Question about GFS pickups

[iceman79]

I recently bought a new St Blues guitar that has P90's, and I'm thinking about changing out the pickups as the stock ones are a little weak sounding. Since I can't really afford boutique pups right now I was considering GFS P90 soapbars. They seem to get positive reviews, but I'd like to know more before pulling the trigger. Any info about GFS is appreciated.

[super rad stuff]

as far as i have read, dream 90s are thin and lacking due to the fact that they are wound on a single coil sized bobbin(among other factors the bobbin being a big one) and mean 90s are decent as far as a good p90 goes.

[Jay 77]

Haven't had experience with their P90's but everything else I've tried I liked. For the price, give 'em a shot.

[MikeM]

I've heard the dream and mean series are fantastic, their mini-buckers are certified to suck though.

[scottish]

I've heard the dream and mean series are fantastic, their mini-buckers are certified to suck though.

havent used the p90s myself but i can say hands down the mini buckers do not suck. the fat A5 mini was an awesome pickup. Most of the single coils i have tried i liked a lot but i wasnt a big fan of the few sets of reg sized buckers i tried.

[mojorisen]

I bought some GFS single coils for my mustang and they sound good but the windings were a little loose on the neck pickup. I prefer to use them with the pickup covers off, otherewise I wouldn't have seen the loose winding.

[Luke Duke]

I recently bought a new St Blues guitar that has P90's,

How do you like it? I met one of the St. Blues guys in Memphis and he was really excited about the guitar quality that had been getting.

and I'm thinking about changing out the pickups as the stock ones are a little weak sounding. Since I can't really afford boutique pups right now I was considering GFS P90 soapbars. They seem to get positive reviews, but I'd like to know more before pulling the trigger. Any info about GFS is appreciated.

I wouldn't call Duncans boutique pups really, they are what I would call "the bar". From what I can tell the GFS pups are continually a crapshoot. In any case I think you would be happiest if you picked some Duncans up used, a vintage P90 neck and Hot bridge sound like they'd be RIGHT up your alley. I've got a Godin LG P90 with a pair of P90 Hots, very cool sound!

Luke

[Chrismo]

Let's put it this way.

I've owned the Mean 90 set. And I thought it rocked.

I owned a strat set or two, and they absolutely sucked.

With that said, I've heard their soapbars are pretty decent, and they do offer a return period if you don't like them/defective/etc.

[marvar]

I just got a set of their P90's soapbars a few months ago-
They were to replace the pups in my PRS SE semi-hollowbody-
Those pups turned it into a tele! The neck is ok, the bridge is just plain tinkly-great articulation, and definition, but no meat to it.
I put the original PRS soapbar back in the bridge- and the beef came back.
I'm now looking at the Di marzio humbucking soapbars

[TheArchitect]

I have been looking at the GFS stuff as well for a MIM Strat I picked up cheap. Not really wanting to spend as much on pickups as I did the guitar. The GFS site descriptions are virtually identical for every model. The one model that had clips sounded terrible. Just like the ceramic bar singles you get on the cheap imports. I was really hoping to find a steal but I don't think these are it. Just have to keep looking for a uses California set.

[marvar]

From what I read, the GFS vintage '59 humbucker is real popular with Epiphone guys, as a cheap replacement for the stock pups. But, I don't know about any others, except the p90's

I'd say save your money and get some better pups

[mrturtle_91]

I have a few of their pickups, and all of them have been very good. My only complaint with the Dream 90's was that they were a little thin, but other than that, wonderful pickups.

[scottish]

I have been looking at the GFS stuff as well for a MIM Strat I picked up cheap. Not really wanting to spend as much on pickups as I did the guitar. The GFS site descriptions are virtually identical for every model. The one model that had clips sounded terrible. Just like the ceramic bar singles you get on the cheap imports. I was really hoping to find a steal but I don't think these are it. Just have to keep looking for a uses California set.

Try the vintage hot singles. I put a set in one of my strats and they are pretty darn nice, not gonna lie about it. The general trend ive seen with GFS is that the hotter the pups get (read = higher res reading) the worse they seem to be.

[LtKojak]

I recently bought a new St Blues guitar that has P90's, and I'm thinking about changing out the pickups as the stock ones are a little weak sounding. Since I can't really afford boutique pups right now I was considering GFS P90 soapbars.

I can't tell you 'bout soapbars, but I've put several sets of Mean 90's in different guitars and they sounded great in every and each of'em.

HTH,

[iceman79]

Luke, to answer your question I love my St. Blues Mississippi Bluesmaster. I would say it's comparable in quality to a Reverend or DiPinto. This guitar took all the things I've liked about vintage Teles (weight/size/shape) and vintage LP's (24.75 scale, mahagony body, rosewood slab, P90's) and put them into 1 killer little guitar. In fact I would go as far as to call it a baby '56 Goldtop. I tend to flip guitars pretty quickly because I just couldn't find "IT", but I think this one's a keeper!

[metalmike]

Anyone using GFS Power Rails pickups?

[Antihero]

Ive never used the soapbars but i have used the Mean 90. Its better than a Phat Cat, thicker, more powerful etc but i still ended up replacing it. I have a Lipstick HB in the neck of one of my guitars and love it, its probably my favorite neck pickup. I also had a Bigmouth for a little while that while it sounded good, it wasnt my style.

Jay's pretty cool too, GFS customer support is legions better than Seymours.