changing pickup on my Axis?

[veniculum]

Hey guys...I'm growing to love this guitar more and more. I recently threw a D-Tuna on it, and with the blocked trem, it was a cinch.

The only thing that hasn't thrilled me is the stock pickup setup. I'm sure it's fine for most...I just tend to like a slightly hotter setup. In doing lots of research, I've been told to try an EMG active 81 (in the bridge).

I'm completely unfamiliar with this setup...being a veteran in terms of Duncan and Dimarzio (passive) setups, I've never even played a guitar with EMGs. But it certainly seems like they are geared toward a (should I say) more 'metal' crowd I think it's probably safe to say that.

Anyway, I'd like to drop one in the bridge...however, I was told that could be a problem as there's no tone knob on the Axis. Is this correct? That being said, I only ever use the bridge pickup...so not wiring up the neck isn't so much of a problem...and that, I was told would not be a problem then.

Has anyone used EMG active pickups in these guitars?...and am I right in thinking that these active p'ups are typically a hotter setup than passive?

I really appreciate your input.
Thanks very much.

Todd

 

[Chaka5150]

Yep I've done this very thing. I swapped out my pups and installed the EMG 81/85 set. truthfully, I hated them in the end. there was no range or nuance (lack of a better word) that the passive's had. the emg was just in your face at one setting…not dynamic at all. But again, I am not accustomed to using higher output pups. you would likely need to do some routing to deepen the cavity, which I had to do and regret it. Anyhow, seeing as how I had things wired for the emg's i took them out and directly replaced them with duncan blackouts AHB's; simple wire connection took less than a minute. I am much more pleased with these over the emg's….again this is just my 0.02. I took a leap as I was looking for a different sound but found the EMG's very one dimensional…it seems like the range is from 0, and then 10 with no in-between when installed on the Axis.

 

[veniculum]

I really appreciate your reply. I've thought about the Duncan Blackouts as well...however, I've used so many different Duncan pickups over the years (and I've loved most of them...more so than Dimarzios...at least as a rule for me).

I'm not sure what it is...I've posted this since I got the guitar...it just doesn't have enough balls (for lack of a better word)...and I know it's not the guitar itself. The guitar itself is a very substantial instrument with excellent acoustic qualities...so I'm absolutely confident that it's just a pickup issue. Plus...I don't have the same pickups that most Axis models come with...I have the GC exclusive, chrome covered Dimarzios. Like I said...they just aren't high enough gain for me.

You mention one dimensional...interestingly enough, that's kinda how I like my tone I always play on either 1 or 10. So that works for me.
My biggest concern was the issue of installing an active EMG in this guitar. I was told by more than one person that there may be a problem with that considering there's no tone knob. I don't really have an understanding of why they were telling me that...but I just want to make sure I can put this thing in. (actually, just an 81 in the bridge...leaving the neck p'up alone)

You also mentioned having to route out the pickup cavity. Is that because you couldn't position the pickup low enough. I tend to like my 'buckers pretty high/close to the strings. So pretty much as long as the pickups aren't hitting the strings, I'm good

Thanks again for the reply man. I really do appreciate your advise. I think I want to try the EMG despite your disappointment. I know that what one person loves, someone else can hate. It's just that with so many folks telling me that these EMGs are very high output...that's kinda what I'm going for...particularly this guitar.

I'll just throw one example out there, and then I'll stop rambling. About a year ago, I found a used American Deluxe Strat...got a good deal on a mint condition (2009) Deluxe V-neck. It's definitely a different feeling/sounding guitar than what I was used to..but I ended up loving it immediately. Problem was the same as with this guitar. I absolutely loved the way it felt, played, etc...it just wasn't capable of running hot enough for my tastes....especially with a single coil in the bridge (even with the S1 switching)....it just, once again, didn't have enough balls.

So I did a little research, and found that Duncan makes a JB Jr...meant for a single coil cavity. I must have had ten people tell me I'd regret it..that I'd lose that famous Fender tone. Well..quite frankly, I didn't really care what they were telling me, because I didn't really like that Fender tone anyway. Needless to say, I had the JB Jr. installed, and it has become my absolute favorite sounding guitar in my collection. Just amazing. I can't get enough of that guitar....and it's a Strat...something I thought I'd never like. Go figure.

Thanks buddy.

Todd

 

[M.A.K.S]

The reason you may get into a problem is that active and passive pickups don't really go together that well.
One solution would be to keep the passive one hooked up to the normal volume knob, and then hook the active one to a separate volume. But seeing as you don't have a tone knob you only have room for one pot, hence the problem
There might be some way of getting past this problem though, but I'm not sure how.

Easiest solution would be to disconnect the neck pickup and just hook up the bridge.

 

[beej]

Yep. If you want to go active, you'll have to do it with both pickups (otherwise there's an impedance mismatch). If you really want one of each, then you'll need an on-board mixer (buffer) to lower the impedance of the passive pickup.

Once active, a tone-control isn't an issue. You don't need it, and it doesn't have an impact if it's not in the circuit.

 

[Custom62]

Ive played an evh with a suhr doug aldrich pickup in the bridge position and there is a noticable difference between the suhr pickup and the stock evh/axis pickup
the suhr is a much gainier pickup , the suhr pickup was the open coil type you know with no nickel covers and was a zebra so it also fitted perfectly with the look of the evh
I also had a les paul custom which I sold last week which had the suhr aldrich pickups
the suhr is really quite gainy to say the least but it retains all the dynamics and nuances of a paf style pickup ,which I feel is lost to some degree with the emg

 

[veniculum]

Wow....thanks for the replies guys...I really appreciate it. I've heard of and seen ads for doug aldrich pickups...just never thought about using them. They sound fantastic. And I kinda like the idea of having a zebra pickup installed in this guitar...they seem to look just right. Matter of fact, my guitar, with the chrome covers, looks good...but almost looks a little out of place, considering every other Axis I've seen has the zebras.
Still...the easiest and most financially friendly option for me (considering I've bought at least 8 guitars in the last year and a half or so...so the fun police is really starting to come down on me)...if I go with another chrome/chrome covered pickup (even if I disconnect the neck pickup in the process)....I'll still have a matching setup. EMG now makes an 81 with a chrome cap...which would fit perfect with my setup. Of course, I could always go the custom route and have one covered, and one non-covered pickup...or one blackout, one chrome...I guess the options are endless when speaking about aesthetics.

I have to admit...I'm a little surprised at all the sort of anti-emg replies. I don't doubt you guys for one minute...but it doesn't mean I'm not surprised. Especially considering that EMGs are put in so many guitars stock...most notably, ESPs, Jackson...even certain Les Pauls. Either way...I really am looking for a ridiculously high output pickup and despite some of the comments here, there are quite a few folks that like them. I guess its just a matter of trying something new out. Once again, I've had so many guitars with so many pickups...I'd simply like to try something new.

The other thing that I forgot to ask in my previous posts...I know with Dimarzios and Duncans, when you order them, you have to specify F spacing...for Floyd trems vs. non-floyd. Do you know if the EMGs also have to be specified? I looked on their site and didn't see anything about an F-spaced pickup vs. non-F-spaced.
Thanks again everyone...I really appreciate the replies.

Todd

 

[kimonostereo]

EMGs don't need F-spacing because most of them don't have pole pieces exposed. Everything is under the cover.

Just be aware that if you do switch to a pickup other than Dimarzio for your axis, you will have to modify the replacement pickup and might even have to route your pickup cavity to ensure a proper fit. The Axis pickups are set for height and are directly screwed into the body.

For example, if you go with EMG, you will have to modify the ears of the pickup to ensure it fits into the triangular space of the dimarzio that was originally in there. So if you end up hating the EMG you won't be able to return it. Some seymour duncans will require you to route the body to accommodate the additional height of some of their pickups. Not something I was willing to do on any EBMM.

 

[veniculum]

EMGs don't need F-spacing because most of them don't have pole pieces exposed. Everything is under the cover.

Just be aware that if you do switch to a pickup other than Dimarzio for your axis, you will have to modify the replacement pickup and might even have to route your pickup cavity to ensure a proper fit. The Axis pickups are set for height and are directly screwed into the body.

For example, if you go with EMG, you will have to modify the ears of the pickup to ensure it fits into the triangular space of the dimarzio that was originally in there. So if you end up hating the EMG you won't be able to return it. Some seymour duncans will require you to route the body to accommodate the additional height of some of their pickups. Not something I was willing to do on any EBMM.

I appreciate your insight man...I actually have 3 high end guitars (including the Axis) with direct mount pickups. I'm willing to modify the pickup...no intention of returning it...like just about all the other various guitar parts I have laying around my basement...I just look at it as half the fun...sorta in an EVH kinda way. The expense isn't too much of an issue...except when the whole guitar is a wash

I talked to my tech today...matter of fact, he just setup a few other guitars this week for me....he had done my Axis a couple weeks ago and is familiar with those guitars. He's pretty confident that he'll be able to get an EMG in there without modification to the body...not necessarily without modifying the pickup, as you mentioned.

So, like I said...I'm ok with that. If he can't get the pickup in there without modifying the body, the pickup gets returned.
And with that said...anyone have any other suggestions - i.e. a really high gain pickup. Custom62 mentioned the aldrich...I'm all ears for other suggestions as well.

Thanks again.

Todd

 

[M.A.K.S]

Dimarzio X2N or D-Activators? I think both could be decent passive alternatives..

I don't think there's anything wrong with the 81 though. It's an awesome pickup, but maybe not the most versatile pickup out there (but you already knew that I'm sure)..
I've never really found the EMG's to be overly hot compared to passive pickups. It's a different sound, but I wouldn't say that either the 81 or the 85 hits my preamp any harder than say, a SD Distortion or a D-activator.

Anyways, if you want to try an 81, just go for it

 

[Custom62]

I appreciate your insight man...I actually have 3 high end guitars (including the Axis) with direct mount pickups. I'm willing to modify the pickup...no intention of returning it...like just about all the other various guitar parts I have laying around my basement...I just look at it as half the fun...sorta in an EVH kinda way. The expense isn't too much of an issue...except when the whole guitar is a wash

I talked to my tech today...matter of fact, he just setup a few other guitars this week for me....he had done my Axis a couple weeks ago and is familiar with those guitars. He's pretty confident that he'll be able to get an EMG in there without modification to the body...not necessarily without modifying the pickup, as you mentioned.

So, like I said...I'm ok with that. If he can't get the pickup in there without modifying the body, the pickup gets returned.
And with that said...anyone have any other suggestions - i.e. a really high gain pickup. Custom62 mentioned the aldrich...I'm all ears for other suggestions as well.

Thanks again.

Todd

High I do like emg and blackouts but I havent found then to be the gainiest stuff out there

if you look in your other thread

chasing-tone...as usual
in the tread there is an actual clip of the suhr aldrich pickup its the gower cali clip


another very high output pickup Ive liked is one of the early jackson own brand pickups the j 90 c , the c version is a ceramic and I can tell you Ive made direct comparisons of the j90 c against emg and blackouts and the j 90 c is higher output than both the emg and blackout, its a very nice pickup, there is some herbet on fleabay asking £100 each for them right now but dont be put off by this as they normally sell for way less than that I think he is just chancing his luck with that sort of asking price , they can normally be bought used for £30- £40

its worth knowing as well that early jackson pickups were hand wound for grover jackson by abigail yabarra who was originally handwiring early pickups for leo fender, leo fender recruited her in 1956 and she worked for leo fender until 1985 she was then recruited by grover jackson when cbs fender layoffs occured in 1985 he apparently recruited abigail yabarra when he bought fenders old pickup winding machines

they are really very nice pickups personally I love the ceramic version of this pickup especially when playing High gain , Ive pretty much only used modded marshalls for awhile now and they worked well for me with those amps perhaps they are another option maybe worth considering

p.s. forgot to mention the suhr aldrich can be bought as zebra or both coils black or with the more traditional nickel/metal covers or gold/metal covers

 

[yan12]

Glad to see you are chasing the tone you hear in your head! I did this for quite some time myself and here is my 2 cents.
EBMM guitars are the only ones I play stock, and in fact, are the only guitars I play anymore....they are that good. The pickups they select per model are superb.
Every single time I play out I get so many compliments on my tone it has become a joke within the band. I plug straight into my amp with a BB+ set for slight boost on leads.
The high gain or "hot" you are looking for can be achieved several ways, but to me the best and easiest way is with your amp. Middle output pickups breathe far better and are more easy to control in all HIGH GAIN situations than super high output pickups, and contrary to internet endorsement lore, EMG pickups are not all that hot.
Passive does not sound sterile to me and I think as strings move in and out of space between the poles, the minute "drop" adds to and enhances the nuance of your playing.
The Aldritch pickups are good, Bare Knuckles are even better. And whatever pickups are in my Rosewood ASS are under lock and key 24/7, as they absolutely slay.
Best of luck in your quest, and believe me, super duper high gain amps and pickups are extremely limiting when used together IMHO.
Yan

 

[Chaka5150]

I understand where you are coming from on the 'anti emg' reference. when i told people my idea about replacing the ebmm pups with emg's they thought I had lost my mind. Your point is correct…everyone is looking for a different sound at a different time, so I could really care less about a different opinion, although appreciated I take it all with a grain of salt. when I said the Emg's were not for me, it is not to say that they were bad. just a different sound than i was looking for. I did like how aggressive they were…and the thing I have read about the AXIS guitar is that they love virtually any pickup. If your tech can install the emg w/o modifications to the body…then cool. My tech, he's a good one, had to route out some depth but also width due to accommodate the larger emg pickup. Now there is no going back and whatever pickups I put in will always have the pickup rings and not direct mount.

I say if you like emg and you don't care about modding your body a bit…go for it..I am sure you'll like it.

 

[metalmarty]

I love EMG's, BIG dynamic range (they were designed for that actually), clean, quiet and a sound of their own that you love or hate as with ALL pickups. I like a 81 better then SD Blackouts. For passives I really like the Bare Knuckle pickups. Nailbomb, Warpig, etc. Class act to talk with too, they'll modify a pickup to your tastes for no or little extra money.

FWIW: last couple of years I like lower output 'buckers in a hot amp as opposed to the other way around. I concur with yan12

 

[veniculum]

I hear what you guys are saying about going for your gain with the amp and not the guitar. I come from a different school...my tone always comes from the guitar. Part of the reason I say that is because i rarely play through an amp. I know that sounds crazy, but during this time when I'm not gigging, I find that I can find many more (and many more cooler) tones through my little pocket pod thing. I can connect up to a computer and download tones....modify them, save them, etc. And then the difference in the tones that I save come from the guitar itself. I also have that Peavy amp-kit for the iphone, which is also a cool little tool.

I just think that if I can make my guitar sound it's best through my little "walkman" styled devices, they'll sound good anywhere...which turns out to be true in most cases. On the rare occasion that i do plug into my rig, the guitars that have the best tone while playing through the pocket pod, usually sound the best through my rig. Same goes for when I plug into other guys rigs...I still maintain that my v-neck strat sounds better than any guitar that I own...the JB Jr. just woke that guitar up...and I realized how great that guitar was when I plugged into my pod.

I guess I've always been that way. I've never had elaborate amps/effects. Always just an amp, and maybe a delay/compressor pedal. I still can't find the best rig for my tastes. But i can find guitars that sound great...so that's where I go.

I do appreciate the insight though.
Thanks again for the replies

Todd