Axis w/ big brass block upgrade (pic heavy)

[OU812]

I've done this mod on another Floyd guitar before with good success so it was time to do the same on my Pacific Blueburst Axis.

First thing I did after removing the Floyd bridge from the guitar was mark off with a thin marker where each saddle was positioned to save me time re-intonating again. I won't mention where I purchased the brass block as it might be against the rules here but its from the most popular place to get them.

I haven't had a chance to plug the guitar in yet because its almost midnight here so have to wait till tomorrow but unplugged it does sound louder. Might just be my ears playing on me but will see when the sun comes up. If I don't like it I'll just pop the old block back on, no worries.

I'll try and put together a small review of any changes I've noticed in the tone etc of the guitar. For now, here are some photos of the process. Not sure why my hands looks so red, must be the flash

 

[Tollywood]

Nice project!

 

[guitfiddle]

Those are great pics K.G. Looking forward to hearing your tone report. Thanks!

 

[DrGonzo5150]

Those are great pics K.G. Looking forward to hearing your tone report. Thanks!

+1

 

[OU812]

Ok a short tone review!

Alright so I'm not the best guy to state specifics when it comes to guitars but I will do my best. Like I mentioned before I've installed a big brass block on a different guitar before and liked the results. This time I liked it even more as the results were much more noticeable.

First thing I noticed was an increase in volume with the guitar unplugged. Now it might just be my ears playing tricks on me but thats what I hear. Plugged in I noticed instantly as increase in the sustain of the guitar and harmonics were louder, sustained longer and easier to get. I also noticed better clarity from string to string and the guitar has more balls, sounds meaner.

I'm still gonna keep testing it out and see if I still notice the differences tomorrow. I have no problem putting the old block back in but right now I'm loving this. If anyones on the fence about one of these I suggest you get one and hear for yourself.

 

[Smellybum]

I love the smell of EBMM Bridge porn in the morning! - Good job

 

[joe web]

i did the same mod to my PS Y2D as i set it up for floating trem.
and you are right, it´s louder and has more punch and sustain. it gives a kind of hardtail feeling to it.
the only thing which was negative on this, the guitar got heavier. it´s now the heaviest guitar i own, but still love the improvement of sound coming from the big block.

 

[OU812]

i did the same mod to my PS Y2D as i set it up for floating trem.
and you are right, it´s louder and has more punch and sustain. it gives a kind of hardtail feeling to it.
the only thing which was negative on this, the guitar got heavier. it´s now the heaviest guitar i own, but still love the improvement of sound coming from the big block.

Yes, thats what I noticed as well and forgot to mention!

 

[zoe_nikotina]

Have you noticed if you need a bigger effort now to move down the trem???

 

[cm_17]

I put a big block in one of my Ibanez', and took it out soon thereafter. Removed quite a bit of mid-range (which makes you think at first that the bass and treble is more pronounced, but it's rather loss of mids), which some people perceive as muddy in a band mix. But the real killer was that it removed a lot of pick attack, kinda like picking with a rubber pick. YMMV, at tastes differ for sure. But I didn't find it the holy grail of tone (at least not my perception of tone).