SD Custom Shop "Nagus" humbucker (Axe Palace) - any info or opinions?

[Seashore]

Axe Palace is a guitar shop in Massachusetts that carries some higher-end pickups (I have no affiliation with them). I came across this "Nagus" pickup on their site recently. From what I gather, they wanted their own boutique offering, so they designed it by prototyping ideas through the SD custom shop, and now they're going to be keeping it on hand as an exclusive. The ones on the site are MJ-wound, hot ceramics. They're marketing it as a best-of-all-worlds metal pickup. I'm not sure it would be my cup of tea but wanted to see if anyone has real-world experience with it yet.

https://axepalace.com/category/accessories/pickups/

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Sounds like some kind of Pegasus/Nazgul hybrid possibly?

 

[Seashore]

Sounds like some kind of Pegasus/Nazgul hybrid possibly?

That's what I thought too. Although I do get the Star Trek reference because I'm a TNG/DS9 dork. They wouldn't say, but the sales guy said it had more bite than the Pegasus and more of an open sound than the Nazgul.

 

[GuitarStv]

Hear all, trust nothing. - 190th rule of acquisition

 

[jeremy]

14k and ceramic sounds like a cool pup, dont have a place for that hot pink 6 string model though

 

[Mincer]

I think we will start seeing this type of 'exclusive' Custom Shop offering from other retailers, too. I know Reverb has its own exclusive offerings (like the Stormbringer set and others).

 

[JohnnyGuitarCA]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-oxClOU5gU

 

[Mincer]

Unless you talk to either someone who owns one, Axe Palace, or SD themselves, it might be hard to compare them to pickups you are familiar with until (and if) they get more widely known.

 

[orpheo]

That's what I thought too. Although I do get the Star Trek reference because I'm a TNG/DS9 dork. They wouldn't say, but the sales guy said it had more bite than the Pegasus and more of an open sound than the Nazgul.

As an aside, if you're a Trek-fan, you'll love this:



There is very light etch on the pickup covers. Plus the inlay of course.


This is the prototype cover of a set I had made. I have two sets, for two (more) guitars, and two MORE sets with gold covers and just the emblem etched, for two more guitars. Six Star Trek guitars in total.

 

[Seashore]

As an aside, if you're a Trek-fan, you'll love this:



There is very light etch on the pickup covers. Plus the inlay of course.


This is the prototype cover of a set I had made. I have two sets, for two (more) guitars, and two MORE sets with gold covers and just the emblem etched, for two more guitars. Six Star Trek guitars in total.

You're right, I DO love them! Especially the flame maple one on the left. Beautiful work.

 

[orpheo]

You're right, I DO love them! Especially the flame maple one on the left. Beautiful work.

:thanks:

Mind you, the backs are cut from the same billet as the top, also carved, without backplates. The maple (and walnut) tops&backs are sandwiching a layer of Spanish Cedar and spruce, respectively, with a matching neck. I loved making these. I can't wait to show the other two I'm working on. The last 2 are still in rough parts, and I guess it'll take until 2026 before those are finished.