When we set out to create JJ's Simulcaster HB-90, we asked our customers what they would like a Humbucker sized P-90 to sound like.
The answer, unsurprisingly was - “Duh, a P-90! What else?” The only way to achieve this was to match as closely as possible the internals of our much-loved, full-sized J-90 and shoehorn them into a humbucker slot.
What is the P-90 sound?
Powerful, articulate, open, sizzling and with shimmer. There should be enough power to break up the signal, but also enough touch sensitivity to cover a range of genres, picking styles/attacks and offer a gratifying player experience. From dedicated chord voicing work to screaming lead solos, a great P-90 should respond to every nuance and volume adjustment.
Let's have a look at the available versions of the HB-90 out there!
1 - The most common (and cheap) version of the Humbucker sized P-90 will use a standard humbucker bobbin and slap it under a cover where few will see or think about it. In this cheap design, the wire gauge (44awg) is so fine and the space so limited, the result is a muddy, congested and compressed sound, with none of the true P-90 jangle and openness we associate with true P-90 sound. This design is also compromised by the positioning of the coil, well away from the edge of the bar magnets. This represents the worst possible version out there. Avoid this version. Giveaways are the cheap price and high DC resistance readings (10-12K+).
Correct 42 AWG, Plain Enamel P-90 coil wire will not fit in this design.
Sound description: One dimensional, thin, screechy, muddy, compressed, congested, overbearing, dull and lifeless.
(Photo credit to the OP Redditor)
2 - The next version is a little bigger and closer to a full size P-90 and it’s what most pickup makers are offering. It’s a dedicated off-the-shelf Humbucker sized P-90 bobbin, which fits inside a humbucker cover and can be wound with thin (43awg) wire right up to the correct P-90 turn counts. It’s easy to do, we tried it, but again it’s not anything like a real P-90 in terms of tone. The coil is reduced in size, this throws all the critical values off and this coil doesn’t sit in the best place for the magnets to do their job. They can sound ok, but never great, or like a true P-90 should.
Correct 42 AWG, Plain Enamel P-90 coil wire will also not fit in this design.
Sound description: Two-dimensional, sort of like a humbucker, with hum. OK, but uninspiring and not as open or jangly as a full-size P-90.
Pic; Industry standard Humbucker sized P-90 bobbin. From a parts supplier.
3 - JJ’s Simulcaster HB-90. They said it couldn’t be done. To use the original P-90 wire (42awg plain enamel) and fit this massive coil into a humbucker space just cannot be done with any off-the-shelf bobbins. We spend an absolute age making our own bobbins by hand, so we can fit the correct P-90 wire inside the pickup. Tolerances for this job are under half of one millimetre to make it all fit and function as it should. The Bridge and Neck bobbins are made to different specs to accommodate the best coil geometry for the desired P-90 tone. The result is the closest P-90 tone you’ll get in a humbucker slot.
Pic: Our full-size, hand-made bobbins on show with open covers. Poles are countersunk so the coil can be positioned even closer to the strings.
All the JJ’s Simulcaster HB-90’s internals are the same as a full size P-90;
- Long, rough cast Alnico magnets. (A4 bridge, A2 neck)
- Countersunk 5-40 Fillister pole pieces, and 49.2mm spaced, machine keeper bars made from low carbon steel.
- 42 AWG Elektrisola Plain Enamel wire.
- Turn counts are identical to our J-90, full sized P-90 pickups.
- We’ve even added grounding to the pole pieces to make sure these are as quiet as a single coil can be.
Sound description: Three dimensional. Tone with body, shimmer and depth. Touch responsive to player input. Gratifying to play.
If you'd like to order a set, please get in touch!