Gibson BR-9

[Steve Rosko]

I'm considering looking for a Gibson BR-9. I see comments regarding making sure the P-90 pick up is original. So, how to identify an original P-90? I also see comments about tuners and "electronics". I assume electronics means pots? Can I assume tuners and pots are readily available?
Thanks

[Noah Miller]

Depending on the year, it will either have a wider string spacing than a conventional P90, or it will be a "racetrack" pickup with non-adjustable poles (not really a P90 at all).

[Mike Christensen]

Yes tuners and pots are available easily. Gotoh SD90 I believe would be a good affordable tuner far better than originally came in my estimation . The P90 is a plain rectangular pickup. No fancy shape. Good luck.

[Jack Hanson]

Please take the following with a grain of salt; it's merely one persons opinions based on personal observations. I've had several BR-9s over the years -- both originals, and one's I've purchased in various stages of disrepair, and some as downright basket cases.

As Noah says, Gibson installed two different pickups in their BR-9s. The very first were the wide-oval/racetrack pickups with the rounded ends and un-adjustable alnico magnet slugs for polepieces. In approximately 1951, they changed over to the new P-90 pickups.

The P-90s had fillister-head screws which attached to a steel spacer that came into contact with two alnico bar magnets underneath the coil. P-90 denotes a particular style of construction, not one particular pickup. There are several different varieties of P-90s. They were built in 4-string configurations (for mandos and tenor guitars), 6, 7, 8, and 10 string configurations (for steels), and at least two different 6-string models for Spanish guitars. The main difference between a 6-string steel pickup and a 6-string Spanish pickup is the polepiece spacing. A lap steel pickup has wider spaced polepieces to match the steel bridge's wider string spacing.

I would not necessarily agree that the factory P-90s are superior to quality aftermarket P-90s. I've purchased several custom P-90s from Jerry & Christine Sentell that sound as good if not better than the originals.

In my opinion, the wide-oval/racetrack pickup and the P-90 pickup sound more alike than different. Both have their strong points and weaknesses. Sometimes, depending on string gauges, it's nice to have the ability to adjust the polepieces to balance the output. But the original racetrack pickups have a bit of a "growl" to 'em, like a good Emmons push/pull, that is not evident with the P-90s. If push came to shove, I would choose the earlier wide-oval/track pickup. But you really can't go wrong with either pickup. Both have stood the test of time, in my opinion.

My personal pet peeve with the stock BR-9 (and some other Gibson lap steel models as well) is the molded Plexiglas pickup/bridge cover ("fingerrest" in Gibson parlance). They interfere with my right hand picking style, so I pull 'em off and replace 'em with a custom cover plate. (I would attach a photo if I could figure out how to do it in the Forum's new format, but alas...)

I wholeheartedly agree with Mike that Gotoh SD90 tuners are as good if not better than the original Kluson Deluxes.

Lotsa bang for the buck with an old BR-9. Gibson made a gazillion of 'em, so they're readily available. Good luck in your quest!

[Douglas Schuch]

I agree with Jack Hanson re: Sentell Pickups. I have an old, banged-up BR-9 and the pickup failed. I could not find anyone locally who could rewind it, so I ordered a Sentell. Based on Jack's description, I guess the original pickup was the "race track" style. Anyway, I found a guy in the Philippines who could rewind my pickup, and he matched the original wire. I got that back first, so I installed it. It sounded OK. I eventually installed the Sentell just to see after it had arrived, and liked it much better - louder and a broader range of both clean to dirty and high to low tones.

I lined the cavity of mine with copper foil, which reduce noise level significantly. I'd suggest watching a few videos if you've never done it, and order some copper foil for the job.

[Steve Rosko]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I have one coming. We'll see what kind of shape it's in when I get it. I play primarily PSG. After a search, I see some folks have trouble with the hand guard and that some have obtained/made a flat cover plate. I'll keep you posted.