by John Kindred
Staff Writer
Continuing to explore pickups produced by Sounds of SINS, we turn to Chris Carter’s latest creation, the AXIS Clones Custom Humbucker. Packaged as a matched set (bridge and neck pickup), again, the quality of each pickup is flawless. The AXIS Clones Custom Humbuckers feature expert craftsmanship and as always only the best parts available.
The Sound of Sin AXIS Clones Custom humbucker aims is to recreate a close representation of the late ‘70s early ‘80s Van Halen sound. To create this reproduction, Carter winds each coil to resemble a Gibson ES 335 PAF pickup. He then overwinds each coil to fill the bobbin as it would have been done by the master himself, Eddie Van Halen. Due to this technique, each pickup varies in resistance. Ultimately, this asymmetrical coil configuration produces tones that are powerful with plenty of warmth and mid-range punch.
SPECS:
• 42 AWG Heavy Gauge insulation.
• HEAVY-NICKEL BASE PLATES.
• Rough Cast Alnico magnet.
• NECK @ 14K
• BRIDGE @ 16k
After getting the through technical jargon, we are left with installation and finally sound checking the pickups.
Performance and response of the AXIS Clones Custom Humbucker when coloring the sound with distortion: The most obvious characteristic of the bridge pickup is its balanced and smooth response. No matter what level of distortion is added to the signal, the pickup retains its clarity whether picking single notes of strumming chords. Since the bridge and neck pickups are wired to almost the same resistance, the volume doesn’t drop off when switching between the pickups. One doesn’t overpower the other.
Typically, the bass heaviness of the neck pickup is noticeable while using the neck pickup. The EV neck pickup doesn’t follow this trend. There definitely is a difference between bridge and neck pickup. But the transition is more subtle; the neck pickup, while having the bass heavy tonality, doesn’t get muddy and make the notes indistinguishable.
The bridge pickup also features a good balance between bass, mid- and treble-sound ranges. No range dominants the other; there truly is a nice balance when transitioning from low to high notes. When playing solos, the notes jump out at you, whether playing fast or slow. Rhythms are crisp and also aren’t muddy. The notes within the chords are distinguishable, whether hammering them out or arpeggiating the notes.
Performance and response of the AXIS Clones Custom Humbucker when played without distortion:
When playing with the pickups with clean a tonality, they continue to maintain the same characteristics as when distortion is used to color the sound. All the balance between the two pickups still exists. Not having a bass-heavy neck pickup means playing full-chord rhythms, especially in the open position, still has a deep, almost acoustic, guitar sound but has a little more bite with the highs cutting through and not sounding muddy. Whether individually using the neck and bridge or using them together, it’s easy to get a nice bluesy tone.
Overall, the quality of construction and dynamic sound produced by the AXIS Clones Custom Humbucker is more than impressive. If you are in the market for upgrading your sound, consider trying out Sound of Sin pickups. They are more affordable than boutique pickups and are better in quality than cheap, no-name knockoffs. Having used DiMarzio and Seymour Duncan pickups, Sounds of Sin pickups are of the same caliber of quality. They are not massed produced; each pickup unique as they are hand-wound. Definitely Sounds of Sin pickups are worth checking out.
About Sounds of Sin:
With a goal to create the highest-quality pickups on the market at an affordable price, the Sound of Sin’s pickup line, whether stock models or custom builds, are built to outperform today’s expensive aftermarket replacement pickups. They also offer a higher level of superiority to the low-cost, foreign-manufactured aftermarket pickups that are sold on eBay.
Chris Carter, who owns and operates Sounds of Sin, custom builds guitar pickups to your specifications in the United States. And if it isn’t right the first time, Carter will work with you, without additional charge, until it is. Unless you are a known signed artist, Dimarzio and Seymour Duncan won’t give you the time of day after initial purchase.
You can find out more about Sounds of Sin on MySpace http://www.myspace.com/soundofsinpickups or checkout their eBay store http://stores.ebay.com/Jitterbugs-Music-and-Collectibles.