Axis pickup change - need the blues

[luv]

Hey everyone-

I'm curious if anyone has any experience with different pickups in an Axis. I dig my Axis, but I think I want to change the stock pickups for something with more of a vintage / bluesier vibe.

I'm thinking of possibly the Dimarzio Eric Johnson neck and bridge or the Bluesbuckers....or a combo of the two ( EJ neck....Bluesbucker bridge ).

I find that currently I spend most of my time in the neck position with the stock pickups....I want to take it a step further ( like I wish there was a neck neck position ). I don't want to lose the ability to play more modern heavier / distorted stuff, but I find that to be only 25% of the time.

I come from stratland.....SOOOO glad I made the switch......never goin back.

I've been playing this Axis for over a year now, so the desire to change the sound has not been a rushed decision.

Also, anyone know of any technical difficulties I would experience in making the change?

Any advice?

Thanks - LUV.

 

[brasco68]

Have you considered a Luke? Serious fat blues tones from the neck pickup!

 

[Astrofreq]

I put a Humbucker from Hell in my neck position on two of my axis guitars. It gives me the bluesy sound I want up there but keeps the hostility in the bridge.

let me know if you want to sell the stock pickups.

 

[TNT]

Luv,

The great thing about the Axis, is that it sounds pretty amazing with any pickup!!
And, the feel is always the same!!

Pickups are so easy to throw in and out; I always have several comin' and goin' depending on the gig. And, I'm always comparing pickups (picky, picky, picky).

If I may suggest: You'd be in heaven with a Dimarzio "Norton" in the bridge!! It is so awesome: sparkling dynamics, rainbow color tone, punch, smoothness, eloquent bite, it really is a superb PUP for what you are desiring.

Check it out - Dimarzio has a good return policy plus you can talk to them direct easily.

 

[GuitarHack]

Years ago, I put BluesBuckers in a Wolfgang Flametop Special (flat maple cap, the closest one to the Axis). I was looking for the P90 sound, which I love for blues, and they were pretty good in that regard. Being Dimarzios, no surgery was required either.

I still have them, one is F-spaced for the bridge. If you're interested, PM me and I'll make you a deal. I'm not using them, they have an eventual date with eBay, but I'd just as soon see them go to someone here.

 

[Jimmyb]

What sort of amp are you using? Have you tried turning the gain down a little?

I'm not trying to be funny, but I've got a Super Sport and a Sport, both HH and using the neck or bridge humbuckers alone really work for me for blues and jazz tones.

 

[luv]

I'm using a Crate RFX65. Solid state......but a good sounding amp. I do get pretty good blues tones out of it, but sometimes I'm looking for a "vowel / bell / syrup" type sound....almost like the out of phase sound of a Strat in neck/middle position.....and I find myself searching. I'm currently not doing any gigging....so I don't yet have the need for a big amp. Do I want one? Hell yeah! But the wife........

It's not that I'm displeased with what I have....just want to tweak it more to my preferences.

Thanks all for the suggestions.....keep 'em coming.

 

[headcrash]

I tried the standard PAF at the neck of my Axis Sport and the Air Norton in bridge. For mid and higain sounds they didn't fit my taste, the stock buckers are the perfect pickup for those aggressive rock/metal or whatever sounds. It just had more bite and a slight compression to it which I like.
The PAF at the was pretty cool, was a more glassy, sparkly sound. Plus, the position 2 and 4 sounds were even more glassy and sparkly with PAF/Air Norton.
BUT the PAF farted heavily on the lower strings. So all in all I did not like it and am now happy having back the stock buckers which are simply phenomenal!!

I consider the stock neck humbucker to be very fat and warm sounding. So I do not understand, why you search for even more fatness and warmth (which is what I interpret from you wanting a "neck neck" position).

 

[luv]

It's possible that the Axis sport has a different sound than the Axis......the Axis only has a 3 way switch and no tone knob......as opposed to the 5 way switch with tone knob of the Sport. I'm thinking that maybe the Super Sport Hardtail might be what I'm after. ????

 

[Jimmyb]

The Super Sport does have more (IMHO) flexibility due to the 5 way switching. The tone control is something that you either want or don't. Some people don't use it and say that it does alter the tone if you remove it from the circuit.

The pickups are the same as is used in the axis, but are a 4 wire version, enabling the coil splits to be used (from what I can remember).

Someone who knows more than me (could be anyone really...) will probably be able to give you more info.

I'd definitely suggest that you try a Super Sport, to see if it's good for you.

 

[Quarter]

Definitely see if you can check out a SS, I very much enjoy the split settings.
If you like the 5 way wiring, you could swap the 3 way switch for a 5 way rotary switch.
Not too hard to do and reversible too.

 

[luv]

I think that's what I'm after....looking locally to try one. Having difficulty finding one though.
Thanks again (all) for the input!