New Axis SS continues to impress

[spychocyco]

So now I've had the volume up on last week's purchase a few times, and I'm impressed and a bit surprised. I knew that the ASS would give me a little more range than my Axis just by virtue of pickup combinations and the tone knob, but by and large, I thought they'd sound about the same. I'm noticing a lot of differences. Even with tone and volume maxed out on the bridge pickup, the ASS seems to have just a little bit more clarity and depth than my Axis. With my sloppy playing, I don't know if that's necessarily all good.

I thought I was getting an un-Floyded version of my Axis, but I'm actually pleasantly surprised to have a slightly different voice in the arsenal, too. Now, if only my skills were worthy.

[xjbebop]

Nice post.
It's amazing how such similar MM instruments can give such different results sometimes!

[berkleeguitar]

I have owned both regular Axis guitars and Axis SS guitars. I agree with you that there is a slight difference in tonality between the two. I wonder if the slight difference in routing causes the variation? More wood is removed on the SS for the additional controls.

[spychocyco]

Could be. My SS is the PDN, so it has some slightly different materials, too -- roasted neck and ebony board. I was wondering if that might account for it.

[xjbebop]

Different trems...different circiuts with the tone pot...all those things add up....

[beej]

Indeed. The bridges make a big difference, as does the extra load from the tone pot. (That's easy enough to change on either guitar.)