What is the typical price for the Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90?

The pickup is typically found in the price range of approximately £169, representing its position as a premium boutique-style component.

What does the 'Antiquity' label signify?

The Antiquity label indicates that the pickup has been aged both cosmetically and magnetically at the factory. This process is designed to simulate the look and mellowed sound of a pickup from the 1950s.

Is this pickup suitable for the bridge position?

This specific model is voiced for the neck position. While it will fit in a bridge soapbar route, its output and tonal balance are optimized for the neck area of the guitar.

What finish does the pickup cover have?

The pickup features a retro cream finish. This colour is specifically chosen to complement the aesthetics of vintage and weathered instruments.

How does a P90 sound compared to a standard Stratocaster single coil?

A P90 generally provides a fatter, warmer sound with more midrange emphasis than a standard Stratocaster single coil. The Antiquity P90 specifically adds a 'weathered' sweetness to this characteristic.

Does this pickup include mounting hardware?

As a standard soapbar P90, it typically requires mounting screws that go through the body of the pickup. It is sold as a part for installation into compatible P90 routed guitars.

Can I use this in a guitar that has humbucker routes?

No, a standard soapbar P90 has different dimensions than a humbucker. You would need a P90-in-a-humbucker-size pickup or significant body routing to fit this model.

Is the Antiquity P90 wax potted?

To remain historically accurate to the 1950s originals, Antiquity pickups are generally not wax potted. This contributes to their specific harmonic resonance and vintage character.

What type of magnets are used in this pickup?

Seymour Duncan typically uses specially de-gaussed Alnico magnets in the Antiquity series. This helps achieve the 'weathered' and softened magnetic field of an old pickup.

Is the cream cover removable?

Soapbar covers are generally removable, but the Antiquity series covers are aged to match the specific unit. Replacing the cover would change the intended vintage aesthetic.

Will this pickup work for jazz and blues styles?

Yes, its sweet single-coil tone and warm neck-position voicing make it highly suitable for jazz, blues, and classic rock. It provides clarity without being overly harsh.

How does it compare to the Fender Jazzmaster pickup?

While both are single coils, a P90 soapbar is deeper and has a different coil shape compared to a Jazzmaster pickup. The P90 generally offers more grit and a more pronounced midrange.

Gear article

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Soapbar Neck Pickup

The Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Soapbar is a premium neck-position single-coil pickup designed to replicate the weathered tone and aesthetic of vintage 1950s components. It features a retro cream finish and is engineered to deliver a sweet, aged response characteristic of iconic early electric guitars.

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Overview

The Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Soapbar Neck Pickup is a meticulously crafted replacement part intended for players seeking a vintage-accurate sound and appearance. Classified under parts and spares, this pickup is specifically voiced for the neck position. It is finished in a retro cream colour, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with a wide variety of guitar finishes and aesthetic styles.

Design and Construction

This pickup is built using Seymour Duncan's proprietary Antiquity ageing process. The physical construction follows the traditional 'soapbar' format, a design historically associated with mid-century solid-body and archtop electric guitars. The cream housing is intentionally weathered to match the patina of a decades-old instrument, avoiding the stark appearance of modern plastic components.

Sound Character

The Antiquity P90 is defined by its 'weathered' single-coil tone. Unlike modern P90s which can sometimes be overly aggressive or bright, the Antiquity series aims for a sweeter, smoother frequency response. In the neck position, this translates to a warm, resonant sound with the articulate note definition typical of single-coil designs, but with the added grit and midrange presence that P90s are known for.

Suitability and Installation

This component is ideal for guitarists performing restorations or custom builds who require an authentic vintage vibe. It suits instruments routed for soapbar P90s and is frequently used to upgrade stock pickups in modern recreations of 1950s guitars. Due to its specific voicing, it is best paired with a compatible bridge pickup to ensure balanced output across all selector positions.

Market Context

Within the Seymour Duncan catalogue, the Antiquity series represents the higher tier of vintage reproduction. While other components like the Fender American Standard Stratocaster Tremolo or Gotoh 203B-4 Bass Bridge focus on modern utility or specific bass applications, the Antiquity P90 focuses on historical accuracy. It occupies a specialized niche compared to general accessories like maple drumsticks or marching snare heads, targeting the specific needs of electric guitar tone enthusiasts.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the typical price for the Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90?: The pickup is typically found in the price range of approximately £169, representing its position as a premium boutique-style component.
What does the 'Antiquity' label signify?: The Antiquity label indicates that the pickup has been aged both cosmetically and magnetically at the factory. This process is designed to simulate the look and mellowed sound of a pickup from the 1950s.
Is this pickup suitable for the bridge position?: This specific model is voiced for the neck position. While it will fit in a bridge soapbar route, its output and tonal balance are optimized for the neck area of the guitar.
What finish does the pickup cover have?: The pickup features a retro cream finish. This colour is specifically chosen to complement the aesthetics of vintage and weathered instruments.
How does a P90 sound compared to a standard Stratocaster single coil?: A P90 generally provides a fatter, warmer sound with more midrange emphasis than a standard Stratocaster single coil. The Antiquity P90 specifically adds a 'weathered' sweetness to this characteristic.
Does this pickup include mounting hardware?: As a standard soapbar P90, it typically requires mounting screws that go through the body of the pickup. It is sold as a part for installation into compatible P90 routed guitars.
Can I use this in a guitar that has humbucker routes?: No, a standard soapbar P90 has different dimensions than a humbucker. You would need a P90-in-a-humbucker-size pickup or significant body routing to fit this model.
Is the Antiquity P90 wax potted?: To remain historically accurate to the 1950s originals, Antiquity pickups are generally not wax potted. This contributes to their specific harmonic resonance and vintage character.
What type of magnets are used in this pickup?: Seymour Duncan typically uses specially de-gaussed Alnico magnets in the Antiquity series. This helps achieve the 'weathered' and softened magnetic field of an old pickup.
Is the cream cover removable?: Soapbar covers are generally removable, but the Antiquity series covers are aged to match the specific unit. Replacing the cover would change the intended vintage aesthetic.
Will this pickup work for jazz and blues styles?: Yes, its sweet single-coil tone and warm neck-position voicing make it highly suitable for jazz, blues, and classic rock. It provides clarity without being overly harsh.
How does it compare to the Fender Jazzmaster pickup?: While both are single coils, a P90 soapbar is deeper and has a different coil shape compared to a Jazzmaster pickup. The P90 generally offers more grit and a more pronounced midrange.