Help: EMGs into an Axis

[Slav123]

I would buy the old style EMG pickups that don't have the new bulky connectors on the bottom of the pickups. This way, you will not have to do any digging or routing work (in the bottom part of the pickup cavities). In addition, I believe that the actual wires are also a bit thinner on the old style EMG pickups. You will still need to shave some of the pickup covers' side plastic off of the pickups to fit the guitar. In reference to the 89 pickup, if you are not planning to add a coil tap/split switch (since you have an Axis with only a volume control) I would just get another 85 pickup or even a better a 60. I made a 85 to 81 swap on a '94 Luke 1 with a Floyd and I made the mistake of giving my guitar tech the new (with the bulky pickup connector) 81 pickup and he had to route out a section of the wood out on the bottom of the pickup cavity to fit the new EMG 81 pickup (he told me after he did the work).

I would actually leave the guitar the way it is especially, since it's an uncommon or hard to find Axis.

All the best,
Slav

[bugbus]

Oops actually I have the 81 & 85. Talk about high output.

What's the 89?

[ShaneV]

Have you considered trying DiMarzio's D-Activator pickups? They built them to be passives that react, feel and have the output of EMGs, and every EMG player I've heard of who's tried them has really loved them. Being DiMarzios, they'd be an exact drop in, and at the very least would let you know if you like that style of pickup in the guitar with no permanent modifications.

[bkrumme]

Have you considered trying DiMarzio's D-Activator pickups? They built them to be passives that react, feel and have the output of EMGs, and every EMG player I've heard of who's tried them has really loved them. Being DiMarzios, they'd be an exact drop in, and at the very least would let you know if you like that style of pickup in the guitar with no permanent modifications.

D-Activators are actually better to me than EMGs. They have the high output of the EMGs but react better to pick dynamics and volume/tone adjustments. They're hot, but not sterile.

[Slav123]

Oops actually I have the 81 & 85. Talk about high output.

What's the 89?

An 89 is basically an 85 with coil splitting capabilities.

[neilg50]

Thanks for all the comments from everyone. State of play is still that I am waiting for a new scratchplate to be made by a local company who are not getting their finger out, I have a luthier lined up and then a guitar tech to change the pickups so the Axis is still intact at the moment. Very interested in SLAV123's comments about the old EMGs - could you tell me a model or year for those that could fit without routing?

[Slav123]

Thanks for all the comments from everyone. State of play is still that I am waiting for a new scratchplate to be made by a local company who are not getting their finger out, I have a luthier lined up and then a guitar tech to change the pickups so the Axis is still intact at the moment. Very interested in SLAV123's comments about the old EMGs - could you tell me a model or year for those that could fit without routing?

Sure, the model names would be the same (85 and 89 or 81 and 60 - my favorite combo). I believe that the bulky connectors " 5-pin Quik Connect " were introduced in the late 90's. So, you would need go to eBay and try to find the older ones (make sure that you see pics of the bottom of the pickups, they should only have a wire coming out vs. the 5-pin connector). You can also try JC's Guitars - New Page 1 their list is a bit outdated but, you can e-mail them or give them a call and they should be able to help you out with a pair of older EMG pickups. They also know the difference between the older ones and the new ones.

Slav

[Chaka5150]

I replaced my stock pups in my axis and got the zakk wylde set 81/85 put on. was very nervous about doing it, but it was one of those moments of insanity where i was chasing some tone that i thought would be cool. that was about 2 yrs ago, still have them installed and am actually wanting to put the old ones back in possibly. to accommodate the larger emg pups, the cavities on the axis had to be routed. the emg's are a deeper pickup, pickups rings will cover over the routing job, but this is kind of a point of no going back after you start cutting into the body. I knew it would affect resale value, but i thought f' it...i don't ever want to sell my axis anyways. I have a JP6 BFR, which i had to self my firstborn child for inorder to afford it$$$$ worth it. it is like being married, costs a lot to invest in it and be committed to the guitar, but i still miss my old girlfriend--aka my Axis, and hook up frequently. the emg's sound pretty killer in it..hot, nice and tight. the action on my Axis is unbelievable.

[B2D]

I replaced my stock pups in my axis and got the zakk wylde set 81/85 put on. was very nervous about doing it, but it was one of those moments of insanity where i was chasing some tone that i thought would be cool. that was about 2 yrs ago, still have them installed and am actually wanting to put the old ones back in possibly. to accommodate the larger emg pups, the cavities on the axis had to be routed. the emg's are a deeper pickup, pickups rings will cover over the routing job, but this is kind of a point of no going back after you start cutting into the body. I knew it would affect resale value, but i thought f' it...i don't ever want to sell my axis anyways. I have a JP6 BFR, which i had to self my firstborn child for inorder to afford it$$$$ worth it. it is like being married, costs a lot to invest in it and be committed to the guitar, but i still miss my old girlfriend--aka my Axis, and hook up frequently. the emg's sound pretty killer in it..hot, nice and tight. the action on my Axis is unbelievable.

Interesting... I had an Axis Super Sport that i bought with EMGs in it briefly and no routing was required to make the EMG's fit into it. It was a tight fir but it fit in there nonetheless.

Dibs on those Axis pickups if you decide to sell 'em.

[browndog]

Some picks of that Axis would be nice.

I love the white ASS with EMGs of Aaron Fink from BB.

[Chaka5150]

I uploaded a few old pics I had of my axis with the EMG 81/85 if your curious to see them. not sure how to upload pic in this actual thread but i created an album you can view right at the beginning page of the forums where recent albums can be viewed.

[Chaka5150]

finally figured out this photobucket! shout out to browndog my fellow canuck for the tips. here is my axis i had retrofitted with the emg 81/85. I love the high output but it does lack the nuances of a more responsive pickup. it seems these pickups are just meant to be played balls to the wall...no dialing back the volume/tone. sounds wicked thru high gain settings.