Best Lollar P-90 Pickups 2026
Alright, so you're chasing that P-90 growl, huh? Let's be honest, a lot of P-90s sound like choked-off strats - brittle and lacking that fat midrange honk. Lollar's taken a different approach, meticulously recreating vintage specs while subtly tweaking them for modern headroom. If you want a P-90 that's got character, bite, and a real sense of touch, keep reading - these are worth a serious look.
Last updated: September 7, 2026
Lollar P-90 Soapbar Low Wind Nk CR
- • Low wind design enhances clarity and dynamic response.
- • Alnico 5 magnet delivers classic P-90 warmth and bite.
- • Cream cover provides a vintage aesthetic and reduces stray noise.
- • Hand-wound construction ensures consistent quality and nuanced tone.
- • Lower output may require amp adjustments for high-gain players.
- • Limited versatility compared to humbuckers for modern, scooped tones.
- • 50mm string spacing might need adjustments for players used to narrower spacing.
Lollar P90 Dogear Casino Set C
- • Alnico 5 magnets deliver a fat, articulate vintage tone.
- • Hand-wound construction ensures exceptional consistency and detail.
- • Dogear design perfectly suits Casino-style guitars, enhancing aesthetics.
- • Chrome covers offer a classic look and protect the windings.
- • The high output bridge pickup might be too aggressive for some players.
- • String spacing differences (neck/bridge) require careful setup for optimal playability.
- • Price point places it in a premium-priced category for P90 pickups.
Lollar P90 Dogear Casino Bridge C
- • Nickel-plated steel cover provides a classic, vintage aesthetic and reduces unwanted noise.
- • Standard wind delivers a balanced tone, suitable for a wide range of playing styles.
- • F-spacing accommodates Casino-style guitars, ensuring proper fit and string clearance.
- • Lollar's renowned quality control guarantees consistent performance and long-lasting reliability.
- • 9.1kΩ DC resistance might be slightly high for some players seeking a truly low-output vintage tone.
- • Limited versatility; excels in classic rock/blues but may lack clarity for modern, high-gain genres.
- • Nickel covers can be prone to tarnishing, requiring occasional cleaning to maintain appearance.
Lollar P90 Dogear Casino Neck C
- • Excellent clarity and articulation for a P90.
- • Nickel covers provide a genuinely vintage aesthetic appeal.
- • Low wind design delivers a smoother, less overwound tone.
- • USA-made quality ensures reliable performance and durability.
- • Can be microphonic if not properly shielded and installed.
- • Limited versatility; excels in specific vintage tones, less suited for modern genres.
- • Dogear mounting restricts compatibility with some guitar designs.
Lollar DC-90 Set BK
- • Hand-wound construction delivers exceptional clarity and dynamic response.
- • Noiseless design effectively eliminates hum without sacrificing P-90 character.
- • 12.3k/11k DC resistance provides a balanced, vintage-inspired output.
- • Solid black cover complements aesthetics while offering robust protection.
- • Mounting system differs from standard P-90s, requiring slight adaptation.
- • Premium-priced, represents a significant investment for some players.
- • Tone, while versatile, leans toward classic rock/blues – less suited for modern metal.
Lollar P-90 Soapbar Low Wind Nk BK
- • Hand-wound clarity enhances nuanced dynamics and articulation.
- • Lower wind count provides a more balanced tone with the bridge pickup.
- • Alnico 5 magnet delivers a classic P-90 warmth and bite.
- • Solid construction and included hardware simplify installation and setup.
- • Low wind design might lack extreme output for high-gain players.
- • Black cover might not suit all guitar aesthetics or vintage builds.
- • 50mm string spacing may require slight adjustments for wider string users.
Lollar P-90 Soapbar High Wind Br BK
- • High-wind design delivers enhanced output and quicker saturation.
- • Alnico 5 magnet provides a balanced, articulate, and slightly warmer tone.
- • Hand-wound construction ensures consistent quality and nuanced character.
- • Excellent bridge P-90 partner, complementing Lollar's standard neck model.
- • Higher output can be a bit much for very clean, pristine tones.
- • The compression might feel restrictive for players seeking a very open, airy sound.
- • The 9.4kΩ DC resistance might require some tweaking for certain guitar circuits.
Lollar P-90 Soapbar Bridge BK
- • Aged Alnico-5 magnets deliver a uniquely warm, vintage-voiced character.
- • Hand-wound construction ensures consistent quality and nuanced tonal complexity.
- • Braided shielding minimizes noise and hum for a cleaner signal.
- • 9.1kΩ DC resistance provides ample output without excessive harshness.
- • Bridge position can still be somewhat brittle; ideal paired with a warmer neck pickup.
- • While versatile, leans heavily toward classic rock and blues tones; less suited for modern metal.
- • Black cover might not aesthetically suit all guitar finishes – consider alternatives.
Lollar P-90 Soapbar Neck BK
- • Aged Alnico-5 magnets deliver a uniquely warm, vintage-voiced character.
- • Hand-wound construction ensures tonal complexity and consistency.
- • Braided shielding minimizes noise and hum for a cleaner signal.
- • 8.2k DC resistance provides a balanced output with other pickups.
- • Lower output might not suit players needing extremely high gain.
- • Black cover might not be ideal for guitars with vintage aesthetics.
- • Alnico 5 magnets, while excellent, aren't as hot as some modern alternatives.
Lollar 50s Wind P-90 Soapbar Set CR
- • Alnico 2 magnets deliver a sweet, vocal midrange tone
- • Lower output yields cleaner tones, excellent for dynamic playing
- • Cream-colored covers offer classic aesthetics and reduced microphonic noise
- • Hand-wound construction ensures consistent quality and tonal character
- • Limited versatility; best suited for classic rock and blues tones
- • Lower output might require a more powerful amplifier for some players
- • Alnico 2 magnets lack the aggressive bite of higher-grade Alnico
Lollar P-90 Dogear Short NE BK
- • Hand-wound AlNiCo 5 magnet delivers warm, articulate tone.
- • Short dogear design fits comfortably in vintage-style cavities.
- • 8.2kΩ DC resistance provides ample output without excessive brightness.
- • Black cap offers a classic aesthetic and reliable performance.
- • The AlNiCo 5 magnet may lack the extreme output of ceramic options.
- • The 'medium' output might be too tame for modern high-gain players.
- • Limited versatility; excels in rock/blues, less ideal for clean genres.
Lollar P-90 Dogear Tall BR BK
- • Hand-wound Alnico 5 delivers classic P-90 grit and warmth
- • Tall design offers increased string clearance for easier bending
- • 9.1kΩ DC resistance provides a robust, driving output
- • Black cap adds a touch of vintage aesthetic and functionality
- • Bridge position can be a bit harsh without careful volume/tone adjustments
- • Alnico 5 magnet might lack the extreme high-end of ceramic alternatives
- • Dogear mounting limits compatibility with some non-dogear guitars
Lollar P-90 Soapbar Set CR
- • Handwound Alnico 5 delivers exceptional clarity and warmth
- • RWRP design provides effective noise cancellation in middle position
- • Consistent output balance between neck and bridge pickups is superb
- • Cream covers offer a classic aesthetic appeal and easy installation
- • Alnico 5 magnets might be too soft for extreme high-gain applications
- • Handwinding introduces slight variation, potentially affecting consistency
- • Price point places them in a premium-priced tier for P-90s
Lollar 50s Wind P-90 SoapBar Set BK
- • AlNiCo 2 magnets deliver a sweeter, more vintage P-90 tone.
- • Lower output provides clarity and cuts through a mix exceptionally well.
- • Hand-wound construction ensures consistent quality and tonal character.
- • Black cover offers a classic aesthetic and reduces unwanted microphonic noise.
- • Lower output may require a preamp for heavier rock or metal styles.
- • AlNiCo 2 magnets offer less 'oomph' compared to higher-powered options.
- • The slightly lower output limits overdrive potential, demanding amp tweaking.
Lollar Novel 90 BR NRMB
- • AlNiCo 2 magnet delivers a warmer, more vocal tone than Ceramic alternatives.
- • The 'Novel' design provides a wider frequency response, avoiding the typical P90 boxiness.
- • Nickel-plated steel cover adds a touch of vintage aesthetics and reduces brittleness.
- • Fits standard humbucker routes, offering easy drop-in replacement for many guitars.
- • 10.8k DC resistance may be a bit hot for some vintage-voiced guitars.
- • Matte black finish can show fingerprints and grime more easily than gloss finishes.
- • While versatile, excels in rock/blues; might lack clarity for super-clean, modern styles.
Every p-90 pickups that matches
18 models match this page. The 15 above are covered in detail; the rest are listed here with their published specifications.
| # | Model | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Lollar Novel 90 NE NRMB | not published | $208 |
| 17 | Lollar Novel 90 Set NRMB | not published | $406 |
| 18 | Lollar P-90 Soapbar Set BK | not published | $336 |
P-90 Pickups by the numbers
Measured across all 80 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
How to Choose the Best P-90 Pickups
Vintage Voicing
Lollar's philosophy is about recreating the feel and tone of classic P-90s, but with modern materials and tolerances. They're not chasing a sterile 'perfect' sound; they're aiming for that raw, dynamic response you get from a well-worn vintage pickup.
Alnico 5 vs. Alnico 2
The Alnico 5 models offer a brighter, more aggressive tone with more output, great for rock and blues. The Alnico 2 versions are smoother, warmer, and more vocal - a killer choice for jazz, roots music, or anyone wanting a less aggressive edge.
Winding and Stacked Design
Lollar's meticulous winding patterns and their stacked design (where they use multiple layers of wire) contribute to their unique clarity and sustain. It's not just about the magnet; it's about how the wire interacts with the magnetic field.
Hand-Wound Quality
These aren't mass-produced pickups. They're hand-wound, which means each one has its own subtle tonal fingerprint. You'll find a little variance - and that's part of the charm.
Dogear vs. Soapbar Options
Lollar offers both dogear and soapbar versions, allowing you to drop them into a wider range of guitars. Make sure you know what your guitar needs - dogear for Les Pauls, soapbar for Gibsons and others.
Buying Guide
Look, Lollar P-90s aren't cheap. You're paying for that attention to detail and the hand-wound quality. Don't expect a sterile, perfectly balanced tone - these have character, and that's the point. If you're on a tight budget, there are cheaper options, but you'll almost certainly compromise on build quality and that unique P-90 growl.
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 18 of 80 p-90 pickups from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 15 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.
Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.