Axis pickup question

[Ninemile]

Hi all. I'm wondering if it would be a good idea, and worth it, to install a push pull coil tap on my bridge Sport humbucker. I have a HSS Sport. I love it exactly as it but am wondering if I would pick up one more usable tone by splitting my bridge pickup. I've never owned a guitar with a coil tap before so I really have no idea what to expect. I also have my MM90 Sport and my SS double humbucker. Thanks!

 

[racerx]

Its up to you and is not a terribly difficult DIY job (or reasonably inexpensive if you pay a pro to it). Also easy enough to reverse. Personally I've never been a huge fan of humbucker splits/taps - I think they are probably good enough in a variety/cover situation but the real thing reigns supreme if the single-coil sound is essential. Alternatively, you could buy a Valentine and have that single coil bridge sound covered too

 

[beej]

You would get one more tone, but it's debatable how useable it is. It's easy to try out, though.

You can always try it out temporarily- open up the cavity and run an alligator clip from the B&W bridge wires to ground. See how you like it.

 

[Johnny Alien]

It does split in certain positions right? I know that any of the HH setups with Axis pickups and a 5 way blade switch (like the HH axis sport or HH Albert Lee) split that humbucker but none of them do it solo just in combination with the another pickup. I never cared for it.

 

[Astrofreq]

I’m with RacerX. While you will add more variation, a split humbucker wont give you a straight up single coil sound. I would personally leave it as is.

 

[fbecir]

Hello

I disagree with my esteemed colleagues, because I like the split sound of humbuckers.
On my AL HH (and I think it is the same pickups on the Axis ???), I put a mini switch. On my SUB (loaded with Steve Morse humbuckers), I put a push-pull pot.
Now, I play mainly with the split humbuckers ... and just when I need the "big rock sound", I use the full humbuckers. But of courses, it depends on the music you play.
As beej said, it is easy to test. But in order to be fair, you have also to set specifically your amp / effects (the full humbucker is always louder, and for a lot guitarists louder = better !)

 

[Ninemile]

Appreciate all of the great advice! I may try the clip to get an idea and go from there. I'm probably only messing around with the idea out of curiosity and boredom. I'm happy enough with how it is. I also thought of possibly getting a new pickguard and popping in a true single coil in the bridge and have a SSS Sport.