Lightly Modded Axis SS-PICS

[Rufedges]

Finally took some pics. Installed Graph-Tech Ferra-glide String Saver 8000 saddles and Dunlop Strap-locks. Overall very happy.

Graph Tech- I know a few other members have installed these too. The new saddles are about a 1/16" of an inch narrower,...which not only lets the high E string sit directly over the pole in the bridge pickup, it also pretty much eliminates the major gripe about the Axis w/ the high E string slippage / neck too narrow. I also believe the harmonics are a little brighter and are easier to generate. Still awesome tone. Never broke a string on this guitar before, will most likely never break one now. Had to intonnate, of course, saddles are slightly smaller overall than the stock ones, but after adjustment are sweet.


Strap Locks- Subtle, rugged, will install them from now on on all guitars. Did have to get slightly longer and just a hair fatter screws other than the ones provided. One of them is fine, but the other kept coming a little loose, so had to pick up screws and file the sides of the head down a little to fit in the hole in the "button". I think this was mostly me not and not installing the screw exactly "straight" at first. VERY confident that my guitar will never hit the floor.

[ef_in_fla]

Looks good, I love that GraphTech stuff.

[beej]

Those saddles look great! Nice work.

[agt]

Looks great!

I have thought of doing such a mod, either using the Graph-Tech saddles you used or the all graphite ones. Until you mentioned the effect on harmonics, I was thinking of this mod specifically for one of my Silo Specials that is a bit on the bright side, figuring that the graphite might mellow the tone a tad.

To rufedges or anyone else: can you please elaborate on the effect that graphite has on the tone?

[wolf5150]

I tried the all graphite saddles on my SS and HATED them.

Made a weird spike on the mid range

I also tried the ferraglide and don't get the point of them.
The intonation point of the string is METAL so they can still snap.. the string then lies along a graphite insert that to my ears, deadens the tone.;

I fitted a set of Gotoh solid saddles and I'm VERY VERY happy with their tone.





I gig 4 nights a week on average, change my strings after 4 gigs ( always use RPS 10's ) and NEVER snap strings.

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I found that the Ferraglide ones sounded weird and dull to my ears. The regular Graphite ones sound much better. They give a bit of extra mids, but the effect is not that huge I have found.