Gear article

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dog Ear Pickup

The Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dog Ear is a premium replacement bridge pickup designed to replicate the specific tonal characteristics and aesthetics of vintage P90 units. Housed in a black casing, it is engineered to deliver a gritty sparkle and iconic mid-range response associated with historic electric guitar designs.

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Overview

The Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dog Ear is a high-quality single-coil pickup that sits within the brand's 'Antiquity' series. This series is specifically focused on capturing the nuances of aged components. The 'Dog Ear' designation refers to the distinctive mounting flanges on the sides of the pickup cover, which allow it to be screwed directly into the top of the guitar body rather than being suspended by a pickguard or a soapbar-style mounting ring.

Design and Construction

This pickup is built to be a faithful recreation of the original P90 design. It features a black casing that provides a traditional aesthetic suitable for a wide range of vintage-style instruments. The construction prioritises 'beautifully built' internals that aim to mimic the magnetic decay and physical properties of hardware that has been in use for decades, ensuring the component looks and feels authentic to the period it represents.

Sound Profile

The sonic character of the Antiquity P90 is defined by what the manufacturer describes as a 'cool gritty sparkle.' As a bridge pickup, it is voiced to provide sufficient bite and clarity to cut through a mix, while retaining the mid-range warmth and harmonic complexity that P90s are famous for. It occupies the tonal space between a standard single-coil and a humbucker, offering more output and 'grit' than a Stratocaster-style pickup but more treble detail than a traditional dual-coil.

Compatibility and Alternatives

While the Antiquity P90 is a specialised part for electric guitars, musicians often maintain their instruments with a variety of related spares. Within the broader market of guitar components, users might compare this to Fender American Standard Stratocaster Tremolo Bridge Assemblies or Gotoh 203B-4 Bass Bridges when performing full hardware overhauls. For those seeking specific aesthetic matches, this black-covered P90 stands in contrast to aged white components like Fender Jazzmaster pickup covers or Stratocaster volume and tone knobs.

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Frequently asked questions

What mounting style does this pickup use?
This model uses the 'Dog Ear' mounting style, which features two external mounting flanges. It is designed to be screwed directly onto the guitar body, typical of vintage hollow-body or junior-style solid-body guitars.
What is the primary tonal characteristic of the Antiquity P90?
The pickup is known for its 'gritty sparkle.' It provides a vintage-inspired sound that balances high-end clarity with the mid-range punch characteristic of early single-coil designs.
In which position should this pickup be installed?
This specific model is designed for the bridge position. It is voiced to handle the higher tension and different harmonic content found near the bridge of the guitar.
What colour is the pickup cover?
The pickup is housed in a black casing. This makes it a versatile aesthetic choice for various guitar finishes, contrasting with aged white or cream alternatives.
What is the typical price for this pickup in the UK?
The typical price range for the Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dog Ear Bridge pickup is approximately £159.
Is this a humbucking pickup?
No, the P90 is a single-coil pickup. While it has a larger footprint and higher output than many standard single-coils, it retains the single-coil architecture and associated tonal transparency.
Who is the manufacturer of this product?
The pickup is manufactured by Seymour Duncan, a company well-regarded for producing high-quality guitar pickups and electronics.
Does this pickup include a cover?
Yes, it comes with a black 'Dog Ear' style cover as part of the assembly. The cover is an integral part of the mounting system for this specific model.
What does the 'Antiquity' series represent?
The Antiquity series by Seymour Duncan refers to components that are built and aged to replicate the look and sound of genuine vintage parts from the 1950s and 60s.
Can this be used as a replacement for a Soapbar P90?
Generally, no, without modification. A Dog Ear P90 has different mounting points and a different footprint compared to a Soapbar P90, which is mounted via screws through the centre of the pickup.
Is this pickup suitable for high-gain music?
While it provides a 'gritty' sound, P90s are single-coil pickups and may be susceptible to hum under high-gain settings. It is most commonly used for blues, rock, and jazz.
How does it compare to a standard Fender Stratocaster pickup?
The P90 is larger and typically has a higher output with more mid-range emphasis. It offers a thicker sound compared to the thinner, glassier tone of a standard Stratocaster single-coil.