My thoughts on the EBMM EVH

[nobozos]

Well, I got my first real opportunity to sit down with an EVH the other day at Guitar Center in Chicago. They had two, a black flame-top stop tail, and an amber quilt-top Floyd Rose model.
I played the amber one.

I've never had the chance to play one, and was always curious what the major difference was with the Axis. The first thing I did was pick up an Axis, and plugged it into a Mesa Dual Rectifier. I played it for a little bit, and then plugged in the EVH.

My initial impression on the sound was that the EVH was a little brighter sounding than the Axis. I'm not sure what to attribute this to since the pickups are supposed to be the same, but it was noticible.
Playability wise, the EVH had an extremely fast neck, with nice low action. I could sense that the neck was slightly different from the Axis, but I couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was(no pun intended).

I can see why the EBMM EVH owners say that they prefer the EVH to the Axis. There was a noticible difference in tone, and playability. That being said, I didn't think that the differences were dramatic enough to say that they are two different guitars.

I would have to say, I would love to have an EVH if I could afford one, but I'm satisfied with my Axis, even after playing the EVH. I always heard people talking about how different they are from the Axis, and wondered if I was missing out on something spectacular. I found the differences to be minor, and I think the Axis retains the overall character of the original EBMM EVH.

[hbucker]

I think you summed it up well. I think the EVH has a more comfortable, broken in feel to the neck. That's probably the biggest difference. I think the rear body contour on the Axis is an imrovement though.

I would never trade my EVH for an Axis but I think the Axis is an excellent instrument. I'm also a big believer that you get use to whatever you play. Given that, it wouldn't surprise me to hear that Axis owners actually prefer the feel of the Axis to the EVH.

I have to wonder how quality differs between the two since there are so many more Axis' guitars produced each year compared to only 1,000 each year of the EVH models when they were being produced. Seems they would have to make some shortcuts somewhere on the Axis but that's probably an unfair assumption. I'm not familiar with their production process.

[nobozos]

I'm not sure if it was just the age of the guitar or what, but the finish on the top of the EVH seemed to be different than the finish on the top of the Axis.

It would be interesting to find out if they are using a different kind of piant or topcoat on the Axis than they did on the EVH.
The top on the Axis seems to look "glassier" than the top on the EVH, like the EVH used some kind of varnish as opposed to a lacquer.

Other than that, I cannot detect any kind of quality differences between the two. I've heard some people say that the quality of the figuring on the maple tops has gone downhill, but the top on the EVH I played wasn't that impressive. The quilt just didn't have any depth, so I think it's always been kind of hit and miss with that.

[UGO]

I believe the quality of the two guitars is pretty much the same...
However the neck on the EHV is 1/32" more narrow than the axis.....
I fell deeply in love with the EVH in 1991. It still Is a work of art that should have never been altered. I would have owned at least one.....but I am a lefty....I almost bought a fixed bridge version and flipped it, but couldn't get myself to acctualy do it.....I may get a axis super sport...But the EVH still is the best in my opinion.

[dwf1004]

Call it what you will, but after owning and playing both, the sequel is NEVER better than the original. (Why do you think I'm replacing my Axis with a second EVH?) :-)

Darrell

P.S. Yes, IMHO, the quilt quality (of the wood, not the construction) has gone down post-EVH. I had a red Axis that had just an ungodly quilt on it. I kicked that thing to the curb (not literally) like it was my old lady. ;-)

[patvh1]

I own both myself, and one thing that does bug my a little is where they put the pickup selector on the Axis. On the EVH, the switch is out of the way, where as on my Axis i kinda don't like it being under the volume knob, but that's just me. I love them both, and would like to get another Axis someday(I'm heading towards the Aqua Blue!) If the wife will let me!

[AVH]

Technically, I think the EVH had the "digitally laser scanned" neck of Eddie's 5150 Kramers so that's why you get the worn in feel.

The Axis obviously doesn't have the same neck. I think the Axis pickups are not the same as the "custom" DiMarzios in the EVH.
The controls are different so I would never consider them to be a before endorsement and after endorsement guitars. They are totally different except for the body shape.

Having owned both, I think the Steve Morse is the best EBMM guitar out there. I just do not like playing single-cut guitars much. The Luke is also a monster of a guitar too. The Petrucci is over-priced and the knobs are too small/low for me and comes in a close 3rd. JMHO.

[hbucker]

Originally posted by AVH
Technically, I think the EVH had the "digitally laser scanned" neck of Eddie's 5150 Kramers so that's why you get the worn in feel.

You are CORRECT Sir!
(that's an impersination of Phil Hartman doing an impersination of Ed McMahon)

[UGO]

Let me set the record straight regarding the neck and the Pickups....

THE PICKUPS: The pickups in the Axis Are the same pickups that were on the original EVH.....Music man has the patened, not EVH. That is why eddie had to redesign the pickups for the peavey Wolfgang.

THE NECK: The only difference in the neck on the Axis as opposed to the neck on the EVH is the fact that the width is 1/32nd wider on the upper-registar.
The neck still has the same Asymetrical worn-in side to it. You can feel it. This info comes straight from Music Man.

I don't know why there is so much mis-information about this guitar. The Axis is every-bit as much of a guitar as the EVH.

LONG LIVE ERNIE BALL, THE AXIS GUITAR AND EDDIE VAN HALEN

FOR THEY ARE ALL GREAT!

[hbucker]

Fair enough.

It isn't an insult as far as I'm concerned but there is a considerable difference in feel between the two necks. Many would probably prefer the Axis to the EVH so it isn't an issue of "best". I prefer the EVH and notice the difference every time I pick up an Axis.

When it comes to necks, a slight difference in specs can make big difference in feel. That's why the "perfect" neck can be so hard to define.

[UGO]

agreed hbucker...agreed...

I might also be jealous because I'm a lefty and could never get an original EVH!

[nobozos]

I really wasn't trying to hit any sore spots with anyone with the old "Axis vs. EVH" arguement.

I was merely trying to offer an opinion as to what differences I noticed between the two guitars.

I understand that owners of the original EBMM-EVH feel a tremendous amount of pride about their guitars, as well they should. I did say that there was a noticable difference between the two guitars. I wasn't trying to imply that if someone has an Axis, that it's the same as having an EVH.

I guess my point was this:

If you are going to get a guitar with the intention of having that EVH sound and feel, the Axis will get you there. You can get a brand new Axis for probably $1300.00. If you can get a EBMM EVH in new condition for that kind of coin, more power to you.
Most of the ones I've seen are $2000.00 and up. All I'm saying is, I don't think that the differences are great enough between the two guitars to spend an extra $700.00 to $1500.00 on a used EVH as opposed to a new Axis.

On the other hand, new Wolfgangs list for what, $2100.00?
You've got a better chance of sprouting another penis than of seeing me buy a new Wolfgang over a used EBMM-EVH for the same money, and the EVH could be in any condition.

[UGO]

Amen!

that's some funny ****!

Wolfgang to me is just Eddies son....not his guitar. That guitar has
always bothered me...talk about a bad neck! It confuses me as to how that
neck was ever produced....comming from the original EEMM EVH neck?

From soup to nuts..all that guitar is, is a rip-off of the EEMM EVH. PERIOD.

You have some solid views, i must say.....do have any pics of your guits?

[hbucker]

Originally posted by UGO
Amen!

that's some funny ****!

Wolfgang to me is just Eddies son....not his guitar. That guitar has
always bothered me...talk about a bad neck! It confuses me as to how that
neck was ever produced....comming from the original EEMM EVH neck?

From soup to nuts..all that guitar is, is a rip-off of the EEMM EVH. PERIOD.

You have some solid views, i must say.....do have any pics of your guits?

Is this from the guy who gets upset about misinformation? On one hand your slamming it for being a "rip-off" On the other hand it sounds like you're slamming it for having a completly different neck. So is it bad becuause it's different or because it's a ripoff? The same guy designed both guitars. I think his tastes are consistantly reflected in both.

I own an EBMM/EVH and two different Woflgangs. I have to say I like every one of them and each has it's strong points. I understand if you don't prefer Wolves over the EBMM products but I personally think your statement was a bit exadurated.

EBMM makes great products. They speak for themselves without having to slam other products to make them look better.

[UGO]

OK—

I'm not trying to make EBMM products looks any better or worse or anything.

It's just a fact...the Peavey is a RIP-OFF of the original. PERIOD.

They coppied everything from the headstock...to the binding...to the pickup design...to the truss rod wheel....to the unfinished neck......to quilt top.....to the body shape.....It's not even a subtle take on the original.....

And I love Eddie just as much as the next person....BUT don't be gullable enough to think that the original EBMM EVH wasn't a STRONG collabaration between the two....It's a stolen design as far as I'm concerned..... A rehashed work of art.....