Sound Like Tosin Abasi
Tosin Abasi stands as one of progressive's most enduring tonal references — layered and compositionally bold by nature and endlessly studied. Tosin Abasi plays custom 8-string Abasi Concepts guitars through a Mesa Boogie JP-2C, creating the Animals as Leaders sound — extended-range articulation, percussive thumb tapping, and polyrhythmic arrangements that sit equally in metal and fusion. His playing is as much about rhythm and composition as tone. These complete rig guides at four budget levels show exactly what gear it takes to get there.
Quick Answer
To sound like Tosin Abasi, start with a Ibanez RG421 EX into a Boss Katana 50 MkII.
Tone Analysis
Tosin Abasi's Guitar Tone — In Depth
Tone Philosophy
Tosin Abasi is the primary figure in modern extended-range guitar performance. His work with Animals as Leaders demonstrated that an eight-string guitar could serve both the djent-influenced heavy riffs of modern progressive metal and sophisticated melodic and harmonic content in the same piece. His approach is simultaneously technical, compositional, and rhythmically sophisticated.
The Signature Sound
Animals as Leaders' self-titled debut and Weightless era tone is an eight-string guitar (Abasi Concepts signature model) through a Fractal Audio Axe-FX II, programmed with specific high-gain tones for the heavy passages and clean tones for the melodic sections. The eight-string provides low B and F# strings beyond the standard guitar range.
Key Gear
Abasi Concepts eight-string guitars (his own signature brand) are his primary instruments. The Fractal Audio Axe-FX provides all amplifier modeling. His pickups are custom-designed for the extended-range setup.
Playing Approach
Abasi's thumb-slap technique — using the right-hand thumb to percussively mute and strike the lower strings, producing a technique between slap bass and guitar — is the most unusual element of his playing. Combined with conventional alternate picking on the upper strings, it produces rhythmic complexity impossible on a conventional guitar.
Legacy
Abasi effectively created modern djent/progressive eight-string guitar as a performance category. Animals as Leaders' technical and compositional sophistication has made them the primary reference for technical progressive metal.
Budget Comparison
Pick Your Budget Level
£1,000 · Pro-Level
~£996
- GuitarJackson JS22 DKA Dinky
- EQBoss GE-7 Graphic EQ
- AmpBoss Katana 100 MkII
- DelayStrymon Timeline
£2,500 · Premium
~£2495
- GuitarIbanez RG550 Genesis Collection
- EQEmpress ParaEQ
- AmpMarshall DSL40CR
- DelayStrymon Timeline
- ReverbWalrus Audio Fundamental Reverb
Shop Now
Buy the Key Gear — £500 Sweet Spot
Guitar, amp and essential effects for the authentic Tosin Abasi sound. The guitar and amp together account for 80% of the tone.
Complete the Rig
Essentials Every Guitarist Needs
These aren't exciting — but every rig needs them. Buy once, sorted forever.
Tone Profile
Tosin Abasi's Sound
Ultra-tight high-gain on an 8-string, with clean passages that use percussive thumb tapping to create a bell-like resonance. The JP-2C delivers warm, singing lead tone unlike a traditional high-gain rectifier — more articulate and less compressed. Low-string clarity requires careful EQ: high-pass everything below 80Hz. Palm mutes are short and percussive, not held.
Modeling Amps
Get Tosin Abasi's Tone on Your Modeler
Targeting Clean + Overdrive rig. Use these amp models and IRs as your starting point — dial in from there using the knob settings above.
Adjust presence and master to taste for this artist's era
Use Fractal's Tone Match feature against reference tracks for accuracy
Song Match
Which Tosin Abasi Songs Suit Your Amp
Tone Match
Closest Real-World Tone Match
If you like Tosin Abasi's tone, these players use a similar approach — same gear philosophy, comparable sound characteristics.
Weekly Tone Tips
One setting, one artist insight, one gear pick. No noise.