"You're not paying a technician for the 20 minutes it takes him to do it, you're paying him for the 10 hours it doesn't take you to do it" made my day!! XD

There's something about the look of a gold top with P90s. It looks good on nearly every body type.

Hey Mick! It's always a pleasure to see your videos, guys. I have the same problem with the excess of bass in my neck pickups (humbucker and P90)... To get rid of the bass you can solder a non-polarised capacitor as a high pass filter from the middle leg of the volume pot to the pickup selector. That's all. You can try different values (0.047uf, 0.022uf, 0.01uf, etc.) and even different brands to dial in your perfect tone. I've soldered a 6,8nF SOZO Mustard Cap to my Hamer P90 neck pickup and it is glorius now!. This is a very easy fix and it will re-EQ you pickup forever!

It definitely sounds brighter and clearer to me now, especially in the mix, so GOOD ONE for Lollar and especially for you!! Definitely sounds different than the Collings, which is still special, but that's good. Now you have similar guitars, but ones that each do their own thing. Nice job all around! Thanks!

Good to see the “McCarty mud bar” getting an upgrade. Your P90 episode finally pushed me into building a p90 guitar. Styled like a jazz master strat cross. 25.5 scale with Almafitano P90s with A4 magnets. Gotta say that while I’m biased since I built it. It’s now my #1. Never would’ve gotten there without your p90 episode I don’t think. So thank you!

I hope viewers pause for a moment and look at how much content has been uploaded in this video. Amazing! What an excellent channel!

Hey mick! I’m back at work in an e cigarette store, I have lots of time doing very little, though very glad to be back at work. Love having these experimental pickup and bridge etc videos. Love sitting down and absorbing everything. Cheers

I love this video. If you've ever done any of this work yourself, you've used too much lead, you've punctured your finger on a string end, you've wired the switch backwards. But when you get done with the job, you feel even more connected to the instrument. Well done.

You lent it for 7 years! We all need music pals like you man

Longtime fan btw. Love Dan and Mick. Great guys, awesome players, always educational.

i had the same issue with the p90s that came with my chapman ml3 semi hollow, i switched to lower output alnico 2 bareknuckle Blue Note's and they're amazing. brought new life to the guitar and i love the way it plays and sounds now.

Hey Mick, really enjoyed this! Was laughing all the way through, at myself! I have PhD in electrophysiology. Did all sorts of soldering and electronics maintenance during those years. Fast fwd a decade and it was with considerable confidence that I approached my first ever guitar mod. I swapped the pickups in my Japanese HH Jaguar for the classic Seymour Duncan pair. I never thought to make a cardboard template (genius mate), did all the work in the cavity of the guitar (horror story) so it looked like a dogs dinner, and I put the bloody neck pickup in backwards 😂 You did a wicked job mate, round of applause 👏👏👏 Thanks, as ever, loving your fine work 🙂🙏

Thank you Mick :) I've been wanting this for a while. It's nice to see this guitar featured! I hope you enjoy the new pickups, I think it's a drastic improvement with the lollars. Hopefully you enjoy this guitar enough now to play it on the show every now and then and we get to enjoy it too!

Wow such a big difference, the new pickups made the guitar so much better. Great Vlog Mick 👌🏻

hose new pickups made a huge improvement!! the clarity and character is all there now!

Great job. Love P90s. Have Duncan Antiquities in 2 Gibsons and may finally take the plunge now and try out the Lollar. Thanks for all you do.

That's the first PRS guitar I have seen that made me think about ever owning one... Very nice...

Another great vlog! This was a fun watch and I loved the track mix and edit at the end. I would take the Collings any day of the week though. Soapbar and Dogear have different construction though, so that is a factor too. For a neck P90 that isn't all wool, I have to shout out Mick Brierley pickups (Based in South Australia)- I have almost finished a new LP style guitar build (neck pickup butts up against end of fretboard at 23rd fret position) and will be re homing my 50s P90 set from Mick B. In testing before applying finish, the neck pickup breaths...a few times I forgot I was on the neck. Brett Kingman's demo's contain Mick Brierley pickups in some videos.

PRS guitars are so beautiful. That McCarty sounded great both ways, and the Collins is great too. Man. You're living the life!

PRS S/D: Pronounced midrange, therefore more muddy Collings: Mid-scooped, definitely more clear Lollar: The perfect balance between the two, upper mids are more present Definitely sounds similar to Rhett Shull's number one pink sparkle Novo, one of the best P-90 sounds out there.

Very interesting, Mick. Intrepid and brave. Re doing it yourself, your process reminded me very vividly of growing up on the farm, where we fabricated much of our own equipment. Every prototype was a learning experience of what to improve next time. And yet we needed only one... Farming was the great teacher that mistakes are part of the game and the only embarrassment is failing to try. I loved your patience and humour in this process. Geezy does it. Cheers

I imagine this PRS must be a truly excellent guitar for Mick to hold it for such a long time. Normally anyone wold sell or trade for something more suitable. I really like to see the engagement that Mick have with his guitars, even when the love is not there entirely. This vlog's are awesome because they show the transformation happening. Very inspiring!

Wow, the PRS started out in the mud, you could say the Collings left it in the dirt! But now, I think the PRS actually has a little more sparkle and clarity while still keeping that classic vintage character. The transformation is truly amazing! I can see you getting a lot of use out of this going forward.

The second you put them on there I thought, “I really like the black covers.”

I like your approach to customizations. You go in with a purpose. Please keep making these!

double cuts and p90s - very glad for this Vlog to come about - just as my Monty's '54 p90 has come in

Been watching for a while, and NEVeR seen this PRS! What a beauty!

Great playing, great quotes and great laughs. I do think you may need to season your Tolle with a touch of Dyer: if you say it won't work, it might not - but we were all pulling for you along with Dan - and it doesn't matter if many of us did not watch this live. In a Universe like this, with action at a distance, we are all like the Eschaton sending shards of cheer and "yes it will work" backwards through time to you!! Chew on that madness for a bit, mate. LOL. Great show. Thanks for taking us on the ride with you.

"It lifts up so you get good contact at the tip" Thanks for that one!

One of my favourite guitarists as of late.

Lolll “a bit testy!” We’ve all been there before! You earned that one, Mick!

I am a novice and I love the trials. I'm the same. I learn each time 'round. Peace, Mick!

Hey Mick. I’m currently in hospital recovering from cervical spine surgery and yours and Dan’s vlogs and TPS episodes have really been helping me. My symptoms left me unable to play guitar quite suddenly which was quite scary. I’m now in physical therapy trying to get my strength and coordination back. I think the PRS sounds magic with the new pickups! Night and day compared to the old ones. I even prefer them to the pickups in your Collings. I like their midrange more. It seems to be more pronounced in the upper mids. Great job. Cheers to you, Dan, and the whole TPS family!

Man that tone at seven minutes in... I have to stop the video and make this comment... holy mackerel does that sound amazing! Love it! Now back to the video! 😎🎸🐦

This was very informative, and you're playing was excellent throughout! The new P90s have so much more clarity. Great choice!

That track was amazing!!! Also, this pickup swap video was very informing as it's made me think about how to approach that when I mod my Telecaster.

New pickups take the blanket off - very nice!

Thank you for this video about P90s and engeneering. It was exactly what I was looking for. I learned a lot !

I was in a similar place: in a PRS single cut I have a Lollar 50s-wind bridge P90 and a Lollar P-90 Staple for that Fender-ier™ neck. Another great combo is the Kinman P90 in the bridge and a Kinman "Surf Staple" 580 in the neck if 50/60Hz hum bugs you. FWIW!

Rockin the Big Country jammies Beardo!

Wow those Lollars sound amazing. The initial play with the stock pickup I thought' Yeah, those sound good". Then you you switch to the Collings and it was instantly apparent that not only they sound more rich but also you prefer them because I could hear it in the way you played. When you switched to the lollars you started to dig in more because I think you could feel the difference right away.

The clarity on the Lollar pups was instantly noticeable! Sounds superb! I too pose like Mr Olympia when I accomplish some things!

These DIY vlogs are highly instructive in, as you say Mick, learning things. I installed a Faber Wraptonate bridge in my DC LP Jr today, rather than have a tech do it - satisfying and its intonation is good now! With more dynamic range and less complex overtones compared to the Duncans, those Lollars sound and suit your style much betterly. That Collings is killer though! 🤓

This was fun. Your swap out of the pickups reminded me of my own P90 adventure. So I played along to the track at the end with my SG junior and everything compared pretty favourably, which means either that your PRS sounds much better than before, or all of our guitars sound equally crappy! I converted an SG special copy with a nice fat neck into an SG Junior with one Mick Brierley P90 in the bridge (Dan should know about him, he’s an Aussie too) and used a 50s style wiring kit from Guitar Sauce in Australia to make sure the electronics were top notch. Look like it worked for both of us then!

It's enjoyable learning from your vlogs! Cheers Mick!!

I encourage anyone watching that heard Mick mention Six String Supplies to check them out. The man is an artist where it comes to wiring. Absolutely as clean as that Emerson picture.

Agree. Had to change my 35th Anniversary SE 24 85/15 they were muddy. Put in PRS Specific Vaughn Skows. Now it sounds as good as it looks and plays.

There's something genuine, sort of intimate and kind of primal in sitting quietly and listening to your hums , Mick. it's really nice. And further more this time your experiment has been a cherry on the cake , those Lollar's do sound great. Looking forward to Dan's opinion about 'em. Be safe and happy!

I was skeptical Mick. Thought it sounded great before the change, but I gotta say that you made the right decision. It really brought that PRS to life.

Wow those new pickups sound much clearer and crisp to me. I agree with you on the covers as well. Cream or white really goes much better with the gold finish. Great video as always!

Yeah. That’s a big difference in the Micks. See what I did there. I’m here all week.

Bravo. A wonderful improvement overall. The clarity of the new pickups brings a lot of detail and articulation to the individual notes, and they seem to have a more pleasing harmonic complexity to them. The originals had a lot of push in the mud-range (sic), but lacked that detail and note separation. The surgery was a success, Dr. Mick, transforming a really good guitar into a great one, albeit with some frustration, sweat and tears, but only a tiny loss of blood. Excellent! And, the wiring is just fine. A week with the cover on, and you'll probably forget about the kinks and that the shrink tubing was too large.

That Collings sound amazing-full range, top-end sparkle w/ lots of note separation

That PRS sounded great. Also that Tweedy Drive, nice!. My next door neighbours in Saskatchewan at True North Pedals make a great Tweed drive too.

I think the wiring looks good and it sounds even better! Btw thanks for keeping the videos going through your lockdown and everything!

Brighter brighter brighter! That was the only word that came to my head. My instinct is also now telling me that saying yes to my colleagues Epiphone LP to upgrade was a great idea, thoroughly looking forward to making a project guitar out of it and perhaps even putting some Lollars in it...!

This was a good view for the morning coffee cup time! Cheers!

this just sounds so bloody awesome, love the new pickups.

That Collings with the high-wind P90 sounded very good. The PRS was definitely improved by fitting the new pickups. The Lollars in that sounded 'vintage plus', which I guess is what they're intended to be. Are the new pickups high-wind like the one on the Collings or Lollar's standard P90 wind?Are you using a noise gate to eliminate hum? Perhaps I missed it. You're right about the neck pickup's position, it's a long way forward. On an SG, for example, it would be significantly closer the the bridge and commensurately brighter sounding. I personally don't care for neck pickups much and have never really used them.

Love these diy projects. Keep them coming.

Loved this and it wasn't even a strat!!!! Always really enjoy your vlogs Mick, you relay stuff in a way that we can all relate too :-)

Thank you for the content, Mick! It keeps me sane! Much love and respect.

Mick's blood is my favorite characteristic of tone woods. :^)

Oh, Lord - Another rabbit hole! Seriously good luck, Mick..... Best, Pete.

Man o man it brought it back to life ! I recently bought a vintage Gibson P90 from the 60s to put in my 2015 Junior.. much more twang, a bit like those Lollar. It's become a point a reference to me when I wanna test an amp or pedal.. Great stuff, you should definitely feature it more in your regular shows :)

I can relate. Just replaced the original humbuckers in my 2000 Epiphone Dot with... a Lollar Imperial Low Wind set. OMG! What a difference! Improved clarity and presence. Sounds so much better clean and into an OD.

Congrats Mick T. New ps. sound Amazing/incrível!

Hey Mick! I had the same experience as you regarding P90 neck pickups. I'm also a longtime strat player, and love the neck of course. I acquired a P90 guitar a while back, fell in love with the bridge, but not the neck so much. Long story short, I put an underwound "Alnico poled P90" in the neck, and its heaven(I use 300k pots with it. It's like the fender pickup leo never made). I think the Lollar alnico poled P90 is what you should consider trying.

the Lollars sound sooo much more defined. The 50's winds are the cream of the best though.

Awesome to see and hear you went for it! I actually did the same to my 2001 McSoapie, but soon swapped out the regular Lollar P90s for the Fifties Wound ones. These are much brighter, lower in output and less near PAF territory. Might be something to try for the neck, and bridge if you want more difference to your Collings. Take care!

Great episode, these are the kind of pickup comparison videos that illuminating due to the depth and clarity of the setup and changes...and the excellent musicianship to bring them to life. Interested to see if this happens with the Jazzmaster at some point. Keep up the wonderful work!

"A gnats chuff" that is gold! I'm keeping that one. In the US the closest I can come up with is a c hair.

Much more clarity, openness and chime! I love SD's pickups but I can't get on with his P90's as I have always found them muffled. You made the right choice.

I really like the video! It makes me feel better as I run into a lot of the same obstacles! It seems simple till you get down and do it yourself!

Lovely track Mick, beautiful guitar, I hope you love it and play it a little more now.

You've inspired me! In the process of putting Lollar P90's (humbucker size) in my 2004 SG, and Ron Ellis Signature humbuckers in my 2004 PRS Custom 22. Between this and your strat vlog you've given me the courage to give it a go.

Great vid and really interesting. Cheers Mick

Hello, I found your channel while searching for info on P90 pickups. I recently purchased an Eastman SB56 with custom wound Lollars and it makes me smile every time I play it. The Lollar P90s are outstanding! Maybe you can try out an SB56 on your 10:Things Viewers Ask You To Try show? Really love what you guys are doing. Stay healthy and keep on rockin.

Oh no..... another pursuit of tone... I LOVE THESE!!

Just a random appreciation comment for all the work you put in to give us great content! Thanks 🙏

Great job Mick! Enjoyed it very much!

I have owned a bunch of Paul Reed Smith guitars from SE, 20th Anniversary Core, Wood Library, and Private Stock. They make some of the most visually beautiful guitars out there. The craftsmanship is truly impeccable. And yet, they all end up sitting in the case and eventually sold on Reverb. You would think with PRS taking the best of both the Fender and Gibson worlds, you’d have the ultimate hybrid.. The Custom 24 is a double-cut guitar with 24 frets, 5-way selector, a trem, maple top on a mahogany body, set neck and a scale right down the middle... and yet the guitar just lacks the mojo and character of a great Fender or Gibson. Some of the finest luthiery but it just doesn’t hit all the buttons for me in tone and that special something. That’s just me.. and I know I’ll continue to buy and sell them hoping to find that holy grail because they are truly stellar craftsmanship. That said I have a Patrick James Eggle Macon in the works and that may be my answer for my PRS blues. It will have a P90 in the neck and a humbucker in the bridge with plenty of “Mojo” 😉

I bought some Lollar P 90 pickups, I put them in my G&L Asat. They have amazing tone. I love them. I installed a 4 way switch to give another option.

Amazing clarity in the new P90s. The old pickups did sound muddy - more rounded and low end to them. The new pickups definitely have more spank. Love it. How to transform an 18 year old guitar, what I love about playing a guitar. Thanks for this share and walking through the gotchas.

It’s great to see this video, I own an all mahogany 99 PRS MCcarty with a solid rosewood neck which I’ve owned from new. I’ve always felt the same way as you, after 20 years I’ve never bonded with it, but still love to play it, so great to see this video,. I’m glad to see a real change in the sound and glad that my suspicion that the pick ups are too hot. I might try Radioshop or Duncan Antiquities on mine. Once again thanks for such a detailed and insightful video.

Love that guitar! Hoping you’re putting in Lindy Fralin’s? Alnico humcanceling P-90...Lollars are great as well. They sound great in that guitar! Also, Lindy has great wiring diagrams. Look at Lindy’s Alnico P-90 for the neck? Can’t wait to hear it in the show!

Wow I was really surprised at the difference and increased brightness and clarity in the Collings. Now I can understand why you like it so much.

Good stuff Mick, I picked up a prewired kit from Tone Man Guitar for an L.P. mod, and then copied it again for another with a '50s style wiring, and parts from his shop. And I just did my D.P. Squire with a '66 wiring (ala Buck Owens, Steve Cropper,and John Hiatt) and the new Duncan/Paisley "La Brea" set. Wahoo...

I can listen to playing like that all day ... Fantasic Mick!

Amazing playing mick as always!!! You never stop inspiring me!!

Such a beautifully written track - and it really shows off the new pick ups and the extra dynamics on tap and is an example of great chords doing lovely things. Thanks for this, as a P90 fan (my first and only electric guitar until quite recently has been an Epiphone 1956 gold top LP copy with american designed P90 pick ups. Thanks for the constant entertainment, education and inspriation you make a big difference to my life, mental health and musical approach.

those black covers look actually very cool.. maybe better yet with that gold finsh.. i would keep them.. .. and that cable obstructing the jack input story is so funny to hear.. it is just exactly what happens to everyone these little things and one takes hours to find out what happened..bte... definitely more clarity in those new pickups! another great video.. thanx!

Alright, so I love these pickup swap/mod videos from you Mick. I think a great video or series for that matter would be building some kit pedals. This is great!

Nice job, Mick! After struggling with neck P90s, even in the middle position, I just gave up on them. The last guitar left to tear into is my Fender JA-90, with specially voiced Duncan P-90s. It's got a LP JR style scratch plate, so I need to reuse the pickup cover to fill the rout, and preserve the wiring in case I ever want to move it on.

Great video Mick! Thanks for sharing the trials and tribulations! Peace!

I think these Vlogs are some of the absolute best guitar content on KZfaq. Very interesting and produced excellently.

Cheers to Lollar. Great pickups. Wow!

Wow- I thought it sounded great at the start, but the lollars are REALLY good- so snappy, articulate, 3D- I'm shocked at the difference. My goodness. If you bounce back and forth between section of the video- for a back to back on the same licks, it's just amazing. Honestly, it toasts the Collins Jr. now, which sounded basically the same as the PRS before the pickup change.

I sure like that tweedy pedal. Works well with the p-90s

Replacing experience with time is always inspirational. Doesn't matter if you're not a wizened engineer, just follow the plan slowly and it gets done. Get in there Mick. The old SDs were a bit hairy, or frayed around the edges, but the Lollars retain the P90 character whilst cleaning up much easier. Very nice.