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Author Topic: Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster  (Read 4562 times)

ragamuffin

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Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster
« on: February 17, 2021, 02:57:46 PM »
So I've got a really nice partscaster that I built based around the Music Man Albert Lee; it's a 25.5 scale length strat-ish guitar, mahogany body, wenge neck with ebony fretboard, and Hipshot tremolo. In the neck I have a Duncan Seth Lover with an A4 magnet and it sounds absolutely great, but I've been struggling with finding a bridge pickup that I like to go with it.

I tried the SL bridge with different magnets but found it too honkey and thin, and then I tried a Vineham pickups Brown Noser (9k, potted, A2 magnet) and liked it slightly better, put an A8 mag in it and liked it slightly better yet... But it's still thinner and a little more nasally than I'd like. I think I want a slightly higher output humbucker, something fatter, but won't overpower the Seth Lover too badly

I play classic rock through modern alternative and post rock, and some fingerstyle jazzy stuff (but that would be on the neck pickup). What bridge bucker would you recommend? I'm looking for moderate output and to match well enough with my A4 Seth Lover. I've been looking at the Abraxas bridge, sounds like it might be a good match.

« Last Edit: February 17, 2021, 10:31:57 PM by ragamuffin »

ragamuffin

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Re: Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2021, 11:19:54 PM »
Well, I went ahead and ordered an Abraxas bridge. We'll see how it goes!

Telerocker

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Re: Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2021, 12:43:46 AM »
Well, I went ahead and ordered an Abraxas bridge. We'll see how it goes!

I think you made a good choice, also considering the ebony board. The Abraxas is a nice hotrodded Mule. It can cover many grounds, but still has that vintage PAF-vibe.
Mules, VHII, Crawler, MM's, IT's, BG50's.

darrenw5094

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Re: Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2021, 01:17:31 AM »
I have an Abraxas in a Les paul and it's middy alright. Perfect for the classic rock.
BKP: Abraxas - Les Paul
Holy Diver - Charvel
Mule - Les Paul
Rebel Yell - Les Paul
VHII - PRS CU22
Emerald - Les Paul
Warpig - Caparison Horus

b.gandt

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Re: Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2021, 02:57:15 AM »
Well, I went ahead and ordered an Abraxas bridge. We'll see how it goes!

I’ll be interested in your thoughts once it’s in!

ragamuffin

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Re: Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2021, 10:17:15 PM »
My Abraxas bridge arrived today in Florida (wow that was fast!) and I got it wired up

Initial thoughts:

-It sounds great clean or overdriven! It's not at all honky or nasal; it's pretty clear and articulate, percussive, with some slight compression. If anything I would say it has a bit of "grunt" to it.

-The EQ is nicely balanced; plenty of bass response for me, balanced mids, relatively a "bright" humbucker but not piercing or excessive

-The output is just where i want it! There's more output than a true PAF type, but nothing over the top. It sounds great from clean to low gain to thrash-y metal tones. I was a little worried that it might be too hot for me but this is definitely not the case.

Telerocker

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Re: Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2021, 02:54:55 AM »
Job done! Nice feedback. I'm happy you like the Abraxas. I could see even a Crawler working in that guitar, especially the split is a great tele-esque tone.
Mules, VHII, Crawler, MM's, IT's, BG50's.

b.gandt

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Re: Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2021, 09:49:06 PM »
Good to hear! 

I don't have any more guitars to drop BKPs in, but I'll be adding the Abraxas to the Black Dog as possible humbucking choices the next time I have such a guitar in need.

b.gandt

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Re: Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster
« Reply #8 on: March 04, 2021, 02:01:55 AM »
By the way, that’s a great looking guitar!

richard

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Re: Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2021, 03:41:02 PM »
Glad you like it! I love my Abraxas set. Possibly my favourite buckers.
PRS Bernie Marsden Abraxas set
PRS S2 Singlecut RY's
JV Strat  IT Bridge
Gibson SG JB bridge
Fender Mex Tele Thinline TV Jones Classics
Fender Bassbreaker 15
Yamaha THR 100 Dual
Quilter Aviator Cub

ragamuffin

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Re: Bridge humbucker for my Albert Lee style partscaster
« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2021, 08:30:35 PM »
Thanks guys!