abraxas or mule for custom 24

[nig1064]

Hi guys
          New here so bare with me a tad.
          I own a custom 24 with hfs/vb combo,I am after a more vintage sound and not so hot with the ability to coil     
          split nicely,I would like two push pull to split independently.
         
          I had the mule in mind and emailed b/k,Had a reply from Ben who recommended an abraxas set for me
          and now i'm all confused.i saw some nice clips of the abraxas but a bit worried they might be too hot for me,
          i mainly play clean and slight breakup  when i dig in on a duotone and boost when i need it.
          I am after warm yet crisp cleans,Articulate,open with good separation and definition and the ability to dirty
          up nicely as well.

          Will the abraxas do all this for me ,I guess i am a bit worried about the high output as the hfs is quite high
          as well and quite modern which i don't want.

          Thanks guys,Any input welcome.

[ericsabbath]

the abraxas is no near as hot as the HFS
but if you feel you'll like mules better, go for it
it should sound amazing in a cu24
prs guitars usually have a great natural open tone and so does the mule set
that combo should result in instant tone heaven

[Slartibartfarst42]

I would imagine both would work beautifully. The Abraxas is very close to Mules anyway, with the neck pickup being almost the same. The bridge looks significantly hotter based on DC resistance but remember that the Abraxas bridge uses a different wire, which will affect the numbers. From what I understand, based on my own recent investigations, the use of 43 AWG on the Abraxas bridge (Mule uses 42 AWG) will give it a crisper response while 42 AWG tends to make the tone more rounded. The hotter wind on the Abraxas will also tame the highs of the Mule to give you a warmer tone while the AIV magnet will keep things nice and smooth. This seems to be exactly what you're after so I'd say it sounds like Ben has it spot on. Both the Mule and Abraxas neck pickups use 42 AWG wire on AIV magnets and there is only 0.1 difference in their resistance so as near as damn it, the same pickup anyway. Eric is also right that the HFS is significantly hotter than an Abraxas.

Based on what you've said, I'd take Ben's advice and go with an Abraxas set.

[bandmaster188]

Abraxas set. They will be perfect!

[Telerocker]

Both sets will work well. Choice is a matter of taste. I understand you have the H&K Duotone? I remember the clean channel as being quite bright. With this amp I would settle for Abraxas, cause the Mule-bridge could be on the bright side on the clean channel.

[darrenw5094]

Mule for me. Those natural honky mids in the CU24 model bug me. The middier Abraxas would magnify that, but the scooped Mule should balance much better.

But then, it's your choice. I prefer the Mules in my Goldtop LP than the Abraxas in my Gibson LP.

[Mr. Air]

If you want to go coilsplitting with the push/pulls Abraxas would propably be the best choice as many players find that low output humbuckers are too weak when split. You could considder the SD triple shot mounting rings which will give split as well as parallel options.

[Kiichi]

If you want to go coilsplitting with the push/pulls Abraxas would propably be the best choice as many players find that low output humbuckers are too weak when split.

Gotta say though that I recently tried the PRS style wiring that has been recommended here not so long ago and I am liking what I am getting.
Now I did so far only try it on my autoplit RY bridge + middle position, but the RY was always a little weaker there since I have it flipped so the split coil is the one closer to the bridge.
Now with a resistor in series with the split ground I do get more output and a little more fatness.
This way I can retain the basic character of the split and the coil I selected for this, but donīt loose as much.

As soon as my switch arrives I will also do this to my Crawler axe, there I will even then have the possibility of switching between regular and the PRS partial split.

Plus I will try the cap variant for lowering the resonance peak of the "shut off" coil, though I do not quite understand yet how this likely differ in sound from the resistor variant.

Bottom line is that I can so far recommend it and it might really work wonders with splitting low output HBs.

[nig1064]

  Many thanks guys,When i stumbled across b/k and this forum i was quite impressed,very friendly and helpful
  across the board you all are.

  Yes the duotone is quite bright,very crystal cleans which i love and the tone controls are very reactive and works
  wonderfully with my ibby artist which has super 58's in it,I love this amp.
  I think the coil split is my dilemma,not to sure if i'm  asking to much from one single pickup and want the best from both worlds but having the ibanez with straight hum buckers i do want the split with the cu24 and yes it is a tad honky,i want to bring some warmth into this guitar.

I am sitting on the fence about swapping the 5 way rotary,it works well and brings in some nice tones and am curious
how it would work with the b/k especially the mules but i find it a bit cumbersome and the three way just feels better
to me.
I am going to ponder this some more seeing as this is not a real cheap exercise will take my time and a bit more research,So mules or abraxas (it's one or the other) keep the wiring as is and have b/k reverse the pickup to suit
the prs with either pickup or new  wiring harness with independent splits for each pickup,Not a bad thing to ponder
and exciting as well for me.

Many thanks to all that have responded with their opinions,Any more greatly appreciated guys.

[Telerocker]

  Many thanks guys,When i stumbled across b/k and this forum i was quite impressed,very friendly and helpful
  across the board you all are.

  Yes the duotone is quite bright,very crystal cleans which i love and the tone controls are very reactive and works
  wonderfully with my ibby artist which has super 58's in it,I love this amp.
  I think the coil split is my dilemma,not to sure if i'm  asking to much from one single pickup and want the best from both worlds but having the ibanez with straight hum buckers i do want the split with the cu24 and yes it is a tad honky,i want to bring some warmth into this guitar.

I am sitting on the fence about swapping the 5 way rotary,it works well and brings in some nice tones and am curious
how it would work with the b/k especially the mules but i find it a bit cumbersome and the three way just feels better
to me.
I am going to ponder this some more seeing as this is not a real cheap exercise will take my time and a bit more research,So mules or abraxas (it's one or the other) keep the wiring as is and have b/k reverse the pickup to suit
the prs with either pickup or new  wiring harness with independent splits for each pickup,Not a bad thing to ponder
and exciting as well for me.

Many thanks to all that have responded with their opinions,Any more greatly appreciated guys.

The Crawler in my HSS-strat splits fantastic (beefy tele-esque tones) and this pickup, whilst a tad hotter and fatter, has the same character as the Abraxas, so I assume that one will split very nice too.

[nig1064]

  Just ordered the mules for my cu 24.

 From the clips i have heard these  seem perfect for me,After a bit of thought i realise i never use the bridge in split
 coil,only the neck so we will see  when i have them in,will keep you guys posted on how they go (I'm not expecting to
 be disappointed )

 Just got  to order a drop in harness to replace the five way configuration on the prs.
 I have my eye on a Rothstein drop in,seems quality but am a bit confused about the caps,which to use and how they effect the sound any first hand information or opinions as to what they do and what is recommended would be great.

 Many thanks for all your input.
 

[Telerocker]

Let us know if they work fine.

[sjwebb90]

I play in a covers band and have a set of Abraxas in my Custom 22. Good all rounders and cover a lot of ground and the split coil tones with the
outer coils both on, sound sweet.

[nig1064]

Hi guys

Received my mules a couple of weeks ago,very well packaged,i was very impressed with the quality.
Also received the wiring harness this week so i have just got back from dropping the guitar off to my tech to install,
Will pick up this time next week,getting a bit excited about it now.
Will return and give you all my thoughts on these pickups in a week or so.

Cheers guys