HSS set for Warmoth Strat

[iggypop]

Hi guys, my first post here, although I've been lurking around for some time... Please be kind!
So, I'm building this HSS Warmoth Strat, 1-piece alder body, gonçalo alves/pau-ferro raw neck, Graphtech TUSQ XL nut (hope they do not suck...). Gonna put Planet Waves auto-trim tuners, and a BladeRunner tremolo. Amp is a JMP50 clone, using pedals for OD, Plexitone, King of Tone, Top Tone DG-2, and currently waiting for a Kingsley Jester.
I want this guitar to be very versatile for playing in a classic rock cover band, ocasionally some hard rock; and the SS pickups must be Mother's Milk. I'm thorn between the choices presented at the store, for the bridge humbucker. Mule, Crawler, Emerald. My concerns: Mule - wouldn't it sound a bit scooped/bright for this guitar? Emerald - Too bright for this strat? Crawler - too midrangey? I'd like it to have a tight bass for heavier stuff, but enough mids and highs to cut through the mix, and leads should never sound thin.
Then I ask you folks, which one would you recommend? From the warmoth site, gonçalo alves is closer to mahogany, albeit a bit brighter, and pau-ferro is brighter than rosewood, but darker than maple.
What about the Abraxas bridge? It sounds and seems flatter from the online specs and samples. Has anyone tried it in an alder strat, or similar setup? Would it pair well with the MMilks ?
Thanks for your input, and glad to be here!

[Telerocker]

First: welcome here! The Abraxas is the middle of the road between the Mule and the Crawler, you could say. It will split nice with the MM. It's a bit more PAF-sounding then the Crawler. I play the Crawler (in a swapashstrat with two IT's) which is great for classic rock and hard rock too, but the Crawler has a bit more compression then the more open sounding Abraxas. Both have quite some mids. I think the topend of the Abraxas is a more chimey, however I like the rounded chime of the Crawler too. The Crawler is quite throaty. It growls when pushed. It's middy, but I think not too much in alder/bolt on-guitars. It helps to keep things beefed up on stagevolume. The leads are exquisite on the Crawler. For me tight enough too. I think the Abraxas delivers the same goodies, with a litte more vintagetouch and chime. Both clean up great. End of story: both will work great and for your guitar/music I would stick to one of these two. The choiche depends on your taste.

[iggypop]

Telerocker, thanks for your reply. You've confirmed my impressions from what I read and heard from these pickups. I find the "classic rock" samples from both (Crawler and Abraxas) beautiful. The Crawler seemingß "rounder" on the top end, and Abraxas more open, or chimey, as you said. I'm really inclined to get the Abraxas...

[Telerocker]

You won't regret the Abraxas. It delivers best of both worlds: PAF-character with more beef and output to drive the amp, but cleans up great and has enough dc-resistance to pair with the MM in a balanced way. My Crawler splits great with the IT too, it's really Fender-quackie. Even the single coil of the Crawler sounds good for some music.