ABRAXAS PICKUPS-FIRST IMPRESSIONS!

[JEFF MAKOR]

Along with the PG Blues, I ordered and have just installed a set of Abaxas pups.
I love the Santana sound and as I tend to play more on the neck than the bridge.
Over the many years of playing Latin rock, blues, fusion etc, I decided to buy these because I wanted to see if Tim had nailed the elusive singing vocal quality but still clear up whist retaining clarity I enjoy in the best pickups.
I have to say that the neck totally captures all the bell like resonance of Carlos at his old best, but compresses nicely for the newer stuff he's been coining in to in recent years.
The bridge is still a clear pickup and has all the sounds of a hot PAF, but cuts through any mix without shrill or unpleasant top end.
I give these pickups 10 out of 10 because they can deliver all the tones associated with the artist they claim to mimic.
If you enjoy Carlos from Abraxas to recent albums, throw your PRS pups on ebay and get down and dirty with the Abraxas, amigo!
regards
Jeff Makor

[HTH AMPS]

I've got a set of these in my Les Paul and love them too - possibly the most underated humbucker BKP offer.

The neck pickup is nice and clear enabling rhythm parts to be played without any mud.  When I want a fatter neck solo tone, I just roll back the tone control.

The bridge is perfect 'hot-PAF' territory and I can get classic NWOBHM tones from this with ease (Priest; Point Of Entry).  Actually, I was playing Megadeth riffs the other day and it handled that stuff too.

[JEFF MAKOR]

Cheers HTH.
yep, the named association with Santana might actually put more off than Tim figured, but I really hope not.
These pups are wonderful and classy in every respect.

[melvin]

Thanks for the review.

I've been "sitting" on a set of these for about a month... I'm in the middle of building a guitar around these and CAN'T wait to start ripping it up with them!!

[Dr. Vic]

Don't know about the bridge but the Abraxas Neck is definitely an awesome pup delivering gorgeous tones !
 PDT_003

[JEFF MAKOR]

Don't know about the bridge but the Abraxas Neck is definitely an awesome pup delivering gorgeous tones !
 PDT_003

Im not sure if this means you've tried the Abraxas bridge and remain unsure or have never heard it.
I do like the bridge, but it's not a PRS Santana cloned sound as the neck is.
Instead, it remains clearer and perhaps a little less vocal, but superior in cutting through without any harshness.
In other words, its the personification of the perfect hot PAF for blues, rock and beyond.
enjoy

[AndyR]

Nice review (and added info from HTH) :D

It's especially good hearing about the neck being so clear.

I went Mules & Riff Raffs for "vintage classic" when I was getting humbucker guitars kitted up. But I did wonder about these at the time. So, if I should slip again and acquire another guitar, the Abraxas set might well interest me :lol:

[JEFF MAKOR]

Nice review (and added info from HTH) :D

It's especially good hearing about the neck being so clear.

I went Mules & Riff Raffs for "vintage classic" when I was getting humbucker guitars kitted up. But I did wonder about these at the time. So, if I should slip again and acquire another guitar, the Abraxas set might well interest me :lol:

Hi Andy.
The pickups you've got are perfect and will keep you happy forever, but the Abraxas just offers the same but with more gain and punch if you so desire!
I've been thinking about some Nailbombs, but seriously, do i want to be dictated to by how cool they sound or am I going to pay more attention to what I really sound like and what's the best for ME?
so, it's the Abraxas and the PG Blues for the meantime.
Keep playing.
Jeff