destroying a Firebird .............

[eSGEe]

I concur that going from a P90 to a minihum would be a downgrade.

not exactly the mini hum in question has higher out put than the current P90

What about real Firebird-style pickups instead?

Mojotone Johnny Winter Signature Firebird mini humbucker pickup set | Reverb

Neck and bridge set. Lightly used, just the tiniest hairline scratches on the covers (tough to see in the pictures). Otherwise like new. Bridge 6.9k, neck 6.2k. Rings/hardware not included. These are threaded for standard 3-48 humbucker mounting screws and will fit in the smaller-size Fire...

reverb.com

costs $
my septic system JUST poop THE BED yesterday(ill be dealing with those stinky repairs later this a.m.) --- that will be $$$$$$$ so--- this project requires 0 $

 

[Inspector #20]

You can always just remove the magnets from your neck P90.
No more magnetic pull.

Yah, with an adapter ring you could mount mount a mini hum and it'd be easily reversible.

I concur that going from a P90 to a minihum would be a downgrade.
And that if you're going to downgrade, maybe a great Firebird pickup would be preferable.
I'd be more inclined to get a kickass P90 to drop in it.
Maybe even use the switch to engage a noise-cancelling mode using the neck P90 as a dummy coil.
But that's just me.

Four pots and a three-way does present many interesting possibilities.

Just curious about how getting away from uncontrolled buzz and hum is considered a 'downgrade?"

 

[syscokid]

not exactly the mini hum in question has higher out put than the current P90


costs $
my septic system JUST poop THE BED yesterday(ill be dealing with those stinky repairs later this a.m.) --- that will be $$$$$$$ so--- this project requires 0 $

I guess it's no Firebird pups for you then! But if you really want zero costs, then leave that cool guitar unmolested and go take care of your -ty situation...

 

[jtcnj]

 

[BFT Gibson]

Personal preference & sound..mini's in the Firebird for classic..its a unique tone. Have the 500's in mine but its set up metal machine

Into the mini's with low input like they originally came with

 

[67plexi]

If I buy a used guitar it has to be 100% stock if not I'll knock down the sales price to get it back to stock as close as possible.

 

[Cadorman]

Voting is running neck and neck ............

Wait! I forgot to vote. Where's the choice for all of the above?

 

[eSGEe]

Still neck and neck --- Daves not buying me beer it seems................... lol

Well --- time will tell-- it still requires SOLDERING no matter what ..... and we all know I DON NOT RUSH INTO THAT activity hastily!!! OR frankly AT ALL if I can help it

interestingly there was no public ourt cry when I ripped the pups outta the PEavey USA MADE Generation ....... and only put the bridge back (Cavalier pickups FAT LION) ........


IT functions VERY WELL actually as a single pup "esquire generation" (and yes....the sadlles are actually SET and intonated in that weird layout)


this BIRD bending is really no different ...... and can be "undone" and returned to the stock 2 P90 relatively simply .......

 

[jjudas]

I voted that you put the mini HBs in it. I think I evened up the vote. It just seems like its right for a Firebird to have minis in it.

 

[smitty_p]

I don’t think mini-humbuckers are a downgrade, at all.

They have a unique sound, all their own. Besides, Adrian already has his P-90 bases covered by other guitars.

Not to mention, the Firebird originally used mini-humbuckers as standard equipment, anyhow,

 

[ivan H]

Well I voted to do it, & Johnny Winter would've agreed. What was it he said about a Firebird/mini hums, sounds like a Fender, plays like a Gibson. Good enough for Johnny, nuff said. Cheers

 

[syscokid]

But wait a cotton picking minute...!!!!! Minihummers and Firebird-style are actually two different types of pickups!

Mini Humbucker Versus Firebird: Which is the Better Guitar Pickup? - Humbucker Soup

The Mini Humbucker versus Firebird question is a popular one. Learn the difference between these two vintage style pickups.

humbuckersoup.com

 

[Cadorman]

One pickup and an empty hole was good enough for Malcom.

 

[Cadorman]

interestingly there was no public ourt cry when I ripped the pups outta the PEavey USA MADE Generation ....... and only put the bridge back (Cavalier pickups FAT LION) ........

Nope. Still don't care.

 

[smitty_p]

But wait a cotton picking minute...!!!!! Minihummers and Firebird-style are actually two different types of pickups!

Mini Humbucker Versus Firebird: Which is the Better Guitar Pickup? - Humbucker Soup

The Mini Humbucker versus Firebird question is a popular one. Learn the difference between these two vintage style pickups.

humbuckersoup.com

This is true, but they still occupy a similar form factor. Firebird pickups are a type of mini-humbucker, though with a different type of construction.

What we normally think of when we hear the term “mini-humbucker” has more of a PAF type of construction.

I have no issue describing Firebird p’ups as mini-humbuckers, though it is helpful to describe them as Firebird minis, for clarity.

 

[eSGEe]

 

[syscokid]

Nice!

 

[Ebidis]

well some would claim

I have this (on the right)
lovely Firebird Studio factory P90 -- which they seemed to be getting "rare" -- I laugh when I see that -- but the few avail online re STUPID expensive compared to what I paid a couple years ago .....
View attachment 70752
ANYWHO ---
I have 3 P90 gibsons ... and well thats a lot of similar tonality


I also have a mini humbucker bridge pup just LAYING AROUND (10.9k not too shabby and 2 coils so its "splittable...ora TAP able oe WTF ever......"---

AND I have aquired a passion for SINGLE pup guitars (2 or more is getting to complicated -- ugh) -- so ................... (follow me people ......Ill wait for the slow ones................................................................................................................................................ ready? o.k.)

RIP OUT THE P90's
replace the NECK P90 with a FAUX P90 cover (black-- tasteful)
SLAP the MINIHUM in the bridge position-- wire it up as 2 separate pups (each coil gets a tone and volume) and RIP N ROLL BEOTCHES!


or.................................leave it as old bland boring white toast P90s ............. (which means no soldering -- YEAH) and find another use for the mini hum............................. ??????

You know that Gibson mini hums and actual Firebird pickups are not the same right?

 

[eSGEe]

yes///// you didnt watch the homework video in post 36 ...... did you ?



and ...... I have 0 GIBSON pickups involved in the FIREBIRD "mod"/destruction ... the original GIBSON P90's were sold off months ago! "profit"

currently has GM P90's and the minihumbuckers (not firebird) pickups are from Wilkinson

 

[eclecticsynergy]

and again sonically removed, from the OTHER 2 GIBSON P90 Loaded dual pickup guitars hanging
on the wall


yes this was my thinking:

but leave a "cover" so it LOOKS visually like a P90/Mini Hum configuration

Yep, it'd still have its cover, even pole screws and the coil inside. Just no magnets to pull on the strings.

Just curious about how getting away from uncontrolled buzz and hum is considered a 'downgrade?"

I simply prefer P90 tone to mini hums myself. I did say "that's just me."

If the guitar were often going to be exposed to bad power and noisy dimmers, it could be a reasonable compromise even for me.
But I'd consider it a compromise.

Still think using the neck P90 as a dummy coil might be a viable concept.
Anyway, there are decent sounding noise-cancelling P90 types (though trying the P100 has soured many on the whole idea).
Lindy Fralin makes a good one. Even the relatively cheap Kent Armstrongs are quite decent.

For me no mini hum has ever quite measured up to a great P90.
That's my personal taste.
Not saying I'd replace them if I had a vintage Deluxe.
Just that I've never really managed to love them.