Author Topic: New Abraxas IV Pickups (Read 9954 times)

PhilKing · « **on:** July 30, 2005, 04:13:03 PM »

I just got my set of Abraxas IV pickups for my LP. They sound great (you all knew they would :lol: ). They sound like a cleaner VHII - not as much bass but a really nice balance overall. The bridge is wound to 14.7k and the neck 10.5k (on my meter). As the name implies, they have alnico IV magnets.

I will pull out a few other guitars and play them to get a getter description of where the tone fits in, but at this point I would say that they are great for blues and classic rock.

I also love the way they look, with the double cream and zebra. Tim will have to confirm this, but the studs look smaller too - more like the real PAF.

So I was going to take a ride but now I think I will be indoors a while

Ratrod · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2005, 04:28:49 PM »

Nice!

Can we expect any clips in the near future?

PhilKing · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2005, 04:30:53 PM »

I am going to try to get some out there this weekend. My other project is to set up the pc to record.

jt · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2005, 10:02:59 AM »

:D Looks good my man can`t wait to hear what they sound like !!

:D 8)

March · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2005, 12:20:19 PM »

Phil, out of interest, how would you compare the sound of the Abraxas in comparison to the Emerald's? I think I am after a traditional LP sound with a bit more of a kick - the Emerald seems perfect for that application but I think it would be wise for me to consider the Abraxas as well.

PS - One of the highlights of the LGS was playing your EG - the P90's sold me on the BKP-92's. I am even thinking about a set of Crawlers for my PRS.

carlaz · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2005, 01:01:34 PM »

Quote from: PhilKing

I am going to try to get some out there this weekend. My other project is to set up the pc to record.

Oh, I'm looking forward to hearing this! 8)
Please include some neck pup solo-y stuff -- I'm a sucker for Santana-style neck pickup tones and have been keenly wondering how the Abraxas neck sits amongst the various other BKPs we've been hearing. (I keep thinking about loading my LP with an Abraxas neck and perhaps something slightly more metalified in the bridge ....) :twisted:

crispsandwich · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2005, 02:07:06 PM »

This is going to sound so ignorant, but what is the Abraxas IV? Is it a new BKP pickup? I've read through old posts to try and find some clues but the only 'new' pickup I've heard of (or heard) is the Cold Sweat.

-Danny :D

carlaz · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2005, 02:37:27 PM »

Quote from: crispsandwich

This is going to sound so ignorant, but what is the Abraxas IV? Is it a new BKP pickup? I've read through old posts to try and find some clues but the only 'new' pickup I've heard of (or heard) is the Cold Sweat.

Yup, the Abraxas is a new BKP (the name suggests a Santana-ish type inspiration); I believe there's a choice between Alnico IV and V. One or two of the BKP guys have made reference to the Abraxas on the forum previously, but there hasn't been a lot of detail.

Once we hear PhilKing's Abraxas IVs, I'd be interested to see some pointers on how the Vs would likely differ, tonewise. (I'm not looking to nail any historical Santana-style tone, but I do like that general vibe in the neck for wah-abuse neck pickup solos :))

PhilKing · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2005, 03:06:50 AM »

I have run into problems with recording to the PC. I have to set up a desktop to record I think as I can't get anything into my laptop. I spent about 3 hours trying to configure it to take an audio feed

I have a M-Audio USB interface, but it is in transit from the UK. I will try to setup my desktop to take a spdif feed from a DBX mic pre that I have here.

I will work on it this week.

Tim · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2005, 08:46:25 AM »

The Abraxas, as with the Cold Sweat set, are another set of finished prototype humbuckers I've been working on this past year.As usual, don't get too hung up on DC readings, Phil's set had a 52mm bridge so a stock 50mm will read around DC14.2K.
As those of you who are used to the tone of Alnico IV now will know, it's a better balanced version of Alnico II............bottom line, no mush in the bass, balanced mids and sweet highs-not syrupy though!The overall tone is pure vintage but with some extra power for those singing latin leads PDT_003

March · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2005, 10:37:02 AM »

Thanks Tim - That sounds exactly what I have been looking for. :D I think that will be my next set.

carlaz · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2005, 10:40:01 AM »

Quote from: PhilKing

I have run into problems with recording to the PC. I have to set up a desktop to record I think as I can't get anything into my laptop. I spent about 3 hours trying to configure it to take an audio feed I have a M-Audio USB interface, but it is in transit from the UK. I will try to setup my desktop to take a spdif feed from a DBX mic pre that I have here. I will work on it this week.

Good luck, and sympathies! I've moved back and forth across the Atlantic a couple of times now, and it's a major pain. I keenly await the invention of teleportation technology 8) .... Almost as keenly as I await your (eventually successful recording of an) Abraxas clip! :)

chris o'donnell · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2005, 09:27:47 PM »

Sounds interesting. I have been cinsidering the cold sweats or crawlers, but I'll hold off until I hear Phils demo.

Chris.

PhilKing · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2005, 12:29:41 PM »

Quote from: March

Phil, out of interest, how would you compare the sound of the Abraxas in comparison to the Emerald's? I think I am after a traditional LP sound with a bit more of a kick - the Emerald seems perfect for that application but I think it would be wise for me to consider the Abraxas as well.

PS - One of the highlights of the LGS was playing your EG - the P90's sold me on the BKP-92's. I am even thinking about a set of Crawlers for my PRS.

Sorry - I was going to try to demo both for you. As soon as I can get sound recorded on the PC I will do it

The Emerald has more bottom end, but the Abraxas drives just as much (if not actually a bit more). It is a smoother overall sound, but with tons of harmonics (I am starting to think that I don't have to say this anymore - all my BKP's have tons of harmonics ^^ ).

I'm glad you liked the EG, it is still crossing over from England so I haven't played it in a bit. The new Mississippi Queen is a great pickup if you like P-90's but have a 2 humbucker guitar. I have VHII's in my PRS here, with the 5 way switch. The parallel sounds are really Fenderish - very single coil sounding. I love the Abraxas sound so much though, that I am thinking of getting a set of Abraxas V's for my PRS Standard (all mahogany). I was going to put Cold Sweats in it, but now I am all undecided - too many choices :lol:

carlaz · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2005, 12:44:17 PM »

Quote from: PhilKing

I love the Abraxas sound so much though, that I am thinking of getting a set of Abraxas V's for my PRS Standard (all mahogany).

It's Abraxas VIs in your pictured LP, though, right? Based on the descriptions, I'm almost sold on the Abraxas at least for the neck before I've even heard the clip :) but was wondering how a V would work out tonally vs. the VI. The VI might sound more "vintage" (?) but perhaps a V would sit better with a hotter pup in the bridge? Or should I be thinking more about the body woods when thinking about IVs and Vs? I'm pretty shaky on these subtle issues!

And I suppose an Abraxas bridge (perhaps especially a V?) might well hand out some seriously heavy crunch on its own, much as the Mule (a usually IV, if I remember aright) can do!