Axis pickup question!

[Doodleface]

I'm (hopefully) going to be getting an Axis SS (first Ball!) in a few weeks, I just have a question about it's pickups.

How hot are they? How would they compare against something like a SD JB? Can they handle high-gain amps? Not as high gain as someone like Petrucci, but something like Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree.

 

[azazael]

The pickups are awesome.
You will get great clarity at those high gain settings no problems.

 

[Stratty316]

Keep in mind that the pickups were designed for Eddie Van Halen... listen to the Balance CD and you will get a good idea of what the pickups were intended to sound like. I have found the Super Sport to be a little more "refined" then the Axis/EVH in position 2 and 4, but they can handle just about any amp you can throw at them.

 

[e.mate]

I'm (hopefully) going to be getting an Axis SS (first Ball!) in a few weeks, I just have a question about it's pickups.

How hot are they? How would they compare against something like a SD JB? Can they handle high-gain amps? Not as high gain as someone like Petrucci, but something like Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree.

The PUs are awesome, they just kick ass. However, they are different from a JB, as the JB has a very specific character. The DiMarzios in an ASS have a powerful sound on all levels and can reproduce very different tones, whereas a JB would always shine for a specific tonal shape.

If you wish to mimic the sound of Steven Wilson, there's no big deal to do that with an ASS....provided you have the amp to go with it.

P.S.: You like PT? I just saw them live last Saturday...brilliant gig and a stunning band

 

[nobozos]

Keep in mind that the pickups were designed for Eddie Van Halen... listen to the Balance CD and you will get a good idea of what the pickups were intended to sound like. I have found the Super Sport to be a little more "refined" then the Axis/EVH in position 2 and 4, but they can handle just about any amp you can throw at them.

Actually, Eddie was using "That Other Guitar" on that album. If you want to hear the Axis/EVH pickups, you need to listen to "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge"

To my ear, the Axis/EVH pickups sounds more like a cross between a P-90 and a Mini-Humbucker like in a L__ Pa__ Deluxe tone-wise.

The Axis pickup, I think, is not a really high output pickup, but sounds really good through a high gain amp. You get outstanding note clarity when playing high gain. Although I percieve the output of the pickup to be medium, pinch harmonics are very easy to achieve. Probably has more to do with the frequency response of the pickup than the output in this case.

When playing through a clean amp, you want to roll the volume back to about 7-9 to get an awesome clean tone without being muddy.

All-in-all, in my opinion it's the best all around pickup made for any style of music.

 

[Doodleface]

Thanks guys!
I don't exactly want to sound like Porcupine Tree, I just play in the same level of gain as them.

The show in Toronto was sold out in about 2 days! I couldn't get tickets.

 

[bbake1]

the axis pickup, i think, is not a really high output pickup, but sounds really good through a high gain amp. You get outstanding note clarity when playing high gain. All-in-all, in my opinion it's the best all around pickup made for any style of music.

+1

 

[Astrofreq]

The bridge is the best pickup ever made.

 

[brasco68]

The bridge pickup can be like a sonic punch in the gut...which is where it should be. It's the best...my favorite Music Man pickup and they are all sensational!

 

[LawDaddy]

I have three of the ASS's and an original EVH, I love these pickups. I play traditional blues/soul and love the wide tonal versatility from these pickups. I especially love the position with both humbuckers on together.

As was mentioned above, the Carnal Knowledge album has the EVH pups on it, get the live album/DVD for a virtual sonic tour. The neck pickup really sings on that recording. I played the EVH through a Soladano for years because of that album.

What strikes me about the ASS's is they sound great through *ANY* amp, lo-gain, high-gain, whatever. I've done many a gig where the backline was provided and I am always able to get a great sound out of whatever amp is there. The in-between (coil tap) settings add amazing versatility.

You will *LOVE* this guitar.

As a patent attorney by day, I am happy that EBMM was able to retain the rights to these. Now I just need to round up more work so I can get a 25th...