So what's with the Axis guitars with the plain / non dyed headstocks ?

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Is this some kind of cost cutting feature?

I'm looking at a burst for sale and would rather have a matching head stock. Too, this guitar has pickup covers on it which makes me really nervous

 

[ScoobySteve]

EBMMs for the most part are made to order. My guess is if an Axis has a natty headstock its because it was ordered that way.

FWIW a maple fingerboard axis looks 1000000x better with a natty headstock IMO.

 

[John C]

I'm not 100% sure but I believe the matching headstock became an option back when the EVH Signature became the Axis. I suppose that since the EVHs had matching headstocks a large percentage of Axis guitars are ordered with the optional matching headstock.

I also believe the Axis guitars with covered pickups were a special run for Guitar Center.

 

[DrGonzo5150]

It's all just personal preference. Both of mine are matching... My lukes I bought with natty headstocks... Silo matching... Double-neck natty. They are made to order.

 

[lumberjack]

A painted headstock is an option that you have to pay extra for. If it's the burst that is listed on EBAY right now it was a special run done for Guitar Center. They had non-matching headstocks and chrome pickup covers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Musicman-Ax...r-/250996247425?pt=Guitar&hash=item3a708acb81

Scott

 

[beej]

I prefer natural headstocks, myself.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I prefer them to match myself. To me the non matching ones look 'unfinished'.

 

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Yeah, that's the one.

This is weird because I've owned 7 Axis over the years and each one had the matching headstock.... I've never even seen a natural until this guitar. That guitar is pretty nice, but $1,400 is too steep from what I've seen lately.

Thanks for the info

A painted headstock is an option that you have to pay extra for. If it's the burst that is listed on EBAY right now it was a special run done for Guitar Center. They had non-matching headstocks and chrome pickup covers.

Musicman Axis Limited Best Looking ever | eBay

Scott

 

[Jack FFR1846]

It's all personal preference.

I personally strongly prefer a natural headstock. That being said, I currently own 3 MM guitars that I purchased used. My Albert Lee (favorite of the bunch) is black cherry burst with a natural headstock. My Axis Supersport MM90 is trans blue flame with a matching headstock and my highly modified....not even recognisable as a sub-1 anymore has a shiny black painted headstock with natural sides of the headstock.

My dream "next" guitar is a trans color Al HH which will come as a solid rosewood neck. They're all natural colored headstock.

 

[kimonostereo]

It's also harder to stain a hard maple neck and get it to match the body. It takes multiple attempts and even then sometimes it just doesn't match. Painted colors are a lot easier. Dunno how EBMM does it!

 

[Jimmyb]

For me, it depends on the fretboard material. I think a maple fretboard looks cool with an unfinished headstock, but I prefer rosewood board to have a matching one.

 

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Yeah, that's true. One of my Amber Axis had a dull looking off color headstock and I thought it may be an un-original neck, but after talking to EB they told me the same thing .... some maple is more resistant to soaking in the color.

It's also harder to stain a hard maple neck and get it to match the body. It takes multiple attempts and even then sometimes it just doesn't match. Painted colors are a lot easier. Dunno how EBMM does it!

 

[IslandBoy]

Same here ! Non Matching is a deal breaker for me ............

I prefer them to match myself. To me the non matching ones look 'unfinished'.

 

[mesavox]

Yeah, that's the one.

This is weird because I've owned 7 Axis over the years and each one had the matching headstock.... I've never even seen a natural until this guitar. That guitar is pretty nice, but $1,400 is too steep from what I've seen lately.

Thanks for the info

That's weird, I've seen Axis' with Natty headstocks for years... I can't even think of many that I've seen with matching headstocks. lol

 

[ScoobySteve]

That's weird, I've seen Axis' with Natty headstocks for years... I can't even think of many that I've seen with matching headstocks. lol

Definitely all personal preference but the four EBMM models I just flat out don't like with matching headstocks are Axis, Silo, AL, and Morse. I just totally prefer the natural continuity provided by the same color from the neck to the headstock. Its what makes the rosewood necks so darn beautiful. I'd go bonkers if someone finished a headstock on a all rosewood neck. Same with an all maple neck as well.

I can understand why some don't like the natty with a rosewood fingerboard. Its not for everyone. I think it looks as classy as hell personally, but for maple neck and maple board, natty looks way better. Gives a wholisitic clarity to a single piece of wood.

Lucky for everyone, finished or natty, thy tone remains unaffected. So if you play it and it feels geat in your hand, what does it matter?

 

[lumberjack]

As you can see, it's definitely personal preference. When it comes to the Axis or Axis Super Sport, for me, it has to be matching headstock. Doesn't matter whether it's maple or rosewood fingerboard. I don't know what it is with that model. To me it doesn't look right without a matching headstock. Although, I'd consider one if it had a killer top. I've actually tried to help out a few dealers when ordering these models for store stock and told them to order the guitar with matching headstock because the ones with non matching head stocks tend to sit on the shelves. When it comes to other models it depends on the fingerboard. If the model has a rosewood board, I'd always go matching headstock if ordering. If it had a maple board like on a Silhouette or Silhouette Special, or Albert Lee, I'd have no problem with a non matching headstock.

 

[Tollywood]

I prefer the matching headstock...

 

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

I prefer the matching headstock...

Yeah, that's the only way I'll buy one

 

[Slav123]

Same here ! Non Matching is a deal breaker for me ............

+1, the carpet has to match the drapes!

 

[luv]

That's weird, I've seen Axis' with Natty headstocks for years... I can't even think of many that I've seen with matching headstocks. lol

yeah, i was going to say that i must spend way more time looking at ebmm guitars than the op, because i've seen countless natty headstock Axi.