Musicman Axis

[BloodRose]

Ive always heard how nice these are and I recently played one of the Sterling ones and was pretty impressed. I know the pups are proprietary and all that. You guys that have have them, you really pleased? Are the pups anything like the Wolfgang pups tonally? Anything else you'd share about them? Frets big?

This one caught my eye. Love the top, but dont like the burst.
http://www.wildwestguitars.com/ernie...BlueBurst.html

[aleclee]

My Axis SuperSport pretty much made me forget my PRS guitars. Absolutely love it. The SuperSport has a 5-way that covers a lot of tonal territory. If you do your own setups, you'll love the truss rod wheel. It makes it ridiculously easy to tweak neck relief.

Frets are on the vintage side in terms of size. Supposedly most DMZ pickups will fit. Are you thinking about the Axis (w/Floyd) or Axis SuperSport (hardtail or vintage trem)? You're kind of stuck choosing between the Floyd and a 5-way switch + tone control.

Lots of good info to be found on the Music Man forum. Sterling Ball posts there pretty regularly.

[ArtieToo]

I don't have one, but I'm pleased.

EB/MM makes some cool guitars.

[devastone]

I had one, awesome guitars, but they are based on the, uhmmm, I really hate to say it, but they are based on the EVH model (please don't let it start here too). So, it has small vintage frets, a roundish/asymmetrical neck, and 1-5/8" nut. Normally I like bigger frets, but it didn't take long to fall in love with the Axis. One of those "wish I still had" guitars.

[Ed Hunter]

Ive always heard how nice these are and I recently played one of the Sterling ones and was pretty impressed. I know the pups are proprietary and all that. You guys that have have them, you really pleased? Are the pups anything like the Wolfgang pups tonally? Anything else you'd share about them? Frets big?

This one caught my eye. Love the top, but dont like the burst.
http://www.wildwestguitars.com/ernie...BlueBurst.html

Blood, the pu's are much better sounding than the wolfgangs. the WG's are harsh sounding and the dimarzio custom would ones in the axis are the bee's knee's! the EBMM one will feel about 3 times nicer than the indonesian sterling you played. the sterling does not have the gun stock oiled neck but the profile and vibe are close enough for some.

[BloodRose]

thanks all! Aleclee, Id want the wigglestick.. And yes, I do most all my own tweaking.. All sounds good except I like big fat frets..

[WhoFan]

i want one of these bad... love the slippery necks... only minor complaint is i prefer slightly larger frets than the Axis's, but i could grow to like them super fast... if i had the capitol i'd already own one...

[UberMetalDood]

Musicman guitars are incredible. Even Joe Bonamassa plays them. My Reflex is one of the best guitars I've ever played.

[Pierre]

These are incredible. I tend to shy away from Floyded axes these days but an Axis is a thing of glory and that Pacific blue burst is incredible. Those necks are to die for.

[aleclee]

thanks all! Aleclee, Id want the wigglestick..

FWIW, the vintage trem on the SS is quite good. Keep in mind that the trems on both models aren't floating. They're all the way down on the deck.

[JeffB]

These guitars have their quirks that are not my cup of tea, but I don't think any (sane) person can dispute the quality and playability. MM are excellent instruments!

[kramer.geetar]

Giggity!

That Axis you posted is also up on fleabay. Amazing guitars, quality through and through. You won't mind the smaller frets, they are jumbo's but they aren't tiny. I bought mine used, its a 2003 but it was in amazing condition. Price was half of a new one. I'd try to score a used one first, might save you a load of $$.

[IanBallard]

I know it's nit-picky but I wish they'd remove the ugly-ass "AXIS" logo from the headstock. Makes it look kinda cheap to me.

But they are amazing-playing guitars. The pickups are very "high-fi" so if you want vintage tones, you'll have to swap. It the first time I used a non-OFR type floyd and one of the reasons why I have a Gotoh on my guitar. They're just so much better, IMO.

[BloodRose]

FWIW, the vintage trem on the SS is quite good. Keep in mind that the trems on both models aren't floating. They're all the way down on the deck.

I actually prefer an on deck floyd as I dont back pull much and restringing and setup are easier.

I doubt Ill get one. If I do, it can only be after I sell a bunch (no luck these days) and Ill go used. I see em up all over. Which is something that concerned me.. I dont mind used as long as it isnt ragged out..