P-90 Pickups Are Back: Joe Bonamassa Reveals the Secrets Behind Their Tone and Setup

Inside the tone: insights from a blues legend
Renowned blues guitarist, gear expert, and collector Joe Bonamassa has shared his perspective on the differences between P-90 pickups and humbuckers, along with practical advice on how to set them up for the best possible sound.

History and key differences: P-90 vs humbuckers
P-90 pickups dominated the market for years before humbuckers became the standard choice, especially in Gibson guitars.

The main tonal differences can be summarized as follows:

• single-coils offer brightness and bite
• humbuckers provide warmth and fullness
• P-90s sit right in between

They are often described as:
the perfect middle ground between clarity and power.

Real-world application: how P-90s sound
To demonstrate the difference, Joe Bonamassa used two nearly identical Gibson Les Paul guitars:

• a 1958 Goldtop with PAF-style humbuckers
• a 1956 model equipped with P-90s

According to him:
when rolling down the volume, P-90s become more sparkly and articulate, similar to single-coils,
while increasing the volume brings out a thicker, fuller tone.

This makes them extremely versatile.

Why pros are choosing P-90s
In an interview with Gibson, Joe Bonamassa revealed that many dedicated fans of the brand privately admit that their favorite pickup type is actually the P-90.

He highlights that they are:

• cleaner in tone
• more detailed in the high end
• capable of producing a unique “sparkle”

That’s why his Epiphone Copper Iridescent model, as well as Warren Haynes’ signature guitar, feature P-90 pickups instead of traditional humbuckers.

Setup matters: pickup height techniques
Pickup height plays a crucial role in tone shaping.

There are two main approaches:

• placing pickups close to the strings for maximum output
• lowering them and driving the amplifier harder

Joe Bonamassa prefers the first method for humbuckers, but takes a different approach with P-90s:

• the neck pickup is set as low as possible
• the bridge pickup is raised as high as possible

This creates a more balanced tonal response.

He even jokes that sometimes unconventional solutions—like using makeshift supports—are needed to achieve the perfect setup.

The comeback of a classic
P-90 pickups are currently enjoying renewed popularity.

Warren Haynes has embraced them in his latest Gibson signature model, appreciating their versatility.
Meanwhile, Jake E. Lee, known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, has also praised their qualities.

According to him:
P-90s combine:

• the attack and articulation of single-coils
• the fullness and smoothness of humbuckers

Past limitations and modern perspective
In the past, Jake E. Lee avoided using P-90s live due to their inherent noise, especially at high volumes.
At the time, there were no hum-canceling versions available, making them less practical for stage use.

Today, that limitation is less of an issue, contributing to their resurgence.

P-90 pickups are not just a compromise — they are:
a unique fusion of clarity, warmth, and dynamic response, making them an increasingly popular choice among today’s guitarists.