Help! Neck pickup for EBMM Axis Super Sport

[Stealy Den]

Hey, guys!
I'm new here, never posted, though came over here every now and then.
I know it's almost classic already - billion threads about pickups for EBMM Axis, but it seems I need advice.

Some years ago I swapped oem pickups on my Axis Super Sport (yeah, I know, one should never ever do this) for a 36th Anniversary set.
I love DiMarzios, they sound great. Those OEM pickups also sounded great, but woofy and bassy for me. And maybe too much output...
I've never been into Eddie's thing at all - I'm on jazz, jazz-rock, classic rock side. I love the sound of Larry Carlton (late 70's- early 80's), Robben Ford, Jon Herrington, Mike Stern, Drew Zing etc.
So, oems were too much for me
I installed 36 annies and here where it all begins.
I liked 36th neck (frankly, this was the main issue to me - too woofy neck sound) - more transparent, more classic sound, suitable for my needs. But bridge... though it was great by itself, but compared to neck it sounded a bit thin, single-coilish, telecaster-like. And again, neck (the new one!) was bassy and all was imbalanced

Recently I decided to change 36th bridge pickup to find balance with the 36th neck and bought DiMarzio AT-1. I thought it could solve the problem - swapping for more powerfull bridge to match it with the neck.
But again... the set feels and sounds imbalanced to me.
36th annie neck sounds more open, full and with pronounced lows and low-mids.
I fell in love with AT-1 actually - to me it's an ideal bridge pickup, full-bodied, not harsh, a bit compressed (I guess). But... AT-1 (what the hell? it's almost 17 kOhm!!) sound more like telecaster compared to 36th annie neck with some amps or amp simulators. And it's hard to match them volume-wise. On clean the neck sounds quieter and transparent, but with overdrive, though they're almost balanced, the neck sounds full-bodied while AT-1 sounds thinner

What should I do? Maybe it all is just in my head? An illusion?
I'm thinking on swapping the neck for, say, Air Norton. I know it's a well-known alternative for oem EBMM Axis pickups.
But I'never tried it. Is it a balanced set for a basswood + maple cap body? Could it match my guitar sound preferences (cleam to mild overdrive sound)?
Would appreciate your answers, guys!
Cheers!


PS: Sorry for my English - it's not my first language

 

[nervous]

There is an OEM Axis neck pickup on Reverb currently at a decent price, and an offer option:

https://reverb.com/item/89269904-ernie-ball-music-man-axis-1990-s-original-dimarzio-humbucker

And as you mentioned, the Air Norton is a fave to pair with the AT-1, and possibly the Air Classic?

 

[Stealy Den]

There is an OEM Axis neck pickup on Reverb currently at a decent price, and an offer option:

https://reverb.com/item/89269904-ernie-ball-music-man-axis-1990-s-original-dimarzio-humbucker

And as you mentioned, the Air Norton is a fave to pair with the AT-1, and possibly the Air Classic?

Thanks for reply!
Air Classic? Maybe.. but does it pair well with AT-1 in terms of EQ and overall tone?

I wonder if Air Norton behaves well on clean settings?

 

[beej]

If you like the 36th in the neck, try a Transition in the bridge. It's like a 36th with more output and meat.

 

[RSG]

Here's a suggestion depending on which pickup you choose to replace.

If you replace the neck pickup, I suggest the Air Classic Neck. They are underrated IMO, but they sound really balanced in the neck position. I find the Air Norton is a little too dark in the neck position of 22-fret guitars.

If you replace the bridge, I suggest trying the Air Zone. It's got a full tone but is less compressed than the stock Axis bridge or the AT-1. The Transition is also a good suggestion.

 

[Stealy Den]

What do you guys think about Fortitude bridge (as a pair for 36th paf neck) on ebmm axis super sport?

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

The AT-1 and Air Norton set is basically the same as the Axis B1/N2 set. If you still have the old OEM pickups maybe try them again?

 

[NickNihil]

I put a Bare Knuckle Nallbomb in the neck of my ALHH (same pickups as the Axis, and no I'm not selling it). Exquisite. A little hotter, meatier than a PAF but still great clarity, dynamics, and tone. To me it's like a de-mudded Axis neck, which is what I was going for. Bought another one and put it in another guitar where I paired it with an AT-1 and they blend wonderfully as well.