Abyss J-3

24 frets, chambered hollow body (semi), Koa top. 3 way humbucker switch, with push-pull wiring to split coild. Seymour Duncan custom pickups. archtop design, hand-made. Custom in-lays.

I was looking for a languedoc like guitar, without shelling out $10k. I did end up shelling out ~3K for this bad boy though.

First review covered features pretty well so I won't go in detail. Abyss' site also has specs.

This is where the guitar shines. Beautiful shimmering warmth from the Koa - I don't usually split the coils, but stay in normal humbucking mode.

Unplugged, this thing sounds lovely, and you can feel the resonance throughout the neck and body as you play. Plugged though is where it really comes through. I play through Fender tube amps, and stay clean, which it handles wonderfully. Also do some distortion/OD - a la zep, pink floyd, Phish, Umphreys, Grateful dead. Wonderful guitar for classic rock and blues sounds. Versatile enough to handle jazz as well. (maybe country too with some of the pick up settings, although I'm not much a twanger so can't comment too much on this.)

Very rich warm sound - I was tickled pink when I first played it.

I wouldn't get this for metal/death metal type stuff though...would not be suitable.

Well, I bought it used, so really I can't comment on the original setup. It came to me in pretty good shape, but I brought it to my local guitar tech for a set up anyway and now it plays lovely.

I would rate this a 10, but its so light to play that I guess I have to give a 9: I'd be very worried if I sat on it by accident. I think the guitar is built with amazing attention to detail, and it shows Kevin is a superb luthier. But, just as with any hollow body, I always feel they need more love and attention than a solid body. (by design of course, but that's why I can't give it a 10)

The converse is that the guitar is super light - great for folks who have bad backs like myself. I can play for hours standing with this thing without any issues.

I've emailed Kevin and he was very kind and responsive. Talked to him on the phone as well. He seems to be a very down to earth, standup guy. However, I've never had to do any repairs, etc, so I can't comment here. My gut from my interactions with Kevin is that he's the type of guy who stands by his product, but again, have never had to have any repair work done on this.

I have been playing for 20 years about. I love this guitar - it plays like butter (I know its a cliche, but it does) I'd played so many other hollow/semis to compare against (old high end Ibanez, a dozen or so 335s, original casinos, eastman hollows, other custom hollows, etc.) In the end, I took the leap with the Abyss and am glad I did.

I love Trey Anastasio's tone and the look of his Languedoc. There aren't too many guys who make good quality Languedoc inspired instruments, and after a year of research I decided to go with Kevin's Abyss. I'm glad I did - definitely worth it.

The only thing I would say bad is the price tag. new its like almost $5k. I just don't have access to that kind of cash. I was fortunate enough to buy one used at around $3k.

Made a few years back. Push-pull split coil dual humbucker semi-hollow. Chambered body. Beautiful Koa top. Very cool inlayed fret board. Just an amazing custom made instrument. Violin-like: and by that I mean when I pick it up, it feels like I am playing a top of the line violin - it has that much attention to detail.

Wow - this is where it shines. I was looking to mimic Trey Anastasio's tone, and had looked at getting a Languedoc, but at 10K, that was out of my price range. Spoke with Kevin at Abyss who makes these and he was certain that his guitars could match and beat the languedocs. I know Languedoc makes some amazing instruments, but he indeed has Phish's name behind him, and I suppose that's why he can charge so much for one.

I play through a variety of Fender amps (Deluxe reverb, Champ, etc.) Just awesome. The tone is beautiful and pristine clean, straight into the amp. It takes pedals very very well, and can do crunch and distortion with zero problems. As its a chambered hollow as opposed to a full hollow, you don't have the problems with uncontrolled feedback when playing at loud volume.

I love the full fledged 24 frets access. Very easy access all the way up the guitar.

Bought the guitar used from a friend and I had it set up professionally. Plays extremely smoothly

Its my main axe. As any hollow body guitar, I feel you need to be a bit more careful with her. She's light as a feather!

Kevin is super accessible by email and phone. Never had any problems with the guitar, but I'm sure Kevin would be helpful if I needed anything.

Best guitar I have ever owned or played. I've been playing for 15+ years. Have owned 335s, cheapo clones, Japanese made customs, super premium Alembics, and Tom Anderson. This is a very unique guitar, and plays like a dream.

Have played hundreds of guitars. Kevin's guitars new are not cheap. (I think $6k+ is the starting point), but I'd highly recommend him to those who have the $$$.

I got this guitar, based on the Abyss J2. I myslef am a huge Phish phan, and i saw the J2 and realized it was the closest thing i could find to Trey Anastasio's Languedoc. They ran for a little over 6500, so i went with the 2nd best thing.. the J3. I had my doubts, but i went for it, and boy am I glad I did. It is incredible! Its got a beautiful koa top with some pretty nice figure. It has a chambered body, with mahogony back, sides and neck. It plays a little like PRS hollowbody, but with alot more feel in the neck, and a much thinner body. It is as light as a feather, and plays like butter.

The first day i got it, plugged it in, and pulled off one of the sexiest run like an antelope's ive ever done. I was so suprised that the sound was able to surpass both the great look and feel of this guitar. Great for jazz, blues or rock, and especially for any jamming.

I so far havn't had to even touch my action, it was perfect right when i picked it up. The wood is incredible. These models use select Koa as opposed to figured, but my top has some sick flame in it, and has great shaping to it.

Can withstand any 30 minute jam without going out of tune, with any of my other guitars, i need to re tune after each song, but this guitars got some great intonation. I have no doubts that this guitar will be with me untill my death.

Kevin Pederson, who makes these amazing guitars sent me many pictures and specs before I decided to go ahead and buy it. He made the guitar seem flawless in his emails, and to my suprise, it lived up to everything he said it would. He answered al my questions, and i felt like he had a good idea of what i was looking for, and tried his best to make sure i was 100% satisfied. I have yet to have any problems with it at all.

Ive been playing for a little over 10 years, I have a few vintage gibsons inclusing a 79 les paul deluxe w/ stock p90's a 1965 non reverse firebird, a custom shop 356, and a 61 sg. I was concidering buyign a PRS hollowbody, but Abyss guitars got so many consitent excelent reviews i though i would take a change, and i am glad i did. I did end up getting PRS hollowbody down the road, but my J3 is still my main guitar, and untill i get my next Abyss, it will remain my #1.