Replacement Pickups for Musicman Axis Super Sport

[ubermetaldood]

I think my Axis Super Sport pickups are too dark sounding. I'd like to get similar output but a little more brightness so I was thinking about maybe a Dimarzio Breed set or a Norton/PAF Pro. What are your suggestions and has anyone tried different pickups in an Axis?

 

[beej]

Before you swap out the p'ups, one easy thing you can do is unsolder the tone control. You'll end up with a greater load on the pickups (500k vs 250k) and it will brighten them up a tad. Might solve your problem.

 

[bbake1]

You can always try the Dimarzio 36th Ann. PAFs like Jamie.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...hries-ernie-ball-music-man-youtube-video.html

 

[ubermetaldood]

Damn Jamie Humphries is a bad ass player. He has a great sound. I've used the PAF36th's before but I would lose significant output compared to the stock pickups. The Tone Zone isn't quite my thing so I'm thinking maybe the Breed set perhaps?

 

[sandmannn69]

Try an EQ pedal or a different speaker.

 

[DTJPPR]

The breed bridge is the best pickup I have ever used. So fat and big sounding without being overpowering or muddy. I love it. The PAF 36th is the best neck pup, too. Dimarzio definitely has my vote after all the experimentation I've done. I've bought 13 pickups this year and ended up with a Breed Bridge and Duncan Jazz in my Silo, and an Air Norton and the 36th PAF neck in my Telecaster.

 

[B2D]

Dibs on those pickups if you sell 'em.

 

[straycat113]

I would really give beej's mod a shot first as I do not find the Axis pups to be dark, especially if you ever compared them to an old Wolfgang.

 

[brokenvail]

Funny how we all hear thing differently. I my ASS has a RW Top and Neck which makes it it darker sounding guitar than the AAA with a maple top and I feel like my pups (mostly) the bridge pickup is on the bright side for me. I constantly find my self thinking man I wish this puppy was darker sounding. Good luck man let us know what you decide so I make sure not to get that pup

 

[sandmannn69]

With a handle like Ubermetaldood I would think you would prefer darker-sounding pups...although I don't think the Axis pups sound dark, just nice and fat. But then again I like Marshall amps and greenbacks.

You might like the Dimarzio Tone Zone, I thought it sounded pretty dark (and muddy) in my Charvel-until I half-air modded it, now my Charvel sounds exactly like my Axis(SS).

 

[GHWelles]

I have the Breed in the bridge of my 20th silo and it is great. But I would say it darkens the sound a bit becasue it is a high power pickup. A PAF style would be brighter. You could take out the tone control, go with a 1 meg volume, or install a coil tap for a brighter sound.

 

[ubermetaldood]

With a handle like Ubermetaldood I would think you would prefer darker-sounding pups...although I don't think the Axis pups sound dark, just nice and fat. But then again I like Marshall amps and greenbacks.

You might like the Dimarzio Tone Zone, I thought it sounded pretty dark (and muddy) in my Charvel-until I half-air modded it, now my Charvel sounds exactly like my Axis(SS).

My handle is from the music I LIKE not the music I play. I'm more of a Satriani style player. One of the problems is my amp was very dark. I had an Engl Steve Morse Signature 100 and it's very dark sounding. I could never get the right amount of treble balance and it sounds so thick all the time. Sometimes I want a more Marshally sound.

I sold it and switched out for a Splawn Nitro so the stock pickups will probably work out well. They're doing a great job in my Engl Screamer.