The "'56 Goldtop" Upgrade

[The_Sentry]

Ah, I don't know about you...but I am one of those folks who lament the passing of the '56 goldtop. It was a double whammy for me because even though most of you can still find one on the used market, they will probably never make a lefthanded model.

Nevertheless....

If someone wanted to make a standard Epi LP sound like a Goldtop, what would they need besides the appropriate P-90 soapbars? (And, bear in mind they'd have to fit in a humbucker cavity).

(Also....I looked at the Gibson P-94's. They don't quite sound like the old P-90's so if anyone has any third vendor picks...post 'em.)

 

[RMC1]

Humbucker size p90`s perhaps?

P90 soapbar's

Bottom of Page

 

[The_Sentry]

Humbucker size p90`s perhaps?

P90 soapbar's

Bottom of Page

Ah, thanks for the link, RMC.... Do you know if special caps are needed for those? Also, what kind of pot would those pups take? (500k vs. 250k)

 

[RMC1]

Not going to lie to you mate,or pretend i know,i ain`t got a clue.I`ve never used them.There are quite a few after market Manufacturers that make those Pickups,i`m not doing much,i`ll have a hunt around

 

[The_Sentry]

Not going to lie to you mate,or pretend i know,i ain`t got a clue.I`ve never used them.There are quite a few after market Manufacturers that make those Pickups,i`m not doing much,i`ll have a hunt around

Ah, it's all good....in truth, I'm wondering what a hybrid sound would be like as well on an Epi LP (humbucker in the bridge, P90 style in the neck.)

 

[RMC1]

I`ve pondered that too.I have a Gordon Smith with P90`s,which sounds really great.But i`ve toyed with the idea of swapping out a Humbucker for a P90 on a Les Paul

 

[The_Sentry]

I`ve pondered that too.I have a Gordon Smith with P90`s,which sounds really great.But i`ve toyed with the idea of swapping out a Humbucker for a P90 on a Les Paul

I saw a Gibson model last fall that was set up like this from the manufacturer...I can't remember the exact name of the model, but it did look pretty sweet...

Ah...here it is...that would be kind of like a BFG setup....(sans gnarly finish)

 

[gibiphone]

Dice seems to like the inexpensive GFS Mean 90s he put in one of his EPI Customs. They are full humbucker sized P90s. Do a search on the Mean 90s and you will find his post. It was recent, I believe.

 

[RMC1]

Hehe,i`ve also pondered buying a BFG, and attacking it with a Sander,then turning it into something that looks nice .I`ve got all kinds of crazy stuff lined up for when i get Home

 

[Akahito]

I've been interested in modifying a standard body into a p-90 or mini-humbucker version by partially filling and re-routing the cavities to fit the smaller pickup. This would be great for a goldtop or other solid finish, where you won't have to reapply a veneer on top to conceal the filler blocks.

 

[Grand Pappy]

On the world wide WEB I saw some sort of pup rings that you could get that would allow you to fit a mini HB into a standard size HB route, but they looked like shite!!!
I also don't understand why some one routs out the pup cavities on a guitar that is equiped w/ P-90's, or Mini's to accomodate standard size HB's.
For God's sake, if you want std size HB's go find a guitar to buy that is allready routed as such and leave the LP Deluxes and P-90 equiped guitars alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[djwilbanks]

Personally I love the combo of the burstbucker and p90 on the BFGs and I think other guitars should have that option.

 

[slowhand0461]

On the world wide WEB I saw some sort of pup rings that you could get that would allow you to fit a mini HB into a standard size HB route, but they looked like shite!!!
I also don't understand why some one routs out the pup cavities on a guitar that is equiped w/ P-90's, or Mini's to accomodate standard size HB's.
For God's sake, if you want std size HB's go find a guitar to buy that is allready routed as such and leave the LP Deluxes and P-90 equiped guitars alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

+1....I agree 100%...why would someone do that..it sure happen a lot in the '70s though....