Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: I_cant_play on May 12, 2006, 07:49:06 PM

Title: bridge pickup
Post by: I_cant_play on May 12, 2006, 07:49:06 PM: I've decided to go with a abraxas neck and I was wondering what would be a good bridge to go with it. I like classic rock but also old school metal, ozzy, tallica, megadeth..that kinda thing. I was considering the miracle man for the bridge but I don't know how it would go with the abraxas neck or if the middle position would be usable. I know the nailbomb is versatile but I personally don't like the tone much. I also saw a Alnico V abraxas was mentioned in a few posts. How does it differ from the Alnico IV. Would the abraxas alnico V neck match better with the MM bridge than the alnico IV?

thanks
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: Ced777 on May 12, 2006, 07:53:48 PM: Abraxas V vs Abraxas IV, I don't know if someone can answer to that. I think I read Tim has a guitar with an Abraxas V. I hope he would answer to this question.
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: PhilKing on May 12, 2006, 11:56:58 PM: I think the answer is Abraxas IV is for Les Paul type guitars (with a brighter sound), Abraxas V is for SG styles.
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: I_cant_play on May 13, 2006, 06:52:31 AM: uhm..don't les pauls have a darker sound. they are made of mahogany which is a darker, thicker sounding wood.
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: sgmypod on May 13, 2006, 08:09:28 AM: erm Sg's are mahogony as well
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: I_cant_play on May 13, 2006, 08:59:05 AM: don't LPs still sound darker?? or am I deaf :roll:
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: Ced777 on May 13, 2006, 09:04:47 AM: I am agree with Phil: LP are brighter (heavy carved maple top that add brightness and punch) and SG are darker (full mahogany with no maple).
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: HJM on May 13, 2006, 01:38:31 PM: all mahogany guitars can turn to mud with the wrong pickup choice. Les Pauls tend to sound brighter but they get some more bottom end being single cutaway.
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: hunter on May 13, 2006, 05:36:48 PM: what I was wondering since a long time: is Alder much less bright than Maple? Asking because I have an Alder cap on my Epiphone instead of Maple ...
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: Ced777 on May 13, 2006, 05:47:03 PM: I think alder is less bright than maple, yes.
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: I_cant_play on May 13, 2006, 07:17:52 PM: ok thanks for clarifying that. So back to the pickups, would aV or AIV be more suited for a les paul?
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: HTH AMPS on May 13, 2006, 11:55:22 PM: I always think SGs are brighter/springier than LPs, YMMV.

:twisted:
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: OD-Black_Fire on May 14, 2006, 12:02:06 AM: Yeah, they have less wood boosting the treble.
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: Ced777 on May 14, 2006, 07:50:28 AM: Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL
I always think SGs are brighter/springier than LPs, YMMV.

:twisted:

I think each guitar is different, anyway.
But my full mahogany bodied S (slim) Ibanez (with maple neck and ebony fretboard!) is smoother in the highs than my Gibson LP Std. The weight and size of body had sustain and power to the sound. Anyway, on a same guitar, a maple cap had brightness and attack to the tone. But I'm sure you can find some SG that are brighter than some LP. Each guitar is unique.
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: I_cant_play on May 14, 2006, 05:32:25 PM: ok so now, which bridge pickup would you suggest? I'm between the crawler and the abraxas. I know the neck is the same so I was just curious what is the difference in the bridge. Right now I'm leaning toward abraxas but I'm afraid it'll sound too dark in my lp. Is this a legitemate concern? I also don't mind a slightly compressed sound and I'm worried it's a bit too compressed.

Anyway, how would you compare the two? In terms of the bridge clean sounds, drive, potential for playing metal and classic rock.
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: PhilKing on May 15, 2006, 11:31:43 AM: I would go with the Crawler, the Abraxas does compress a bit in a Les Paul. The Crawler in a Les Paul gives you a lot more dynamics. I find the Abraxas is a little brighter with less mids and bass than the Crawler. I am just swapping my set out of my LP for a new set of Mules. However they are going into another guitar! I play more blues and rock but wanted less drive from the pickups on this guitar than the Abraxas give (it is a chambered LP).
Title: bridge pickup
Post by: carlaz on May 16, 2006, 12:35:39 PM: Quote from: I_cant_play
ok so now, which bridge pickup would you suggest? I'm between the crawler and the abraxas. I know the neck is the same so I was just curious what is the difference in the bridge. Right now I'm leaning toward abraxas but I'm afraid it'll sound too dark in my lp. Is this a legitemate concern? I also don't mind a slightly compressed sound and I'm worried it's a bit too compressed. Anyway, how would you compare the two? In terms of the bridge clean sounds, drive, potential for playing metal and classic rock.

I had very similar concerns, trying to choose between Abraxas and Crawlers. I play a range of styles from classic-ish rock to doomy-metaly things, and I love Santana lead tones. 8) I ended up taking Tim's advice on the Crawlers, which have a bit more grunt on the bridge, which is A5, and that gives you a little nudge towards metalish tones. The Abraxas is a little sweeter, great for hot classic rock and blues rock applications, but I think the Crawler edges a little further into metaloid territory. And you've still got that smokin' neck pup! :)

But on the issues of fine distinction, definitely get Tim's advice. He's got a well-deserved reputation for listening to what you want and helping you choose what you need to get you there.
Title: Crawlers
Post by: lifted on May 16, 2006, 02:55:06 PM: My Gut instinct says go with the Crawlers as well. They were modeled after Geoff Whitehorn and he's got 'em in an LP. You will probably get a bit of a clearer cut through when you drive it to heaviness. Other reason is Tim knows best! :D