What is the primary tonal goal of the Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90?

The primary goal is to capture the 'cool gritty sparkle' and classic tone of iconic vintage P90 pickups. It is designed to sound like a well-worn, original component rather than a brand-new modern pickup.

Is this pickup suitable for the neck or bridge position?

This specific model is designed for the bridge position. It is voiced and wound to compensate for the reduced string vibration and increased brightness typically found near the bridge of a guitar.

What is a 'Soapbar' pickup?

A Soapbar P90 refers to the rectangular shape of the pickup cover, which lacks the 'ears' found on Dogear P90s. It is typically mounted via screws that go through the body of the pickup between the pole pieces.

Does the pickup come with a cover?

Yes, this specific model comes with a black soapbar cover. This makes it visually compatible with various guitar styles, such as black-guarded instruments or those with dark finishes.

How does the Antiquity P90 handle gain or distortion?

It is designed to provide a 'gritty' character when pushed. While it maintains single-coil clarity, it interacts with tube amplifiers to produce a harmonically rich overdrive suitable for classic rock and blues.

What is the typical price for this pickup in the UK?

The Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Soapbar Bridge Pickup typically retails for approximately £166. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and current stock availability.

Can I use this pickup in a guitar routed for humbuckers?

No, a standard Soapbar P90 has different dimensions than a humbucker. You would need a P90-in-a-humbucker-sized housing or professional modification to the guitar's body routing to fit this pickup.

Is the Antiquity series different from the standard Seymour Duncan P90 line?

Yes, the Antiquity series uses specific aging processes for the magnets and components. This results in a smoother, more mellow response compared to the sharper attack of the standard SP9-1 or SP9-2 models.

What magnets are used in the Antiquity P90?

While the manufacturer description focuses on the 'classic tone,' the Antiquity P90 typically utilizes Alnico magnets that have been specially calibrated to simulate the natural degaussing that occurs over decades.

Is this pickup noiseless?

No, the Antiquity P90 is a true single-coil pickup. Like all traditional P90s, it may produce some 60-cycle hum, especially when used near electronic interference or with high-gain settings.

Who is the ideal user for this pickup?

It is ideal for players who want to replicate the sound of late 1940s and 1950s electric guitars. It suits those who prefer a vintage aesthetic and a dynamic, touch-sensitive playing experience.

Does Seymour Duncan manufacture this in other colours?

The Antiquity series is often available in different finishes like cream, though this specific version is supplied in a black soapbar housing to suit specific instrument aesthetics.

Gear article

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Soapbar Bridge Pickup

The Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Soapbar is a premium replacement bridge pickup designed to replicate the specific tonal characteristics of vintage single-coil soapbar units. It is engineered to deliver a gritty sparkle and classic response associated with iconic mid-century electric guitars.

See live prices

Overview

The Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Soapbar Bridge Pickup is a meticulously crafted component within the brand's 'Antiquity' series. Designed for players seeking to upgrade or restore instruments to a vintage specification, this pickup focuses on authentic aesthetic and tonal reproduction. It is built to fit standard soapbar routes and is finished in black to match traditional hardware configurations.

Design and Key Features

The pickup is defined by its attention to detail in replicating the components of original P90 designs. As a bridge-specific model, it is wound to provide the necessary output and frequency response required for the bridge position, ensuring it can cut through a mix while maintaining clarity. The soapbar casing is a standard form factor, making it compatible with a wide range of solid-body and semi-hollow electric guitars.

Sound Character

Described by the manufacturer as possessing a 'cool gritty sparkle,' the Antiquity P90 is voiced to avoid the harshness sometimes found in modern high-output single coils. Instead, it offers a balanced midrange and a textured top-end. This makes it particularly effective for genres ranging from blues and jazz to classic rock, where a touch of natural compression and harmonic richness is desired.

Suitability and Applications

This pickup is primarily suited for guitarists who find modern ceramic or high-output Alnico pickups too aggressive. It serves as an ideal upgrade for mid-range instruments or as a period-correct replacement for vintage restorations. Because of its bridge-position voicing, it pairs well with lower-output neck pickups to create a versatile tonal palette across a guitar's switching options.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to standard production P90s, the Antiquity series is distinguished by its 'aged' voicing and components. While other parts like the Gotoh 203B-4 Bass Bridge or Fender American Standard Tremolo assemblies focus on modern utility and stability, the Antiquity P90 prioritizes the preservation of historical sound profiles. For players who require a cleaner, more hi-fi sound, modern standard P90s may be preferable, but for those seeking 'that classic tone,' the Antiquity remains a benchmark.

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary tonal goal of the Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90?: The primary goal is to capture the 'cool gritty sparkle' and classic tone of iconic vintage P90 pickups. It is designed to sound like a well-worn, original component rather than a brand-new modern pickup.
Is this pickup suitable for the neck or bridge position?: This specific model is designed for the bridge position. It is voiced and wound to compensate for the reduced string vibration and increased brightness typically found near the bridge of a guitar.
What is a 'Soapbar' pickup?: A Soapbar P90 refers to the rectangular shape of the pickup cover, which lacks the 'ears' found on Dogear P90s. It is typically mounted via screws that go through the body of the pickup between the pole pieces.
Does the pickup come with a cover?: Yes, this specific model comes with a black soapbar cover. This makes it visually compatible with various guitar styles, such as black-guarded instruments or those with dark finishes.
How does the Antiquity P90 handle gain or distortion?: It is designed to provide a 'gritty' character when pushed. While it maintains single-coil clarity, it interacts with tube amplifiers to produce a harmonically rich overdrive suitable for classic rock and blues.
What is the typical price for this pickup in the UK?: The Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Soapbar Bridge Pickup typically retails for approximately £166. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and current stock availability.
Can I use this pickup in a guitar routed for humbuckers?: No, a standard Soapbar P90 has different dimensions than a humbucker. You would need a P90-in-a-humbucker-sized housing or professional modification to the guitar's body routing to fit this pickup.
Is the Antiquity series different from the standard Seymour Duncan P90 line?: Yes, the Antiquity series uses specific aging processes for the magnets and components. This results in a smoother, more mellow response compared to the sharper attack of the standard SP9-1 or SP9-2 models.
What magnets are used in the Antiquity P90?: While the manufacturer description focuses on the 'classic tone,' the Antiquity P90 typically utilizes Alnico magnets that have been specially calibrated to simulate the natural degaussing that occurs over decades.
Is this pickup noiseless?: No, the Antiquity P90 is a true single-coil pickup. Like all traditional P90s, it may produce some 60-cycle hum, especially when used near electronic interference or with high-gain settings.
Who is the ideal user for this pickup?: It is ideal for players who want to replicate the sound of late 1940s and 1950s electric guitars. It suits those who prefer a vintage aesthetic and a dynamic, touch-sensitive playing experience.
Does Seymour Duncan manufacture this in other colours?: The Antiquity series is often available in different finishes like cream, though this specific version is supplied in a black soapbar housing to suit specific instrument aesthetics.