Re: replacement PU for MM Axis/ Van Halen
I have two Axis guitars, and hate the stock pickup in both. It actually sounds DIFFERENT in both. The Floyd version (standard Axis) actually has tons of bass and yes.....treble.
The "vintage trem" version I have (Axis Super Sport) is like the Floyd version, but with the top & bottom sliced off, so the mids really, really stand out, and sound really warm.
Either way, it's still waaaaay to compressed & sludgey (17k wind), so I'm about to switch it up too. These pickups are really more optimal for the "Carnal Knowledge" tone, and later material. They aren't based on any of Ed's older pickups, although the bullsh*t articles out at the time would lead you to believe they were. I've head that Steve Whatshisname at DiMarzio claimed years later that he actually never measured a pickup of Ed's that was higher than 9k, but take that with a grain of salt. Needless to say, Eddie was ready to change it up.
I can see where a Custom Custom would be the dead-on choice for the standard Axis, as it would "fill-in" the holes left by the Floyd, but without all of that 17k sludge. Better yet, an A2 Hybrid would probably be the *ultimate* replacement pickup in that guitar. 11.5k of Alnico 2 or Alnico 3 goodness.
As for my Axis Super Sport (which has the warm vintage trem), I'm leaning towards either an A3 Hybrid, a Phat Cat, or DiMarzio's Virtual Hot PAF. The pickups are getting changed until after I get it refretted with some taller wire.
