Skip to content
GuitarAtlasGuitarAtlas
Tosin Abasi
Gear & Tone AtlasVerified

Tosin Abasi

Washington, United Statesprogressive metal, djent

Modern extended-range guitar with thumping and tap chords.

Photo: Grywnn / CC BY-SA 4.0

Guitarist Profile

Artistry & Style

Signature Techniques
thumpingtap chordsselective picking
Key Takeaway for Players
Old techniques transplanted from bass can renew the guitar.
Origin & Era

Washington, United States

38.91° N, -77.04° W

Gear & Tone Atlas

Verified

Equipment & Sound

The instruments, pedals, amplifiers, and signal chain that shape the sound of Tosin Abasi.

What defines the sound

Signature Tone

Abasi plays eight string and multiscale guitars that keep low tunings tight and clear. A clean, articulate high gain tone, often from amp modeling, lets his thumping, tapping and sweeping technique stay defined. Compression evens out dynamics, while delay and reverb add space to the ambient and djent sections of his music.

From guitar to amp

Signal Chain

  1. guitarConfirmed

    Abasi Concepts

    Extended range and multiscale guitars for tight low tunings.

  2. compressorProbable

    Compressor

    Evens out dynamics for thumping and tapping passages.

  3. delayConfirmed

    Delay and reverb

    Ambient space on clean and lead sections.

  4. ampConfirmed

    High gain amp modeling

    Clear, articulate high gain platform from modeling units.

Instruments

Tosin Abasi Guitars

Abasi Concepts

Confirmed

Extended range and multiscale guitars for tight low tunings.

On the board

Pedals & Effects

Compressor

Probable

Evens out dynamics for thumping and tapping passages.

compressor
Sources
SourcesEquipboard

Delay and reverb

Confirmed

Ambient space on clean and lead sections.

delay
Sources
SourcesEquipboard

Amplification

Tosin Abasi Amps

High gain amp modeling

Confirmed

Clear, articulate high gain platform from modeling units.

Sources
SourcesEquipboard

Across the years

Eras

Abasi Concepts

Confirmed

Extended range and multiscale guitars for tight low tunings.

Compressor

Probable

Evens out dynamics for thumping and tapping passages.

compressor
Sources
SourcesEquipboard

High gain amp modeling

Confirmed

Clear, articulate high gain platform from modeling units.

Sources
SourcesEquipboard

Delay and reverb

Confirmed

Ambient space on clean and lead sections.

delay
Sources
SourcesEquipboard

For players

How to Sound Like Tosin Abasi

Key tone ingredients

  • an extended range or multiscale guitar
  • a tight high gain amp or modeler
  • a compressor
  • delay and reverb

Affordable alternatives

  • a seven or eight string guitar
  • an affordable amp modeler or plugin
  • a basic compressor
  • a delay with reverb

Suggested effect settings

  • compression light to medium
  • delay subtle under leads
  • reverb for ambient parts only

Amp settings

  • tight high gain
  • controlled low end for low tunings
  • present upper mids for clarity

Playing technique tips

  • develop thumping and selective picking
  • keep low strings muted and tight
  • practice clean two hand tapping

What to avoid

  • loose, boomy low end
  • excess gain that smears fast lines
  • heavy modulation on rhythm

Verification

Sources

Every gear claim links to a source. Items marked probable or inspired-by are not fully confirmed.

Keep exploring

Related guitarists

Newsletter

Stay in tune

Monthly notes on lessons, events and gear.