tonemeister
Well-known member
After reading and posting a bit on the perceived muddiness and darkness of the stock Axis & Axis SS pickups by some here, I wanted to report on the change in pups I performed this week.
Received a pair of DiMarzio Virtual PAFs (neck & bridge models) earlier this week. Installation wasnt too tough. I DID NOT drill out the holes as large as the original pups, as it would make it tough to mount them on any other guitar in the standard
fashion (pickup ring and screw with spring) if I didn`t like them on the Axis. I put some small oak splinters into the existing holes along with some glue and let it set for a while. I then reamed out the pickup holes with a small round file until some smaller screws would just fit through the hole, then mounted the pups. they mounted real solid and sturdy. Plenty of metal left to re-thread them if necessary. had no problems with the intsall to speak of.
I put a set of 10s on the guitar and fired it up.
Overall, to my ears, the PAFs are a nice improvement over the stock pups. Brighter and with more clarity. My concerns about the split position sound were unfounded.....the guitar sounds really good in all five positions! The axe definitely has more twang and glass to it now.
Keep in mind that while I am not a shredder or metal player, but do like to play with a lot of distortion a la Jeff Beck or Eric Johnson. I have come round over the last few years to the fact that (IMHO) lower output pups have a better overall balance and more open, airy sound than a high output pup. I just put the guitar through a clean boost to hit the amp a little harder.
I would say that I am very happy with the outcome of the swap. Next up, I am going to do some wiring mods:
1- take the tone control out of the circuit- I never use them and they suck tone out even when turned up all the way.
2-wire the super switch so that when in center position (both buckers) the unused tone pot can be wired as a pan control to vary the blend of front and back pups! this is a mod I have done on a lot of my guitars over the years that is an essential for me.
Anyway, just wanted to share the outcome with you folks here. Ciao fer now!
P.S. Have not decided whether or not to sell the original pups or not. I think it might be wise to hang on to them in case I decide to sell the guitar some day, but if some one is really interested, shoot me a PM. Thanks!
Received a pair of DiMarzio Virtual PAFs (neck & bridge models) earlier this week. Installation wasnt too tough. I DID NOT drill out the holes as large as the original pups, as it would make it tough to mount them on any other guitar in the standard
fashion (pickup ring and screw with spring) if I didn`t like them on the Axis. I put some small oak splinters into the existing holes along with some glue and let it set for a while. I then reamed out the pickup holes with a small round file until some smaller screws would just fit through the hole, then mounted the pups. they mounted real solid and sturdy. Plenty of metal left to re-thread them if necessary. had no problems with the intsall to speak of.
I put a set of 10s on the guitar and fired it up.
Overall, to my ears, the PAFs are a nice improvement over the stock pups. Brighter and with more clarity. My concerns about the split position sound were unfounded.....the guitar sounds really good in all five positions! The axe definitely has more twang and glass to it now.
Keep in mind that while I am not a shredder or metal player, but do like to play with a lot of distortion a la Jeff Beck or Eric Johnson. I have come round over the last few years to the fact that (IMHO) lower output pups have a better overall balance and more open, airy sound than a high output pup. I just put the guitar through a clean boost to hit the amp a little harder.
I would say that I am very happy with the outcome of the swap. Next up, I am going to do some wiring mods:
1- take the tone control out of the circuit- I never use them and they suck tone out even when turned up all the way.
2-wire the super switch so that when in center position (both buckers) the unused tone pot can be wired as a pan control to vary the blend of front and back pups! this is a mod I have done on a lot of my guitars over the years that is an essential for me.
Anyway, just wanted to share the outcome with you folks here. Ciao fer now!
P.S. Have not decided whether or not to sell the original pups or not. I think it might be wise to hang on to them in case I decide to sell the guitar some day, but if some one is really interested, shoot me a PM. Thanks!
