Polymorph

FISHMAN FLUENCE TIM HENSON SIGNATURE SERIES AND SCOTT LEPAGE CUSTOM SERIES

- Chris Gill

FOR MOST GUITARISTS, the general appeal of artist signature gear is being able to play the same instruments and duplicate the same sounds used by the artists themselves. However, truly great signature gear can also help guitarists find their own voice and can be embraced by players from a variety of genres, like the Gibson Les Paul or, more recently, the EVH Wolfgang. Fishman’s new Fluence Signature and Custom Series humbucking pickup sets developed with Polyphia guitarists Tim Henson and Scott LePage will certainly appeal to fans of Polyphia’s innovative multi-textural tones, but even guitarists ranging from conservative traditionalists to adventurous progressives will be enticed by the impressive sonic character and versatility that these pickups offer.

We evaluated each set separately installed in a pair of virtually identical Ibanez AZ42P1 guitars with basswood bodies, roasted maple necks and rosewood fingerboards. Switches consisted of a three-way pickup selector and a three-way mini toggle for selecting each voice. Both test models also had Fishman’s optional lithium ion battery pack.