Abe Rivera Spectre

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-16-2010, 11:52 PM

Hi all check out this Abe Rivera i just scored in a trade. known to be played by PAt Martino and Kevin Eubanks, but you knew that already.

**derek** · 02-17-2010, 04:29 PM

Always look cool, but aren't those things REALLY heavy?

TommyD · 02-17-2010, 05:55 PM

Hope you didn't trade anything valuable for it.

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-17-2010, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by derek

Always look cool, but aren't those things REALLY heavy?

Not heavy at all, chambered 7lbs

**derek** · 02-18-2010, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by jazzgtrl4

Not heavy at all, chambered 7lbs

Nice. Pat and Kevin certainly have gotten great tones out of them. So is it a keeper, or do you plan on flipping it?

**barryr1** · 02-18-2010, 06:13 PM

I have one and I love it. Great neck, not heavy and sounds great!!

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-18-2010, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by barryr1

I have one and I love it. Great neck, not heavy and sounds great!!

Hey Barry post some pics

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-18-2010, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by derek

Nice. Pat and Kevin certainly have gotten great tones out of them. So is it a keeper, or do you plan on flipping it?

It is very cool, i dont know you interested?

**barryr1** · 02-18-2010, 07:10 PM

Old Early 80's Sceptor

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-18-2010, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by barryr1

Old Early 80's Sceptor

wow, killer what pickups do you have in it?

**barryr1** · 02-18-2010, 07:18 PM

They are duncans. Really clean. When the original owner had it built Abe wanted to put Zollers in it but he didn't want them. I have considered changing them to Abes recommendation but I really like them as they are. Mine, unlike most of the Sceptors that I have seen has a really fat neck like a classical guitar. Almost a full 2" at the nut. The fretboard is really flat like a classical. It is a refreshing change. It is also nice that it doesn't have all the goo on the fretboard... but in this pic it needs the board cleaned and oiled...

**barryr1** · 02-18-2010, 07:19 PM

Martino didn't have zollers either. whats in yours. Look like z-90's

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-18-2010, 07:24 PM

ya they are Kent Armstrong 90's. i wasthinking about changing to a Zoolar in the neck, as Abe had said. i might, dont know yet..

**barryr1** · 02-18-2010, 07:28 PM

I have some ultra clean holmes in another box. I was just gonna change them cause i know thats what Abe would have spec''d but I like them sound wise as they are and was talking with Steve Khan and he said close your eyes...you'll never know the difference.

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-19-2010, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by barryr1

I have some ultra clean holmes in another box. I was just gonna change them cause i know thats what Abe would have spec''d but I like them sound wise as they are and was talking with Steve Khan and he said close your eyes...you'll never know the difference.

Cool, what kind of Seymore Duncans are in you Septor? check out this one on Mandolin Bros

Mandolin Brothers, Ltd. - Abe Rivera (used, 1997) Sceptre

**barryr1** · 02-19-2010, 12:25 PM

Don't know. never had them out. Seems that all high quality pickups work wellin a well made guitar. I have experimented with a lot. They are very clean sounding. If I ever pull them I'll post it but not gonna happen any time soon. Box sounds great as is.

Yeah, I saw that about 2 weeks ago. Its a nice looking guitar. Very similar to mine. I think your's is a beauty personally!! Hope it has the resonance that mine has!

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-19-2010, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by barryr1

Don't know. never had them out. Seems that all high quality pickups work wellin a well made guitar. I have experimented with a lot. They are very clean sounding. If I ever pull them I'll post it but not gonna happen any time soon. Box sounds great as is.

Yeah, I saw that about 2 weeks ago. Its a nice looking guitar. Very similar to mine. I think your's is a beauty personally!! Hope it has the resonance that mine has!

Thanks for the info ya it is pretty resonate!! i was surprised, and loud unplugged because of the chambers. Ya i haven't seen a blond one before.

**barryr1** · 02-19-2010, 05:45 PM

Mine too! Yeah...I really like the looks of yours. I have original gibby p90's in a firebird. How do 90's sound in this...scorchers?

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-19-2010, 05:50 PM

ya they do, im so used to the humbucker sound, thats why i might throw that Zoller in the front to see how it is, im sure it would be killer. where are you located?

**barryr1** · 02-19-2010, 11:49 PM

I love the sound of the 90's. not great for jazz though if thats what you're going for. not at all bad in an old es hollowbody like a tdc or even a big jazz box. i have a woody (phifer) which has voodoo pickups in it and they sound really warm, also the stock buckers in the gibson family sound fine in a es165. I think that the pearly gates (billy gibbons) duncans are underrated. tom holmes makes great pickups but they are spendy. I was thinking to try zollers but after i got over the looks of it not having the zollers, i really like it the way it is. mine that is. when not playing a jazz style i love a flame thrower. i can't imagine how great 90's must sound in that thing for rock and fusion

arizona

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-20-2010, 02:52 AM

Originally Posted by barryr1

I love the sound of the 90's. not great for jazz though if thats what you're going for. not at all bad in an old es hollowbody like a tdc or even a big jazz box. i have a woody (phifer) which has voodoo pickups in it and they sound really warm, also the stock buckers in the gibson family sound fine in a es165. I think that the pearly gates (billy gibbons) duncans are underrated. tom holmes makes great pickups but they are spendy. I was thinking to try zollers but after i got over the looks of it not having the zollers, i really like it the way it is. mine that is. when not playing a jazz style i love a flame thrower. i can't imagine how great 90's must sound in that thing for rock and fusion

arizona

Cool, ya Palm Springs CA here. Ya the 90's are cool for the rock fusion think but im playing more jazz. maybe swap the neck out for the Zoller, who knows. Have you tried Lollar pickups?

**barryr1** · 02-20-2010, 03:25 AM

Yeah

Jason has made me up a number of sets. i think two sets of p90s and a firebird. The p90s are real nice but i'll take the background noise and stick with the old 60's gibbys when given the chance. i absolutely love his firebird pickup but i don't think that is your bag.

i haven't tried his imperials. they have gotten good reviews. best humbuckers that I have tried being made now to my taste are tom holmes. it really depends on what sound you're looking for. they are fairly colorless and can be clear or gritty. i have an assortment of pickups that i really like. old dimarzios, bardens, lollars, alembic... i had never tried the zollers and that was why i asked Steve about them. i also think the seth lovers that gibson makes are good. i suspect what you are looking for is a warm sound. they or the pearly gates might get you there without costing an arm and a leg. if price is no object i'd do the holmes.

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-20-2010, 11:44 AM

Great thanks for the info. I might try the Lollar Imperials. So does Steve use the Zollars? i thought i always saw Gibson humbuckers in his 335.

**Meggy** · 02-20-2010, 12:15 PM

Well, I think it is achingly beautiful!

I have always thought that Pat Martino's sound with one was one of the great jazz guitar tones also. I wonder what pickups he did have in his...?

**barryr1** · 02-20-2010, 01:33 PM

steve has used a number of different guitars ove the years. his signature tone was a fender telecaster with a special wound humbucker in the neck position by guitar lab (now defunct). he uses stock gibbys in his 335.. i think his point was... the tone comes from you. find a box that works for you... get a decent set of pickups...they'll be fine.