![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lollarguitars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sean-costello.jpg\")
His approach to playing was innovative and lyrical, with an undeniable force behind it. Watching videos of Sean\u2019s live performances, it\u2019s impossible to ignore his passion and charisma\u2014even on the humblest of stages. And similarly, one cannot overlook the beautiful Les Paul Goldtop often seen in his hands, seemingly an extension of Sean himself. This particular Goldtop, a 1954 model, was the source of inspiration for a set of pickups that Jason Lollar built for Sean \u2013 what we call Lollar \u201850s Wind P-90<\/strong>s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For decades we’ve been known for our “Standard” P-90s<\/strong> (we don\u2019t actually refer to them as \u201cStandard\u201d\u2014rather they are simply called \u201cP-90 Soapbar<\/strong><\/a>” and “P-90 Dogear<\/a><\/strong>\u201d\u2014but we’ll do so in this article to differentiate them from the ’50s Wind P-90). We\u2019re frequently asked what sets our \u201850s Wind P-90<\/strong> apart from the Standard P-90 we make. There seems to be an expectation that our \u201850s Wind will sound like other vintage-era P-90s\u2014and it does. Well, sort of. Let me explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n In the 1950s there really was no \u201cstandard” voicing for P-90s\u2014at least none that was consistent from one pickup to the next. Production standards were different back then, and pickup quality and tone varied considerably. Much of what we do here at Lollar is take the best examples of vintage pickups we can find, faithfully recreate their tone, and apply stringent quality standards to their production. And that\u2019s exactly what we did with both our Standard and \u201850s Wind P-90s. Both models are voiced like vintage P-90s. It\u2019s just that their voicings are based on different<\/em> vintage versions. <\/p>\n\n\n To most players, the classic P-90 voice is one that is full sounding and midrange-focused, and somewhat aggressive even for a vintage-style pickup. They\u2019re known for their excellent breakup and punchiness, with a tone often described as grinding or gritty. That pretty much sums up the tone you get from Lollar Standard P-90s .<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our \u201850s Wind P-90 has a much different sound than our Standard P-90. It was voiced to sound as close as possible to the set of Soapbar P-90s in Sean’s Goldtop. The tone of his pickups had some characteristics that made them unique when compared to other examples, even from a similar era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “<\/em>Players looking for more definition and less breakup from their P-90s often find the \u201850s Wind to be an excellent choice.“<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Compared to most P-90s\u2014including our Standard P-90\u2014we designed the \u201850s Wind P-90s to be brighter without being harsh, and to have lower output without seeming weak. The treble content and clarity present in these pickups almost seems like a burlier version of Strat pickups, having less in common with many other P-90s than with brighter Fender-style single-coils. These pickups have excellent note definition and articulation and compress less readily than other P-90s. They are touch sensitive, and almost cross into twang territory at times. They could be said to be less raw than most P-90s, without seeming subdued \u2013 they truly offer their own thing. <\/p>\n\n\n The Lollar \u201850s Wind P-90s are a perfect fit for players working in a 1950s and 1960s electric blues idiom, sounding just like the originals. But importantly, they\u2019re very versatile pickups, and are not limited to being part of a \u201ccharacter sound\u201d for vintage-style blues players. Players looking for more definition and less breakup from their P-90s often find the \u201850s Wind to be an excellent choice. They\u2019re also very well suited to bringing out clarity in darker sounding guitars, particularly slab mahogany style guitars like Les Paul Specials or Juniors. Their clarity and note separation can make them a good fit for fingerstyle or jazz guitar, or for players simply looking for a little less aggression or grind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sean and his Goldtop had a reciprocal relationship; his passion and talent brought the best out of the instrument, which in turn inspired and gave voice to a truly meteoric musician. The collaboration between Jason and Sean to replicate these pickups was the result of multiple versions, revisions, and late-night conversations, with Sean keeping in touch via phone to weigh in on the prototypes\u2014even while on the road . Ultimately, the mutual admiration and respect for craft between Jason and Sean along with the Lollar quality and attention to detail resulted in the Lollar \u201850s Wind P-90, a pickup we are proud to continue to offer as a tribute to a legendary player gone far too soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lollarguitars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/50s-wind-p90-2.jpg\")
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sounding guitars like this Les Paul Jr. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n