Tollywood
Well-known member
Why hello there, my fellow formite friends, I need to tell you a tale of a very, very naughty Axis named Frankensugar. Some of you may recall my excitement when I first received her in the mail from Guitar Center several months ago:
She was a Black Sugar Axis with a chrome Music Man Gotoh Floyd Rose. Oh, and did I mention her roasted maple neck and ebony fretboard???
I was quick to adorn her with a feau-cheetah Malmsteen strap, and she had just the attitude I was after. Flashy and cocky, yet somehow civilized. Maybe it's the sparkle of the Black Sugar finish or the dark roasted coffee-beanness of the neck, but she would fit nicely in a jazz trio. But, oh no, not for long...
You see, it was once that I plugged her into my all-tube Gibson Super Goldtone half-stack, set on double dirty, that I soon realized just how dark she was. She, as yet unnamed, was just another beautiful and superbly crafted Axis. Perfect in every detail, as expected and indeed appreciated. But once I played my first notes I realized that her characteristics were bringing a much darker tone to the table than her Axis siblings. She was dark, and oh so rich and toneful...I am still in love with her just as much!
It was in appreciating her darkness, both in tone and appearance, that I noticed just how shiny the chrome Floyd Rose was. I fancied a black one in it's place, and that very moment I knew she was destined to be modified to perfection. She was to be my Black Sugar Frankenstein, my Frankensugar...
I researched my options, and Gohoh looked good, but what's this on the east coast??? Some cool dude with true rock star cred makes the Cadillac of Floyd Roses? Go on...Floyd Upgrades, ladies and gentlemen. But, I must warn you: they ain't cheap.
So, I received the Floyd Upgrades bridge and stuff yesterday (Monday). First off, I am impressed with the quality. That is most important to me, as I intend to keep it forever and abuse it like only Steve Vai should. They shipped it on a Saturday. A Saturday. 'nuff said there. I did not pay for express shipping, either.
So, I've decided to build her up on the forum, with photos. Because if there aren't pics on the thread, it just ain't real...
The black Shaller mini locking tuners are arriving on Thursday from California. And, I ordered real black Mother of Pearl mini tuner buttons for the black Shallers, too. They are coming from Germany, who knows when, but they were shipped the day I ordered them, last week.
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