Axis? Or Axis Sport? Advice needed...

[whitestrat]

I'm thinking of ordering an Axis-shaped guitar..., mainly cos I've caught the EVH bug recently... Here are my concerns about the Axis:

1. Maple Fretboard (I much prefer this to be in RW, cos I intend to play the guitar lots, and am too lazy to CLEAN it... except using wipes, of course)
2. I'm not that big a FR fan, but as I understand it, the FR on the Axis can only be used to do divebombs?
3. I'm thinking of getting a solid colour. Any reasons why I should stick to the trans finishes? For solid colours, I'm thinking of black... Anyone got pics? I know there's one running around. For the trans colour, it would most likely be either cherry burst or trans red. Though I'm leaning a bit towards Pacific Blue Burst too...
4. I only want humbuckers

All in all, does the ASS sound the same as the Axis? I want that 80s EVH kinda sound, and I'm worried that the extra tone knob on the ASS adds a load to the whole circuit, and might affect it slightly...

I've rarely played these, and am quite attracted to the shape, just that there's no forearm contour, but I'll get used to it. Do they come with tummy cuts? I can't remember...

 

[TNT]

Yeah,

The EVH sound would certainly be the Axis. A "solid" color would be cool, but always remember the "creme" binding when selecting colors!!

 

[chrisglancy]

Any Axis is a good Axis!

They are so awesome, especially when you crank them up in a band, the guitar really sings and cuts through!

Great Pikups

Big old man sized neck

great !!!

go for it!

 

[whitestrat]

Yeah,

The EVH sound would certainly be the Axis. A "solid" color would be cool, but always remember the "creme" binding when selecting colors!!

You mean it's not standard????

But Axis? or Axis Sport? For the tone I want, does it have to be an Axis? or can I just go for an Axis Sport?

 

[steveh]

I had both (+ EVH) and the ASS sounds pretty much the same as the Axis, but with more coil options and a much more versatile trem IMHO. If you need this + a RW board then it has to be the ASS. If you want 80's EVH you won't be disappointed...not one bit.

One caveat - I had an Axis sport that sounded quite a bit different - poplar body IIRC. The Axis and ASS are both basswood/maple top and that has a lot to do with the sound.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[fogman]

 

[mb99zz]

I'd personally recommend the Axis Sport or Super Sport over the Axis. I can only speak to the Axis Super Sport vs the Axis, but I suspect the Sport and Super Sports are very similar. When I compared the ASS to the Axis, I found that they sounded very similar. The 5-way switch gave the Axis Super Sport much more sound range (IMHO). Also, I really dislike FRs. They're just not my thing. To me, the standard EBMM tremelo is just fine.

I also tend to prefer RW FBs. So, the decision for me was a simple one -- Axis Super Sport with RW FB. In terms of solid colors, the black Axis looks very sharp. I think it goes well with the creme binding and the pickups. I've only ever seen Black, Blue, and Gold (maybe medallion) in person. All of them looked great. The only reason you may want to look at a trans. color over solid is resale -- if that's even a concern. I only say this because it seems like most folks have trans finishes and that may be what resale buyers are also looking for. Just a thought.

 

[mb99zz]

[/QUOTE]

PBB....mmm. That was my second color choice. Such a nice looking color on the Axis.

 

[whitestrat]

Wow!!! Thanks Foggy.... Can anyone tell me the difference between Black and Sapphire black???

 

[whitestrat]

I had both (+ EVH) and the ASS sounds pretty much the same as the Axis, but with more coil options and a much more versatile trem IMHO. If you need this + a RW board then it has to be the ASS. If you want 80's EVH you won't be disappointed...not one bit.

One caveat - I had an Axis sport that sounded quite a bit different - poplar body IIRC. The Axis and ASS are both basswood/maple top and that has a lot to do with the sound.

Cheers,
Steve

Thanks! What do you mean the ASS had a poplar body?

 

[mbgreene]

Thanks! What do you mean the ASS had a poplar body?

No - the Super Sport is basswood with a maple cap with the humbuckers, same as the Axis (ash with maple for the mm90's).

The old Sports were solid ash with no caps

The pickups are the same but the tone does put the extra load on - I believe Tim O'Sullivan has disconnected all his ASS tone pots to match his Axis sounds.

 

[Astrofreq]

I believe Tim O'Sullivan has disconnected all his ASS tone pots to match his Axis sounds.

I did the same thing and I would say that it STILL doesn't pack the punch of an Axis. Still sounds great though.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I did the same thing and I would say that it STILL doesn't pack the punch of an Axis. Still sounds great though.

It sounded much better without it though!

 

[whitestrat]

Hmm... Maybe I could get an ASS and disable the tone knob for the bridge pickup... Interesting idea...

 

[GWDavis28]

If you can get your hands on an Axis Sport, I would highly recommend it, they are great guitars and you can usually get one for a decent price. There was just something special about my Axis Sport, GrumpyOldMan can tell you all about it, they are just wicked!!!!

I think there will be one in my long, distant future.

Glenn |B)

 

[whitestrat]

If you can get your hands on an Axis Sport, I would highly recommend it, they are great guitars and you can usually get one for a decent price. There was just something special about my Axis Sport, GrumpyOldMan can tell you all about it, they are just wicked!!!!

I think there will be one in my long, distant future.

Glenn |B)

That's just it... I'm tryint to decide between an Axis and an ASS. I've got an inclination I should get an ASS, but I want to know they key differences in tone. I'm not too big an FR fan, but if the Axis tone can only be gotten from an Axis, and not an ASS, then I need to think CAREFULLY...

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

EVH great dripping gobs of balls out thick tone.

Sport same in your face tone but will audible differences due to the wood. Very punchy. It's a heavy beast though.

Super Sport very versatile but thinner sounding than the above two to my ears.

 

[Compact Diss]

Just ordered a SuperSport yesterday, why limit myself on options. I want all the different tone I can squeeze out of the thing,

 

[kompressaur]

this blue pearl hardtail belongs to DLloyd on these boards nowadays. was a weak moment when I sold it for it was a wonderful guitar.

still,this helps me forget

I like the tone of the FR Axis best of the 3 models mentioned

Komp