Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: cousingrandpa on February 06, 2015, 02:07:38 AM

Title: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: cousingrandpa on February 06, 2015, 02:07:38 AM
I have a set of Mules in my R9, my favorite pickups ever. I'm planning on an Abraxas for the bridge of my 13 SG standard but don't know if I should go with the set or put a Mule in the neck. My question is what is the real difference between the neck Mule & the neck Abraxas tone wise? On the chart it says the Abraxas has a bit more mids but otherwise they look the same.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: darrenw5094 on February 06, 2015, 02:45:21 AM
I could A/B those two tomorrow if i remember, they are both in LP's. As i remember, the Abraxas bridge is middier with less highs than the Mule bridge, but i can't think of the necks atm.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: cousingrandpa on February 06, 2015, 03:15:07 AM
I think the bridge Abraxas would be perfect for the SG. The neck I would definitely like to know the difference.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: darrenw5094 on February 06, 2015, 03:27:20 AM
SG's are quite middy and so is the Abraxas. The bridge pup might not work to well. The more scooped pups are usually the way to go in the SG guitars.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: Dave Sloven on February 06, 2015, 03:29:19 AM
Yeah between Mules and Abraxas for an SG I'd definitely go Mules.  SGs can focus the mids too much and become abrasive.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: AnnunakiMassacr on February 06, 2015, 09:59:10 AM
I don't think he wants to know about the bridge. So to answer your actual question: from what I've been told by BKP, the Abraxas neck is voiced liked the mule. Just wound slightly hotter in order to keep balanced with the bridge. Although the differences are probably "night" and "later that night"
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: PK on February 06, 2015, 11:18:06 AM
I'm actually in the middle of deciding between these 2 pickup sets/combo for my PRS singlecut
Which one would give a more hollowed out/ploinky/"I-wanna-dig-in-even-deeper"/"Very-hard-to-describe" neck sound. Without being muddy or overly warm?
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: Kiichi on February 06, 2015, 11:25:26 AM
I'm actually in the middle of deciding between these 2 pickup sets/combo for my PRS singlecut
Which one would give a more hollowed out/ploinky/"I-wanna-dig-in-even-deeper"/"Very-hard-to-describe" neck sound. Without being muddy or overly warm?
Hollow is a characteristic of the vintage range. So that would be the mule. They excell in terms of dynamics so you can really tickle them or dig the living heck out of em. The hotter the pickup gets the more compression and mids ususally follow.

So all vintage neck ones should appeal to you.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: cousingrandpa on February 06, 2015, 11:34:54 AM
The guitar in question has 57 classics in it. The neck sounds good but just not what I want & the bridge sounds thin & too bright. I do like strong mids in the bridge & I'm going to use RS super pots with these pickups, have them in all my guitars. 
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: darkbluemurder on February 06, 2015, 12:39:24 PM
I'm actually in the middle of deciding between these 2 pickup sets/combo for my PRS singlecut
Which one would give a more hollowed out/ploinky/"I-wanna-dig-in-even-deeper"/"Very-hard-to-describe" neck sound. Without being muddy or overly warm?

"Hollow" does not describe the Abraxas neck to my ears.

Cheers Stephan
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: Telerocker on February 06, 2015, 07:20:49 PM
You want a RiffRaff-neck! And yeah, Abraxas in the bridge of an SG is quite a gamble, I'd rather go for a RiffRaff, a Mule or an Emerald.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: cousingrandpa on February 11, 2015, 01:51:11 AM
The other day I changed my pots to RS super pots, the stock Gibsons metered at 254k. Big difference but I still couldn't stand the bridge 57, way too bright & thin but a little fuller that before. I took a Duncan custom custom I had & changed the magnet to an A4 & put in in the SG. Wow, much better & I'm thinking that it sounds close to what I'm looking for, strong but not too much bottom, huge thick mids & warm bell like & not harsh at all highs. It will hold me over until I decide which BKP's I want.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: Telerocker on February 11, 2015, 02:55:05 AM
The other day I changed my pots to RS super pots, the stock Gibsons metered at 254k. Big difference but I still couldn't stand the bridge 57, way too bright & thin but a little fuller that before. I took a Duncan custom custom I had & changed the magnet to an A4 & put in in the SG. Wow, much better & I'm thinking that it sounds close to what I'm looking for, strong but not too much bottom, huge thick mids & warm bell like & not harsh at all highs. It will hold me over until I decide which BKP's I want.

500k minimum for a hb. And you describe the Holy Diver, which is a bit of a gamble in an SG.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: alsoty on February 11, 2015, 10:46:30 AM
Hi,
I'm considering about Mule and Abraxas ,too.

I love Abraxas  clean tone in the demo of BKP website,
But so many people choose The Mule, so I'm confused.

And I don't know if Abraxas suitable with my Gibson LPJ.
Maybe choose Mule Neck/Abraxas Bridge?

I'll make it coil-split,
I love Foo Fighters, Green Days, Simple Plan, The Band Perry and many Japan POP like: miwa, "nano.RIPE" .

I don't know what kind music that I like,
I like a lot...  :sad:
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: darrenw5094 on February 11, 2015, 01:25:16 PM
Hi,
I'm considering about Mule and Abraxas ,too.

I love Abraxas  clean tone in the demo of BKP website,
But so many people choose The Mule, so I'm confused.

And I don't know if Abraxas suitable with my Gibson LPJ.
Maybe choose Mule Neck/Abraxas Bridge?

I'll make it coil-split,
I love Foo Fighters, Green Days, Simple Plan, The Band Perry and many Japan POP like: miwa, "nano.RIPE" .

I don't know what kind music that I like,
I like a lot...  :sad:

If your guitar is not middy, then the Abraxas would work. It has a bit more power than the Mule, so if that is too much, then people will go for the Mule.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: alsoty on February 11, 2015, 03:22:04 PM
Hi,
I'm considering about Mule and Abraxas ,too.

I love Abraxas  clean tone in the demo of BKP website,
But so many people choose The Mule, so I'm confused.

And I don't know if Abraxas suitable with my Gibson LPJ.
Maybe choose Mule Neck/Abraxas Bridge?

I'll make it coil-split,
I love Foo Fighters, Green Days, Simple Plan, The Band Perry and many Japan POP like: miwa, "nano.RIPE" .

I don't know what kind music that I like,
I like a lot...  :sad:

If your guitar is not middy, then the Abraxas would work. It has a bit more power than the Mule, so if that is too much, then people will go for the Mule.

Thank you,

I've asked BKP, too , they reply me below:
"The Mule set offers a balanced and authentic classic tone - fantastic in a LP. The Abraxas set is also great and does offer a lot of character but is slightly fuller - so good for brighter LPs, or for people looking for a slightly fuller blues rock tone (especially the bridge pickup)."

So,
Is more middy=brighter ??

I think I'm confused again.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: darrenw5094 on February 11, 2015, 03:36:07 PM
Nope, the Abraxas is not heavey on the treble end, but if your guitar is trebley, then the pup and guitar will balance in that department.

When selecting a pup for your guitar, you need to get a bit of balance between natural guitar tone and the pup tone.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: Chris Rowberry on February 11, 2015, 03:38:54 PM
Hi

The Mule and Abraxas have similar characteristics but the Abraxas has more power. We refer to it as a Mule on steroids.

If you like the sound of the Mule but think it isn't as high output as you'd like then we would recommend you go with the Abraxas. The Mule is normally powerful enough for applications though.

If you're still unsure and want to go into further detail please feel free to call and talk to me over the phone 01326 341313. We will make sure you get the right pickup for the job!

Chris
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: alsoty on February 11, 2015, 05:25:20 PM
Nope, the Abraxas is not heavey on the treble end, but if your guitar is trebley, then the pup and guitar will balance in that department.

When selecting a pup for your guitar, you need to get a bit of balance between natural guitar tone and the pup tone.

Thank you,
My LPJ sounds trebley in Bridge,
I think I'll go for Abraxas set.

Hi

The Mule and Abraxas have similar characteristics but the Abraxas has more power. We refer to it as a Mule on steroids.

If you like the sound of the Mule but think it isn't as high output as you'd like then we would recommend you go with the Abraxas. The Mule is normally powerful enough for applications though.

If you're still unsure and want to go into further detail please feel free to call and talk to me over the phone 01326 341313. We will make sure you get the right pickup for the job!

Chris

Thank you~  :grin:
But my English is not good enough to call on phone. :undecided:
I'll go for Abraxas set, because I love the demo on the BKP, especially the clean tone, it make me fall in love, ha ha !
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: Telerocker on February 11, 2015, 06:11:44 PM
Ha, good choice. You won't be disappointed. Nevertheless I think Mules have superior cleans.
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: cousingrandpa on April 21, 2015, 03:31:36 AM
I got the Abraxas today & installed it in my SG, gotta say I like it, just what I was looking for. Here is a sound clip with an original I'm working on. The rhythm is though my modded Metal Zone & the lead is through the gain side of my Super Sonic. All is recorded straight with no other effects. Please excuse my cr@ppy playing lol.

https://soundcloud.com/cousingrandpa/sabitois
Title: Re: Abraxas vs Mules
Post by: darrenw5094 on April 21, 2015, 10:49:12 AM
Good to see a middy BKP work in an SG. It was a bit of a gamble, but i suppose you could have switched the Mule and Abraxas anyway.