Just installed some, and I found the neck pickup to have MUCH lower output than the bridge pickup. Did you notice that? It doesn't seem that less at the 1:20 or so mark when you switch to the neck. Also, I am getting lots of hum when I use both pickups, but these should be reversed wound so that hum will be canceled when using both. I think I may have a dud neck pickup. (Resistance only 4K for the neck, over 8K for the bridge). I'm interested to hear your experience.
@Beermaker2000 - I don't have a problem with output differentiation. I'd check the pickup heights, the bridge ought to be slightly closer to the strings - but if you're reading such low resistance you might have a dud.
I play mostly strats but I have 2 PRS guitars and don't use them because I am always fighting with the humbucker sound. Glad you posted this video! I'll be dropping some of these in my PRS guitars.................the 25" scale is great.......
how do they sound on an Ibanez I wonder. I own an Ibanez with an H-H config wired to a 3-way switch. I do hate the too boomy neck humbucker and when both are selected (middle) there's just too much going on.
I'm planning to have this config: Humbucker - humbucker outer coil + GFS Mean 90 - Mean 90. Will I achieve that as with a normal guitar with a Humbucker-Single Coil config? thanks!
how are the mean 90s for single coil applications?
@ermonski - I would say the mean 90's sit somewhere in between single coils and humbuckers. They don't have the heftiness of humbuckers, but they also have more power than a standard single coil. I think they would fit the bill for you very nicely, expecially balancing with a humbucker. Most single coils get overpowered by humbuckers, but these will balance better while maintaining the clarity and shimmer of single coils.
Didn't the PRS have coil taps? I mean it sounds pretty good. Sick grind and all. But I feel like its sort of like not the PRS thing. the sound doesn't really match the vibe, you know? Its got a down and dirty quack twang on a polished modern precision machine.
@MattKimDemos - It did originally with the humbuckers, but I took it out. I hear what you're saying, these pickups definitely make it a whole different animal than what PRS typically are. That said I like PRS for their build quality, body shape, feel of the neck, and attention to detail - but I typically don't like how they sound. With the Mean 90's it sounds more like I would like it. I was shooting for a really fat strat tone crossed with a ticked off LP Jr, and I think these nailed it.
@kleydj13 Coil taps alway sound a little thin to me. But never the p90! Sounds SO, SO good. I have a set of GFS in my near future. They make pretty great pups. :)
@bluestudio67 - I was shocked at how well they matched with the PRS. It almost has a really sweet LP Jr. vibe with the mahogany and the midrange of the Mean 90's. They are excellent pickups, no doubt about it.
the problem with this demo is that it doesn't sound live, it sounds like a straight to the board, and that's because it is. kick your mom, or wife, or whatever out of the house next time and record it up proper
These pickups get great reviews but this is the first REAL front-to-back sample I've heard. Everybody else just plays a few riffs without ever changing the settings on the guitar or the amp. I couldn't get a good idea for the complete sound of the Mean 90s (clean, light gain, more gain, volume knob roll-off, different pick attacks, etc).
Thank you so much for posting this! I'm definitely sold on these puppies. For the price they're hard to beat.
@keysnstrings615 - Thanks, I too had a hard time finding a good review. I have to say I'm very happy with them. They are exactly what I was looking for in this guitar.
@kleydj13 - I'm thinking about putting them in an Ibanez AS73 semi hollow body. I'd love to find a full review like yours using a semi hollow. I'm trying to picture your tone blended with the warm and "woody" ambiance of a semi hollow. In my head it sounds great but I won't know until I try them myself. But I think I like the Mean 90s enough that it shouldn't be too much of a gamble. Thanks again!
@keysnstrings615 I've them installed in a Gibson ES-333 and they sound awesome. In my opinion they clarify the woody ambiance of a semihollow even better than HB's.
Hey quick question, what resistance of potentiometers are you using? I'm gettng some mean 90s and I'm debating between keeping my stock 500k pots or swapping for 250k pots.
@samtay6 - I'm using 500k - mostly b/c the PRS is a fairly dark guitar. Solid mahogany body and neck and a 25" scale length. I also like my guitars to be brighter = more cut in a mix. Then I rely on my amp/pedals to fatten things up.
Just installed some, and I found the neck pickup to have MUCH lower output than the bridge pickup. Did you notice that? It doesn't seem that less at the 1:20 or so mark when you switch to the neck. Also, I am getting lots of hum when I use both pickups, but these should be reversed wound so that hum will be canceled when using both. I think I may have a dud neck pickup. (Resistance only 4K for the neck, over 8K for the bridge). I'm interested to hear your experience.
Beermaker2000 3 weeks ago
@Beermaker2000 - I don't have a problem with output differentiation. I'd check the pickup heights, the bridge ought to be slightly closer to the strings - but if you're reading such low resistance you might have a dud.
kleydj13 3 weeks ago
I play mostly strats but I have 2 PRS guitars and don't use them because I am always fighting with the humbucker sound. Glad you posted this video! I'll be dropping some of these in my PRS guitars.................the 25" scale is great.......
sanctuarysucks 1 month ago
how do they sound on an Ibanez I wonder. I own an Ibanez with an H-H config wired to a 3-way switch. I do hate the too boomy neck humbucker and when both are selected (middle) there's just too much going on.
I'm planning to have this config: Humbucker - humbucker outer coil + GFS Mean 90 - Mean 90. Will I achieve that as with a normal guitar with a Humbucker-Single Coil config? thanks!
how are the mean 90s for single coil applications?
ermonski 3 months ago
@ermonski - I would say the mean 90's sit somewhere in between single coils and humbuckers. They don't have the heftiness of humbuckers, but they also have more power than a standard single coil. I think they would fit the bill for you very nicely, expecially balancing with a humbucker. Most single coils get overpowered by humbuckers, but these will balance better while maintaining the clarity and shimmer of single coils.
kleydj13 3 months ago
Great playing! This sounds really good. Thanks for posting.
Beermaker2000 3 months ago
I wonder if I make those faces when I play.....
akdiiennnnn 4 months ago 2
do these pickups humbuck when in the middle postion
bchant19 6 months ago
@bchant19 - Yessir, quiet as a mouse.
kleydj13 6 months ago
Didn't the PRS have coil taps? I mean it sounds pretty good. Sick grind and all. But I feel like its sort of like not the PRS thing. the sound doesn't really match the vibe, you know? Its got a down and dirty quack twang on a polished modern precision machine.
MattKimDemos 10 months ago
@MattKimDemos - It did originally with the humbuckers, but I took it out. I hear what you're saying, these pickups definitely make it a whole different animal than what PRS typically are. That said I like PRS for their build quality, body shape, feel of the neck, and attention to detail - but I typically don't like how they sound. With the Mean 90's it sounds more like I would like it. I was shooting for a really fat strat tone crossed with a ticked off LP Jr, and I think these nailed it.
kleydj13 10 months ago
@kleydj13 Coil taps alway sound a little thin to me. But never the p90! Sounds SO, SO good. I have a set of GFS in my near future. They make pretty great pups. :)
bluestudio67 3 months ago
@bluestudio67 - I was shocked at how well they matched with the PRS. It almost has a really sweet LP Jr. vibe with the mahogany and the midrange of the Mean 90's. They are excellent pickups, no doubt about it.
kleydj13 3 months ago
the problem with this demo is that it doesn't sound live, it sounds like a straight to the board, and that's because it is. kick your mom, or wife, or whatever out of the house next time and record it up proper
vibroluxor 11 months ago
thank you for not using tons of reverb like every other pickup review
newclearwaste 11 months ago
Great demo! Love Mean 90's!
asdesas 11 months ago
@asdesas - Thanks, they're killer for sure!
kleydj13 11 months ago
U play very nice, but your guitar is not in tune... It makes me mad
Alongood 11 months ago
@Alongood Its in tune.....but when he gets on the higher frets it sounds out....Bad intonation?
heyhowami 4 months ago
Thanks for this nice sounddemo they sound really good.
gacktology 1 year ago
@gacktology - You are very welcome, I like them a lot!
kleydj13 11 months ago
Mean90's make you do strange things with your mouth? lol
luit13 1 year ago
@luit13 - yeah, I think not. See any one of my other vids for confirmation ;)
kleydj13 1 year ago
yeah i think i'm gonna eventually get a blacktop jaguar and install these
kess924 1 year ago
These pickups get great reviews but this is the first REAL front-to-back sample I've heard. Everybody else just plays a few riffs without ever changing the settings on the guitar or the amp. I couldn't get a good idea for the complete sound of the Mean 90s (clean, light gain, more gain, volume knob roll-off, different pick attacks, etc).
Thank you so much for posting this! I'm definitely sold on these puppies. For the price they're hard to beat.
keysnstrings615 1 year ago
@keysnstrings615 - Thanks, I too had a hard time finding a good review. I have to say I'm very happy with them. They are exactly what I was looking for in this guitar.
kleydj13 1 year ago
@kleydj13 - I'm thinking about putting them in an Ibanez AS73 semi hollow body. I'd love to find a full review like yours using a semi hollow. I'm trying to picture your tone blended with the warm and "woody" ambiance of a semi hollow. In my head it sounds great but I won't know until I try them myself. But I think I like the Mean 90s enough that it shouldn't be too much of a gamble. Thanks again!
keysnstrings615 1 year ago
@keysnstrings615 I've them installed in a Gibson ES-333 and they sound awesome. In my opinion they clarify the woody ambiance of a semihollow even better than HB's.
luit13 1 year ago
Hey quick question, what resistance of potentiometers are you using? I'm gettng some mean 90s and I'm debating between keeping my stock 500k pots or swapping for 250k pots.
samtay6 1 year ago
@samtay6 - I'm using 500k - mostly b/c the PRS is a fairly dark guitar. Solid mahogany body and neck and a 25" scale length. I also like my guitars to be brighter = more cut in a mix. Then I rely on my amp/pedals to fatten things up.
kleydj13 1 year ago
youre the man
clutchnades 1 year ago