P-Rails in Music Man Axis SS, good idea?

[MrSparkle]

The P-Rail pickup intrigues me... but I'm wondering if it's a "jack of all trades, master of none."

The Axis SS body is basswood with maple top... Has a 5-way switch... and to me, the Dimarzio custom HHs (apparently the same as EVH's old MM pickups) lack definition and articulation, sound bit clean/sterile, lack some balls, and are just bad pickups for anything outside of hard rock, 80s rock, 80s metal, blues rock.. that vein of music. You can tap the single-coils with the 5-way switch, but there is far too little depth and presence to really use that tone. Roll down your tone knob too far, and you lose clarity.

I play jazz/R&B, love strong clean tones, love single-coils (Tele)... Anyway, I want to try the P-Rails in this guitar, but I'm unsure whether the body/neck woods are the primary reason for the sound of the guitar. I'm scared if I invest lots of money for the push/poll pots or the extra switches... I'll not be happy with the end result.

Anyway, can anyone with a MM or a similar guitar attest to how the P-Rails might sound? Or some advice? thanks

 

[doesitmatter]

Re: P-Rails in Music Man Axis SS, good idea?

I'm curious myself. P rails are my all time favorite pickup. I have a set in my LP and they sound full and natural in every position.

I just sold my Axis. The body and neck feel better than any guitar I've ever played but the sound bugged me. Mostly it was because of the Floyd Rose but I agree about the pickups. They are very loud and without nuance. If I could pop p rails in the Axis I would be very happy.

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: P-Rails in Music Man Axis SS, good idea?

The P-Rail pickup intrigues me... but I'm wondering if it's a "jack of all trades, master of none."

The Axis SS body is basswood with maple top... Has a 5-way switch... and to me, the Dimarzio custom HHs (apparently the same as EVH's old MM pickups) lack definition and articulation, sound bit clean/sterile, lack some balls, and are just bad pickups for anything outside of hard rock, 80s rock, 80s metal, blues rock.. that vein of music. You can tap the single-coils with the 5-way switch, but there is far too little depth and presence to really use that tone. Roll down your tone knob too far, and you lose clarity.

I play jazz/R&B, love strong clean tones, love single-coils (Tele)... Anyway, I want to try the P-Rails in this guitar, but I'm unsure whether the body/neck woods are the primary reason for the sound of the guitar. I'm scared if I invest lots of money for the push/poll pots or the extra switches... I'll not be happy with the end result.

Anyway, can anyone with a MM or a similar guitar attest to how the P-Rails might sound? Or some advice? thanks

I have never heard of the Axis pickups described that way. Did you buy your Axis SS used? If you did, maybe the pickups were replaced with something else. The way you describe it sounds nothing at all like any of my experience with Musicman guitars. Do you use a high action? Maybe your pickups are too far below the strings.

I once replaced my Axis SS pickups with a JB/Jazz set. It sounded good but I wanted to go back to my old pickups. I think that's a set you should go with if you decide to replace the stock pickups.

Let me know if you want to sell the stock pickups. I'll buy them from you.