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?