P90s CRUSH Humbuckers? Les Paul Special vs Standard!
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Gibson Les Paul Special P90s
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Les Paul Showdown: P-90s vs Humbuckers
In this Les Paul Showdown, we put the iconic P-90 pickups on the Gibson Les Paul Special head-to-head against the legendary humbuckers found on the Gibson Les Paul Standard.
Which pickup style delivers the best tone, feel, and versatility? Whether you’re considering a Les Paul Special or the Standard model, this detailed comparison covers everything you need to know — from clean sounds to crunchy distortion, and how the unique characteristics of P-90s and humbuckers shape the guitar’s voice.
If you’re a Gibson enthusiast or shopping for your next Les Paul, don’t miss this ultimate tone battle!
VIDEO CHAPTERS:
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1:25 OVERVIEW AND SPECS
Gibson Les Paul Special
Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s
5:22 COMPARISON SHOPPING
8:45 PLAYING COMPARISONS
Direct Clean
Fender Deluxe Reverb
Tube Screamer
12:18 PERFORMANCE
16:10 REACTIONS
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#P90s #CRUSH #Humbuckers #Les #Paul #Special #Standard
Originally posted by UC9IULQ7EHJoserChf09I_4w at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT0WPkQb5W8
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Gibson Les Paul Special P90s
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Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s
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Gibson Les Paul Giveaway:
1. SUBSCRIBE & turn on notifications
2. Enter here: https://gleam.io/competitions/pvVrO-gibson-les-paul-giveaway
???? Drop a comment — P90s or HUMBUCKERS on your next LES PAUL?
???? BROWSE ALL GEAR:
• USA: https://www.zzounds.com/a–3979398
• Europe: https://www.thomann.de/intl/index.html?offid=1&affid=2603
I have Epiphone Les Pauls and the differences are what determined my choices: one BJA Junior, one black Custom P90s, one Standard 50s, and one Studio that I swapped to Probucker 2 and 3 (so a lighter weight Standard 60s.) It's nice to have the variety of sounds each pickup type creates. The possibilities increase. Thanks for the video.
I would choose the one with humbucker on the bridge and p90 on the neck. Very versatile
Only thing I don't love about the specials is that bridge.
I had a Gibson SG special in the 90s. I regret selling it.
I prefer the clarity of the P90s. In the bridge position it's a close call but in the neck position, the Humbuckers sound very muddy to me. I much prefer the P90s.
Hb
Thanks John, that was a fantastic side by side. You did a riff segment “Screaming bridge”. The P90’s in that segment checked all the boxes for me. I have an older Korean ‘56 Epi Gold Top with P90’s. That is part of my never sell group of guitars that I have. Hope the 100K members happens real soon! Cheers!
I love both guitars but am leaning towards the sound of the Les Paul Standard. The humbuckers seem to be warmer somehow. I would probably have to listen to the video again though. I have a vintage LP special which I really like but would like to add a Standard to my collection. Thanks for the contest by the way. I would be over the moon if I won that guitar.
Outdid yourself with this rockin compare demo HB vs P90, John! In 2021 I picked up a cherry Gibson LP Special Tribute Singlecut P90 on clearance sale, in memory of my Mum who had died a few months before. I'm old and it's my first P90 guitar, why did I wait so long, they are awesome! I won the wood grain lottery with it too, the mahogany flame is everywhere on it, with great chatoyancy. I equally love the tones of Gibson HB, minis, P90s (and Fender singles), I've got them all. But my Special Tribute P90 is a perfectly effective and gorgeous guitar, it's the last guitar I'd ever part with. (Edit it's got the 60s neck unlike the more expensive Special, I prefer thinner necks).
Fun Fact, The epiphone les paul special with p-90's if the be rated budget guitar. Numerous online reviews and forum discussions indicate a high level of satisfaction among owners and players. I saw Ryan Roxie playing an Epiphone korina black guard explorer with Alice Cooper last year.
Man, those are TV Yellow Specials are phenomenal. I did, however, feel the need to upgrade to a Music City Bridge compensated wraparound tailpiece (the Bukovac/Glaser one), which made a huge difference intonation-wise. Also swapped the pickups out for some Fralin's and added an Emerson 50's-wiring loom. Pricey mods, but nowhere near the custom shop prices. Hit me up if you ever wanna check it out or use it in a random video. I'm pretty sure we still live in the same area. Great video guys! Rock on ????
Can't beat a P90 in the neck for lead, but can't beat a Gibson humbucker in the bridge. The P90 bridge is fun for distorted chords but when playing lead, although it cuts through the mix it sounds thin compared to the humbucker which just sings with so much character – full fat Les Paul can't be beaten in the bridge pickup – end of!
I’m a humbucker guy I’ve always been but I recently tried a SG with P-90s and I was blown away by how fantastic it sounded.
P-90s all day all the way
My collection does have plenty of LP s with Humbucker s. And 1 SG Classic Worn Cherry with P 90s. So im set right???? Uhhh no . I must admit with the similar ohms reading s , they sounded much closer in this reaction compared to some of your other reaction s. I will say this the Special was just a smidge brighter imho as you so perfectly stated. The LP Special is one that will definitely be in my collection someday and the Junior as well.
What's with the apostrophe? P90s. Simples.
I have both and love both. For me, the P90’s have such a unique sound and a clarity that the HB’s don’t have. P90’s ftw.
P-90’s have way more character… very nice ❤
I feel like p90 and single coil guitars sound the best when you play without a pick, and humbuckers with a pick. But I like p90 the best tone wise and that you can dial in neck and bridge in the middle position, that's something is wish I could do on teles and Strats.
The wrapover tailpeice on the vintage specials and the early Les Pauls is flawed, the intonation is way out, Joe Glaser makes a bridge that fixes this, it called the Music City Bridge, previous attemts were made to fix this, there was one called the Bad Ass Bridge, IMO they were even worse than the Gibson bridge.
Les Paul hated those bridges on the 54 to 61 models!
I believe the modern specials have a new wrapover bridge that somewhat works better.
P90's for bite and clarity. Humbuckers are too compressed.
They both sounds great but in my experience P90s are just more versatile with the single coil clarity when you roll down the volume. 50s wiring on a P90 guitar is a game changer, especially in the neck position.