Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: lando on February 02, 2011, 06:36:50 PM

Title: Manhatten or Abraxis?! Seeking advice!
Post by: lando on February 02, 2011, 06:36:50 PM
Hey guys!

Just about to order my very first set of BKP's! I think I have it narrowed down but would love some input before I make a decision.

I play a peavey jf1ex semi hollow, I use on optical compressor, into ts808hw, into 73 twin reverb.  The pickups in it now are OK, but I really want to vamp this thing up.

I play mostly clean, but still do overdriven leads and some overdriven rhythm stuff now and again and my style is pretty weird. Hybrid blues, funk, jazz, jam, with a little classic rock flavor thrown in. Lots of complex chords around the middle of the neck, so clarity, string separation is a goal.

I am looking for a tone that will cut through in the mix, so I looked for something with pronounced mids, and I wanted clarity and definition and warmth.  I really like the idea of the abraxis model and the manhatten model.

Here is why,
abraxis: uses alnico IV, supposed to have great harmonic complexity and vocal tone, just a beefier mule which is in turn a beefier SM. Plus I do like the thickness of a humbucker.

manhatten: I never really thought about this pup, but ran after viewing some threads in the forum I looked it up. The sound demo sounds perfect to me, clear, balanced, an almost acoustic like quality to it. Will it have enough thickness?

SO my question is this: can the Manhattan handle overdrive for some leads and rhythm application, or should I go with abraxis and if so can that pup do the really sweet clean sound. I am in favor of the p90, but worry about its capacity with non clean tones.

Any advise?
Title: Re: Manhatten or Abraxis?! Seeking advise!
Post by: WezV on February 02, 2011, 07:19:45 PM
manhattan can handle a fair amount of drive - i quite like it pushed a bit

why not go for manhattan neck and abraxis bridge
Title: Re: Manhatten or Abraxis?! Seeking advise!
Post by: Fourth Feline on February 02, 2011, 07:23:13 PM
manhattan can handle a fair amount of drive - i quite like it pushed a bit

why not go for manhattan neck and abraxis bridge

Interesting to read about the 'Dark Side of The Man' (hattan ) Wez.  :D

A veritable Wolf in Sheep's clothing !

Title: Re: Manhatten or Abraxis?! Seeking advise!
Post by: lando on February 02, 2011, 07:57:40 PM
Ah, was that a Pink Floyd reference?!

If the Manhattan can get floydish tones, then my search is over!

I opted to stay with a calibrated set, that middle tone is important as I use both pups quite a bit, so calibration is key. Hence the dilemma!

Actually, this helped a lot and reaffirmed my choice, ordering a set of the Manhattan's right now!

Thanks guys!
Title: Re: Manhatten or Abraxis?! Seeking advice!
Post by: Telerocker on February 02, 2011, 08:02:18 PM
Personally I would go for the Mule/Abraxxas option for the bridge (they clean up very well) and the Manhattan for great jazz cleans in the neck. I have no experience with the Manhattan, though.