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AudioFu Chart · November 2026

Best P-90 Pickups for Beginner 2026

The top pick is Gotoh Pickups TV-1 P-90 Dogear NE BK ($39). Seymour Duncan SPH90-1n Phat Cat Neck Pickup leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 35 models across 12 brands, prices checked every night.

Last updated: November 7, 2026

35models in this chart
12brands
$184median price
7price drops since Aug

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All P-90 Pickups Showing: For Beginner · clear

Top 10

Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.

  1. Gotoh Pickups TV-1 P-90 Dogear NE BK

    Gotoh Pickups

    Not on Reverb yet2 finishes at Thomann

    This pickup sounds great for the neck spot with a punchy midrange. The Alnico 5 magnet gives it a solid vintage feel. It comes ready to install with all the hardware you need. Perfect for players who want that classic, warm tone without extra wiring work.

    Pros

    • Delivers a powerful sound with strong midrange presence
    • Uses high-quality Alnico 5 magnet material for tone
    • Designed specifically for the neck position on guitars

    Cons

    • Output level is not specified in the description
    • Cover color is black, limiting other style choices
    39AudioFu
    Index
    • Demand30
    • Lineup43
    • Price50
    • Maker52
    Stableno change since Aug 17
    Aug 17$39 now
    $39€35 at Thomann · in stock
    Check price ↗
  2. Gotoh Pickups Old-1 P-90 Soapbar BK

    Gotoh Pickups

    Not on Reverb yet2 finishes at Thomann

    This pickup gives you a warm, mid-heavy tone perfect for classic rock or blues. It comes fully wired with screws, so you can install it right away. While the vintage output is great for neck positions, you won't find a bridge version here.

    Pros

    • Vintage Alnico 5 magnet for warm tone
    • High DC resistance for clear output
    • Includes all mounting screws and springs

    Cons

    • Only two conductor wiring available
    • Black cover may show wear easily
    39AudioFu
    Index
    • Demand30
    • Lineup43
    • Price50
    • Maker52
    Stableno change since Aug 17
    Aug 17$39 now
    $39€35 at Thomann · in stock
    Check price ↗
  3. Seymour Duncan SPH90-1n Phat Cat Neck Pickup

    SPH90-1N Nickel Cover · Seymour Duncan

    36 for sale on Reverb4 finishes at Thomann

    The SPH90-1N is a clever design, giving you that raw P90 grit with the humbucker’s quiet operation. It’s a solid choice for players who crave a thick, powerful neck tone for rock, blues, or even heavier styles – think early Stones or a modern take on classic rock. It’s a premium-priced option, but the quality and sound justify the investment.

    Pros

    • Delivers classic P90 character with humbucker noise rejection.
    • Nickel cover provides a vintage aesthetic and warmer tone than chrome.
    • Alnico magnets offer a balanced, articulate sound with good sustain.

    Cons

    • Can be a bit thick sounding for players seeking a very bright, airy tone.
    • Limited versatility – shines in rock/blues, less ideal for clean genres.
    82AudioFu
    Index
    • Demand100
    • Lineup63
    • Price50
    • Maker100
    Stableno change since Aug 17
    Aug 17$144 now
    $144€129 at Thomann · in stock
    Check price ↗
  4. Gotoh P90 BK

    Gotoh

    Not on Reverb yet1 finish at Thomann

    This is a straightforward single coil for the bridge or neck. It sounds clean and bluesy, which fits well with classic rock. The earless design makes it simple to install since screws are included. It works well if you need a reliable, mid-priced option that doesn't overcomplicate your setup.

    Pros

    • Earless mount design for easy installation
    • Clean bluesy tone ideal for rock
    • Includes mounting screws in the box

    Cons

    • No magnet material is listed in specs
    • Output level data is missing entirely
    32AudioFu
    Index
    • Demand30
    • Lineup27
    • Price50
    • Maker22
    Stableno change since Aug 17
    Aug 17$44 now
    $44€39 at Thomann · in stock
    Check price ↗
  5. Gibson P-90 Soapbar Pickup 2016

    P-90 Dogear · Gibson

    16 for sale on Reverb3 finishes at Thomann

    This is a genuine Gibson P-90 Dogear – it’s got that raw, snarling tone perfect for rock, blues, and garage punk. It’s a straightforward pickup, so don't expect a million different sounds, but if you want that classic Les Paul Junior bite, this delivers it reliably and authentically.

    Pros

    • Authentic Gibson P-90 growl, instantly recognizable tone.
    • Alnico 5 magnet delivers a focused, articulate midrange response.
    • USA-made quality ensures consistent performance and durability.

    Cons

    • Can be microphonic, prone to unwanted noise at high gain.
    • Limited tonal versatility compared to humbuckers or coil-splitting options.
    64AudioFu
    Index
    • Demand78
    • Lineup54
    • Price50
    • Maker45
    Stableno change since Aug 17
    Aug 17$128 now
    $128€115 at Thomann · in stock
    Check price ↗
  6. Seymour Duncan SP90-3n Custom P90 Neck Pickup

    SP90-3n Custom P90 Neck BK · Seymour Duncan

    15 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann

    This is a soapbar-style P90 pickup for the neck position of an electric guitar. It has a ceramic magnet, medium output, tight low end and a sharp, rough top end. It suits you if you want a punchy, gritty neck sound from a black soapbar pickup.

    Pros

    • Ceramic magnet gives this soapbar-style P90 a solid, classic build
    • Made in USA with a single-conductor cable and braided shielding
    • Wax sealed for a protected pickup body
    63AudioFu
    Index
    • Demand77
    • Lineup27
    • Price50
    • Maker100
    Stableno change since Aug 17
    Aug 17$140 now
    $140€125 at Thomann · in stock
    Check price ↗
  7. DiMarzio DP169BK Virtual P-90

    DP169 Virtual P90 BK · DiMarzio

    7 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann

    If you want a P-90 with a bit of attitude, this soapbar is worth a look. The two coils have different frequency ranges and output powers, and you can adjust the balance by changing the height of the pole pieces. It is recommended for the neck and bridge positions, and it gives you a rougher edge with more bite on top and more growl on the low end.

    Pros

    • Two coils with different frequency ranges and output powers
    • Pole piece height adjustments let you calibrate tone and balance
    • Recommended for both neck and bridge positions

    Cons

    • Slightly rougher character may not suit players who want a cleaner sound
    49AudioFu
    Index
    • Demand58
    • Lineup27
    • Price50
    • Maker58
    Stableno change since Aug 17
    Aug 17$133 now
    $133€119 at Thomann · in stock
    Check price ↗
  8. Bare Knuckle Boot Camp True Grit P90 Pickup Set

    BC True Grit P90 BR BK · Bare Knuckle

    0 for sale on Reverb3 finishes at Thomann

    The Bare Knuckle True Grit P90 BR BK is a fantastic entry point into the Bare Knuckle sound. It nails that raw, gritty P90 tone—think early Stones or classic blues—without being overly muddy. Perfect for players wanting authentic P90 character at a more accessible price point.

    Pros

    • Hand-wound construction delivers exceptional clarity and dynamic response.
    • Alnico 5 magnet provides a classic P90 character with a bit more bite.
    • The 10k DC resistance is ideal for a wide range of amps and guitar types.

    Cons

    • Limited versatility; excels in rock/blues, less suited for clean, pristine tones.
    • The black cap may not aesthetically match all guitars’ hardware.
    32AudioFu
    Index
    • Demand0
    • Lineup54
    • Price62
    • Maker67
    ↓ 4.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far
    $111 · Aug 17$106 now
    $106€95 at Thomann · in stock
    Check price ↗
  9. Mojotone 56 Q. Coil P-90 Dogear NE BK

    Mojotone

    Not on Reverb yet3 finishes at Thomann

    This is a neck pickup for an electric guitar that gives you the authentic P-90 tone of the 50s, with powerful, clear highs and no hum. It is hand-wound in the USA and built with parts and materials found in original vintage P-90 pickups, so it suits you if you want that classic P-90 character in a quieter pickup. The fixing screws come with it, and the braided leads make it simple to connect.

    Pros

    • Hand-wound noiseless P-90 pickup that removes the hum of single coils
    • Built using parts and materials found in original vintage P-90 pickups
    • Uses AlNiCo 5 magnet material

    Cons

    • Single connection wire, so no extra leads for wiring changes
    48AudioFu
    Index
    • Demand30
    • Lineup54
    • Price72
    • Maker71
    ↓ 7.2%since Aug 17 · lowest so far
    $155 · Aug 17$144 now
    $144€129 at Thomann · in stock
    Check price ↗
  10. Seymour Duncan SP90-3B Creme

    Seymour Duncan

    Not on Reverb yet3 finishes at Thomann

    This SP90-3B really kicks! It’s got that raw, aggressive bite perfect for rock, blues, and anything needing some serious grit. The ceramic magnets give it a modern edge while retaining that classic P90 character – a solid choice for players wanting a powerful vintage vibe.

    Pros

    • Ceramic magnets deliver a tight, focused low-end response.
    • The specially designed coil provides a surprisingly wide frequency spectrum.
    • Bridge/neck calibration balances tone and output across string positions.

    Cons

    • The higher output might be too aggressive for very subtle, clean tones.
    • SP90s inherently can be microphonic; this one isn't the quietest.
    47AudioFu
    Index
    • Demand30
    • Lineup54
    • Price50
    • Maker100
    Stableno change since Aug 17
    Aug 17$144 now
    $144€129 at Thomann · in stock
    Check price ↗

All 35 P-90 pickups

Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.

  1. 11
    DiMarzio DP210 Tone Zone P90 CremeDiMarzio · 2 finishes
    Index 40Stable
    40
    Stable$128€115
    $128€115Check ↗
  2. 12
    DiMarzio DP209 P90 Super Distortion BKDiMarzio · 2 finishes
    Index 40Stable
    40
    Stable$133€119
    $133€119Check ↗
  3. 13
    Mojotone Hot Q. Coil P-90 Soapbar BR BKMojotone · 2 finishes
    Index 41Stable
    41
    Stable$144€129
    $144€129Check ↗
  4. 14
    Seymour Duncan SSP90-1B BLKSeymour Duncan
    Index 41Stable
    41
    Stable$144€129
    $144€129Check ↗
  5. 15
    Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Soapbar Bridge PickupAntiquity P90 Soapbar Neck BL · Seymour Duncan · 3 finishes
    Index 80Stable
    80
    Stable$211€189
    $211€189Check ↗
  6. 16
    Seymour Duncan JJN P90 Silencer Soapbar Jared James Nichols Signature…JJN P90 Silencer Soapbar B BL · Seymour Duncan · 3 finishes
    Index 71Stable
    71
    Stable$184€165
    $184€165Check ↗
  7. 17
    Seymour Duncan STK-P1b P90 Soapbar Stack Bridge PickupSTK-P1B Soapbar Bridge Cream · Seymour Duncan · 2 finishes
    Index 70↓ 2.7%
    70
    ↓ 2.7%$162€145
    $162€145Check ↗
  8. 18
    Seymour Duncan P90 Silencer Dog Ear Neck PickupP90 Silencer Dog-Ear Neck CR · Seymour Duncan
    Index 56Stable
    56
    Stable$178€159
    $178€159Check ↗
  9. 19
    Lollar P90 Dogear Casino Neck CLollar · 12 finishes
    Index 56↑ 3.8%
    56
    ↑ 3.8%$186€165
    $186€165Check ↗
  10. 20
    Lindy Fralin P90 Hum-Cancel Dog Ear N BKLindy Fralin · 7 finishes
    Index 50Stable
    50
    Stable$207€185
    $207€185Check ↗
  11. 21
    Lollar Novel 90 BR NRMBLollar · 2 finishes
    Index 45↓ 2.2%
    45
    ↓ 2.2%$195€175
    $195€175Check ↗
  12. 22
    Friedman Classic 90 Neck BK&WHFriedman
    Index 42↓ 15.4%
    42
    ↓ 15.4%$160€143
    $160€143Check ↗
  13. 23
    Seymour Duncan SANT P90 B BKSeymour Duncan
    Index 41Stable
    41
    Stable$211€189
    $211€189Check ↗
  14. 24
    Seymour Duncan ANT-P90DE B BLKSeymour Duncan
    Index 41Stable
    41
    Stable$211€189
    $211€189Check ↗
  15. 25
    Friedman Classic 90 Bridge BK&WHFriedman
    Index 33Stable
    33
    Stable$189€169
    $189€169Check ↗
  16. 26
    Kloppmann SB 62 P90 Dogear BR BKKloppmann
    Index 32Stable
    32
    Stable$211€189
    $211€189Check ↗
  17. 27
    Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Brute Force P90 Bridge PickupBC Brute Force P90 Set CR · Bare Knuckle · 2 finishes
    Index 27Stable
    27
    Stable$200€179
    $200€179Check ↗
  18. 28
    Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Great P-90 Set NickelSeymour Duncan
    Index 25Stable
    25
    Stable$278€249
    $278€249Check ↗
  19. 29
    Mojotone 56 Q.Coil P-90 Set BKMojotone · 2 finishes
    Index 25Stable
    25
    Stable$289€259
    $289€259Check ↗
  20. 30
    Lollar 50s Wind P-90 SoapBar Set BKLollar · 2 finishes
    Index 24↑ 6.7%
    24
    ↑ 6.7%$356€319
    $356€319Check ↗
  21. 31
    Lollar Novel 90 Set NRMBLollar
    Index 24Stable
    24
    Stable$390€349
    $390€349Check ↗
  22. 32
    Lollar DC-90 Set BKLollar
    Index 24Stable
    24
    Stable$434€389
    $434€389Check ↗
  23. 33
    Mojotone Hot Q.Coil P-90 Set BKMojotone
    Index 23Stable
    23
    Stable$289€259
    $289€259Check ↗
  24. 34
    Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Old Guard P90 Bridge PickupBC Old Guard P90 Set BK · Bare Knuckle · 2 finishes
    Index 22Stable
    22
    Stable$200€179
    $200€179Check ↗
  25. 35
    Fishman Fluence Greg Koch P90 Set BKFishman · 2 finishes
    Index 22Stable
    22
    Stable$323€289
    $323€289Check ↗

P-90 Pickups by the numbers

Measured across all 79 models we track, not a sample.

Price distribution

Median $184 — half of all P-90 pickups here cost less.

5
0
18
27
12
9
8
<$50$50–100$100–150$150–200$200–300$300–400$400+

How to choose the best P-90 pickups

Output Level

Beginners often struggle with gain - too much and it's a muddy mess, too little and you're lost in the mix. Lower output P-90s (around 7.5k-9k) are generally more forgiving, giving you headroom to work with and a clearer signal.

Articulation

P-90s can get a bit muddy if they're not well-made. You want pickups that let individual notes breathe, especially when you're learning those chord changes. Poor articulation makes everything sound like a blur.

Noise

Single coils are inherently noisier than humbuckers, and P-90s are the loudest single coils of the bunch. Look for pickups that are well-shielded or that have a slightly tighter voicing to minimize that 60-cycle hum - it can be distracting when you're trying to focus on your technique.

Versatility

While P-90s aren't known for being super versatile, some models offer a wider range of tones than others. A slightly scooped midrange can give you more options for clean sounds and bluesy grit.

Ease of Installation

Let's be real, you might not be comfortable soldering. Some P-90s come with pre-soldered leads or are easier to wire up, which can save you a headache and a trip to a tech.

Buying guide

Alright, so you're diving into the world of P-90s? Smart move. They've got this raw, gritty character that's just magic - but they can be a bit overwhelming for a beginner. It's not just about 'tone' - it's about how that tone interacts with your playing, your amp, and your overall sound. Let's find some P-90s that'll help you learn and love the guitar, not fight it.

Don't chase the 'vintage mojo' right away. Focus on playability first. Cheap P-90s often have brittle treble and a weak low-end, which can mask your mistakes and make learning harder.

Spending a bit more on a well-voicing P-90, even a modern one, will pay off in terms of clarity and ease of use. Also, consider the bridge and neck position - they don't need to match exactly, but a balanced set will sound better overall.

How the AudioFu Index works

Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.

This chart covers 79 P-90 pickups from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.

AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.

  • Demand40%

    How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.

  • Lineup20%

    How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.

  • Price15%

    Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.

  • Specs15%

    How completely the maker documents it.

  • Maker10%

    How deep the brand’s range is in this category.

Questions

Are P-90s too loud for a beginner?

They can be, but not always. Lower output P-90s are manageable, especially with a clean amp setting. High-output P-90s need more careful amp control and might be overwhelming at first.

I've heard P-90s are noisy. Is that a huge deal?

It's noticeable, especially in a quiet room. Good shielding helps, but it's part of the P-90 character. It's less of a problem with a band playing loud, but something to consider for bedroom practice.

What's the difference between a P-90 and a humbucker?

P-90s are single-coil, meaning they have one coil of wire. Humbuckers have two, which cancels out hum and generally provide a thicker, more powerful tone. P-90s are raw and aggressive, while humbuckers are often smoother and warmer.

Can I put P-90s in my Stratocaster?

Probably, but you might need to route the pickup cavity. P-90s are wider than single-coil Strat pickups, so it's not a direct swap. It's a project for more experienced players.

Do I need to upgrade my pots and capacitors when I install P-90s?

Not necessarily, but it can improve the tone. Better pots offer a more refined feel and better capacitors can shape the high frequencies. It's a nice upgrade down the line, but not essential for a beginner.

Related charts

#1 · AudioFu Index 39Gotoh Pickups TV-1 P-90 Dogear NE BK · $39€35
Check price ↗
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