A P90 swap can fix a guitar that sounds dull, compressed, or oddly disconnected from the player's hands, but the fit matters just as much as the magnet. A traditional soapbar will not drop into every humbucker route, and a stacked design behaves very differently from a conventional single coil.
Our Best p90 pickups guide covers ten genuine options, from humbucker-sized replacements and traditional soapbars to a complete guitar with a P90 configuration. The LAMSAM Humbucker P90 is the strongest all-around upgrade, while the Seymour Duncan set is the serious vintage-voiced choice.
Comparison table
| # | Product | Award | Format | Magnet or wiring | Output details | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LAMSAM Humbucker P90 | Best overall | Humbucker-sized set | Alnico 5, wax potted | 7.0K neck, 7.8K bridge | Humbucker-route upgrades |
| 2 | FLEOR Soap Bar Black | Best classic soapbar | Neck and bridge set | Alnico 5, wax potted | 7 to 8K neck, 9 to 10K bridge | LP-style P90 routes |
| 3 | Metallor P90 Set | Best ceramic option | Neck and bridge set | Ceramic bar magnet | 7.5K neck, 8.0K bridge | Direct replacements |
| 4 | Seymour Duncan Antiquity | Best vintage voicing | Traditional soapbar set | Alnico 2, RW/RP neck | 7.80K neck | Vintage-style builds |
| 5 | FLEOR Soap Bar Cream | Best cream soapbar | Neck and bridge set | Alnico 5, wax potted | 7 to 8K neck, 9 to 10K bridge | Cream-covered guitars |
| 6 | Tostar P90 Guitar | Best complete guitar | P90-S S-S configuration | Not specified | 3-way switch | Players needing a guitar |
| 7 | Artec SHA66 | Best balanced humbucker fit | Humbucker-sized set | Alnico 5 | 8K neck, 8.8K bridge | Les Paul-style mods |
| 8 | LYWSMSK Humbucker P90 | Best compact specification | Humbucker-sized set | Alnico 5 bar | 7.5K neck, 8K bridge | Chrome-covered upgrades |
| 9 | Wilkinson M Series Alnico | Best traditional Wilkinson | Neck and bridge set | Alnico 5, wax potted | 8.1K neck, 9.8K bridge | SG and LP-style guitars |
| 10 | Wilkinson M Series Stacked | Best hum-cancelling design | Stacked soapbar set | Ceramic, four conductors | 10K neck, 16K bridge | High-output, quieter setups |
1. LAMSAM Humbucker P90: Best Overall
Pros
- Fits many standard humbucker routes
- Alnico 5 magnets give clear, forceful attack
- Adjustable pole pieces help string balance
- Wax potting helps control squeal and feedback
Cons
- It is still a single coil, so it is not inherently hum-free
- Fit depends on the guitar's route and mounting holes
- Included screws may not suit every instrument
Best for: players turning a muddy humbucker-equipped guitar into a sharper, more articulate instrument.
The LAMSAM Humbucker P90 is the easiest recommendation for a player who wants P90 character without committing to a traditional soapbar route. Its humbucker-sized housing is designed for many standard HH openings, so it targets the common upgrade problem directly: adding bite and midrange texture without major body work.
Both pickups use Alnico 5 magnets, 42-gauge enamel-coated copper wire, shielded wiring, and wax potting. The neck pickup is listed at approximately 7.0K ohms and the bridge at 7.8K ohms. That pairing suggests a relatively even set rather than an aggressively hot bridge, while the adjustable pole pieces let you correct string-to-string balance after installation. Pole spacing is approximately 50mm at the neck and 52mm at the bridge.
The double-conductor wire has pre-tinned ends, and the listed leads are about 14.17 inches for the neck and 9.05 inches for the bridge. Those details are useful during a DIY installation, though the wiring still calls for ordinary soldering confidence. The package includes mounting screws, springs, and a wiring diagram, which makes it more approachable than a bare pickup pair.
Compared with the Artec SHA66, the LAMSAM has a less forceful bridge resistance figure but a similar Alnico 5, humbucker-sized concept. The FLEOR Soap Bar Black is the better fit for a traditional P90 cavity, while the LAMSAM wins when the guitar already has humbucker routes. Its real weakness is the usual one for this format: single-coil noise remains part of the design. Skip it if quiet operation matters more than P90 response. For a compatible HH guitar, it is the set we'd install first.
2. FLEOR Soap Bar Black: Best Classic Soapbar
Pros
- Alnico 5 magnets and adjustable poles
- Neck and bridge outputs are clearly differentiated
- Wax potting helps limit feedback
- Includes screws and springs
Cons
- Traditional soapbar format is not a universal humbucker replacement
- No wiring diagram is listed
- The black cover may not suit every guitar
Best for: an LP-style guitar that already accepts standard soapbar P90s.
The FLEOR Soap Bar Black sticks to the familiar P90 formula and makes a sensible choice for a guitar built around traditional soapbar cavities. It is a neck and bridge pair rather than a single replacement, so the player gets a matched layout for a complete conversion or a fresh build.
Alnico 5 magnets and adjustable poles form the core of the design. The listed resistance is 7 to 8K ohms for the neck and 9 to 10K for the bridge. That stronger bridge figure should give the bridge position more authority when switching from a round neck sound to a sharper rhythm or lead setting. The listed pole spacing is 50mm at the neck and 52mm at the bridge, a useful check before ordering.
The pickups are wax potted, which is intended to reduce unwanted feedback and noise at normal playing levels. Their listed dimensions are about 3.54 inches long, 1.38 inches wide, and 0.59 inches high, with a listed set weight of 0.53 pounds. Those measurements help with cavity and pickguard planning, but a buyer should still compare the guitar's existing mounting layout.
The FLEOR Soap Bar Cream is functionally the closest alternative, with the same Alnico 5 and resistance figures in a different cover color. The LAMSAM Humbucker P90 is more flexible for HH guitars, while this FLEOR set is the cleaner answer when the guitar already has soapbar routes. The limitation is compatibility, not the basic design. Choose it for a conventional P90 guitar, and avoid assuming it will replace a covered humbucker without modification.
3. Metallor P90 Set: Best Ceramic Option
Pros
- Ceramic bar magnet construction
- Separate neck and bridge specifications
- Includes mounting hardware
- Clear pole-spacing information
Cons
- Ceramic response may not suit players seeking softer vintage character
- Intended for P90-style routes
- Less wiring detail is provided than on the LAMSAM
Best for: players who want a direct P90-style replacement with a firmer ceramic response.
The Metallor P90 Set takes a straightforward replacement approach. It supplies neck and bridge pickups with hardware, and its ceramic bar magnet design gives it a different starting point from the Alnico-heavy group above it. That makes it worth considering for a player who wants a more immediate, firm attack rather than a deliberately aged or soft vintage presentation.
Its electrical details are unusually clear for a simple replacement set. The neck is listed at 7.5K ohms with 3.7 henries of inductance, while the bridge is 8.0K ohms with 4.5 henries. The bridge therefore has a modestly higher output specification and a stronger inductance figure, supporting a more assertive bridge voice without the dramatic jump seen in the Wilkinson stacked set.
Pole spacing is about 50mm at the neck and 52mm at the bridge. The listed dimensions are about 3.3 inches long, 1.5 inches wide, and 0.7 inches high, with a set weight of 0.5 pounds. Those numbers are useful for checking the physical cavity, especially on a replacement project where the original pickup was not a P90.
The FLEOR Soap Bar Black is the safer pick for someone specifically chasing Alnico 5 P90 behavior. The Metallor is more interesting when ceramic attack and its distinct output figures are the point. Its weakness is that the listing gives less information about wiring and noise control, so it is not our first choice for a complex custom build. It suits a practical swap where the route already matches and the player prefers a harder-edged response.
4. Seymour Duncan Antiquity: Best Vintage Voicing
Pros
- Calibrated Alnico 2 magnets
- Custom coil wind for vintage-style response
- RW/RP neck pickup can hum-cancel with the bridge
- Hand-fabricated construction and aged covers
Cons
- Traditional soapbar fit only
- Its vintage output is not aimed at high-gain force
- Heavier and more involved than basic replacement sets
Best for: players building a traditional P90 guitar around warm, articulate vintage character.
The Seymour Duncan Antiquity is the specialist pick in this group. It is not trying to imitate every modern P90 variation. Its calibrated Alnico 2 magnets and custom coil wind are aimed at the gritty, responsive character associated with early 1950s Les Paul bridge pickups, with a neck sound described as full, round, and singing.
The bridge is intended to add midrange grit without harshness, while the neck emphasizes warm single-note response. The neck pickup is RW/RP and is designed to be hum-cancelling when used with the matching bridge pickup. That does not turn the individual units into noiseless pickups, but it is a meaningful advantage for players who use both positions together.
The set uses a hand-fabricated bobbin, plain enamel magnet wire, and flatback tape. It has a one-conductor braided shield cable, and the listed neck DC resistance is 7.80K ohms. The pickups are drop-in replacements for most standard P90-sized routes, with aged cream covers in this version. The physical product dimensions shown in the listing are much larger than a single pickup's likely cavity dimensions, so use the actual guitar and mounting pattern as the final authority.
The LAMSAM Humbucker P90 is the more practical recommendation for an HH conversion, and the FLEOR Soap Bar Black offers a more modern Alnico 5 alternative in a standard soapbar format. The Antiquity's weakness is its specialization. It is not the right answer for a player chasing maximum output or a broad, generic upgrade. It is the one to choose when the guitar, amp, and playing style all benefit from touch-sensitive vintage P90 texture.
5. FLEOR Soap Bar Cream: Best Cream Soapbar
Pros
- Alnico 5 magnets
- Adjustable poles for setup flexibility
- Wax-potted construction
- Complete neck and bridge set
Cons
- Standard soapbar fit limits compatibility
- Output range is listed broadly rather than as exact values
- No wiring details are provided
Best for: players matching a cream-covered P90 set to an existing LP-style instrument.
The FLEOR Soap Bar Cream is the cream-covered counterpart to the black FLEOR set, and its place in this roundup is mostly about matching the instrument's appearance without changing the underlying approach. It is designed for LP-style P90 parts and includes one neck pickup, one bridge pickup, screws, and springs.
The set uses Alnico 5 magnets with adjustable poles. FLEOR lists resistance at 7 to 8K ohms for the neck and 9 to 10K for the bridge, with 50mm and 52mm pole spacing respectively. That arrangement gives the bridge a stronger electrical specification while keeping the neck in a more restrained range for clearer chords and warmer lead lines.
Wax potting is intended to reduce unwanted feedback and noise, which is especially relevant for a P90-equipped guitar used with a loud amplifier. The listed dimensions are about 3.54 inches long, 1.38 inches wide, and 0.59 inches high. Those dimensions are close to the black model, but route depth, screw position, and pickguard openings still deserve a physical check before installation.
The FLEOR Soap Bar Black is the obvious alternative if the cover color is not important, while the Seymour Duncan Antiquity offers a more carefully voiced Alnico 2 design for a vintage-focused build. The cream FLEOR's shortcoming is its sparse wiring information. It is best for a simple, compatible replacement, not a project where detailed coil data and specialized wiring are central to the plan.
6. Tostar P90 Guitar: Best Complete Guitar
Pros
- Complete instrument rather than a pickup-only upgrade
- P90-S S-S configuration with a 3-way switch
- Tune-O-Matic bridge and dedicated tailpiece
- 22 cupronickel frets
- Includes gig bag and maintenance accessories
Cons
- Pickup magnet and resistance details are not listed
- It is not a replacement set for an existing guitar
- Bolt-on neck construction may not suit every player
Best for: a beginner or intermediate player who needs a complete P90-equipped electric guitar.
The Tostar P90 Guitar is the outlier here, but it is a legitimate answer for someone searching for P90 pickups because it includes the entire instrument rather than a replacement pair. That distinction matters. A player without a suitable guitar does not need a soldering project, and this model provides a ready-made P90-S S-S configuration with a 3-way switch.
Its construction combines a poplar body with a bolt-on Canadian maple neck and headstock, plus a Purpleheart fingerboard. The Tune-O-Matic bridge and dedicated tailpiece are intended to support sustain and intonation, while the 1:18 closed tuners provide finer tuning adjustment than a lower-ratio design. The guitar is listed at 39 inches long and uses 0.009 to 0.042 nickel-plated steel strings.
The neck has 22 cupronickel frets and glow-in-the-dark side markers. The package also includes a padded gig bag, strap, picks, replacement strings, instrument cable, adjustment wrench, and polishing cloth. Those extras make it a more complete starting point than the pickup-only products, though they do not tell us how the pickups themselves are wound or what magnets they use.
The Tostar P90 Guitar should not be compared directly with the LAMSAM Humbucker P90 as an electronic component. LAMSAM is for modifying an existing guitar, while Tostar is for getting a P90-equipped instrument in one step. Its weakness is the lack of pickup-specific electrical information, and experienced players may prefer to choose the guitar and pickups separately. For a new player who needs the whole platform, this is the most coherent option in the list.
7. Artec SHA66: Best Balanced Humbucker Fit
Pros
- Designed for many Les Paul, SG, and ES-335-style guitars
- Alnico 5 big pole pieces
- Adjustable screw poles
- Clear mounting and spacing measurements
Cons
- Included screws may not fit every guitar
- It remains a single-coil design
- Requires careful checking of mounting-hole distance
Best for: a humbucker-route Les Paul-style guitar needing a thick but defined P90 voice.
The Artec SHA66 is aimed at the middle ground between a full humbucker and a traditional single coil. Its humbucker-sized body is intended for Les Paul, SG, ES-335, and similar guitars, making it a direct rival to the LAMSAM for players who want P90 character without cutting a soapbar route.
Artec lists Alnico 5 big pole pieces, adjustable screws, a fibre bobbin, and two-conductor wires. The neck resistance is 8K ohms and the bridge is 8.8K, with a stated tolerance of 0.5K. Those figures make the pair a little more forceful than the LAMSAM's listed 7.0K and 7.8K values, while still keeping a clear neck to bridge separation.
Fit information is unusually useful. Pole spacing is 50mm at the neck and 52.5mm at the bridge, and the mounting screw-hole distance is 78mm. The manufacturer includes a two-piece set and mounting accessories, but specifically warns that its screws may not suit every installation. That is not a deal breaker, though it means the hardware should be treated as a possibility rather than a guarantee.
The LAMSAM Humbucker P90 is the easier general recommendation because it includes a wiring diagram and more detail about shielded wiring and wax potting. The Artec is compelling when its 8K and 8.8K output figures and 52.5mm bridge spacing match the guitar. Its weakness is installation uncertainty around the screws. Measure first, then choose it for a fuller, more forceful humbucker-sized conversion.
For players also changing the rest of the signal chain, how much amplifier voicing changes a pickup's character is a useful question to settle before making a final choice.
8. LYWSMSK Humbucker P90: Best Compact Specification
Pros
- Alnico 5 bar magnet
- Humbucker-sized format
- Separate neck and bridge resistance figures
- Chrome plated brass covers
Cons
- Wiring and mounting hardware details are limited
- Both positions use 52mm chord distance
- No wax potting is listed
Best for: a chrome-covered humbucker-route guitar where basic electrical specifications matter.
The LYWSMSK Humbucker P90 is a stripped-back option for a player who wants the visual proportions of a covered humbucker with P90-style construction. The listing gives a concise set of component details rather than a long description of intended tone, so it is best approached as a clearly specified project part.
It uses an Alnico 5 bar magnet, a plastic bobbin, and plated brass covers. The neck resistance is listed at 7.5K ohms and the bridge at 8K, with inductance figures of 2.2 henries and 2.65 henries respectively. That modest difference suggests a closely matched set rather than a dramatically hotter bridge pickup.
Both positions are listed with a 52mm chord distance. That is worth checking against the guitar, especially if the instrument has a narrower neck pickup spacing or a bridge that places the outer strings farther apart. The listed set weight is approximately 0.573 pounds, but the product information does not provide the same physical dimensions or installation details found on some competing sets.
The LAMSAM Humbucker P90 is a stronger choice for a first DIY installation because its listing includes lead lengths, pre-tinned wire, wax potting, and a wiring diagram. The LYWSMSK is more appealing when chrome appearance and a compact set of electrical specifications matter most. Its weakness is incomplete information about noise control and hardware. Skip it when you need a highly documented drop-in project.
9. Wilkinson M Series Alnico: Best Traditional Wilkinson
Pros
- Alnico 5 magnets
- Wax-potted soapbar construction
- Clear neck and bridge resistance figures
- Intended for several common guitar formats
Cons
- Included screws may not fit every installation
- Traditional soapbar format limits route compatibility
- Wiring information is basic
Best for: an SG, LP, Casino, or similar guitar with standard P90 mounting.
The Wilkinson M Series Alnico is a conventional soapbar set with a useful list of compatible guitar styles. The manufacturer names SG, LP, Axis, Epiphone Casino, and Fender Tele-style applications, though the actual cavity and mounting pattern should always take priority over a broad compatibility list.
Its Alnico 5 magnets and wax potting place it alongside the two FLEOR sets rather than the ceramic Metallor or stacked Wilkinson. The neck is listed at 8.1K ohms with a tolerance of plus or minus 0.5K, and the bridge is 9.8K with the same tolerance. That gives the set a pronounced bridge specification and should suit players who want the bridge position to retain authority under overdrive.
Pole spacing is 50mm at the neck and 52mm at the bridge. The pickups measure about 3.34 inches long, 1.34 inches wide, and 0.63 inches high according to the product information. The rear markings identify the positions as N and B, and the white wire is listed as hot. That basic labeling can make a replacement less confusing, though it does not replace checking the guitar's existing wiring scheme.
The FLEOR Soap Bar Black is the better choice when you want similar Alnico 5 fundamentals with a slightly broader stated resistance range. The Wilkinson M Series Stacked is the better Wilkinson if hum cancellation and four-conductor wiring matter more than traditional single-coil behavior. This model's weakness is the included hardware warning. Choose it when the pickup route is already right and you want a straightforward, hotter traditional soapbar set.
10. Wilkinson M Series Stacked: Best Hum-Cancelling Design
Pros
- Stacked coils reduce hum
- Four-conductor wiring supports coil splitting
- Ceramic magnets and high listed output
- Wax-potted construction
Cons
- Ceramic and high resistance do not target vintage P90 softness
- Included screws may not fit every guitar
- More complex wiring than a conventional two-conductor set
Best for: players who want P90 styling with a quieter, stronger-output setup.
The Wilkinson M Series Stacked is the most technically different product here. It keeps the soapbar shape but uses stacked coils, making hum cancellation the headline feature. That changes the buying decision: this is not simply an Alnico P90 with a different cover, but a quieter design for players who find ordinary single-coil noise distracting.
The set uses ceramic magnets and four-conductor wiring. Wilkinson lists 10K ohms for the neck and 16K for the bridge, both with a 0.5K tolerance. Those are substantially higher figures than the conventional Wilkinson M Series Alnico, especially at the bridge, so this set is aimed at a stronger, denser signal rather than a restrained vintage response.
The wiring colors are specified: yellow is hot, black is ground, and white and red are the split-coil wires. That gives a modder the option of using a coil-split switch for access to another sound. The pole spacing is 50mm at the neck and 52mm at the bridge, and the pickups are wax potted for feedback control.
The Wilkinson M Series Alnico is the better fit for a traditional P90 sound, while the Metallor P90 Set is a simpler ceramic alternative with much lower listed resistance. The stacked model's weakness is its character. Players wanting open, raw P90 interaction may find the stacked design and high output less convincing. Choose it when noise reduction, output, and wiring flexibility are more important than vintage purity.
How to choose best p90 pickups
The right P90 depends first on the guitar's route, then on the tone and noise behavior you want from it.
Pickup format
Traditional soapbars fit P90-sized cavities, while humbucker-sized P90s are intended for many HH routes. The LAMSAM, Artec, and LYWSMSK are aimed at humbucker openings, while the FLEOR, Seymour Duncan, and Wilkinson soapbars need the correct traditional mounting layout. Measure the cavity, pole spacing, and screw-hole distance instead of relying only on the guitar model name.
Magnet material
Alnico 2 generally points toward a softer, warmer vintage response, as seen in the Seymour Duncan Antiquity. Alnico 5 appears in several of the replacement sets and usually supports a firmer attack with stronger upper-mid presence. Ceramic designs such as the Metallor and Wilkinson Stacked sets can suit players who want a harder attack or higher output, but they are not interchangeable tonal choices.
Resistance and output
Resistance is not a complete tone description, but it helps compare the relative electrical design of a neck and bridge pair. A higher bridge figure often supports a stronger bridge signal, while close neck and bridge numbers can produce a more even set. The Wilkinson Stacked's 10K neck and 16K bridge are clearly aimed at a different output range from the LAMSAM's 7.0K and 7.8K figures.
Noise and wiring
Conventional P90s are single coils and can produce hum in noisy electrical environments. Wax potting helps with unwanted feedback, not every form of mains hum. The Seymour Duncan neck is RW/RP for hum cancellation when paired with its matching bridge, while the Wilkinson Stacked uses stacked coils and four-conductor wiring for a quieter, more flexible installation.
Pick the route first, then the magnet, then the output. A perfect tone choice that cannot mount correctly is still the wrong pickup.
Installation details
Look for lead length, conductor count, pole spacing, mounting-hole distance, and included hardware. The LAMSAM supplies a wiring diagram and pre-tinned leads, while Artec and Wilkinson warn that included screws may not fit every guitar. If you are also considering the differences between pickup types for another guitar, keep the instrument's route and control layout at the center of the comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Are P90 pickups humbuckers?
No. A conventional P90 is a single-coil pickup, so it can produce the familiar hum associated with single coils. The Wilkinson M Series Stacked uses stacked coils to reduce hum, while the Seymour Duncan set uses a RW/RP neck pickup for hum cancellation when the pair is used together.
Can a humbucker-sized P90 fit any humbucker route?
Not automatically. The cavity may fit the pickup body while the pole spacing, mounting screws, or pickup-ring opening do not line up. Check the route, pole spacing, mounting-hole distance, and depth before ordering.
Are Alnico 2 and Alnico 5 P90s very different?
They can be. The Seymour Duncan Antiquity uses Alnico 2 for a warmer vintage direction, while the LAMSAM, FLEOR, Artec, LYWSMSK, and conventional Wilkinson set use Alnico 5. The rest of the coil design, resistance, guitar, and amplifier also shape the final result.
Do wax-potted P90s eliminate hum?
No. Wax potting helps reduce microphonic squeal and unwanted feedback by stabilizing the pickup's internal components. It does not make a conventional single coil electrically hum-free.
What does pickup resistance tell me?
Resistance gives a useful comparison between the neck and bridge units, but it is not a direct loudness or quality rating. Wire, magnet type, coil geometry, and inductance also matter. Use the figure to understand how a matched pair is differentiated, not as the only basis for choosing a pickup.
Can I install these pickups myself?
A replacement is manageable for someone comfortable with soldering and guitar wiring, but compatibility should be confirmed first. The LAMSAM includes a wiring diagram, while the Wilkinson Stacked includes four-conductor color information for more advanced switching. If the guitar has unusual grounding or a complicated control circuit, professional installation is sensible.
The bottom line
The LAMSAM Humbucker P90 is the top pick for most players converting a compatible HH guitar. Its Alnico 5 magnets, adjustable poles, wax-potted construction, documented lead lengths, and included wiring diagram make it a well-rounded upgrade. For a traditional soapbar guitar, the FLEOR Soap Bar Black is the simpler recommendation, while the Seymour Duncan Antiquity is the specialist choice for carefully voiced vintage character.
The Best p90 pickups are not interchangeable just because they share the same broad name. The Wilkinson M Series Stacked makes sense for hum reduction and high output, the Artec SHA66 suits a slightly stronger humbucker-sized conversion, and the Tostar P90 Guitar is the right answer only when you need a complete instrument rather than replacement parts.
If you are undecided, measure the guitar's route and choose the magnet and wiring style that match the sound you actually want.
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