25th Ann versus Axis SS

[daddystarbucks]

Hey Guys,

I know this is an impossible question to answer, but I'm about to spring ~2K for either a 25th Anniversary or an Axis SS.

Playing mostly classic rock, lite metal, some pop.

I've heard the Axis and like it...haven't had a chance to hear the 25th in person.

I know they both have DiMarzio pups but I guess they are different.

Anyone played both and if so, what were your impressions?

Thanks,

Rob

[beej]

First off, they're physically different. The body on the 25 is larger, contoured, chambered and has a mahogany tone block. The neck profile is also different, it's closer to the Silhouette Special and doesn't have the asymmetrical neck carve the Axis does.

Sonically, the humbucker tones are similar. The 25th has a little more girth in the low mids (as the guitars with the tone blocks seem to). The 25th also feels a little more "alive", for lack of a better term. The chambering adds to the feeling that the guitar is more resonant. The 25th also has a switch to put the HBs in series or parallel. In parallel, the bridge or neck sounds more like a single coil, gives you more highs, less mids and is a little more chimey.

Both are great guitars. I think you get a little more in the 25th package, personally, but again it does feel different to play so it's not for everyone. (It's for me, though.)

[bkrumme]

+1 to what beej said.

The 25th is a killer guitar. I don't get along well with the Axis neck, but I get along great with the 25th. Tones are similar to me. Played an Axis SS at GC here in Cincinnati that sounded great.

The series/parallel switch adds a pretty significant dimension to the capabilities of the 25th. The chambering does make the guitar resonate differently as well.

[colinboy]

I agree with the boys above.Get a 25th if you still can as there not making them anymore.

[ScoobySteve]

25th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has the versatility to play all the genre's that you've just listed. It's one of those instrument you just have to play to see for yourself.

[brokenvail]

I love both although my ASS is the rosewood model so it is a little further from the 25th. I hear a lot of differences but they are in the small details. The notes jump off the guitars differently. The 25th is infact more alive, you can feel it against your body vibrating. The pups are the same so the overtones are the difference . The tone block effects the made range in the 25th. It is a bit smoother. Over all the 25th is more flexable. Keep in mind the ASS is flexable the 25th just takes that flexability to the next level.

[Sweat]

Comparing a 25th and a ASS is like comparing apples and oranges, completely different guitars, both are awesome but different, I like both, so buy both

[Colin]

the 25th is truly an amazing guitar even acoustically you can feel and hear the difference

[Eilif]

The 25th is tremendously comfortable; it just might be the most comfortable guitar EBMM has ever made, maybe even more so than the Silhouette. It's light, feels right, and the balance is excellent. I almost bought one for the feel alone. :-)

The neck is a little flatter (12") than that of the Axis SS (10"), and the back of the neck is more symmetrical, so the neck feels different. I like both necks and can't say which I prefer, but you may favor one over the other.

The sound is the other difference. The sounds are similar (the ability of the 25th to switch between parallel and series modes notwithstanding) as the pickups are pretty much the same, but there *is* enough of a difference that, again, you may find you favor one over the other.

You might want to wait until the Reflex becomes available so you can try one out. It's too difficult to gauge the differences between the two guitars without having played them both.

If you like the Axis SS, I think you will like the 25th (or the Reflex), but you really need to try them out so you can decide for yourself which one you like more.

[daddystarbucks]

Thanks everyone.

I ordered a 25th from MF today. They only had a few left in stock.

Feels strange buying a guitar I've never seen or played.

Hope it gets here in one piece!

I'll post up a pic next week.

Rob

[ScoobySteve]

Can't wait! I've had mine for a little over 8 months now, and I absolutely love my guitar. Absolutely love it.

[daddystarbucks]

[Stratty316]

very nice choice... the Axis SS is an amazing guitar, but it will be available for a long time... the 25th is something special, even though the Reflex is coming soon

[DrGonzo5150]

Amazing top!
Nice guitar

[Ricman]

What a top!!!! Congrats, you must be over the moon. How does she play/sound?