My 89’ Goldtop

[HomerThompson]

Hey everyone, just showing my latest pictures of my 1989 goldtop. I bought it from a local kijiji ad and it feels great, sort of a chunky C shape neck. I’ve always wanted a Goldtop, and love p90s . but when i plugged it in, the tone definitely left something to be desired. Turns out that 89s came stock with p-100s , after a little research here , i quickly learned how much those pickups are despised haha, so i quickly switched them out for a set of lollar 50s wind p90s which are fantastic. But wanted a little more punch in the bridge. Not wanting to route any wood out i tried to find a p90 sized humbucker , and went with the tv jones powertron, the same pickup that comes with the malcolm young signature gretsch! So i got the pickup in a cream soapbar cover and here it is. Would love to hear anyones suggestions for any other p90 sized humbuckers? Thanks guys

 

[HomerThompson]

Trying to upload photos

 

[HomerThompson]

 

[RocketKing]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Are you sure a hotter p 90 in the bridge won't do?
Might be the easiest solution.
There are a few options from a few winders but I know it's always a compromise... Hopefully someone with direct experience will chime in.
How's cape feare Mr Thompson?

 

[dc007]

and went with the tv jones powertron, the same pickup that comes with the malcolm young signature gretsch!

How does it sound to you?

 

[HomerThompson]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Are you sure a hotter p 90 in the bridge won't do?
Might be the easiest solution.
There are a few options from a few winders but I know it's always a compromise... Hopefully someone with direct experience will chime in.
How's cape feare Mr Thompson?

To be honest , i considered the hotter p90, the lollar 50s wind are a little lower output than their standard p90, but im enjoying the no hum from the bridge too much haha, and the p90/humbucker middle position sounds so great. Im just curious to know of any other types of nice bridge pickups i may have missed, thanks!

 

[HomerThompson]

How does it sound to you?

Sounds rich and clear, the mix between the humbucker and the p90 have made it quite a versatile guitar. Although i will say it is not as clear as the lollar neck p90

 

[Dazza]

Congrats. I've had my '89 GT since '99. Looking them up there were only a few hundred made so it's not that common to see another. This was my favourite playing LP before I got into Historics, but I still use it regularly.

The posts were already modded for an ABR1 bridge and tuners swapped. I quickly replaced the P100's with P90's, they're in a box and it's been this way for 20 years. Only recently I put the original speed knobs back on and fit a new pickguard as the originals' visible crack had grown too long.

Daz

 

[HomerThompson]

Beautiful, as ive read ,there were 2 different goldtops made that year, is that the original truss rod cover? I know one has standard written on , then i saw pictures of yours that didnt have it. I cant remember the name of it, pre historic or something like that, looks great man!

 

[Dazza]

Beautiful, as ive read ,there were 2 different goldtops made that year, is that the original truss rod cover? I know one has standard written on , then i saw pictures of yours that didnt have it. I cant remember the name of it, pre historic or something like that, looks great man!

From memory I think mine had the 'standard' trc. Now I'm unclear where it went ! The other model has proper ABR posts without the inserts as ours do. Looking at that old pic I posted I just had to look at the actual guitar to double check the gold finish is much more amber in person. Maybe just the lighting in both our pics ? There's a small area of checking where my forearm rests. It saw a lot of travel to Dubai and Caribbean cruise gigs before I bought Historics.

Daz

 

[HomerThompson]

From memory I think mine had the 'standard' trc. Now I'm unclear where it went ! The other model has proper ABR posts without the inserts as ours do. Looking at that old pic I posted I just had to look at the actual guitar to double check the gold finish is much more amber in person. Maybe just the lighting in both our pics ? There's a small area of checking where my forearm rests. It saw a lot of travel to Dubai and Caribbean cruise gigs before I bought Historics.

Daz

Oh cool, yes mine is more amber in person as well. So it sounds like we have the same one then, very cool. I think the other one, as i was reading only had minor differences, truss rod cover; thumb bleeders , that kinda thing. Both models came with p100s i remember reading. And i wish i was gigging again! Woulda loved to do a cruise ship run. These new pickups need a workout!

 

[Dazza]

Oh cool, yes mine is more amber in person as well. So it sounds like we have the same one then, very cool. I think the other one, as i was reading only had minor differences, truss rod cover; thumb bleeders , that kinda thing. Both models came with p100s i remember reading. And i wish i was gigging again! Woulda loved to do a cruise ship run. These new pickups need a workout!

I'm sure it's not as 'yellow gold' as an R7 I had. Now I'm thinking of it I swapped the poker chip to match the new aged pickguard. Not a perfect fit guard but close enough. The original plastics are as dark as the pu covers. Now it looks more vintage correct with the colour mismatch and speed knobs. Not that anyone is looking !

 

[brianbzed]

View attachment 503427

I'll bet she sounds great! Killer looks, too!

 

[HomerThompson]

I'm sure it's not as 'yellow gold' as an R7 I had. Now I'm thinking of it I swapped the poker chip to match the new aged pickguard. Not a perfect fit guard but close enough. The original plastics are as dark as the pu covers. Now it looks more vintage correct with the colour mismatch and speed knobs. Not that anyone is looking !

Guh, i love the 57s, just something about it.How are the humbuckersin that? And also is it a baseball bat neck? Would love to see pics!

 

[HomerThompson]

I'll bet she sounds great! Killer looks, too!

I love it, ill post some pics of my other gibsons. But this one is becoming my number one favourite, thanks!