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Axis 30th Anniversary

Luke III Transition Pickups....

F

foofght

New member
Joined
Aug 17, 2023
Messages
2
Location
So Cal
Just received a 2014 Liii SSHwith the transition pickups. The neck is amazing and I love the boost. Trem stability is amazing as well (no different than my Silhouette Special's). Anybody ever do pick up changes or know if it's reasonably possible? I remember reading somewhere that you have to make some slight modifications to take on different pickups. I'm still assessing the pickups, but can imagine changing out the single coils at some point as they seem pretty dark and muddy (per my preferences). I'm coming from a Silo Special SSH that I've played for 10 years and maybe I'm just partial to the increased clarity and presence on it.

Clearly the transitions are popular and worked for Luke. Just curious about other folks thoughts and what the hang up is in swapping the pickups (heresey, i know!) out are. Some threads I've read mentioned it not being a standard size, but i'm a bit unclear of where the rub (literally) is...
 
I installed Suhr Thornbuckers in my LIII HH and love it.
 
I recently picked up a 2019 L3 BFR HSS. I didn't love the Bridge pickup, and changed to a DiMarzio 36th Ann. F-spaced. I really like the change. The middle and neck pickups I left alone.
 
These are Transition pickups that came with it? So you swapped a Transition bridge for a 36th?

I haven't played the 36th, but had read that they were sonically close, with the Transitions having a little more output. How would you describe the change?
 
I like the tone of the Transition bridge, but think it would benefit from being closer to the strings. Unfortunately, raising the pickups is no easy task on this guitar, so I just leave it as it is.
 
beej said:
These are Transition pickups that came with it? So you swapped a Transition bridge for a 36th?

I haven't played the 36th, but had read that they were sonically close, with the Transitions having a little more output. How would you describe the change?
Click to expand...
I thought the 36th sounded more balanced with the middle and neck being AlNiCo's already. I thought the Transition Bridge pickup was a little too bright for my taste. Sounds really good !
 
The pretty strange fact in my Luke 3 transition is that using boost on tone pot, the overall tone changes. Without boost it seems more cutted.. open the boost and the tone is perfect
 
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