Axis Sport HSS to SSS Mod?

[davidclayson]

I have a brilliant Axis Sport in the HSS config which I have been wanting to convert to an SSS for a while now to fully fulfil my Strat needs and already know that I could do the wiring and soldering myself confidently enough (going to buy a Dimarzio True Velvet Bridge, unless other's have a better suggestion?).

My question is, without having to drill holes in the pick guard beside the pickups (like a tradition Strat/Silhouette pick guard), how can I mount the replacement PUP into the body?

As you can see in the attached photo, the drilled holes in the pickup cavities are for a hum bucker and a slanted Bridge single coil wouldn't fit as far as I'm aware in the diagonal space provided. I really am against routing the body at all.

Has anyone else done exactly this mod? I guess I could just split the hum bucker or get a HB sized single coil. But I would really rather just buy the replacement pick guard for the SSS config and do it properly for aesthetics and true to form Strat style and sound.

Many thanks for any feedback, thoughts, photos and anything anyone wants to contribute to my plan.

 

[Razzle]

Aw man, don't do it... that's a beautiful purple!!! I've only ever seen the purple ones as either HSS or HH.

What I'd consider is going with a P90 with some sort of bezel where it would fit the hole exactly. Alternately I'd go with the split coil.

But wish you luck, sorry I hadn't done the mod and can't help further.

 

[Firesource]

I wouldn't worry too much about removing a little wood as it will be covered by a pick guard anyways.

 

[sanderhermans]

I wouldn't worry too much about removing a little wood as it will be covered by a pick guard anyways.

Yes but it will be permanent and drop the value of the fuitar. I would put a push pull on there and leave the H in there. Or another humbucker that works well in sc mode too

 

[Vincet68]

+1 for a coil split on push-pull pot. If you really do want a single coil, you might want to look at Railhammer by Joe Naylor. I believe they have a humbucker sized P-90.. If you're really itching for a strat, then a strat might be the right choice?


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[davidclayson]

The more I've weighed up all the options, I guess short of routing extra space into the wood, which i really am against, I will have to go with the humbucker split coil option.

I really would rather just do this than get a Strat or Silhouette SSS as it's a great guitar I've already got, just missing the single coil in the bridge.

Will a split humbucker sound hugely different from a true single coil? Especially being non angled. Also, which would be better to use for the single coil, the inner or outer coil?

 

[Firesource]

It would be possible to wire a push pull pot to choose between inner/ outer coil, but it will never sound like a true single coil.

Seymour Duncan Custom Shop makes a strat single coil in a humbucker housing, I would take a look at that: Strat® Pickup Under Humbucker Cover - Seymour Duncan Specialized

Another option is the Humbucker from hell, that is supposed to be very single coil like.

 

[spkirby]

Another solution to your predicament is in the For Sale thread, shameless plug

 

[davidclayson]

Another solution to your predicament is in the For Sale thread, shameless plug

No way I'm selling this one

But another thought I've had is as to whether a humbucker base plate that can be screwed into the cavity space yet houses an angled bridge single coil exists? I have googled this quite a bit but to no luck. The main problem being the single coil pickups with the screw holes on the sides, makes the pup too long when angled.

Hopefully people will understand what I mean as I don't even think such a thing exists. I'm sure one could be made, but sadly out of my resourcefulness to make such a piece.

 

[spkirby]

No way I'm selling this one

But another thought I've had is as to whether a humbucker base plate that can be screwed into the cavity space yet houses an angled bridge single coil exists? I have googled this quite a bit but to no luck. The main problem being the single coil pickups with the screw holes on the sides, makes the pup too long when angled.

Hopefully people will understand what I mean as I don't even think such a thing exists. I'm sure one could be made, but sadly out of my resourcefulness to make such a piece.

No you misunderstood my shameless plug, I have an Axis Sport SSS for sale in the FS thread. I'm in the UK too

 

[davidclayson]

No you misunderstood my shameless plug, I have an Axis Sport SSS for sale in the FS thread. I'm in the UK too

Oh, I see That is a very beautiful guitar! I will PM you soon...

 

[ozzyrules]

Oh, I see That is a very beautiful guitar! I will PM you soon...

Buy that one!!!! Then you have 2 great Sports with every available tonal option. Get your Balls on...