Question: MM Axis SS and Charvel

[sandmannn69]

Hi,

New to forum and possibly on the verge of becoming an MM user.
Tried out this beauty at GC yesterday for about an hour.
Buy Music Man Axis SuperSport HH Electric Guitar | Solid Body Electric Guitars | Musician's Friend

Really like the sound versatility and maple neck. Comped it with my Charvel SD, different neck shape kind of like the Musikraft offset C on my VH clone. It's priced in the store at below costs according to the sale_dude which is pretty low for this model, thinking about picking it up. Only thing stopping me is the neck feel, seems too small for my spider fingers even though its the same size/shape as my Musikraft. Only thing I can think of is the fretwire, cause I use jumbo on all my gear and I'm pretty sure the MM is not jumbo. The MM neck kind of slows me down, maybe getting too much board??? Heard that's what Ed likes about this setup.

Anybody out there know what size the fretwire is on this model, or for that matter play a EBMM ASS and a Charvel/other axe with Jumbo fretwire? At this price, I would probably be able to adapt....

Cool forum, BTW. Great to see Jamie Humphries on here, my favorite player from the LL DVDs.

[threeminutesboy]

Welcome and don't think too much take the ASS

And kindly edit your price as this is not allowed by forum rules

[sandmannn69]

Welcome and don't think too much take the ASS

And kindly edit your price as this is not allowed by forum rules

Thanks for heads up on the noob (price) move. I'm heading back down there now for another try. Problem is with the Jumbo frets, my left hand fingers haven't actually touched a board in years. 'cept when I play my old LP, but thats an ebony board-can't feel it.

At the price its listed, I could probably unload it for a profit if it wasnt' compatible with me.

[sandmannn69]

I vaguely remember a post from an EBMM employee that gave details on the size of the Axis frets.

My two main guitars are my Axis SS and a G&L Comanche refretted with 6100 stainless steel frets. I prefer the feel of the jumbo stainless. Bending and vibrato is easier and more satisfying. The differences are significant but you should be able to get used to it.

edit- Although I prefer the feel of the jumbos, the unfinished neck, body shape, trem and tone of my Axis SS has made it my main over my Comanche for at least a year now. I'm pretty monogamous with any current #1 and when I switch between my Comanche and Axis SS it only takes a day or two to get used to the fret size.

Thanks very much for the valuable info. Have 6100 Dunlop on 3 of my guitars, not steel tho. Will consider using it when I get the LP re-fretted.

Just spent an hour and a half playing it (EBMM), and felt right at home once I found the right amp. Also noticed the neck shape is actually less chunky than my musikraft clone. Pulled the trigger on that baby....now time for an ebay sale to pay for it.

[bbake1]

Good choice. I had a Charvel natural series swamp ash. Great guitar and awesome tones, but I could not get along with that neck. After selling my EVH years before I was always looking for that EVH/Axis feel. Found a good deal and haven't looked back since. The Axis neck just feels so good to me. Sold everything else from LPs, SG, Jackson just to have more Axis'.

[sandmannn69]

Good choice. I had a Charvel natural series swamp ash. Great guitar and awesome tones, but I could not get along with that neck. After selling my EVH years before I was always looking for that EVH/Axis feel. Found a good deal and haven't looked back since. The Axis neck just feels so good to me. Sold everything else from LPs, SG, Jackson just to have more Axis'.

Thanks. The charvel neck (to me) is the ultimate shredders neck for VH/80s rock. Got the Axis for the blues/classic rock material cause of its tonal versatility, but that neck is a killer, too. After I realized the fretwire was smaller, I just lightened up on the left-hand pressure a bit and wow-can't put it down now! I picked up an ESP few weeks ago cause I needed a hardtail for quicker tuning changes but turned out to be too dark. Its going up for sale now.
I won't be selling my LP, it'll be a collector next year but it aint gonna get much playing time between the MM and SD. Not crapping on ESP, good guitar but seems more suitable for heavy metal or rhythm work.

[sandmannn69]

Congrats - hopefully the Axis SS will work out for you. Although it's naturally a great rock guitar, it's also surprisingly versatile for a HH guitar and will cover a lot of tonal ground. (That's coming from a long-time die-hard HSS fan).

Thanks, its working out great. So far I've covered SRV, Cream Clapton, VH(of course), Zeppelin, ACDC, John Sykes....that little switch is getting a workout! Can't wait to get the plexi back from the shop and plug into this-guitar playin shouldn't be this much fun.

Do you know the specs on these pickups? Seem a little hot but very smooth, kind of like the Duncan custom custom.

[sandmannn69]

I dont know the specs on these - they're a custom model from Dimarzio and aren't available for separate purchase. I really like em too.

Cool, haven't used Dimarzios since college days but these are excellent.

Found this on Dimarzios website, probably been posted here many times:

"These pickups were only available as original equipment on the EVH MusicMan guitar. MusicMan replaced the Van Halen guitar with a very similar model called the Axis, which uses the same pickups. The closest-sounding pickups we offer are the Air Norton™ for the neck position and the Tone Zone® for the bridge position."

[Stratty316]

Air Norton and Tone Zone are good pickups on their own... not quite Axis/EVH... but very good tone. Put them in a W*&^%$#G that I had a few years back and it really made the guitar sound better. Dimarzio Blue Velvet pickups are great for a S&*^T

[shadowboxer]

Thanks, its working out great. So far I've covered SRV, Cream Clapton, VH(of course), Zeppelin, ACDC, John Sykes....that little switch is getting a workout!

That's a big part of the ASS's personality; the five switch positions don't just sound different - they all sound good and are useable!

re: frets...I agree, the frets weren't my favorite when I first received mine. Playing it back to back with my 6100SS-fretted guitar makes them seem too small, with too much fingerboard feel. However, if you stick with it for a while, it slowly seems to feel better until it's no big deal.

However - now the other guitar feels almost scalloped!

[sandmannn69]

That's a big part of the ASS's personality; the five switch positions don't just sound different - they all sound good and are useable!

re: frets...I agree, the frets weren't my favorite when I first received mine. Playing it back to back with my 6100SS-fretted guitar makes them seem too small, with too much fingerboard feel. However, if you stick with it for a while, it slowly seems to feel better until it's no big deal.

However - now the other guitar feels almost scalloped!

Right on, Shadowboxer....After playing the axis for a week alongside my San Dimas its no problem. The Charvel is still tops for shredding but the MM is the sh-- for everything else, jeez what a great axe! And best lookin one I've every owned by far.