What is the Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Set?

It is a pair of true P90 single-coil pickups designed to fit into a standard humbucker-sized routing. The set includes both bridge and neck pickups for a complete tonal overhaul.

What type of magnets are used in these pickups?

The Phat Cat Set uses dual Alnico 2 bar magnets. These provide a softer attack and more sustain compared to Alnico 5 magnets.

Do I need to route my guitar to fit these P90s?

No, the Phat Cat is specifically designed to fit into standard humbucker cavities. This allows you to install P90s without any permanent woodworking modifications.

Are Phat Cats hum-cancelling?

No, they are true single-coil pickups and will behave like traditional P90s. However, the metal covers provide more shielding and noise reduction than standard plastic covers.

What is the typical price for the set?

The Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Set typically retails for approximately £257 in the United Kingdom. Prices may vary slightly based on specific retailers.

How does the nickel cover affect the sound?

The nickel cover provides extra shielding against external interference and noise. It also contributes to the classic aesthetic of a humbucker-equipped guitar.

What tonal characteristics should I expect?

You can expect bright chords, ringing overtones, and a compressed attack. The Alnico 2 magnets ensure the sound remains warm with plenty of sustain.

Are these pickups suitable for high-gain metal?

While they can handle distortion, they are single-coils and will produce hum at high gain levels. They are generally preferred for blues, rock, and jazz.

Can I buy the bridge and neck pickups separately?

While this specific listing is for the set, Seymour Duncan does manufacture individual bridge and neck versions of the Phat Cat. This set ensures a balanced output between both positions.

How do these compare to standard soapbar pickups?

They offer the same basic tone as a soapbar but are housed in a humbucker-sized casing. The use of metal covers also offers better noise rejection than traditional plastic soapbar housings.

What finish do these pickups have?

This specific set comes with nickel covers. This provides a polished, classic look that matches most guitar hardware.

Will these fit in a guitar routed for a Precision Bass pickup?

No, these are for humbucker-equipped guitars. They are not compatible with components like the Fender Vintage Precision Bass Pickup Cover.

Gear article

Seymour Duncan Phat Cat P90 Humbucker-Style Pickup Set

The Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Set is a pair of true single-coil soapbar pickups designed to fit standard humbucker-sized cavities. Built with Alnico 2 bar magnets and finished with nickel covers, these pickups offer the characteristics of a traditional P90 with the physical footprint of a dual-coil unit.

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Overview

The Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Set represents a specialized solution for guitarists seeking to transition from humbucker tones to P90 single-coil sounds without modifying the woodwork of their instrument. Originally developed in the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop for Hamer Guitars, these pickups are designed to drop directly into standard humbucker routing. Each unit in the set features nickel-plated metal covers, which serve both an aesthetic purpose and a functional one by providing enhanced shielding compared to traditional plastic soapbar covers.

Technical Features and Construction

At the heart of the Phat Cat design are two Alnico 2 bar magnets. This magnetic choice is intended to provide a specific response characterized by increased sustain and a softer, more compressed pick attack. Unlike standard humbuckers that utilize two coils to cancel hum, the Phat Cat is a true single-coil design.

The inclusion of nickel covers is a significant design element. These covers are specifically engineered to offer noise reduction and shielding that exceeds the performance of standard soapbar covers, helping to mitigate some of the inherent noise associated with high-output single-coil pickups.

Tonal Character

The sonic profile of the Phat Cat Set is defined by its ability to deliver bright chords and ringing overtones. Because they utilize Alnico 2 magnets, the top end remains musical rather than harsh, while the midrange retains the 'growl' typically associated with vintage P90 designs. The compressed attack allows for a sensitive playing experience where the nuances of the player's touch are preserved, while the single-coil construction ensures clarity that is often lost in high-output humbuckers.

Suitability and Installation

These pickups are primarily suited for players who own humbucker-equipped guitars—such as Les Paul style or SG style instruments—but desire the grit and transparency of a P90. Because they fit under a standard humbucker cover, they are a 'non-destructive' upgrade.

While they are listed alongside accessories like the Latin Percussion LP Cajon Bag or BAM instrument cases in general music gear catalogues, the Phat Cat Set is a technical electronic component. It is most effective for rock, blues, and jazz players who require a bridge between the thickness of a humbucker and the chime of a single-coil.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Set?: It is a pair of true P90 single-coil pickups designed to fit into a standard humbucker-sized routing. The set includes both bridge and neck pickups for a complete tonal overhaul.
What type of magnets are used in these pickups?: The Phat Cat Set uses dual Alnico 2 bar magnets. These provide a softer attack and more sustain compared to Alnico 5 magnets.
Do I need to route my guitar to fit these P90s?: No, the Phat Cat is specifically designed to fit into standard humbucker cavities. This allows you to install P90s without any permanent woodworking modifications.
Are Phat Cats hum-cancelling?: No, they are true single-coil pickups and will behave like traditional P90s. However, the metal covers provide more shielding and noise reduction than standard plastic covers.
What is the typical price for the set?: The Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Set typically retails for approximately £257 in the United Kingdom. Prices may vary slightly based on specific retailers.
How does the nickel cover affect the sound?: The nickel cover provides extra shielding against external interference and noise. It also contributes to the classic aesthetic of a humbucker-equipped guitar.
What tonal characteristics should I expect?: You can expect bright chords, ringing overtones, and a compressed attack. The Alnico 2 magnets ensure the sound remains warm with plenty of sustain.
Are these pickups suitable for high-gain metal?: While they can handle distortion, they are single-coils and will produce hum at high gain levels. They are generally preferred for blues, rock, and jazz.
Can I buy the bridge and neck pickups separately?: While this specific listing is for the set, Seymour Duncan does manufacture individual bridge and neck versions of the Phat Cat. This set ensures a balanced output between both positions.
How do these compare to standard soapbar pickups?: They offer the same basic tone as a soapbar but are housed in a humbucker-sized casing. The use of metal covers also offers better noise rejection than traditional plastic soapbar housings.
What finish do these pickups have?: This specific set comes with nickel covers. This provides a polished, classic look that matches most guitar hardware.
Will these fit in a guitar routed for a Precision Bass pickup?: No, these are for humbucker-equipped guitars. They are not compatible with components like the Fender Vintage Precision Bass Pickup Cover.