Muddy sounding neck pickup

[neckhumbucker]

Hello,

I recently bought a used Axis SS. To me, it has muddy sounding neck pickup.
Any suggestions?

I found this:
Mod Squad: Muddy sounding neck pickup?

Would it work for Axis SS?

Many thanks,

Nick.

 

[beej]

The Axis pickups are pretty hot and middy- that's why many folks love them.

You can try that (removing some of the bass), but it may just be that you need a pickup with less inductance. There are so many on the market these days- what are you playing through, and what kind of sounds are you trying to get? Maybe somebody can make a recommendation.

Btw, if you do replace the neck pickup, definitely hold on to it.

 

[ozzyrules]

Try lowering the pickup ever so slightly. It might increase the high end to your liking.


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[neckhumbucker]

Thanks for your replies.

I like Jeff Beck's sound. I know he uses singles. When the amp is set to sound balanced for bridge pickup, neck sounds too dark, muddy. Otherwise I am happy with bridge pickup, and middle position.

How can I lower the pickup? It seems to be screwed to the body directly, at the bottom of the pickup cavity.

Nick.

 

[beej]

The pickups are fixed to the body, so you can't lower them.

It sounds to me like you want something more clear and with lower output, so you should consider a swap.

 

[A.J.]

Beej is right, hold on to the pickup if you try a swap.

 

[neckhumbucker]

What would you guys recommend as a replacement pickup?

and I noticed axis pickups have 5 cables, and most humbuckers have 4 cables, is that something I need to worry about?

(if I can locate the hot wire for neck pickup, I still want to try to cap mod)

Thanks.

 

[headcrash]

What would you guys recommend as a replacement pickup?

and I noticed axis pickups have 5 cables, and most humbuckers have 4 cables, is that something I need to worry about?

(if I can locate the hot wire for neck pickup, I still want to try to cap mod)

Thanks.

The 5th cable is shield, nearly all humbuckers have a foil shielded cable, which have a blank, unisolated wire for soldering the shield to ground.
My experience is, that the Axis neck humbucker is not muddy at all. In fact it has a very tight bass response and balances well with bridge humbuckers (doesn't drown them out bass-wise).
As beej says, they're pretty middy, that's why they lack crystal clear highs and that pling you would expect from a low output PAF-ish neck humbucker, especially for clean and crunch sounds. Keep in mind, that these pups were designed for Eddie van Halen. He mainly used the neck humbucker for higain soloing (at least back then).
For an alternative, there are several options. Air Classic gives you a rather clear - and as the name implies: classic neck humbucker sound. You could also try a Bluesbucker or even a humbukcer from hell, which will both bring you more into single coilish territory. But they also might to be too quiet for the bridge humbucker. Maybe a PAF pro or a PAF Joe will give you enough output while retaining clarity, but I have no experience with them.

 

[ozzyrules]

Oops, forgot he was referring to a super sport. No height adjustment capability. Sorry for the confusion.


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[neckhumbucker]

Maybe I'll grow to like the neck pickup.
Meantime I'd like to try .047 cap mod. Where should I place it? I don't think there is space under the pickup in the pickup cavity. Looks like I need to locate wires in the back. Any ideas which cable is hot wire? I can take hi-res pics if it helps.

 

[beej]

In the back cavity, it's the red wire from the neck pickup that goes to the 5-way switch.

 

[neckhumbucker]

Thanks beej. I noticed you're in Toronto. I am too. Do you know a capable repair person for Axis piezo pickup in Toronto?

 

[beej]

It depends what's wrong- if it's a broken part, you'll need a replacement. If it's wiring, that's easy.

I'd start with any of the local shops that sell MM. If you're downtown, 12th Fret or L&M. If you're north, The Arts perhaps.

Alternately, you can call MM and have the guitar shipped to them for repair- I've done this many times. You pay a little more in shipping, but your guitar will come back factory fresh You can always give 'em a call and get their advice.

 

[neckhumbucker]

Thanks. I was thinking 12th fret might have someone.

When I blend magnetic pickup and piezo, D string sounds weaker compared to other strings. But it sounds fine with only magnetic pickup or only piezo. So, it doesn't look like the piezo sensor is the issue but the wiring, If I am lucky.