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hbucker

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Oct 11, 2002
Messages
707
In many ways, it may not be worth it to you. Your original post makes it look like you may have an issue with signature guitars ("fan boy" comment). Honestly, dismissing a sig guitar as not worthy is just as much a mistake as assuming it's awesome simply because it's a sig.

In this case, my EVH is awesome. A rose by any other name is still a rose (Shakespeare lingo). I agree that the Axis may have some improvements over the EVH with some modifications that were made. But there is something about having an original.

My EVH may be the only "collectable" guitar I ever own. There is a cool factor in there for me. It's the same guitar (different color and history of ownership) that recently sold for $75k. That's kind of cool IMO.

But if this stuff doesn't matter to you because of the "fan boy" aspect of it, please stay away. I wouldn't want you to lose any credibility with yourself. ;o)
 

mr.b

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May 12, 2006
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690
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Fife, Scotland
i've had many an axis and loved em to death. i've never owned an EVH but would love to. I first laid my hands on a trans pink one and fell in love with it!!!

However, i'd like to hear from the knuckleheads who own both an EVH and an Axis to hear their thoughts on the difference and what makes the EVH more special ... besides the history.

And i do have to agree: Van Halen made their best music when Eddie had the EBMM and was teamed up with Hagar. AWESOME.
 

threeminutesboy

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May 11, 2003
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I own both an ASS hardtail and an EVH hardtail.

The ASS is my swiss army knife guitar very versatile. The EVH is just so light compared to the ASS (I think because of the Piezo) and the simple design no belly contour, easy pup wiring make it a wonderful rocknroll machine

But not only, I can get plenty of clean sounds just by adjusting the volume

I have the feeling the wood used is getting older hence makes this guitar with a little more alive sound
 

fatoni

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Oct 30, 2007
Messages
252
i dont have any problems with signature guitars. in fact my favorite guitar is the jp. i was just wondering if the price of the evh was for the name or some sort of "golden age" type deal where its the quality of the guitar that lead to the price...it seems from here that its just the name
 

hbucker

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Oct 11, 2002
Messages
707
i dont have any problems with signature guitars. in fact my favorite guitar is the jp. i was just wondering if the price of the evh was for the name or some sort of "golden age" type deal where its the quality of the guitar that lead to the price...it seems from here that its just the name

A quality difference? No.

There is a slight feel difference due to the wider neck on the Axis, the different switch location and rear body contour.

The higher price of the EVH is due mostly to the fact that only about 6,000 of them were made. This collectability factor is more of what you would be paying for but IMO, there is a feel difference too.

And if I were going to get an Axis, it would be the Super Sport model because of it's simplicity and versatility (and I already own an EVH) but there isn't an EVH Super Sport...

It's redundant but you're the only one who can decide if the differences are worth it.
 

threeminutesboy

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fatoni pull that trigger and enjoy :p

As we said with BP, worst case scenario you don't like it, then let it go for the same price ;)
 

nobozos

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Nov 10, 2002
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675
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Pekin, Illinois
There are really only three reasons to pay more for the EVH than for a new Axis:

1) You are a fan of Van Halen

2) You are a collector

3) You are an investor

If you are solely interested in the tone, playability and quality, there is no signifigant differences. It is pretty much the same guitar.

The changes that they made from the EVH to the Axis are very minor, and unless you have been playing either an EVH or an Axis for years, you would never notice the differences between the two. Even if you did, you would adjust within minutes.
 

LawDaddy

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May 3, 2009
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Auburn, CA
There are really only three reasons to pay more for the EVH than for a new Axis:

1) You are a fan of Van Halen

2) You are a collector

3) You are an investor

If you are solely interested in the tone, playability and quality, there is no signifigant differences. It is pretty much the same guitar.

The changes that they made from the EVH to the Axis are very minor, and unless you have been playing either an EVH or an Axis for years, you would never notice the differences between the two. Even if you did, you would adjust within minutes.

I am the original owner of an EVH, and have three ASS hardtails, including a rosewood ASS that I gig with regularly, and this post pretty much sums it up. The EVH/Axis line is far more similar in tone and feel than it is different, but the small updates along the way have made the Axis line more practical. The EVH knob/switch layout is a little peculiar and hard to get used to, and lends itself to unintended switching if you strum a certain way. The Axis SS with the coil tap positions makes for a real versatile instrument capable of covering a lot of ground, but with the same core tone.

Get the EVH for sentimental/collector reasons, get an Axis or Axis SS for value and playability.

Edit: just re-read the OP and see he has an ASS. Add the EVH as a collectable piece. They will only increase in value.

And Colin: I was just considering getting mine refretted and maybe gigging with it again :)
 
Last edited:

nobozos

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Nov 10, 2002
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Pekin, Illinois
I think what BP meant was, it is like the act of parking your money in one place, and always being able to get it back at any time.

Because of the collector's value of the EVH, you can be pretty sure to get out of it at least what you bought it for (unless you do something crazy, like drop $5k on one)
 

hbucker

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Oct 11, 2002
Messages
707
I agree that the EVH pickup switch is located inconveniently, so I rotated mine about 12 years ago. It switches front to back now instead of up and down. Not only do I not accidentally switch it as much - or at all - I can also see at a glance more easily which pickup is selected...
 

LawDaddy

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May 3, 2009
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Auburn, CA
I agree that the EVH pickup switch is located inconveniently, so I rotated mine about 12 years ago. It switches front to back now instead of up and down. Not only do I not accidentally switch it as much - or at all - I can also see at a glance more easily which pickup is selected...

I did that, too! I actually broke my switch slapping it, and had to replace it with a Les Paul switch :(( I should call customer service one of these days and get a replacement.
 

straycat113

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Aug 17, 2009
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Born and bred in Brooklyn NY
The Bottom line is that IMHO after Hendrix the guy is the second biggest innovator in the history of rock guitar and the premier player of his era. So not are you buying a great ax you are also buying a piece of rock history, and since there were only 6,000 plus made which when you think of it is not a lot it is a special ax worth owning.

I will never own a pre CBS fender or 59 LP Burst but I own an Amber and Pink EVH which causes a lot of ooohs and ahhhs when I bring them to the shop for a set up. And when the guy gets off his rear and cuts a new album and tours I doubt you will be able to grab one for that price.

There are still forums out there with temples built to him with guys still chasing his tone from 30 years ago lol and to be honest I think he deserves it though he is a real head case these days. But he is the guy who set the guitar world on its a## and sent millions to the woodshed. Also to keep it real how much will one be worth 20 years from now, I cant say but I doubt my two sons would even sell them as that is where all my gear is going.

I just feel that all the guys who were crazy for Fenders and Gibsons and drove those guitars up to crazy prices are all in there 50s and 60s. I am 48 and bridge both gaps and though I am a player I doubt guitar collectors are going to disappear and I see the vintage axes from the 80s to early 90s when just about no one was playing Fenders and Gibsons getting very pricey and collectible and I would put that guitar at the top of the list. Great player+signature guitar+discontinued=sought after.
 

Achilles

Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2010
Messages
9
I own one of these also its a blue Evh. These guitars are like a masterpiece, they are a true work of art. Another thing with these guitars that i have seen is that no two really look the same. They had problems with the paint fading in alot of them. In my opinion it makes them look even cooler. Like some of the blues look washed out and more like an aqua color. And some Reds look almost pink. + live everyone else said they are just an awesome guitar to play buy it! You cant go wrong with one of these.
 
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