Help! EBMM Axis SS Semi-Hollow Setup - Help needed!

[Magnus]

Hi there, all you fine folks of EBMM land

I've been messing around with my Axis SuperSport Semi-Hollow for the last couple of days trying to get the setup just right, but a could use a word of advise from the knowledgeable people of the forum.

Issue 1 - String gauge:

I wanted to put Power Slinky's (11-48) on the guitar, but the 5th string/A-string (.38 gauge) wouldn't fit in the slot. The nut slot is to tight to get in without the use of force.

Has anyone else experienced this, and maybe a solution? It seems overkill to have a tech file it, and i don't think it's something i should attempt since it's a non-reversible mod.

Issue 2 - Pickup height:

The bridge pick-up is a bit too hot for my taste. But i found that if i raise the strings i get in the ballpark of what i wan't, but then strings are a bit too high.

I like a rather high action, but not bottleneck playing high, just enough to get my fingers under the strings.

Has anyone got any tips? Because it seems that you're not able to lower the PU's.

All help would be greatly appreciated!

/Magnus

 

[DrKev]

I wanted to put Power Slinky's (11-48) on the guitar, but the 5th string/A-string (.38 gauge) wouldn't fit in the slot. The nut slot is to tight to get in without the use of force.

Has anyone else experienced this, and maybe a solution? It seems overkill to have a tech file it, and i don't think it's something i should attempt since it's a non-reversible mod.

Having a tech file the slots is the appropriate way to deal with this. The other strings may seem to fit in the slots but they could still be prone to binding and tuning stability could suffer.

Re: Pickups, the Axis owners will give great advice.

 

[Magnus]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Is it just me, or isn't it a bit weird that the compensated nut doesn't fit a pretty standard string gauge? Or am i mistaken in saying it's "standard"?

 

[Rialas]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Is it just me, or isn't it a bit weird that the compensated nut doesn't fit a pretty standard string gauge? Or am i mistaken in saying it's "standard"?

My standard is 9's. My hands dislike anything more .
I think that's what the axis is setup up for, you can have the slot adjusted but it'll be a tough instrument to play with that gauge, but that's just my preference.

You'd have to move the string height a fair bit to get a noticeable reduction in volume between the strings and pickup. It's not what you want to do at all.

The rear pickup is adjustable. But for sure it is hot.

Adjustment screw but don't know if you've hit the lower limit.

 

[kimonostereo]

The pickups are direct mount so there's probably not enough room to lower the pickup. You have two options:
1. You could get someone to route the pickup cavity so you can lower the pickup
2. Put a pickup cover on
3. Get a different pickup

#1 would modify the guitar but if you want to make the guitar your own and you like the pickup, this is the best option.
#2 may not lower the output of the pickup enough for your liking.
#3 is what I would probably do but the pickup height will still be a factor

 

[Rialas]

#4 a resistor on the bridge pickup to match the neck?

 

[kimonostereo]

#4 a resistor on the bridge pickup to match the neck?

Oh yeah! That's another good suggestion!

 

[Rialas]

Or #5 turn the volume down
I ride my volume, depending on how much I want to push my values/tubes.
Axis super sport hollow is a beast

 

[Fro]

Option #6. Sell it to me

 

[Magnus]

The pickups are direct mount so there's probably not enough room to lower the pickup. You have two options:
1. You could get someone to route the pickup cavity so you can lower the pickup
2. Put a pickup cover on
3. Get a different pickup

#1 would modify the guitar but if you want to make the guitar your own and you like the pickup, this is the best option.
#2 may not lower the output of the pickup enough for your liking.
#3 is what I would probably do but the pickup height will still be a factor

Thank you for your suggestions! It's a tricky one, because there are no guarantees. Pickup's do have "sweetspots", so even if i decide to route it - it might ending up sounding crap. The same goes for buying a new pick, where again, theres no option to adjust it.

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

#4 a resistor on the bridge pickup to match the neck?

That's actually an interesting - and i suppose cheap and easy - thing to try... I'll take that idea down to my local tech!

Or #5 turn the volume down
I ride my volume, depending on how much I want to push my values/tubes.
Axis super sport hollow is a beast

I do ride the volume and tone quite a lot. But theres some "harshness" inherent in especially the bridge pickup that's hard to get rid of, even by riding the volume control.

But thank you for all your input! Greatly appreciated

Now, does anyone else ever have problems with putting 11's on a compensated nut? Fire away!

 

[Wahoonc]

I just restrung my ASS MM90 Semi with 10s (from 9), set the height and intonation with no problems. I've never tried 11s, though, so can't comment. I've filed a slot for 10s before (not a MM guitar) and wouldn't really sweat it too much. MM seems particularly specific in the tolerances of all of their guitars and wouldn't expect them to ship guitars with a nut that is suitable for all gauges from 8 to 13.

Also, sound is subjective. Can't really comment on what you're hearing from the bridge pickup. The buckers on that guitar do have some fire, but clean up nicely when you roll off. You said you've tried that though. I do not hear any "harshness" in my bridge pup. Not sure, but it might be the guitar-amp interaction. What is your set up?

 

[Magnus]

I just restrung my ASS MM90 Semi with 10s (from 9), set the height and intonation with no problems. I've never tried 11s, though, so can't comment. I've filed a slot for 10s before (not a MM guitar) and wouldn't really sweat it too much. MM seems particularly specific in the tolerances of all of their guitars and wouldn't expect them to ship guitars with a nut that is suitable for all gauges from 8 to 13.

Also, sound is subjective. Can't really comment on what you're hearing from the bridge pickup. The buckers on that guitar do have some fire, but clean up nicely when you roll off. You said you've tried that though. I do not hear any "harshness" in my bridge pup. Not sure, but it might be the guitar-amp interaction. What is your set up?

I know, i was intentionally vague in my description, because describing what i hear with my set-up might not bear any resemblance to yours. I'f i play bebop jazz into a Fender Twin and you play Van Halen riffs through a Plexi, then we are going to hear, feel and be aware of very different things

But i shall do my best to explain:

Obviously it's a rather "hot" pickup compared to something like a low-wind P.A.F style humbucker. I'm guessing it has a lot more turns and a more powerful magnet.

When i use the bridge humbucker with something like a plexi-style amp, and it's firing on all cylinders it sound's great. Lot's of highs and upper-mids to cut through and get the amp compressing in a nice way.

My "issue" if you like, is that a lot of the times - for the music i play - all cylinders firing isn't the sound required. I often need to be in that grey area popularly called "on the edge" of breakup. And a lot of times, the highs and upper mids that are very present in the pickup, gets a bit much. It's not subtle enough when i roll it back - presumably because of the rather powerful magnet.

It feels a bit like a dog on a leash wanting to break free, rather than curl up in it's basket... For lack of a better term

But it's minutia, most of the time it's an awesome sounding guitar and i'm thoroughly happy with it. But as with anyone on this forum - i suspect - i like to fiddle and try get it "just right". It's a never ending quest...

So i don't think i'm gonna be swapping the pick-ups, i'm just gonna keep finetuning it

Thank you for your input!

 

[DrKev]

Idea - Try using a pedal to reduce the volume? You could try a volume pedal but really I'm thinking something with some level of tone control to bpth reduce the volume and sweeten the sound would be a great idea. Something like the TC Spark Boost, or even the Boss GE-7 EQ pedal.

 

[Wahoonc]

Idea - Try using a pedal to reduce the volume? You could try a volume pedal but really I'm thinking something with some level of tone control to bpth reduce the volume and sweeten the sound would be a great idea. Something like the TC Spark Boost, or even the Boss GE-7 EQ pedal.

I can also recommend the TC Spark Boost. Actually, I think I originally bought mine years ago on DrKev's recommendation.

 

[beej]

They're hot, midrangey pickups. Excellent in some applications, but not all. So you could certainly swap them out for something less hot- more even sounding. If you do that ... keep the originals!

You mentioned not hearing what you like when you roll back the volume. You might consider a treble bleed or the 50's wiring approach, so the pickup doesn't get too muddy when you turn it down - this would make a huge difference. I have one of my Morses wired up with the 50's wiring and it's pretty easy- you're effectively moving one wire. That would be an easy thing to try.

 

[jones4tone]

You might consider a treble bleed or the 50's wiring approach, so the pickup doesn't get too muddy when you turn it down - this would make a huge difference. I have one of my Morses wired up with the 50's wiring and it's pretty easy- you're effectively moving one wire. That would be an easy thing to try.

Hey Beej, is there a reference you could share on the 50s wiring? Sounds interesting.

 

[Skoorbdooh]

It´s you . Nut slots are cut to be just a few (.002-.004) thousandths of an in. larger than the strings they are cut for. The rule of thumb is that you can use the size of string that the guitar came with or the next size smaller. One size larger almost always means some work will need to be done. Two sizes smaller will be difficult because the slots are too big.

 

[beej]

Hey Beej, is there a reference you could share on the 50s wiring? Sounds interesting.

It's pretty simple- where the volume pot is connected to the tone pot, move the wire from the outside lug of the volume pot (also wired to the pickup switch) to the middle lug of the volume pot (the 'wiper'). Presto.

With the tone control on full, you won't lose much treble as you turn down the volume pot. However the controls are more interactive, which you'll notice if you use the tone pot a lot (I don't).

Anyhow, an easy thing to try.

 

[jones4tone]

It's pretty simple- where the volume pot is connected to the tone pot, move the wire from the outside lug of the volume pot (also wired to the pickup switch) to the middle lug of the volume pot (the 'wiper'). Presto.

With the tone control on full, you won't lose much treble as you turn down the volume pot. However the controls are more interactive, which you'll notice if you use the tone pot a lot (I don't).

Anyhow, an easy thing to try.

Thanks, Beej!