Has MM started making thier guitars over seas

[vexed73]

Very Nice Ernie Ball Axis Sport and Case - USA Made -NR - eBay (item 200262970210 end time Oct-19-08 13:05:34 PDT)

I didnt realize that MM quality has declined over the past eight years or am I not understanding his description?

 

[kneeoh]

This guy is basically talking out his ass. I think he believes that OLP's are actually EBMM's instead of the (formally) licensed products they are (were). Not to fear... all MM's are US made.

 

[vexed73]

Yeah didnt think about the OLPs. You would think he could have comunicated that better.

 

[morsecode]

I'm not sure if really understand the original post particularly around the reference to MM quality. I recall reading somewhere on this forum that there was a brief period where some EBMM's were made or assembled in Japan (I think it was Japan anyway).

It's not the best written item description, but the pictures of the guitar would suggest that it is a Music Man and the seller has 100% feedback of 250.

I'd say it's worth investigating further with the seller and getting some more details on the guitar including the condition and serial no.

 

[Big Poppa]

For several years we approved of a limited number of instruments to be made in Japan for the Japanese market they were designated "ex" they are no longer made but were top quality.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

3 hours left and no bids. Quite a reasonable price. If I did eBay (I don't), I'd be all over this one.

jack

 

[Eilif]

The auction ended with no bids. It seems a shame that nobody grabbed it for only $695.

 

[TNT]

Buy ONLY the "real" deal!!! You'll be glad you did!

 

[azazael]

For several years we approved of a limited number of instruments to be made in Japan for the Japanese market they were designated "ex" they are no longer made but were top quality.

I remember 2 or 3 years ago I was trying to get an Axis EX from Japan. They had one in a pink quilt and I was desperate for it. However, although I knew the quality would be great It was all pricing up to cost as much as a new USA Axis so I decided against it. I had assumed because they were made in Japan they would been a fair bit cheaper.

What about the materials BP? was the wood sourced from Japan?
Excuse my ignorance I am not familiar with what trees are in what parts of the world lol

 

[Colin]

I remember 2 or 3 years ago I was trying to get an Axis EX from Japan. They had one in a pink quilt and I was desperate for it. However, although I knew the quality would be great It was all pricing up to cost as much as a new USA Axis so I decided against it. I had assumed because they were made in Japan they would been a fair bit cheaper.

What about the materials BP? was the wood sourced from Japan?
Excuse my ignorance I am not familiar with what trees are in what parts of the world lol

I think the maple caps where a different size so they could be identified as an EX model...

 

[whitestrat]

For several years we approved of a limited number of instruments to be made in Japan for the Japanese market they were designated "ex" they are no longer made but were top quality.

I've tried the Axis EX models in Tokyo... They are awesome! In a blind test, I can't tell the difference between a real US Axis and an EX... Those are seriously good.

But are the tops veneers? Cos they look too good to be true.

 

[Shadowbox]

I've never played an EX, but I would guess it plays very well. I've played a number of Japanese-built guitars on stage (Ibanez, Yamaha, etc.), and they were all built well and played well. The builds were obviously done efficiently and cleanly. Having played an SLO-built Axis, Silo, Silo special (Thanks Mike!), AL, & Petrucci, I'm now a bit spoiled. The SLO-built guitars blow the others out of the water, from wood quality to production nuance.

That being said, a buyer of an EX would probably get a very well-built guitar. I only hope that the seller is doing so to finance a new Ball!

 

[Eilif]

I think I remember hearing that the EX tops were one piece (as opposed to book matched) maple.

 

[whitestrat]

I think I remember hearing that the EX tops were one piece (as opposed to book matched) maple.

Correct. I saw those to be 1 piece maples. But are they veneers over plain maple tops?