: ceramic 8s in the bridge seemed to change the sound of BOTH pickups even when selected individually. Psychological, maybe? Time to start reading up, I guess!

 

[renderit]

Or it might be a different tack is needed.

As the bridge pickup is usually SO much more harsh maybe go with a softer "woodier" there?

I got a set of Throbak Specials for a Collings that put some grind in what was a "to clean" to my ear guitar.

It now is a blues monster.

Roll back on that volume and it cleans up very well.