The Junior Club...

ivan H said:
Is not a dogear & soap bar the same pickup under the cover?
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I could well be wrong, but I don't believe that a soapbar P/U will fit into a dogear cover. Also, after reading the Seth Lover article, it seems that there were quite a few iterations with regard to magnets, magnet sizes and position, metal/non-metal plates, etc, so I suspect there's a lot of difference within seemingly similar designs - ?

ivan H said:
On the subject of the neck pickup reducing string vibration, I think there may well be something to it.
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Me too. In fact, I suspect this might be the heart of the magic behind a one pickup junior.
 
Mr Grumpy said:
I could well be wrong, but I don't believe that a soapbar P/U will fit into a dogear cover. Also, after reading the Seth Lover article, it seems that there were quite a few iterations with regard to magnets, magnet sizes and position, metal/non-metal plates, etc, so I suspect there's a lot of difference within seemingly similar designs - ?.
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Ah, ok. This was why I asked are they not the same. I've never really looked into P90's & never tried them until my recent 50's tribute LP acquisition. I really do like the soap bars that are in it but have no idea on the specs of them, magnet types or anything. Might have to do a little research, & also look for an opportunity to try dogears. Cheers
 
Looking into the dogear & soap bar type P90's, it appears that the two types share the same specs through the various iterations, but have different base plates. It also seems that the one pickup junior types sounding better is a common belief, regardless of which iteration of P90. Given that both dogear & soap bar have the same specs with only the base plate being different, it seems that the "no neck pickup" thing has some merit. Cheers
 
ivan H said:
Looking into the dogear & soap bar type P90's, it appears that the two types share the same specs through the various iterations, but have different base plates. It also seems that the one pickup junior types sounding better is a common belief, regardless of which iteration of P90. Given that both dogear & soap bar have the same specs with only the base plate being different, it seems that the "no neck pickup" thing has some merit. Cheers
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I guess the base plate on the Dogear pup directs the magnetic field of the pick up more upwards making for more presence in sound.


;>)/
 
BlackSG91 said:
I guess the base plate on the Dogear pup directs the magnetic field of the pick up more upwards making for more presence in sound.


;>)/
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While quickly reading up on the soap bar & dogear types I did see mention of something to this affect (on a LP forum), though someone else answered that as both types have a base plate, & the "ear" tabs on the dogears base plate dont direct the magnetic field directly at the strings it doesn't make a difference. Of course, these were just two people's opinion so there could just as well be something to it as not. Cheers
 
FWIW... a soapbar pickup with its cover will not fit properly in a guitar design for a dogear style. The guitar's cavity for a dog ear is a bit longer and narrower than a guitar design for a soapbar. I found this out the hard way after I ordered my PGK SG Junior kit. I had decided that I prefer the look of a soapbar than a dogear. I stuffed the soapbar in there anyways!

Notice the filler shims on the sides of the pup:

IMG_5568.JPG
 
I think that the vintage P90s, usually dog ear, used alnico pile pieces, like a true single coil as on a Strat. The later versions of soapbars had a baseplate construction, as did the resurgence of the dog ear. All this could be wrong, but that is what I think I read.
 
RVA said:
I think that the vintage P90s, usually dog ear, used alnico pile pieces, like a true single coil as on a Strat. The later versions of soapbars had a baseplate construction, as did the resurgence of the dog ear. All this could be wrong, but that is what I think I read.
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Not to my knowledge. Early P-90s had a similar construction but with the weaker Alnico III magnet. This style of pickup is currently available from Bare Knuckle as their Half Note and Manhattan models. By the end of the 1950s P-90s had Alnico V magnets, and it is these that you find in most Gibsons with P-90s. The Alnico III version is favoured by jazz players.

From what I can see the major change in construction was simply the change from dogear to soapbar mountings.
 
It's actually difficult to find videos of the Alnico III P-90s in a two pickup guitar, most of them have just a neck pickup, no bridge. These are the humbucker-sized Manhattan P-90s.


This is the Half Note dogear, but as I said neck only.


They sound quite different to the Alnico V P-90s that we're used to.
 
Dave Sloven said:
It's actually difficult to find videos of the Alnico III P-90s in a two pickup guitar, most of them have just a neck pickup, no bridge. These are the humbucker-sized Manhattan P-90s.


This is the Half Note dogear, but as I said neck only.


They sound quite different to the Alnico V P-90s that we're used to.
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I have a Manhattan BKP bridge and like it very much
 
Mr Grumpy said:
I don't know what to say; Sysco is such a respected member and great poster that I just feel numb from his admission...
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Ha ha... you guys bust me up!

I'll double down here: For me, the look of a soapbar is got a cleaner and more finished appearance. Ok, ok... they're also adjustable... just in case!




... :hide:
 
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