Axis: Switch configurations

[mantrarock]

Hi there,

I bought a Axis recently and I love this guitar! Sadly enough the switchdoesn't work very well and I think I'm gonna replace it. But I would like to expand the possible pickups selection. Here are a couple ideas I have collected after some hours in front of Google

1) Replacing the volume knob to split the humbuckers (like my faithful Cort MGM)
2) Installing an Axis SS switch (do positions 2 and 4 sound very different?)
3) Installing a 5-way switch like in 2 but with the two wires of each humbucker in parallel in positions 2 and 4

I have found schemes for all these configurations (and many more) except for the 3rd case, which I found specially interesting. Any ideas?

Also suggestions/advice/past experience/'don't do that's are pretty welcome
Thank you all

 

[beej]

Hey! Some great ideas there!

But the Axis has a toggle, and replacing it w/ a 5-way strat-style switch is going to mean carving up the top for the slot. Did you want to do that? Might be better flipping the Axis for Super Sport in that case, so you don't kill the re-sale value.

(Not to mention you'll have the hole from where the toggle currently is. Although you could then use that as a split or series/parallel switch rather than a push/pull pot.)

Other option- you could try one of those rotary switches where the toggle is. Might require expanding the hole, but woudn't cause as much damage.

 

[TheViperKing]

Hey! Some great ideas there!

But the Axis has a toggle, and replacing it w/ a 5-way strat-style switch is going to mean carving up the top for the slot. Did you want to do that? Might be better flipping the Axis for Super Sport in that case, so you don't kill the re-sale value.

(Not to mention you'll have the hole from where the toggle currently is. Although you could then use that as a split or series/parallel switch rather than a push/pull pot.)

Other option- you could try one of those rotary switches where the toggle is. Might require expanding the hole, but woudn't cause as much damage.

Yes Beej!! Just like amost PRS is using 5-way rotary pickup selector, and very easy to mod!!

 

[beej]

Yes Beej!! Just like amost PRS is using 5-way rotary pickup selector, and very easy to mod!!

Hey! Glad you like that idea Be really neat to see.

 

[mantrarock]

But the Axis has a toggle, and replacing it w/ a 5-way strat-style switch is going to mean carving up the top for the slot.

That's the kind of answer I was looking for! I don't want severe mods in my baby so far, so I think I'll just change the toggle. Any recommendations?

 

[TheViperKing]

That's the kind of answer I was looking for! I don't want severe mods in my baby so far, so I think I'll just change the toggle. Any recommendations?

Just replace your toggle to "PRS type 5-way rotary pickup selector". You can buy this on some PRS dealer.
Maybe you can find more info for this selector in here
http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/switching.html

 

[beej]

The rotary switch would give you maximum flexibility - you can also find 'em at Allparts, etc. I imagine you'd want to measure the size of the shaft/hole and also be sure the Axis cavity is deep enough.

Another idea would be to try a 4P3T toggle like the one on the JP- this would allow you to use one coil from each humbucker in the middle position (for a cleaner sound) rather than both humbuckers combined.

Fun stuff!

 

[mantrarock]

Just replace your toggle to "PRS type 5-way rotary pickup selector". You can buy this on some PRS dealer.
Maybe you can find more info for this selector in here
http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/switching.html

It's too late to start opening the guts of the guitar and measuring

Anyway, I found this wiring diagram that should work. There's only one thing left, what about the "tone" output? (Thanks EVH )

Fun stuff!

Absolutely!!

 

[TheViperKing]

It's too late to start opening the guts of the guitar and measuring

Anyway, I found this wiring diagram that should work. There's only one thing left, what about the "tone" output? (Thanks EVH )




Absolutely!!

Hey Guy!

Try this wiring diagram and just cut off the tone pot, I think better for you right!?

 

[beej]

what about the "tone" output? (Thanks EVH )

You mean you'd like to add in a tone control? Too bad you didn't start off with a Super Sport! You'd get the 5-way wiring and tone control for free

Without having to drill another hole, your best bet would be dual concentric pots (two pots in the space of one). Stewmac has 'em:
Dual Concentric Pots

Downside is they're a little tougher to adjust on the fly until you get used to 'em.

 

[mantrarock]

You mean you'd like to add in a tone control?

Nop. The PRS diagram I found had an output for tone and I didn't know what to do with that. I don't want a tone control at all. I had it in my old guitar and it was only useful because it was a push-pull to split the humb!

Anyway TheViperKing's diagram rocks, thank u dude!

 

[Eilif]

Positions two and four do sound different, not unlike the neck and middle pickups of a Strat.

2) Installing an Axis SS switch (do positions 2 and 4 sound very different?)