Looking for new pickups for the Axis...

[sixstringphoenix]

Some of you might remember, probably not, but a good six months or so ago my Axis went on the fritz. The neck pickup must have died or something, so it turned into a pretty-much unusable guitar. Shortly after I considered new pickups (at the advice of my sort-of local guitar repair guy), and I didn't hesitate to post here about what pickups I should get.

Half the replies I got that time were "the Tone Zone/Air Norton combination is stock in the Axis" (when on the site they are DM "customs")... and so it mostly got me nowhere.

I already have a Breed (b) and EVO in my RG, so I'm looking for something that will provide a good deal of variety between the two. I was thinking of a Super Dist (b) and FRED but Kevan suggested FRED is better off for mahogany. (The Axis is maple, in case you didn't know)

Umm... I'm looking for a smooth, clear sound that works well with a medium level of distortion. I like what DiMarzio said about their FRED pickup on the site, about the harmonics and whatnot, so I guess finding a pickup similar to that would be kinda cool.

TIA, Justin

[Lonely Raven]

Just my opinion...but the Fred might be too *bright* on Maple. I agree that
the Fred is just *awesome* on Mohogany. The warmer toned wood with
the richer harmonics of the Fred really blend well.

But on a more dense and typically brighter wood like Maple it just might be
a bit much. It's really hard to say though...you might just LOVE it.

I absolutly LOVE my FRED pickups in the bridge position...but I like a lot
of buzz in my tone, and richer harmonics seem to really make every
note very present with that much distortion.

I know this doesn't help you much...but maybe my .02 could just help
nudge you one direction or another...

[sixstringphoenix]

Thanks for the opinon BUT just one thing -- the Axis' neck is maple, the body is basswood. I don't know if that changes anything though, hehe [/i]