Best Humbuckers Sized P90: Reviews, Buying Guide, and FAQs 2022

Guitars are excellent musical instruments used for producing good music. It is as important as any other musical instrument you can think of as a guitarist or musical artist. When buying guitars, it is important to check how the guitar sounds. The sound tone produced by the pickups from an electric guitar is as important as the strings and body construction.

It is important to choose guitars with excellent pickups because they define how your guitar sounds. While it's possible to change the pickup of your guitar, it is essential to avoid putting yourself in such a situation by buying guitars with nice pickup tones outright.

If you need to change pickups, you shouldn't find it difficult because there are many pickups that can add a new dimension of tones and sounds to your guitar. That said, choosing the right one might seem a little challenging because you can get overwhelmed by the variety of choices.

Pickups are categorized as single-coil made of single-pole pieces and humbuckers made of double-pole pieces. This is why you find humbuckers doubled in size. To get the best tones and sounds from your guitars, you need humbuckers that can be sized up to P90 pickups.

Top Humbuckers Sized P90 2022 by Editors' Picks

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  Preview
  Product
  Rating
• Bestseller No. 1
  
  Seymour Duncan SPH90-1 Phat Cat Nickel Set P-90 Pickups Bridge/Neck 11108-16-NC
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• Bestseller No. 2
  
  Seymour Duncan TBPR-1b P-Rails Pickup - Trembucker
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• Bestseller No. 3
  
  DiMarzio DP163 Bluesbucker Humbucker Pickup Black Regular Spacing
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• Bestseller No. 4
  
  The FretWire Replacement Pickup Set - Humbucker Pickup Set to Repair & Build Your Own...
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Humbuckers are wound up with two magnetic bobbins, meaning they have two coils instead of one. These magnetic bobbins are out of face with each other and in turn, cancel the humming sound. Humbuckers are preferred to single-coil pickups because they are designed to handle high distortion without much interference. Hence, they reject any form of noise using phase cancellation which results in a smooth, deeper, and louder sound as compared to the sound produced by a single-coil pickup. This is why they are perfect for hard rock and metal.

In this guide, we will review some of the best humbuckers sized P90. Humbuckers are quite similar to P90 pickups but P90s are single-coil pickups. The difference is that while P90 pickups produce fine sound, the sound is way thicker and more aggressive. Hence, they act as the perfect bridge between single-coil pickups and humbuckers.

You will do well to get yourself the best humbuckers sized P90, but that can be challenging if you don't know where to look. This products review article will point you in the right direction of humbuckers sized P90 perfect for you and your sound production journey.

Top 7 Best Humbuckers Sized P90 (Product Reviews)

Here are seven of the best humbuckers sized P90 reviewed in 2021;

1. Seymour Duncan P-Rails Humbucker Sized Set - Link

Guitars are designed to produce several melodious tones that include P90 Tone, Strat Tone, and even Humbuckers Tone. Back in the day, you will likely have to purchase three different guitars to get these tones. Seymour Duncan has manufactured one of the best electric guitars that offer all these sounds from a device known as "P-Rails Humbucker Sized Set".

This humbucker sized set is a unique setting that combines Hot Rails coil with the vintage P90 to provide users with unmatched tonal variety. So, with the use of any 3-way mini-switch, each unique hybrid humbucker can be split to give you a super fat P90. To get a Strat-like tone, you can split it to the Rail coil. This device is hand-built in Santa Barbara with 4-conductor lead wire and pairs of Alnico 5 bar magnets including a vacuum wax potted for squeal-free operation.

Basic Features and Benefits

• This pair of humbuckers offer unmatched versatility
• The use of both rails is allowed to get the hum-canceling tone
• You will get a big sounding humbucker with both coils ON
• This electronic device features three district and classic tones
• The neck version is wound RWRP to allow the use of both P90s
• It offers a drop-in replacement for any standard sized humbucker slot

2. Seymour Duncan TBPR-1b P-Rails Pickup - Link

The next product to review is the Seymour Duncan TBPR-1b P-Rails Pickup electronic device. This is one of the most flexible humbuckers sized P90 in the market because it is designed to produce several tones that you can not get from a single guitar. This version offers so much variety in one pickup. It can be used as a single-coil pickup or humbucker sized P90.

The pickups of this device are fantastic and will let your band play an all-out variety that will allow you to get any tone from the guitar. It produces real and great P90 sound including beefy humbucking sound. The tonal combinations of this P-rails pickup will greatly expand your options on the Strat, hence making it one of the best humbuckers sized P90 to purchase.

Basic Features and Benefits

• It produces unique Trembucker spacing
• Pick-up with P90 sounds great for twist and shout
• The humbuckers are great for different genres of music
• It is designed to produce single-coil sound good for funky music
• The P-Rails pickup comes with triple shots for different ranges of sound

3. DiMarzio Bluesbucker Humbucker Pickup - Link

This device is designed as a black regular spacing humbucker but it sounds like a P90 without the noise. DiMarzio Bluesbucker Humbucker Pickup cancels 60-cycle hum as effectively as any average humbucker. So, this means every guitar with a standard size humbucker can produce a P90 sound without altering the guitar. It is extremely sensitive to playing dynamics because it uses Patented Virtual Vintage and Airbucker technology. It's a great humbucker sized P90.

You can use this electronic device to generate open hollow sound produced by two single coils by combining a pair of these humbucker pickups. When you split the pickups, it produces a sound similar to that of a Strat pickup with very little drop in output. Despite the nontraditional look, this humbucker produces a bridge pickup sound and is recommended for all positions.

Basic Features and Benefits

• It comes with necessary wiring instructions
• It has a hot coil with 6 adjustable slotted poles
• This device replaces the standard size humbuckers
• It is designed to add P90 tone without alteration to the guitar
• The sound is brighter when the hot coil is closest to the bridge
• Changing the direction of the Bluesbucker makes it offer different tones

4. Seymour Duncan SPH90-1N Phat Cat Humbucker Neck Pickup - Link

This version of the Seymour Duncan humbucker pickups is produced in the United States. It features an amazing Nickel finish that gives it an attractive appearance. This unique device was originally developed in the Custom Shop for Hamer Guitars. It is now a Phat Cat with single-coil P90 Soapbar that fits under a humbucker cover and drops into Humbucker-equipped guitars.

This is the perfect product for you if you are looking for authentic P90 sound in a humbucker retrofit size pickup. It is produced with metal covers that are better than the standard soapbar covers common with most humbuckers. This Humbucker Neck Pickup is highly recommended for several music genres like Blues, Jazz, country, rockabilly, heavy rock, and classic rock.

Basic Features and Benefits

• It has metal covers that provide shielding to reduce noise
• It produces authentic P90 sound not found in other devices
• This humbucker pickup is used by several top music artists
• It uses two Alnico 2 magnets for more sustain and softer attack
• It produces a fat tone and comes with a single conductor hookup cable

5. DiMarzio DP210 Tone Zone P90 Black Pickup - Link

This is one of the best humbuckers sized P90 because it produces the same sound and power as the "Tone Zone Humbucker". This is a high-output humbucking soap-bar pickup with a plastic cover. It is quite different from the standard humbuckers because the pickup can't be adjusted quite as close to the strings. It has a narrow magnetic window to see the strings as compared to full-size humbuckers. This is highly recommended for the bridge position and solid-body guitars.

This soap-bar pickup might be slightly different from standard-sized humbuckers when it comes to string adjustments but it sure offers increased power and broadened magnetic field around the coils. These factors allow this product to sound as great as the Original Tone Zone. It comes with 4-conductor wiring enabling series-parallel humbucking or split-coil modes.

Basic Features and Benefits

• It delivers quality sound with high output
• It is specially designed for the bridge position
• It features humbucking and single-coil modes
• It is great at delivering quiet humbucker performance
• Broadening magnetic fields around the coils makes it sound great

6. Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Nickel Electric Guitar Set - Link

This nickel electric guitar is a Phat Cat set manufactured by Seymour Duncan. This is one of the best humbuckers in the market because it features chords with a series of rich harmonics. You can use this device to deliver the best solos with unique single-coil springiness. It uses 2 Alnico bar magnets and features a metallic cover that reduces noise and provides excellent shielding.

This humbucker sized P90 product is highly recommended because it is produced by one of the best brands in the field. It is better than most standard soap bars and the neck model is RW/RP. The pickup features reverse wind polarity to provide noiseless operation when used together. This Phat Cat set offers a true P90 growl and bite in any humbucker-equipped guitar.

Basic Features and Benefits

• It produces solos that have sharp single-coil cut
• The bridge is wound to produce chords with bright harmonics
• It is designed to produce focused mid-bite and unique attack of a P90
• This Phat Cat set offers true P90 growl and bite without modifications
• It is a great electronic device that fits perfectly in a humbucker housing

7. LYWS Alnico V Magnet Humbucker Sized P90 - Link

This humbucker sized P90 product is designed for Electric Guitar Pickups Neck and Bridge Pickups. It features a plastic bobbin and it is covered with Plated Brass to help reduce noise. Alnico V Magnet Humbucker Sized P90 uses Alnico 5 Bar Magnet to produce excellent Chord Distance (N/B:52MM/52mm). It also features two pickups with 1P Braided Shield Cable.

This humbucker sounds fantastic but the pickup doesn't come with instructions, hence the installation can be quite tricky. Aside from that, this is a great humbucker sized P90 to own. The improvement tone on this humbucker is clear, loud, and breathtaking. This is just the perfect product to buy for any level of guitar because it produces a nice single-coil sound.

Basic Features and Benefits

• It features Resistance of N/B: 7.5K/8.0K
• It features Inductance of N/B: 2.2H/2.65H
• This pickup delivers quality at an amazing price
• It is a highly-polished chrome with great sound
• It is well constructed with shielded cloth covered wire

Buying Guide for Best Humbuckers Sized P90

As a guitar owner, choosing the right pickups to produce your desired tones be it single-coil pickups or humbuckers shouldn't be too difficult provided you are informed. A simple buyers guide can help you choose the right pickups for the type of sound you want to produce. In this guide, we will show you essential factors to note when choosing humbuckers sized P90.

Here are important factors to consider before choosing humbuckers pickups;

Understand the Difference Between Pickups

There are two main pickups; single-coil pickups and humbuckers. As a beginner, it is necessary to identify the difference between pickups before choosing one for your guitar. People who own electric guitars have control over the type of sound they choose to play. Aside from having a sound preference as a person who plays the guitar, you should also have a pickup preference. This starts with understanding the difference between single-coil pickups and humbuckers.

Once, you can tell the difference between the two, you won't have an issue choosing your pickup. Pickups impact the sound produced by a guitar, so understand that before choosing.

Know the Sound You Want to Play

Choosing the type of sound to play with your electric guitar is subjective just like choosing between two rock bands like Pink Floyd and The Beatles. It all depends on your preference or what you want to put out for your audience. Once you can identify the sound you want to play, that will guide you in choosing the right humbucker pickup.

Understand the Pros of Using Humbucker Pickups

Humbucker pickups have several pros that make them stand out. They include;

1. Humbuckers produce a full and warmer sound. This is achieved by picking vibrations of string plucks while they resonate through the body of a guitar.

2. Humbuckers are designed to reduce outside interference by nullifying sound vibrations within the surrounding of the pickup. This reduces distortion and distraction hum.

3. Humbuckers allow users to adjust volume control in other to have total control over the sound output from their electric guitar. It also allows control over the mix of input sounds.

4. Humbuckers are twice as powerful as single-coil pickups which makes them strong.

Understanding that humbuckers reduce external distortion will help you differentiate between the input tones of different types of humbuckers. You can then decide which combination works best for you when choosing the humbucker pickups to purchase.

Learn About the Configuration of Humbuckers

Learning about the configuration of different humbuckers will help you choose the best humbuckers sized P90. Humbuckers have individual tones that are different from the tones produced by single-coil pickups. As a guitarist, you should understand the configuration of different humbuckers, which will help you produce tones that will cut through the mix without hassle. Learning about the configuration of different humbucker models will help you understand the sound they produce, hence helping you choose the right humbucker pickup.

Know the Humbuckers Price Range

As with every product you are buying in the market, you need to compare prices. This will ensure you are spending within your budget while purchasing the humbucker sized P90 you so desire. You don't want to spend your hard-earned money on some overpriced humbuckers.

Humbuckers Sized P90 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Here are frequently asked questions that should be of help;

How were humbucker pickups invented? 

Humbucker pickups were invented by a guitar engineer known as "Seth Lover" in the 1950s. The process involved mounting two separate single-coil pickups side-by-side and then reversing the polarity of one of the magnets while connecting the coils in series. This process generated what is known as the humbuckers today, which is basically doubling up two single-coil pickups. This is why the sound of humbucker pickups is thicker, heavier, and louder than that of single coils.

Do humbuckers sound better than single-coil pickups?

Single coil pickups are known for producing thinner bright sound output while humbuckers produce much thicker louder sound output. Both pickups are great but it is best for electric guitars to have both sounds. Mixing the two pickups will ensure electric guitars can produce varieties of sounds as compared to having just one available. So, humbuckers sounding louder than single-coil pickups does not necessarily mean they are better but rather perfect for certain genres of music like metal and rock. The humbucker is better for producing heavier sounds.

How can I install humbucker covers?

When trying to install humbucker covers, the first consideration is getting the cover perfect for your pickup. The cover should fit snugly on your pickup without having to force them in. You should add double-sided tapes to the pickup before placing the cover on the pickup. You can now solder the cover to the base plate of the pickup to ensure they are tightly installed.

How can I coil-split a humbucker?

The process of coil-splitting a humbucker involves shutting down one of the two coils in a humbucker to generate single-coil tones. You can only perform the process of coil-splitting on pickups with four-conductor wiring and bare earth wire. These components will combine to coil-split your humbucker without hassle. If you're finding trouble doing this, you can check videos of how to perform the process online. It is quite simple and straightforward.

What are the main differences between single-coil pickups and humbuckers?

The main difference between single-coil pickups and humbuckers includes the following; single-coil pickups produce crispy and brighter sound as compared to humbuckers that produce smooth and deeper sound because they have double coils. Single-coil pickups produce hum when not in use, but humbuckers eliminate hum. Lastly, single-coil pickups are mostly preferred by country music guitarists while humbuckers are preferred by jazz and rock music guitarists.

Conclusion for Humbuckers Sized P90 Buyers

One of the best ways to modify your electric guitar is to swap out original pickups that come with them with excellent humbucker pickups. This is a cost-effective way of making your guitar produce the perfect sound and performance you want. The type of guitar in your possession does not matter if you change the pickups to the best humbuckers available in the market.

For instance, you can improve the sound produced by a regular guitar by installing high-quality pickups in them. When it comes to choosing humbuckers, you should learn to choose the one that sounds best for your music style. This applies if you are into classical music or heavy metal.

You can bridge single-coil pickups and humbuckers by getting humbuckers sized P90. This will ensure you can produce both single-coil pickup sounds and humbucker sounds from a single guitar. This massive pickup upgrade will help you get the best out of your electric guitars.

It is nice to have some level of flexibility when playing your guitar, so you can produce different types of sound. This will make you go far as a music artist since it will help you easily adapt to different music styles. Every pickup offers value be it single-coil pickups, humbuckers, or P90 pickups. So, whichever one you prefer, ensure you are buying the best available. When you buy the best humbuckers sized P90, you will not have to constantly change pickups for your guitars. It will help you save the cost of constantly changing pickups while also upgrading your sound.

This article should help you decide which humbucker pickups are best for you. So, kindly share your thoughts about humbucker pickups perfect for electric guitars in the comment section.