GFS Mean 90 Tone Demo - Clean to Dirty

I've always had a pretty strong preference for single coils over humbuckers. I Love the PRS, but haven't really gotten comfortable with how it sounds. Plays great, but the HB's just seem really muddy and lack dynamics. Let's face it, they aren't single coils...

I've heard some good things about the GFS Mean 90's on a forum I frequent. They're pretty cheap and seem very well made, so it wasn't much of a gamble. I've always loved true P90's, but they won't fit in a humbucker route - so this seemed to be the next closest thing. I haven't had them in for too long yet, and I already think they're an improvement. Much more pleasing to my ears.

I'm using my Frenzel 5E3 deluxe plus head using the line out into my PC where I apply a 60's Marshall 4x12 speaker cab sim in Guitar Rig. Totally silent in the room, yet I still get the amp's dynamics.

I try to run through a variety of gain levels from pretty clean to dimed. Enjoy!

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[Beermaker2000]

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.

[kleydj13]

@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.

[ermonski]

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?

[kleydj13]

@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.

[sanctuarysucks]

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.......

[Beermaker2000]

Great playing! This sounds really good. Thanks for posting.

[kleydj13]

@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.

[bluestudio67]

@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. :)

[akdiiennnnn]

I wonder if I make those faces when I play.....

[heyhowami]

@Alongood Its in tune.....but when he gets on the higher frets it sounds out....Bad intonation?