The Steel Guitar Forum

I've got a seymour duncan P-90 in my first rondo lap steel. its the standard P-90 that duncan makes. I just got another rondo lap steel and I'm getting ready to put another pickup in it. I LOVE the SD P90, but thought I'd try something different.
I mentioned this on someone elese thread and Tom Pettingill mentioned a P90 from this guy. http://www.bg-pups.com/p90.html
At that site he has the 'regular' and the hot. Which would get for a lap steel? I was leaning against the hotter P-90 (I play blues/rock).
Again, I love the SD P90, but I wanted to experiment a bit and possible save a few bucks.

I've looked at Jason Lollars pickups and they are out of my price range. I'm looking for something less than $70. I've also looked at the GFS p90 for less than $35, but just not sure which way to go?

GFS pickups get a lot of positive attention in the six-string world, and they have a very nice price. I have their humbucker-sized P-90 (Mean 90's) for neck position in a Tele, and it's good.

http://store.guitarfetish.com/pickups.html

Jody ... In general, a hotter pickup will have less highs and be more mid focused, though magnet choice and other variables play a big part.
I'd suggest giving Bryan a shout, he will do custom winds to suit what your after.

Thanks Tom.. I don't know much about pickups, so every bit helps. I emailed Bryan and hope to get a reply soon, since I'm ready to order it!
Thanks for your input D.. I'm not sure which way I'm gonna go yet!

Also check out www.vintagevibeguitars.com - Pete Biltoft winds great pickups at reasonable prices; instead of a P90 you might even think about one of his CC-style blade polepiece pickups, which are HUGE sounding, kinda cleaner versions of a P90...

I would second Roman's comment - I just finished this build with a Vintage Vibe CC lap steel pickup and really am loving it. Fat and clear is how I'd describe it.

Chris, how does the pup sound distorted either with a pedal or distorted amp? I like the fact that it's a rail type pup so that you can adjust the string to string dimension. What is your overall string width at the bridge?

Awesome looking guitar by the way.

Thanks Mark.

I haven't had a chance to do a lot of playing w/overdrive yet, but so far I really like the overdriven sound - I'd say it has sort of a smoother, "glassy" sound when driven, as opposed to maybe a bit more grind from a P90, if that makes any sense.

My string spacing is 2" at the bridge. Pete said he's made them up to 3.3" wide, and he'll custom make them, so it would also work for an 8 string.

You guys beat me to it re: vintage Vibe. I've got one of Pete's blade pickups in my Melobar steel. it's Strat-size, so it isn't quite the same as the CC pickup, but man, is it sweet. It is unlike a regular guitar pickup -- more full range sounding. It sounds great with overdrive, too -- it compresses in that old-time way, lots of overtones and dynamics.

Pete will build them with alnico or ceramic magnets -- just let him know. I have alnico V in mine. Let him know what sound you're looking for, and he'll get you there.

With the CC lap steel pickup you can also change the bar magnets. I have the alnico V in it now, but Pete sent me alnico III and ceramic magnets (haven't tried them yet).