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 lower end 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 normally Grover tuners. Its basically everything you would get from a Gibson, with close up inspection, it really is every bit as good especially 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 great, 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 fret levelling and a 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 of your choice – we can help you choose.
- New wiring harness with CTS Pots and high end Capacitors including a Switchcraft switch and jack socket.
- Complete setup
You end up with a guitar that plays, sounds and looks incredible. built to you taste in tone, 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 your to frightened to use, then its a great guitar to play and enjoy at home, studio or gigging.
It’s just the same with Fenders, you can buy a good Mexican Fender new or used, replace electrics and pickups, a little customising, (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!
Epiphone ES 355
Upgraded pickups to Bare Knuckle Stormy Mondays, vintage style wiring harness, setup, roller bridge, control knobs, truss cover etc
Fender Stratocaster Mexican 2002
On this Axeify project everything was replaced that was not made of wood! A complete upgrade of all parts…
Fender Telecaster Thinline Mexican
Bare Knuckle Flat 50’s pickups, Fitted a Vintage Wiring Harness, Setup, Fret level 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!“
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!
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 Knuckle 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 Stratocaster USA 1989 Partscaster Project
Fender Stratocaster USA 2004 (Road Worn) Complete Overhaul & Upgrade
Fender Stratocaster Mex Complete Upgrade (Axeify)
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Pro Complete Upgrade (Axeify)