Axeify / Axeification
So what is Axeify? I hear you cry…!
This is a special upgrade service I have called Axeify. (sorry it needed a name) Its taking a mid range priced guitar and making it every bit as good as a top end guitar for a lot less money. You can also in the process of your “Axeify” get the guitar customised to exactly what you are looking for in the music you play and its tone and its playing options with electrics, that may not be available from an off the shelf model.
The best examples of this are from Epiphone and Mexican Fender guitars. Also Aria Pro 2 and Tokai have so much more potential when fitted with better quality parts.
For example:
You buy a Epiphone Les Paul, something like a Standard for about £300 – £500. So lets be honest about the purchase, what have you really got? The Epiphone Les Paul Standard has a beautiful AAA Flame Maple Veneer top (depending on the model) and a traditional Mahogany solid body for that classic tone. It has a Mahogany neck and Grover tuners. Its basically everything you would get from a Gibson, with close up inspection, it really is every bit as good especailly with some of the latest Epiphone models.
However, there are some issues. Epiphone like most guitars made in the east use cheap electrical components and although the pickups like Epiphone’s top of the range ProBuckers are nice, that’s only until you hear some really very good pickups. The frets on the fretboard can be a little hit and miss and sometimes need levelling and a general good setup is also required. Don’t get me wrong, i love Epiphone guitars and have 3 of them myself, all upgraded of course.
Axeify is to do the following:
- Complete strip and clean up of every component
- Fret levelling, crown and polish
- New Pickups from somewhere like Bare Knuckle, Seymour Duncan etc
- New wiring harness with CTS Pots and high end Capacitors including a Oak / Switchcraft switch and jack socket etc.
- Complete setup
You end up with a guitar that plays, sounds and looks incredible and is every bit, if not better than its american cousin for a fraction of the cost. OK, it may not have made in the USA on it, but if you can get passed that and want the guitar as an instrument and not a financial asset hanging on the wall, then its a great guitar to play and enjoy.
It’s just the same with Fenders, you can buy a very great Mexican Fender new or used, replace electrics and pickups, a little customising, and there are a lot of options on Fenders, fret levelling and setup and you end up with something very special and customised to your requirements.
Below are a few examples…
(I have done many of these and will be adding more photos shortly)
Fender Stratocaster Mexican 2002, Pickups changed to Fender 57/62, Vintage Wiring Harness, Upgraded Bridge, Strings, Setup etc
Watch the video clip – I think he is a happy customer!
Sire P Bass 5 String, Pickups – Aguilar 5P 60, Fitted a all bells and whistles Wiring Harness, Schaller Strap locks, Hipshot Ultralite HB7 Tuners, Bridge Work / Brass Bullet Saddles, Black Screws, Strings, Fret level, Setup. Review – Hi Andrew, Just wanted to let you know that I just finished playing through my cover band’s current set list with the Sire P5, and this thing seriously rocks. With the Aguilars, the upgraded tone pot and just a touch of Ampeg-style dirt, it sounds and plays exactly like the bass I wanted, whether I’m looking for modern indie tone or emulating an upright. Even with new strings on, the tuning is much more precise, and the action feels completely natural, which is especially appreciated on the lower frets of the E and A strings. The low B string is as good as I’ve played on a 34″ scale instrument and, especially when fretted to D, Db or E, it just smashes through the mix. I can’t wait for the opportunity to run this through an amp full out — I’m betting that, at gig volume, this thing will own the stage! Thank you very much indeed, sir. You are a craftsman. Best regards, Michael.
Fender Telecaster Thinline Mexican, Pickups – Bare Knuckle Flat 50’s, Fitted a Vintage Wiring Harness, Setup, Fret level etc etc – Customer Review – “Just a note to say how great the Tele is sounding. Thank you. It’s crisper and warmer in tone, but with grunt, sparkle and twang in just the right places. It also has better sustain. You’re a legend!“
Epiphone Casino (Korean), Pickups – Neck, Seymour Duncan Retrospec’d P90, Bridge, Lollar P-90, fitted a vintage wiring harness, USA Nickel Silver Pickup covers etc…
Fender Mexican Telecaster. On this Axeify project everything was replaced that was not made of wood! A complete upgrade of all parts…
Fernandes Les Paul 1979 – On this Axeify project we fitted Bare Knuckle Stormy Monday Pickups, Vintage Wiring Harness, Setup, Fret level etc – The client had owned this guitar from new and wanted to make better use of it with the Axeify service. Its now better than new!
Fender Mex Stratocaster. Seymour Duncan (50’s style pickups) Vintage Wiring Harness, Fender USA bridge, Fender USA locking tuners.
Epiphone Les Paul Standard. Seymour Duncan Slash pickups, Vintage style wiring harness, setup
Fender Mexican P Bass, Purchased and sent directly to me. I replace the pickups to the USA Fender models, put in a vintage wiring harness and replaced stings and Pickguard.
Tokai ES60. Upgraded pickups to Bare Knuckle Stormy Mondays, vintage style wiring harness, fret level and setup.
Fender Jaguar Mex. Upgraded bridge pickup to a Dimarzio Gravity Storm Humbucker, vintage style wiring harness and setup.
Hagstrom Viking, Bare Knuckel Pickups, Vintage Wiring Harness and Setup
Epiphone Les Paul Custom. Upgraded pickups to Bare Knuckle Stormy Mondays, vintage style wiring harness, Fret Level and setup.
Sunn Mustang Stratocaster. Completely stripped to bare wood and stained with walnut, Seymour Duncan (50’s style pickups) Vintage Wiring Harness, Fender USA locking tuners, etc etc
Fender Mexican Telecaster. Fender Texas (1980’s USA) Pickups, Vintage Wiring Harness, Fender USA locking tuners.
Epiphone Les Paul. Upgraded pickups to Seymour Duncan, vintage style wiring harness and setup.
(one of my own) Epiphone Les Paul. Upgraded pickups to Bare Knuckle Peter Green (out of phase), vintage style wiring harness, control knobs and setup.
(one of my own) Epiphone ES 355. Upgraded pickups to Bare Knuckle Stormy Mondays, vintage style wiring harness, setup, roller bridge, control knobs, truss cover etc etc…