Replacing/modifying the Axis Floyd?

[555]

I have a few OLP brand Axis licensed copies, one of which is high quality. The Axis is perfect size, balance and I love the look and feel of the body and neck.
The OLP does not have anywhere near the tone, or sustain of higher end guitars obviously, and a real Axis is my first choice for guitar purchase.

The only problem I have with it is the tremolo bridge since I really have spent years developing m play technique around a floating trem, specifically raising pitch, much more then I would ever lower pitch. I was hoping to find some information on how to either modify the Ernie Ball Axis (not the sport or super sport) bridge to lift up (not even a lot, maybe a centimeter or 2 for example). Or alternatively, replace the EBall trem with a nice real Floyd Rose.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated, Thanks.

 

[555]

And if anyone can tell me if the volume knob on the Axis is in the same location as the OLP Axis copy, that would be useful to know as well!!

 

[ProtoChicken]

Replacing the bridge most likely isn't going to give you any more clearance to pull up. I think you have two options, and only one is actually feasible.

You could raise the bridge height which would give you the clearance to raise pitch, but that would result in your action being too high. Because Floyd type bridges have fixed saddle heights you wouldn't be able to lower the action that way, and a truss rod adjustment wouldn't compensate for the raised bridge at that point either.

What you'll need to do is bring the guitar to a qualified luthier and have it routed. This is a fairly simple procedure for a qualified luthier. Of course it will void your warranty and is irreversible. I'm sure there must be Axis owners here who have had routs made for their bridges.

Perhaps there is an option I've overlooked, in which case I'm sure someone else will chime in.

 

[TNT]

555,

Regarding OLP volume knob being in the same location, the answer is NO. It's close, but not exact. The Axis knob is strategically placed, and those of us no why EVH put it exactly there!

I drilled and re-positioned the knob on my OLP's, fairly easy to do. I'm also not sure where the knob is located on the new Sterlings that have just come out. That's almost always what I personally check out first.

Ok, bring on "somebody get me a doctor".

 

[jakedawgwhite88]

if you wanted to float the bridge and the action is too high you could shim the neck??

 

[boogieslide]

If you only need a centimeter or 2 you maybe you could just not screw the claw in all the way until the bridge hits the body. That will give you some constant clearance there....I just don't know what it will do to the rest of the setup. I think it will raise the action a bit, but it really should not be much at all.

 

[555]

The options sound interesting but I am not sure I would cu the body of a new Axis as an experiment! Boogieslide's suggestion may work, but again I'd have to buy an Axis just to try this -and I won't be hacking such a great guitar.

Another similar guitar for me may be the Peavey HP Special since I'd get my floating bridge option. I have NO way of testing one out here though does anyone know how the placement of the volume knob compares on the Axis, Peavey HP. I strum and play with the volume knob often, not necessarily in an "Cathedral" kind of way, more of a Brian May or Ty tabor style, but more often.
Any suggstions or opinions? Truly I'd love an Axis with the HP Special style trem but I just don't think that is an option, and this is a lot of money for me to spend -and I need a new guitar soon and love want to keep it with small body (like Axis, Wolfgang, and HP Special) but with my two issues resolved (at least some 'float' in the trem, and awesome volume control.

 

[Sub1 Zero]

The options sound interesting but I am not sure I would cu the body of a new Axis as an experiment! Boogieslide's suggestion may work, but again I'd have to buy an Axis just to try this -and I won't be hacking such a great guitar.

Where are you from? I know a guy locally who could do it if you decided to go that route, and he'd make sure your baby makes it back to you safely.

 

[nobozos]

If you want to "float" the Floyd on an Axis, follow these simple steps:

First, raise the trem to the height you want the bridge to float above the body.

Next, shim the neck so that the action is where you want it. You may want to measure the distance from the last fret to the string before you make any modifications, and then shim with that measurement as a reference.

Finally, adjust your trem-spring tension so that the Floyd is perfectly level with the body when tuned to pitch. This will more than likely only require a trem claw adjustment, but in some cases, you may want to change the number of springs, or type of springs to achieve the maximum performance from your Floyd in a floating configuration.

Tighten everything back down, and your done, UNLESS!!!!!!!!!

You determine that the strings have been moved too far away from the pickups in the process. In that case, you will want to shim the pickups as well, to maintain the pre-modification distance from pole piece to string.