Best P90 Guitars for Gritty, Warm and Touch-Sensitive Tone

The best P90 guitars are the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Junior for a one-pickup, no-frills rock machine, the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson SG Special P-90 for a light two-pickup riff guitar, and the Gretsch Electromatic Jet Two 90 for a short-scale, rock-and-roll take on the same pickup. If you want a hollow, vintage-flavoured P-90 sound, the Epiphone Casino is the classic choice. A P-90 is a wide, soapbar-style single-coil that sits between a chiming Strat pickup and a thick humbucker, which is why it is loved for gritty, warm and touch-sensitive playing.

Choosing among P-90 guitars is mostly about body type and bridge, because the pickups are the shared selling point. A solid slab body gives a dry, punchy bite. A hollow or semi-hollow body adds air and feedback. A short scale adds slinkiness. This guide sorts the best guitars with P-90 pickups by those traits, with notes on hum, amp pairing and what to do if you want a single pickup only.

Our top picks

Top pickEpiphone SG Special Electric Guitar

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Key takeaways

• P-90s are single-coils, so they hum more than humbuckers but sound more open, dynamic and raw.
• A solid-body P-90 guitar (Les Paul Junior, SG Special P-90) is tight and punchy; a hollow-body (Casino) is airy and prone to feedback at high gain.
• Single-pickup guitars are simple, light and surprisingly versatile if you use your volume knob and picking hand.
• Gretsch Electromatic Jet guitars use a shorter 24.6 inch scale that feels slinkier than the 25.5 inch Fender scale.
• A noise gate or a hum-cancelling pedal can tame P-90 hum at high gain if it bothers you.

Quick comparison: best P90 guitars at a glance

What a P-90 pickup actually does

A P-90 is a single-coil pickup with a wide, flat bobbin and a larger coil than a Strat or Tele single-coil. That bigger coil picks up more of the string’s vibration and more of the room’s electrical noise, which is why P-90s sound fatter and louder than other single-coils and also hum more. Compared with a humbucker, a P-90 usually has a more open, less compressed tone with a pronounced midrange snarl when pushed. Compared with a Strat pickup, it is warmer and thicker, with less glassy sparkle.

Two common shapes exist. A soapbar P-90 sits flush in a rectangular cover on the body, while a dog-ear P-90 has two small mounting ears. Either shape is a P-90 in tone; the difference is mainly in how it fits the guitar. Some makers also offer P-90 sized humbuckers, so check the spec carefully if you specifically want single-coil bite.

1. Grote GRTL-P90: Best very low-cost P-90 experiment

• Semi-hollow basswood body with a single F-hole · maple neck · Tele-style outline
• Two P-90 style pickups, per the listing title
• Matte finish · listed in several colours · full-size 39 inch format

Best for: curious players who want to hear what a P-90 semi-hollow feels like before investing in a better instrument.

Skip if: you need reliable hardware for gigging or a precise factory setup.

Pros

• Very low entry cost for a P-90 style semi-hollow
• Light semi-hollow body is comfortable
• Good platform for upgrades and experimentation
• Simple Tele-style layout

Cons

• Build quality and hardware are basic
• Specification details vary by seller, so check the exact listing

2. Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Junior: Best single-pickup guitar

• Single-pickup slab-style Les Paul Junior outline in TV Yellow · 24.75 inch scale
• One P-90 pickup at the bridge · simple volume and tone controls
• Gig bag included in the listing · part of the Inspired by Gibson range

Best for: punk, garage rock, blues and hard rock players who want a minimal guitar with big attitude.

Skip if: you need neck pickup tones or coil-split variety.

Pros

• A single P-90 gives immediate, direct and powerful tone
• Few controls make it very simple to use
• The classic Junior shape has a long rock lineage
• Bag included at a mid-tier price

Cons

• Only one pickup limits tonal flexibility
• P-90 hum is more noticeable on a single-pickup guitar with high gain

3. Epiphone Inspired by Gibson SG Special P-90: Best lightweight riff machine

• 24.75 inch scale · double-cutaway SG body in Cherry
• Two P-90 pickups · tune-o-matic style bridge · gig bag included
• Mid-tier Inspired by Gibson build

Best for: rock and blues players who want two pickups, light weight and a snarling bridge tone.

Skip if: you hate neck dive or need a quiet pickup for high gain.

Pros

• Two P-90s cover bright, warm and combined tones
• Slim body is easy on the shoulder
• Cherry finish and SG shape look classic
• Responds very well to touch and volume control

Cons

• Neck dive can show up with a thin strap
• Single-coil hum appears in noisy rooms

4. Gretsch Electromatic Jet Two 90: Best short-scale P-90 rocker

• 24.6 inch scale · single-cutaway solid body · laurel fingerboard on the Electromatic line
• Two P-90 style single-coil pickups, per the model name · Adjusto-Matic style bridge
• Listed in finishes such as Cadillac Green, Amethyst and Vintage White

Best for: indie, rock-and-roll and garage players who like a slinky feel and a cutting P-90 voice.

Skip if: you want a thick, heavy tone for modern metal.

Pros

• Shorter scale makes bends easy
• Strong visual identity and a distinctive tone
• Two P-90s give a wide palette of rock and roots sounds
• Well suited to clean-to-crunch work

Cons

• Shorter scale can feel looser for aggressive down-tuned playing
• Upper-mid price for an Electromatic

5. Gretsch G5210T-P90 Electromatic Jet Two 90 with Bigsby: Best for vibrato tones

• 24.6 inch scale · single-cutaway solid body · Bigsby-style vibrato tailpiece (the “T” in the model code)
• Two P-90 style pickups · listed in finishes such as Amethyst and Vintage White
• Upper-mid tier within the Electromatic range

Best for: players who want gentle vibrato, surf tones and a more vintage look.

Skip if: you use heavy bends and tuning stability matters most.

Pros

• Bigsby vibrato adds expression for chords and slow bends
• Classic look and sound for rock-and-roll
• Same P-90 voice as the non-vibrato model
• Great for chordal textures

Cons

• Bigsby units can make string changes slower
• Vibrato adds a little tuning drift compared with a fixed bridge

6. Epiphone Casino: Best hollow-body P-90 tone

• Hollow archtop construction · 24.75 inch scale · Vintage Sunburst finish
• Two P-90 pickups · classic double-cut thinline shape
• Also listed in Natural and in left-handed versions

Best for: vintage-minded players who want a bright, airy P-90 tone with chime and warmth.

Skip if: you play at high volume with lots of gain, because hollow bodies can feed back.

Pros

• Open, resonant sound with real hollow-body character
• P-90s add bite that a typical jazz-box humbucker lacks
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Strong visual and historical presence

Cons

• Feedback risk at high gain
• Upper-mid price and a larger body to handle

Also consider

• Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Special Double Cut: TV Yellow double-cut with bag, a P-90 style classic. Confirm the pickup set on the listing.
• Tostar 39 inch solid body: offset-style body with dual P-90 style pickups and tune-o-matic bridge, per the listing. A budget curiosity pick.
• KGD P90 semi-hollow kit: semi-hollow body sold with a small amp. A low-cost package for new players.
• Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20: a simpler Revstar. Check the exact pickup configuration on the listing before choosing it as a P-90 guitar.

How We Chose

This is a research-based list: we did not personally use the products. We read maker spec sheets, retailer listings and published reviews to find guitars that carry P-90 pickups as a main feature, not an optional upgrade. We spread the picks across solid, semi-hollow and hollow bodies and across budget tiers. Because Epiphone and Gretsch dominate the P-90 market at accessible prices, a few picks come from the same maker, but each serves a different player. Where listings differ, the entry says so, and we avoid quoting prices because they change.

Best single pickup guitars: getting more from one P-90

A one-pickup guitar such as the Les Paul Junior style removes every distraction between your hands and the amp. There is no pickup selector to bump and no neck-versus-bridge decision, so your technique does the tone shaping. A few habits make a single P-90 sound far bigger than its parts list suggests.

1. Use the volume knob as a gain control. With an overdriven amp, rolling the volume back to about seven cleans up chords while keeping the P-90’s body; turning it up brings back crunch for solos.
2. Use the tone knob as a filter, not an on/off switch. A small roll-back removes harsh highs without making the guitar sound muffled.
3. Change your pick position. Picking close to the bridge gives a tight, biting sound; picking over the end of the fingerboard gives a rounder one.
4. Vary your attack. P-90s respond strongly to pick strength, so soft picking gives a clean, woody tone and hard picking pushes the amp into breakup.
5. Pair it with a simple pedal. A transparent overdrive and a little reverb cover most rock, blues and punk territory.

Dog-ear versus soapbar P-90: what the shape means

The two shapes sound alike when the winding and magnets are the same, but they fit differently. A soapbar P-90 is mounted from the top of the guitar through a rectangular cover, so it is the neater option on slab bodies. A dog-ear P-90 has small mounting ears and a slightly different outline, usually found on vintage-style Les Paul Specials and Juniors. If you plan to swap pickups later, check which shape your guitar uses, because a mismatched pickup may need a different cover or a small routing job. Most Epiphone and Gretsch P-90 guitars ship with a pickup shape matched to the body, so you do not need to think about it until upgrade time.

Suggested settings for common P-90 styles

These are starting points, not rules. Every amp and guitar combination behaves a little differently, so adjust by ear.

How to tame P-90 hum, step by step

1. Turn to face a different direction. Hum often disappears at a certain angle to the amp and nearby electronics.
2. Move away from dimmers, monitors and fluorescent lights. These are common noise sources.
3. Check the cable. A worn or poorly shielded cable adds noise; a fresh, well-shielded cable can help.
4. Lower the gain slightly. High gain exaggerates hum, so back off the drive a little or use a lower-gain pedal.
5. Add a noise gate. A gate pedal or built-in amp gate cuts noise between notes.
6. Consider shielding. A technician can line the control cavity with conductive foil or paint, which reduces interference.
7. As a last resort, use a humbucking P-90 sized pickup. It keeps the look and some of the tone but removes most of the hum.

Ownership realities: what to expect from a P-90 guitar

P-90 guitars are not high maintenance, but a few details differ from humbucker guitars. Single-coil pickups are more sensitive to height: if they sit too close to the strings, the magnets can pull on the strings and cause uneven sustain or a warbling sound. Lower the pickups slightly if the tone sounds unstable. Because P-90s have simple covers, they also collect dust and finger oils, so a quick wipe with a soft cloth helps.

Hollow and semi-hollow bodies such as the Casino or a Tele-style semi-hollow also respond to environment. Maker guidance from companies like Gibson and Martin recommends keeping instruments at roughly 40 to 50 percent relative humidity, since dry air can crack thin tops and wet air can swell the fingerboard. Store the guitar in its case or bag, away from heaters and direct sun.

• What wears first: strings, pots and the output jack. All are inexpensive to replace.
• Consumables: a fresh set of strings every few weeks of regular play.
• Common first upgrade: a better output cable and a noise gate before any pickup swap.

Buying guide: choosing among guitars with P-90 pickups

P-90 versus humbucker versus Strat single-coil

Solid, semi-hollow or hollow body

A solid body gives the tightest and most controlled P-90 sound. A semi-hollow body adds air and a softer attack, and a fully hollow body adds more resonance but less control at high volume. If you play at home or in small venues, hollow and semi-hollow bodies sound wonderful. If you play on loud stages with gain, solid bodies are safer.

Single pickup or two pickups

A single-pickup guitar is simple, light and focused. It teaches you to use your volume knob, tone knob and picking hand to change the sound. Two pickups give you a bridge tone, a neck tone and a middle position. If you want to cover several styles, choose two pickups; if you want a minimalist rock guitar, a single P-90 is perfect.

Scale length and feel

A 24.75 inch scale is the classic Gibson-type length and feels comfortable for bending. A 24.6 inch scale, as on Gretsch Electromatic Jets, is a touch shorter and slinkier. A 25.5 inch scale, found on Fender-style guitars, feels firmer. Choose based on your hands and your string gauge.

Bridge and tailpiece

A fixed tune-o-matic or Adjusto-Matic bridge gives stable tuning. A wraparound bridge, as on Junior-style guitars, is simple and sustain-friendly. A Bigsby tailpiece adds vibrato but can slightly reduce tuning stability.

Managing P-90 hum

Move away from computers, dimmers and fluorescent lights. Face a different direction in the room; hum often changes dramatically with orientation. At home, a noise gate pedal or a hum-cancelling pedal can keep high-gain tones quiet. Some makers offer humbucking P-90 sized pickups if you want the look but not the noise.

Amp and pedal pairing

P-90 guitars love simple, warm amps. A small tube-style combo with mild breakup shows off the pickup’s touch sensitivity. A transparent overdrive or fuzz works well; heavy distortion benefits from a noise gate. For jazz and clean tones, a flat tone setting and a touch of reverb let the P-90 warmth shine.

Budget thresholds

Entry-tier P-90 guitars give you the pickup type but often compromise on hardware. Mid-tier guitars from Epiphone and Gretsch bring reliable hardware and bags. Upper-mid guitars add hollow construction or vibrato hardware. If this is your first P-90, start with a solid body, since it is the most predictable.

Decision matrix: which P-90 guitar fits your situation

If two rows apply to you, choose the one that matches where you will play the most. A guitar that feels good in the room where you practise will get picked up more often than one that only suits a stage you rarely visit.

Which one should you buy?

• Simplest rock guitar: Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Junior.
• Lightweight riffs and blues: Epiphone Inspired by Gibson SG Special P-90.
• Short-scale indie and rock-and-roll: Gretsch Electromatic Jet Two 90.
• Vibrato and surf: Gretsch G5210T-P90 Electromatic Jet Two 90 with Bigsby.
• Hollow vintage tone: Epiphone Casino.
• Tightest budget experiment: Grote GRTL-P90.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best guitar with P-90 pickups for beginners?

The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson SG Special P-90 is easy to play and light, while the Les Paul Junior is the simplest. Both cost a mid-tier amount, and both reward a beginner who wants to hear the difference between P-90 and humbucker tones.

Are P-90s louder than humbuckers?

They can be, depending on the pickup. P-90s are often described as louder and more open than standard single-coils, but a hot humbucker will generally have higher output.

Do P-90 guitars hum?

Yes, because they are single-coils. The hum is usually manageable at moderate gain and can be reduced with positioning, shielding or a noise gate.

Are single pickup guitars limiting?

Less than you might expect. Using the volume and tone knobs, and varying your picking attack, can give clean, crunchy and lead sounds from one pickup.

Is a hollow-body P-90 guitar good for rock?

It can be, at moderate volume. At high gain it can feed back, so semi-hollow or solid-body P-90 guitars are safer for loud rock.

Can I add P-90 pickups to another guitar?

Often yes, but P-90 routs differ from humbucker routs, so you may need an adapter ring or a routing job. Ask a technician before buying.

Do P-90 pickups work for metal?

They can for classic and hard-edged styles, particularly with a noise gate. For tight, modern, down-tuned metal, humbuckers or active pickups are usually easier to manage.

Which is better for blues, a P-90 or a humbucker?

Many blues players favour P-90s for their warmth and dynamic response, since they react clearly to changes in picking strength and volume. Humbuckers are smoother and quieter, which suits players who prefer a rounder, more compressed sound.

Are left-handed P-90 guitars available?

Some, such as certain Epiphone Casino and Les Paul Special models, are listed in left-handed versions. Check the exact listing.

Sources

Epiphone product pages (Gibson Brands); Gretsch Guitars product pages; Guitar World; Guitar.com; retailer specification listings.

Last updated: October 2026