Axis PU Swap

[zamdrang]

I love my Axis but I do not like high output pups overall....I like the amp to do the work. With the Axis the tone has always been slightly too bright for me. Im looking for more warmth.

Consistently whenever I have played a guitar that really talks to me it tends to be loaded with lower output, PAF style pups.

Reading the threads, basswood body, maple top and maple neck should work nice with a PAF.....but I have yet to hear of anyone swapping this PUP into an Axis.

Ive considered a 250K volume pot. But alson looking at the 57 classic, SD 59 or A2pro. How would these sound in the bridge of an Axis? Any thoughts??

 

[zamdrang]

Re: Axis PU Swap

Noone???

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Axis PU Swap

Are you talking about one of the Patb models? If so which one? There are 3 and the Patb2 is the highest output of the 3. I have the 1 and 3 in guitars now and absolutely love both.

 

[zamdrang]

Re: Axis PU Swap

No..not the PATB. I was asking about the Alnico 2 Pro or the 59 for this guitar. I always like a guitar loaded with Gibson 57 classics.....but keep hearing how much better SDs are.

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Axis PU Swap

Duh, I'm following you now, Axis guitar. This is the guitar forum after all

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Axis PU Swap

this may make little difference... but a Canadian guitarist i like a lot named Kim Mitchell uses a few Axis's and he too likes slightly lower output PAF style PU's... all he did was swap the PU's out of the EB Strat stlye guitars... They are said to be lower output.... not sure..

 

[zamdrang]

Re: Axis PU Swap

Its cool....the Patb may be more applicable...hell I dont know.... Ive been playing for a long time and never swapped pups in any guitar....all new to me.

Ill look into the pickups in the EB strat ...called the silhouette.

What threw me initially is the seymour tone wizard, and some posts about basswood guitars....if im correct in what I read here a lower output PAF may not have the bite because of the mellow properties of the basswood.

One thing the Axis does have is bite.....hate to lose that, id just like more warmth.....did I already say that.....

Since noone ive found has tried this exact swap its probably down to just finding one and giving it a try... Generally I read on forums most people seem to love the stock Axis' pups. IMO the stock pups are more VH Carnal Knowledge era tone then earlier VH....I would never describe them as warm.

I'd prefer the earlier VH tone....but who wouldnt right?? .

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Axis PU Swap

i've been looking at getting an EB for my next higher end guitar... i may sell off some stuff to afford it.... But right now i'm looking... I'd love an Axis as the neck feels so good.... but i'm an extra plus large linebacker sized dude and that body shape i found uncomfortable sitting with oddly.. so i am looking at the Silhouettes.. maybe the ones with 2 humbuckers and a single coil.

 

[tone?]

Re: Axis PU Swap

Since noone ive found has tried this exact swap its probably down to just finding one and giving it a try... Generally I read on forums most people seem to love the stock Axis' pups. IMO the stock pups are more VH Carnal Knowledge era tone then earlier VH....I would never describe them as warm.

I'd prefer the earlier VH tone....but who wouldnt right?? .

I actually am jonesing for a EBMM Axis. But my 2 cents is that if you want that earlier VH tone you need maybe a bit denser wood than the Basswood.

Basswood sounds great and all but is has real 'airy' properties to me. I was actually looking at this by looking at some dude on You Tube play VH ( horribly) through his different guitars. He had a couple Peavy Wolfgangs and a Kramer Baretta ( most likely maple body). This was super interesting in hearing the differences through his 5150 amp.
Although the Basswood sounded great it still had that 'airy' quality to it.´You can hear that it isnt dense. (Dosnt mean that it doesnt sound good). Then came up the Kramer. To me it totally got into that earlier VH type tone when Halen was playing his Kramer. Maybe it is subconsious or something. But i totally could hear the different densities in the woods. The Kramer had a sharper attack and more dense sound. More pronounced. I cant say i liked it more. But it was definately different and lead to a better earlier VH sound.

I agree that the Basswood gets you into the carnal knowledge territory.
I just dont like that sound all the time.

The other day i had my Mahogany super strat downtuned and was crankin out 'women in love' and other old Halen and it sounded so so much better for that stuff than my Alder, Basswood guitars. MInd you the Mahogany is around 9.2 pounds but is really resonant and sound better the more you play it. It is really getting some mojo goin.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: Axis PU Swap

Try an Air Zone less output more vintage VH sounding

 

[zamdrang]

Re: Axis PU Swap

i've been looking at getting an EB for my next higher end guitar... i may sell off some stuff to afford it.... But right now i'm looking... I'd love an Axis as the neck feels so good.... but i'm an extra plus large linebacker sized dude and that body shape i found uncomfortable sitting with oddly.. so i am looking at the Silhouettes.. maybe the ones with 2 humbuckers and a single coil.

The neck is what sold me way back when it first came out as the EVH. Ive never played a more comfortable neck. I have heard many bigger guys find the guitar too small though. Im almost 6 ft, and have fairly large hands and I love the guitar. For what its worth every EB ive played felt damn good.

Good info on the wood....based on what I read id say your on to something. To be honest im looking for a more les paul tone....which the more I research I think I should just get a les paul....damn the bad luck....

I thought the stock pups were based on the air zone.....??

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Axis PU Swap

The neck is what sold me way back when it first came out as the EVH. Ive never played a more comfortable neck. I have heard many bigger guys find the guitar too small though. Im almost 6 ft, and have fairly large hands and I love the guitar. For what its worth every EB ive played felt damn good.

Good info on the wood....based on what I read id say your on to something. To be honest im looking for a more les paul tone....which the more I research I think I should just get a les paul....damn the bad luck....

I thought the stock pups were based on the air zone.....??

I have a hard time with some thin nut width necks... but i'm sure after some bonding i'd get used to it... slippery necks for sure... i love the Rosewood neck version, hate the top but the neck is to die for...

Ya i thought the Air Zone is based on the Axis pickups too.....