Sub 1 pickup change

[luv]

I'm toying with the idea of changing pickups in my Sub 1....trying to make it sound more like an Axis, but a bit darker in the bridge (I'm going on memory here, but I recall my Axis was pretty bright in the bridge). I'm not disappointed in the stock pickups at all, but thinking about tweaking it. I don't have alot of money into this guitar, so if I spend a little more on it, it won't bother me.

Does anybody have any experience with different pickups in the Sub 1 that they would like to share?

 

[azazael]

It wont sound anything like an Axis I don't think.
It will sound like a silhouette more.
Pickups are only part of the equation.
Even if you put a set like say Tone Zone and Air Norton its not gonna sound like an axis.

 

[luv]

I realize different woods....different sound, so it's not going sound just like an Axis.......I was thinking "more like" an Axis.

 

[azazael]

Well according to Dimarzio closest match to the Axis pups are Tone Zone and Air Norton but a lot people who have tried them say they arent very similar at all. So I dunno, you could try it. Personally I am leaving stock humbucker in my Sub, it sounds great.

 

[Eilif]

I put EMG 85s in my SUB1 once. It got me quite a bit into Luke territory (on the bridge side, anyway), but it wasn't quite the same. I ended up going back to the stock pickups because they are quite good.

My opinion is that a guitar's sound is influenced more by its pickups than its woods, so putting in Axis pickups (or, according to certain reports, a Tone Zone / Air Norton combination) will get you close. Whether it will be "close enough" is something only you can decide, once you've tried it.

 

[jamminjim]

I've got a loaded Silhouette Special guard in one of my sub ones and guess what? It sounds like a Silhouette Special.

Hummm..........

 

[luv]

In theory I guess it would be easier to make the Sub 1 sound more like a Silhouette than an Axis......(with pickguard vs. body mounted pickups)

 

[jamminjim]

In theory I guess it would be easier to make the Sub 1 sound more like a Silhouette than an Axis......(with pickguard vs. body mounted pickups)

I think that's true - It's really easy to mount the Silo Spec pickguard on the Sub 1. Only thing you have to do, or get done (if you don't have a router and the skills) is rout out a cavity for the middle single coil. It's not hard and in my mind doesn't have to be perfect, as it is not in view. A clean rout is more desireable than a hack job though. I drilled two side holes with a forstner bit then I used double-sided tape and taped a router guide (called piece of wood) on a scribed line on the body where I wanted the cavity to be and then routed it out free-hand. Not hard really. Here's some pics.

Not perfect, but it works.

 

[jamminjim]

Also, forgot to mention. Once you have your Sub1 routed out for a middle single coil, then you can find a Silhouette Special loaded guard (or make one with parts obtained from Ernie Ball Music Man or other sources) and just drop it in there. The Silo Spec guard fits perfectly. No holes to drill at all for the pickguard. You can go HSS or SSS, and with the EBMM molex connectors, it's a quick change. Even easier if you have locking EBMM Schaller tuners.

I have obtained two loaded SS guards here from forumites. And have made and SSS one myself.

Noticed your a fellow Coloradan. Where in CO?

~Jim

 

[luv]

Jim-

I'm definately wanting to keep this guitar in it's HH configuration for now......and I don't have any on hand experience with Silhouettes (though from what I've read.....it seems that everyone likes them).

I'm in Denver....west side (Lakewood/Golden).

Nice work (pics). Thanks for the input. I think I saw another pic you posted of that guitar with maybe a pearloid pickguard on it? Looked good. That's another change I'm considering making...new pickguard....still undecided on the metal scratchplate.

Jeremy

 

[fbecir]

J I'm considering making...new pickguard....still undecided on the metal scratchplate.

Hello Jeremy

The metal pickguard is great if you play live : the lights reflect on it like on a mirror. Cool effect !!