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Advice on Low/MID level P 90 guitars..


SPONGEBOB

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First let me say, I know what a good P 90 guitar is, what it sounds like and how versatile they are.. I have had several including a 1961 SG/LP.. several early- mid 60's SG Specials, a 1964 Epiphone Coronet and a PRS Custom 22 Triple Soapbar... All gone... I sold everything, went to cheapo guitars, and decided I don't like my sound anymore... too generic,, time to get some better wood..

Anyway, I am considering a lower mid level P90 axe.maybe $400-500 used..Godin LG P 90,.. Maybe a PRS Korean Soapbar[they look nice to me].. Gibson LP DC faded,perhaps a Peavey Firenza[they are getting expensive].. I would consider any others.. I bought an Agile AD 2300, but it was stupid heavy, sounded VERY generic and had serious fret issues.. I sold it as a fixer upper within a week, so I don't want to go the Agile route..

 

I've had several of thier guitars and am becoming disillusioned...

 

In any case, please let me know what you guys are happy with in the low mid price range.. btw.. I know Gibson still makes a SG with P 90's .. Is it called the SG Classic Fadedor something??.. any good???.. anyway, any and all info would be well appreciated!.. bob

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Originally posted by SPONGEBOB

I bought an Agile AD 2300, but it was stupid heavy, sounded VERY generic and had serious fret issues..

 

 

I have an AD 2300 Jr and I have to agree on the weight and generic tone issue. The fret work was good on mine though. I like the look of it though so I'm keeping it although I don't play it that often.

 

One suggestion I'd have is to scrounge around for a used Epiphone or Gretsch Electromatic LP Jr from a few years ago. I have the Epiphone and, in spite of its questionable heritage, sounds great and, after a little work, plays great too. The trick is to find a good one among all of the dogs out there.

 

The Peavey and the Godin are good, mid-range, guitars. These two were among some I was considering a while back but I ended up spending the money elsewhere. I haven't spent any time with a PRS SE, but they look good.

 

If you can get by with a single bridge P90, check out the Gibson LP Jr and Melody Makers. If you go with the single pickup I'd suggest a Snarling Dogs VeryTone pedal to simulate a neck pickup.

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Originally posted by scottgd

Fender TC-90


Edit:

Sorry, didn't see your price breakdown. These go for aroung $630 new.

 

 

I have seen them for $499, new. They are quite nice.

 

I tried many P-90 guitars and I would rank them as follows:

 

Gibson Faded DC > Epi '56 Goldtop RI > Dean EVO-60 > Godin LG-90.

 

I really like both the Fender TC-90, the Epiphone Casino, and the Epi Wildkat. Since they are not solid body guitars I'll list them separately, but you should check them out.

 

The Gibson Faded is the best of the bunch, and if you shop around on the internet you can fin one, new, for just under $600. Check out E.M. Shorts!

 

I never have been able to run down the PRS Soapbar SE so I can't comment

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Mid range try the Epi 56 RI Gold Top. I have one and feel that it's a quality Epi. The fit and finish on mine is near perfect. Even the electronics are reliable, and those are the first things I change on Epis'. I don't think I'll have to with this one.

 

If you don't mind going a few hundred higher go get the SG Classic. I picked mine up last friday and haven't been able to put it down since. Top notch. Sounds incredible, workmanship on mine is perfection.

 

The Bear

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I have been very impressed with Eastwood's quality. And I just happen to have a brand new Eastwood Sidejack Deluxe (Burns Trem) with P-90's that sounds amazing and has excellent build quality (set neck and everything) on ebay for a $425 Buy It Now that includes shipping to anywhere in Continental US. PM me for link...

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Originally posted by The Bear

Mid range try the Epi 56 RI Gold Top. I have one and feel that it's a quality Epi. The fit and finish on mine is near perfect. Even the electronics are reliable, and those are the first things I change on Epis'. I don't think I'll have to with this one.


If you don't mind going a few hundred higher go get the SG Classic. I picked mine up last friday and haven't been able to put it down since. Top notch. Sounds incredible, workmanship on mine is perfection.


The Bear

I just bought an Agile AL2000 w/P90's, and after a little setup, it's every bit as good as the Epi 56 RI Goldtop, which I also tried a bunch of. Not to mention $450 less...:thu:

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I know you don't want to hear it, but hey, I'm a P90 guy & you will NOT find a better player, better quality than the agiles if you're on a budget. Compare an Agile to the new PRS import ... no comparison ... the agile feels like a real guitar. NOw, if you're talking big bucks, sure, agiles fall short, but for what you want, you know what I'm going to tell you ...

 

HT

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I A/Bed a Godin LG and PRS SE. Both were excellent, tonewise. It boiled down to what kind of neck you like. The LGs are thin and the PRS has that wide-fat carve. I have short fingers and went with the LG.

 

However, the SD SP90s while having a great tone, are really, really noisy on some higher gain amps I sometimes play. I can take some SC pain but not THAT much! I am awaiting some DiMarzio Virtual P90s. Goddamn cream colored pups have been backordered.

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Yikes.. where did you guy dig THIS crusty old thread up??.. Couldn't decide between a Les Paul DC Faded w/ P 90's and a PRS Soabar SE so I bought BOTH... I have owned a Les Paul Faded DC and a PRS Soap SE for 6 months, and they are BOTH wonderful axes.. after months of gigs,I actually give a slight edge to the PRS, but the Gibson is a also a NICE axe.. neither comes close to my old 61 SG w P 90's, but I was the moron who sold it and I got what I deserved!!!..

 

Sorry to disagree about the Agiles, but NO they do NOT stack up against the PRS Koreans IMHO .. not even close.. I have owned 4 of them, and ALL are gone. Most were heavy and had no "sing" to the tone...generic sound to my ears even after pickup swaps... VERY WELL built no doubt, but I feel the wood is lacking or something , I could not get a sweet tone from any of them.. geez my SX guitars sounded better to my ears... I may try another, if I can find a nice used one... TOO many guys love them,for them to be bad guitars... I LIKE the construction, but never liked the sound or sustain in any of mine...bob

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