EMG designed AXL pickups

[Mad Stratter]

Hi all, new here so excuse me if this has been discussed but I could t find it anywhere.

I have a 2002 USA strat and that came with the delta tone pickups. I changed the neck and middle a few years back to emg designed AXL pickups. I put a hot rails type in the bridge.

I just wondered if anyone has ever heard of these pickups as to be honest, they have given a much smoother and thicker sound than the stick ones that came with my strat. There is far less noise as well.

I can't find much about them and it was a hit or miss if the sounded any good but I picked up the loaded plate for £20 and paid £25 for a tech to fit them (only the pickups I kept the original pots) so took the risk and in my opinion was worth it. Any one know anything about them?

Thanks

 

[Guitarmageddon]

They were in AXL brand guitars, they are what 'Duncan Designed' pickups are to real Seymour Duncan pickups - using the company's designs but made overseas with cheaper components...

So the design is by EMG (not sure which pickup it's modeled after, maybe seeing the bottoms would help), but they are made in Asia...

I hope that helps....

@Mad Stratter

 

[Mad Stratter]

Cheers I have the bridge kicking about if I find it I'll post a picture of the bottom. They do sound good to be fair and for the price, can't believe how much of an upgrade it gave my strat !

 

[Davey77]

I have a Chinese Johnson AXL Strat I won on auction for cheap and was really very surprised how good the pickups sounded for a budget guitar. Very full yet still articulate well. Not saying they are my favorites or anything like that, just very surprised.

 

[Mad Stratter]

Ultimately I will probably change to Texas specials but still blown way at the difference these things made. Maybe put them in a project when I'm done

 

[Mad Stratter]

 

[Mad Stratter]

Found the bridge. This is the back of it

 

[TDA1978]

Old thread, but hoping you're still here!
I just bought 3 of these for my Squier Strat, but a bit confused by the wiring. Can't find any wiring diagrams on line. Do you have any hints or a photo of how you have wired?

 

[Mad Stratter]

From memory I think the white wire went to the switch and coloured weird to the pots ? I changed them and followed the wiring that was already in. Look at the same coloured wire on the pickup ups you’re replacing and follow that with the same colours on the replacement pups (as in, if the old had three black and new three white, treat them the same)

The should all have a coloured wire too so again, follow that.

Hope this makes sense and helps. Let me know how you get on

 

[Mad Stratter]

Old thread, but hoping you're still here!
I just bought 3 of these for my Squier Strat, but a bit confused by the wiring. Can't find any wiring diagrams on line. Do you have any hints or a photo of how you have wired?

Yeah, white ti selector and colours to the pot good luck

 

[axlstrat]

I havw a AXL strat that came with those pickups. they were ok but great at hum and buzz rejection. I changed to Wilde Bill Lawrence L 280's in that guitar and changed the neck. I am happy with it.I may change the pickups to the Wilde micro coils not sure yet as I already have L45's in another axe.

 

[TDA1978]

Thanks folks. Just the one wire coming from them, but looks to be double core. I'll have a go and see how I get on. Appreciate you getting back to me.

 

[Mad Stratter]

L

View attachment 650602
Thanks folks. Just the one wire coming from them, but looks to be double core. I'll have a go and see how I get on. Appreciate you getting back to me. View attachment 650603

Let us know how you get on and good luck