Rare pickups on axis...

[Nemesis]

After having fallen in love with Music man guitar and my John Petrucci 6, I´m going to buy a second hand axis. But i have a couple of doubts. First of all, I think the previous owner changes the pickups... I've never found an axis with black pickups like these:

Another strange thing... or so it seemed to me, is the way the locking nut is set in his place:

I do not know if you can see, but it's like missing more wood under the nut.

Can someone helpme with these?

P.D. as always, Sorry for my English.

 

[Lou]

The only way to tell what the pickups are is to pull them and see if you have any codes/stamps/etc on the bottom.

As far as missing a shim under the locking nut, it your action is fine, then the nut height is OK and you don't need a shim.

 

[Nemesis]

I hope to have it tomorrow morning, so I will post the serial number for the fabrication date and get all the possible info And of course i will pull the pickups to see if they are original.

if they were not, how could I get the original?

 

[beej]

Those pickups were also available in black (for the Axis Sports) ... I have a set, in fact. It's possible someone swapped them, or it's artist model, etc. So check them first to see.

If they're not, they only way to get a set is used. You can't buy replacements from EB as they don't sell proprietary parts (except as an exchange for damaged items).

 

[OU812]

The locking nut is fine. If you mean the "shelf" is smaller then the Floyd nut itself and theres a slight overhang, then thats normal.

Regarding pickups, no ideas and like already mentioned only way to know is if you look at the baseplate.

 

[Nemesis]

The locking nut is fine. If you mean the "shelf" is smaller then the Floyd nut itself and theres a slight overhang, then thats normal.

Yes! That´s exactly what I mean. Thanks!

 

[coldsummer]

You will struggle to find a set of original pick-ups, they very rarely show up on the used market for very good reason. The value of any Axis with aftermarket pickups is severely compromised imho.

 

[Nemesis]

I knwo that. Anyway I´ve got the chance to try it in deep. If those are not the original ones, or at least mm original ones, I can always change them. I´ve got a pair of custom made, specially for me, Entwistle pickups and several Seymour duncan and Dimarzio. 59, Distortion, jazz, Cruch lab, liquifire... If the guitar is well and is comfortable, I would buy it. even without the original pickups its a great guitar.

 

[beej]

Totally. Just negotiate the price down if they're not originals

Btw, I always thought the Axis looked cooler with all black pickups rather than the zebras. But that might just be me.

 

[Nemesis]

Once removed, is there any way of knowing if they are original? like a mark, a sticker or something?

 

[ily]

Totally. Just negotiate the price down if they're not originals

Btw, I always thought the Axis looked cooler with all black pickups rather than the zebras. But that might just be me.

yes black pickup look cool (DIMARZIO PAF 36 TH) but i comeback to the original because they have a better sound for me

 

[Nemesis]

yes black pickup look cool (DIMARZIO PAF 36 TH) but i comeback to the original because they have a better sound for me

you that the has changed the pickups. There is something that is distinctive of the MM pickups in the base plate?

 

[ily]

you that the has changed the pickups. There is something that is distinctive of the MM pickups in the base plate?

the base plate is black
i don't know the D.O.B of your Axis mine is 1996
the Brigde PU is engraved "B" and the neck "N" i don't remember if actual PU have the same
i don"t remember the other details

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I think the neck one normally says 'N2'

 

[bsteff666]

Yes. The baseplate is painted black. They will have "Dimarzio Pickups Made In the USA" engraved on the baseplate.

The bridge pickup will have "B 1" stamped....it will also have an "F" stamped for F-spacing. The neck pickup will have "N 1" stamped.

Here is a pic of a bridge pickup.

Here is a pic of the neck pickup in one of my EVH's. The Axis neck pickup will look the same...but it will not have the "patent applied for" sticker.

 

[Rufedges]

It is more than a safe bet that those are NOT the original pickups, and hopefully you have never played a stock Axis or Axis SS, because I highly doubt you will find a set of pups as good on that guitar. Not only that, but different pups really change the sounds of the pups in the 3 or 5 way positions as well,...just learned how much this can change on one of my other guitars. I would negotiate the price way down IMHO.

 

[spkirby]

It is more than a safe bet that those are NOT the original pickups, and hopefully you have never played a stock Axis or Axis SS, because I highly doubt you will find a set of pups as good on that guitar. Not only that, but different pups really change the sounds of the pups in the 3 or 5 way positions as well,...just learned how much this can change on one of my other guitars. I would negotiate the price way down IMHO.

I agree with you that the chances of those being original pickups are almost zero, that said Ruf thats a bit harsh saying you hope he hasnt played an original Axis!

Personally I have found some pickups that to my ears beat the stock Axis Dimarzios, those being Lollar Imperials and PRS 57/08s... all three are PAF based but I really prefer the tone of the two mentioned, particularly the Lollars.

 

[Nemesis]

Yes... as we thougt they are not mm pickups. A tonezone in bridge and paf in neck. Surely I will instal a crunchlab/liquifire set.

But it doesn´t matter the guitar b.o.d. is 2003 and is mint!!!

 

[beej]

Nice! Well all that matters is that it plays great. I agree that the original pickups, while good, aren't the be all and end all. Lost of great options out there.

 

[douglasspears]

.....and is mint!!!

that's not the original pickup selector switch either, so just be careful what else may have changed too.