Axis SS with MM90 pickups

[Louis]

Hello,
I'm going to buy Axis Super Sport with MM90 pickups. I played on Axis with Di Marzio humbuckers only and I have not possibility to check guitar I'm going to buy ( I found pretty one but abroad).

I play hard rock and I have one's doubts about this pickups.
Where can I find any MM90 sound samples on the Web?

Take care
Maciek

 

[Jimi D]

Sound samples? AFAIK, there aren't any... but with a good amp the MM90s can cover most ground, tho' they obviously aren't best for Metal - you can work up decent Leslie West/Mountain style tones, but these are single coils - definitely not the pickups of choice for the Death Metal crowd, so it really depends what you're trying to do...

 

[PurpleSport]

Hey Louis -

I LOVE the MM90s for their hard rock tones!

The great sound of the MM90s, the lightweight ash body, and the outstanding neck are the reason I love my Axis (I actually am not a fan of the body shape that much - too identifiable with a legendary player of the original Axis, and the Tele/Les Paul hybrid shape never did much for me - which is why I'll get an MM90 Albert Lee model next).

P-90 pickups are very underrated pickups for rock. They sound great, but make a lot of noise, which is probably why I never had a guitar with them before. Luckily, this isn't a problem with the Silent Circuit on the Axis Sport.

Jimi is right that a good amp that complements the MM90s helps a lot. Since I live in an apartment in NYC, I use a Boss GT6 modeller to keep things quiet, and it still sounds great on most of the amps types in there. And contrary to what most people might think, it actually sounds really good on the ultra-high gain "metal" amp models, including the Peavey 5150 - not as much bottom end as a high-output humbucker (you can always use an EQ to add more in), but overall it has much more note open-ness and definition, a more even overall tone (highs/mids/lows all sound equally good) compared to humbuckers, and still has lots of sustain. I also think the volume and tone controls are the most responsive I've ever used, too - unlike some guitars and pickups, they actually work effectively and predictably.

I've been thinking about posting some MM90 sound samples online as a public service in the near future, because I also couldn't find any when I was researching the Axis. I need to test some parts of my home studio and websites anyway, so I'm thinking this might be a good project. I'm currently a little busy so it will some time to get around to doing something like this, though. I'll make a general posting on this board when it happens.

 

[Louis]

Axis with MM90 pickups

Hello,
thanks for all suggestions. I hope this could help me.
Unfortunately I can't check this guitar (all my friends in Poland have Axis with Humbuckers). So, it's very risky deal for me, but I think I will satisfied.

Thanks again
Louis

 

[MattC]

I think you would be very happy with the purchase, UNLESS, as Jimi D said, you're into death metal.

I've had my SS with the MM 90's for a few months now, and I've found that it's an amazingly versitile guitar...much more so than the Ibanez RG1570 that I've since sold. I play everything from Christian priase music in church, to blues, to hard rock, and I can always get a tone/ sound that works in whatever context I happen to be playing in.

The best way to describe the sound of the MM 90's is that they are about halfway between a single coil and an humbucker. IMHO, you get the best of both worlds- the cut, clarity, and articulation of a single coil, but with more "oomph" than your average Tele or Strat. A Tele on steriods would be a good tonal description of the SS with the MM 90's. Definitely a different tone, but one that I really like.

Buy it!!

 

[threeminutesboy]

Yep !

I confirm this guitar is very versatile

Just finished an outro solo during the recording of a new ong last night and the sound is just amazing !!!!!

Try this guitar before buying (if you can) but you won't be dispointed if not