Need advice on Axis

[OU812]

Hey guys, new to the forum here. I mostly hang out at Kramer Forum under the same name. Been looking to purchase a MM Axis for a while now.
Walked into a local music store that carries MM guitars yesterday and saw a really nice used blue burst Axis hanging on the wall. The price is pretty good and the body is spotless. No dents, scratches, or any of that. One red flag however that got me thinking was the neck so I need your help in figuring this out.

I'm unsure if the previous owner sprayed a thin layer of clear on it or not. The neck is very shiny and smooth, almost too shiny it seems. All unfinished necks I've played including one on my own guitar have not had this characteristic, they still have that woody feel and a little bit dirty but not smooth and shiny like this. I mean they are all smooth but this was lighting fast smooth. Is this normal?
Comparing it to a brand new Axis right next to it you can feel the wood a lot more. Maybe the guy added some more oil/wax to the neck wanting to make it faster I'm not sure.

I'm looking to purchase this guitar but I'm unsure if I should pull the trigger. If the neck has been messed with and cleared I'd rather pass. One clue was that the Axis has a finished headstock and theres a line where the clear end just below the nut screws. I couldn't find or feel the line on this guitar. Maybe the previous owner played it so much that it wore off, however the frets are in great shape with no wear showing. Floyd looks great, no pitting no rusting as well as the pickups. The body is flawless.....its just the neck that puzzles me.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[browndog]

It was an EBMM Axis not a Sterling by Music Man AX40 right?

 

[OU812]

Nope, its an Axis for sure. Serial G22405.
I took some photos, forgot to post them. Sorry they are bad cell phone photos but its all I had. You can see the neck has a golden colour and in person the birdseye stands out nicely.

 

[browndog]

Thats an Axis and its nice!

Sorry, I can’t be of any help to you.

 

[OU812]

Its ok no worries, I didn't think a Leafs fan could of helped me anyways

 

[OU812]

No one knows? Basically all I'm asking is if the MM necks get played a lot do they become nice and shiny look like they have a finish on them or not. I'm sure some people here have had an Axis for about 7 years, which is how old the guitar is.

 

[Sweat]

No one knows? Basically all I'm asking is if the MM necks get played a lot do they become nice and shiny look like they have a finish on them or not. I'm sure some people here have had an Axis for about 7 years, which is how old the guitar is.

Dude it is a sweet looking Axis, yes the neck can become shiny over the years, everything you posted sounds normal, and it looks nice based on your pics, if the price is right buy it, if not let fourmites know where it is so they can

 

[guitfiddle]

Hi KG,

Yes, as fing says, they can get shiny. My 99 Axis has quite a sheen on it now. Looks exactly like you described this one (almost like a thin clear coat). The blue burst Axis you are considering looks real nice, and you say the price is right. Pick it up!

 

[shadowboxer]

I built up a few layers of Tru-Oil when finishing the maple neck of a partscaster I put together a while back; it is quite shiny and slick.

I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to feel/see the finish line near the headstock, though. It seems that would still be visible, but I'm no MM expert.

Heck, if it feels great, I wouldn't worry about it too much....

 

[Stratty316]

My gold Axis has a sheen on it too... I also think that sometimes they come from the factory with a little more of the wax blend they rub on it and they can feel real slick.

 

[OU812]

Ok thanks guys. I'm gonna go there again today and have a better look at it. I'm guessing maybe the guy added some more oil to the neck in attempts to make it play faster. It by no means looks bad or a hack job, I was just surprised because the body is spotless and no fret wear so I'm trying to put this all together if I should buy it. They're asking $1100 CDN for it.

 

[straycat113]

It looks perfectly normal for a guitar of that age that has seen a lot of playing time and the owner kept up with maintenance on the neck. Over a period of time from cleaning and waxing it will look and be just as described, on the other hand you can find an Axis that is similar and if the neck was not maintained it would still have the unfinished feel but will be really filthy black on the neck. Just run the serial number in the thread above as you will get an answer in a day or less if you want to put your mind at ease about it being the original neck, but I would say 99% it is.

 

[browndog]

Its a sweet Axis if you can still get it.

You must be a fan of the Holy Flannel.

 

[OU812]

I'm a Hab's fan if thats what you mean its just friendly rivalry and I'm not much into hockey these days anyways. No hard feelings man.

 

[tommydude]

That guitar looks great and from what you wrote, sounds fine.

One vote that you buy it

 

[douglasspears]

I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to feel/see the finish line near the headstock, though. It seems that would still be visible

I've had an EVH for 15 years, and it was my main one for 13 years, I can still see the finish line plain as day.

But it sounds like a nice one, so I wouldn't let that stand in the way.

 

[OU812]

So I ended up buying it today. Thanks for the help from the EB/MM crew in finding out the manufacturing date for me (Feb. 25, 2003) and from the members here with the information I was looking for. Really gonna enjoy this one Cleanest 7+ yr old guitar I've ever seen!

 

[Stratty316]

thats a nice one... you did well!

 

[beej]

Man I love that colour.

 

[browndog]

Wow, what a great pic. I’m glad you bought it. Even if your a Habs fan.

Holy Flannel is an old term for the Habs. A real Habs fan would know this.