Newby here Can you tell me about the SBMM AX40

**mrfunnyman** · 10-14-2009, 01:03 AM

Hi
I'm new to the forum and I was wondering if you fellas on here could gimme some info on the new SBMM AX40, how is the overall quality and playability compared to an EBMM Axis I have never played an Axis guitar but I tried out a AX40 in a local GC and I was really impressed with the guitar to the point where I am thinking about picking it up today I seriuously cant stop thinking about the guitar.

**fbecir** · 10-14-2009, 01:26 AM

Hello and welcome !

I did not try the AX40, but there is a very good review in Guitar&Bass (a magazine from UK). The review in Guitar&Bass are honest (if a product sucks, they do not hesitate to flame it).
I think you cannot go wrong with an AX40.

**nobozos** · 10-14-2009, 08:39 AM

I've had the opportunity to play these, as well as owning a few Axis's.

I would like to start by saying that the AX40 is a very good guitar for the price. The hardware, while it is lower grade than the Axis, is pretty high quality for the money. The overall look of the guitar is impressive. The electronics on the guitar are adequate, but pro players will probably want to upgrade the pickups, switch and jack. Besides the hardware, the only obvious cosmetic difference between the Axis and AX40 will be the pickup routes. The AX40 has square cut-outs for the pickup legs, while the Axis cut-outs are triangular. This will make the AX40 more easy to switch out the pickups for another type.

Now, on to playability. Of course, the overall size and dimensions of the AX40 makes it feel very similar to the Axis. The neck however, has a slightly different profile than the Axis. It is close, but noticibly different. The other difference in the neck is that the AX40 neck is a finished neck, made to feel un-finished. They did a really good job in this regard, but it is not the oil-wax finish that is on the Axis. The Trem operation is really smooth, and not noticibly different to the Axis when playing.

The most notable difference in construction is the lack of an actual maple cap on the AX40. While the quilt veneer is very well done, and beautiful, there is no tone altering maple cap on the guitar. It is just a thin sheet of veneer that will not have an impact on the tone of the guitar. The builders did do a pretty good job of voicing the pickups to compensate for the lack of maple mass in the guitar body, and arrived at a tone pretty similar to the Axis.

The last thing I will add is to make sure that the AX40 you play has a proper set-up before you decide whether or not to purchase one. I have come across more than one that needed some adjustment from the factory. If the guitar is set-up properly, with the trem level with the body, and the neck proplerly shimmed, it is really a great playing guitar.

**browndog** · 10-14-2009, 08:47 AM

I own both and I would highly recommend the AX40. I’m not a professional player so my Axis spends a lot of the time in its case to keep it in mint shape. I mostly play the AX40 now.

It is well built and feels just like my Axis. I got it right out of the box completely in tune and the set up was perfect. The strings were about a 16“ of an inch away from the frets and not one buzzing fret.

**mrfunnyman** · 10-14-2009, 10:20 AM

Thank's for all your guys input on the AX40, I was just trying to find out about this guitar b/c I found an EBMM Axis in a store for $749.00 and that includes all hardware and the OHSC, it has a transparent gold finish, but then on the other hand they gut I was dealing with at GC told me he could give me the AX40 out the door for $515.00 and sum change, so I'm a little torn now either spend the extra $250 for a real EBMM or just play it cool and buy the AX40 as planned. Ahh choices.

**the24thfret** · 10-14-2009, 10:30 AM

$250 isn't much of a difference!

**zombi** · 10-14-2009, 11:46 AM

The AX40 is worth every penny you will spend. So is the axis. That's basicly what it comes down to...

It isn't an axis, but it is, nonetheless, a great guitar for the money. If it wasn't, it wouldn't bear the MusicMan name whatsoever. BP is careful about liscensing the MM designs. There are differences between them though. My recommendation? If you like the AX40, get it and let it hold you over until you find the right axis. The AX40 would make for a great backup or gigging axe.

**zombi** · 10-14-2009, 11:49 AM

But for $250 difference I would go with the legit axis...

Just a heads up, we aren't supposed to discuss retail pricing openly on the forum.

**nobozos** · 10-14-2009, 01:08 PM

If the Axis is in good shape, I would get that over the AX40 for sure. At the price you stated for the Axis, It's a steal. There is enough of a difference between the two to justify the extra $250.

**telemike** · 10-14-2009, 01:10 PM

If you can afford the extra $250 without going into debt, go for the "real" deal. If all you have is about $500-600 then the AX40 is a smart choice.

I don't think BP would let inferior product out there bring down the EBMM name.

**Sub1 Zero** · 10-14-2009, 01:15 PM

Also consider that resale will be much stronger on the Axis, should you need to sell.

**Jack FFR1846** · 10-14-2009, 01:18 PM

You may want to clarify with the store.....$749 is actually low for a used EBMM Axis and I'd suspect it's an Axis Sport. A new one will be far more expensive. If that really is a new Axis price, please PM me...I'll buy it sight unseen.

**roburado** · 10-14-2009, 01:38 PM

One of these days, I'd love to get my hands on a sparkle-color Axis Sport.

**mrfunnyman** · 10-14-2009, 06:05 PM

Here is a pic of the used EBMM Axis I just bought, and yes I paid what I said I paid, they actually had it priced higher but they sent me this pic and the price tag in the pic had a lower price on it than what they were advertising online so they had to drop the price down to what it showed in the pic they sent me. The store manager was really cool about dropping the price and they got a happy customer out of the whole thing who can't wait for his first EBMM Axis to show up. It comes with the original case and all the hardware from what they said, the GC manager who I dealt with said it has some chips missing and the back has some belt buckle rash but he said the neck is in excellent condition. As soon as I get it I'll post more pix.