My AX40 just arrived!

[Bryan]

After all the great reviews and videos I pulled the trigger on one and it just arrived.

But I have a question about the quilt.

Is it my bad photography or is this what the quilts look like in person?

I know black is hard to photograph and I did use my iPhone.

I just didn't like ordering it blind from MF. Especially when I've seen ones like this:

Or is that just better camera work?

 

[douglasspears]

so you have the guitar, you took the pictures, but you're asking what the quilt looks like in person?

Not sure I follow you.

Congrats on the guitar though!

 

[peterd79]

Thats what quilt looks like...

each guitar is unique because of the tree that it came from... it looks like the quilt on your guitar is very NICE... as we say...

That top sucks... (it's meaning it's really nice)

 

[BartB]

Looks great in my opinion!! Congrats!

 

[peterd79]

I think what he's asking is should all the guitars look like the one in the photo...

More or less what i've seen is shops like SoundsCheap and Dubaldo is they have really really nice cameras and setup the right conditions to shoot photos... i've had luck over the years with my guitars because i was using high end equipment to shoot the guitars...

from the one shot that i've seen of the new AX40 is that its on par for the really nice tops that came with the AX40s

 

[KevTN]

Nice ax...congrats

 

[Bryan]

I think what he's asking is should all the guitars look like the one in the photo...

More or less what i've seen is shops like SoundsCheap and Dubaldo is they have really really nice cameras and setup the right conditions to shoot photos... i've had luck over the years with my guitars because i was using high end equipment to shoot the guitars...

from the one shot that i've seen of the new AX40 is that its on par for the really nice tops that came with the AX40s

I knew right after I typed it that I wasn't doing a great job of explaining what I meant but I tried anyway.

I do like the quilt in person and I do know that all quilts vary by guitar. I was just really wondering if it was better photography that made the other one look different to mine in a photo.

I guess that's what I really should have typed in the first place...

Anyway thanks for the compliments!

I foolishly sold a great quilted purple Axis years ago so I'm glad to finally be returning to the family!!

 

[peterd79]

oh yeah...

taking photos of figured guitar is really tough... i have a trans black flame tele that i built and the flame is insane... but everytime i try to shoot it to show friends it turns out not that great... and when they see it in person they're taken back...

Normally if you have like a solid background and plenty of room or indirect light that will work best...

I have a friend who owned a custom drum company and what he did was set up a "stage" that was all white and then closed it off so no reflections would show up in the photo and then flooded the room with back lighting so a flash wasn't needed.
this tends to be a good method and you can get great results...
just experiment with the camera and lighting and you'll get it...

I was looking at the AX40s at the NAMM show and almost bought one but held out and snagged my silo special instead... glad i held out but that AX40 will be part of the collection for me i'm sure...

 

[luv]

shooting black is hard, because of the reflections. if you can hang a dark backdrop or sheet in the area that the guitar is reflecting, it will help with the final results. avoid flashes, if you have enough light. if you need a flash make sure it is not going to reflect right back at you off of the surface of the guitar.

that being said, good images come from having a good set up and good camera gear. doesn't have to be pro level gear though.

 

[patpark]

Hi Bryan,
The quilt tops all do vary a bit. Some come in wider, some are tighter. The way the light hits the top can bring out more of the grain and highlights.

Enjoy the new guitar!
Thanks
Pat

 

[Bryan]

I'll try those tips.

But not now! I gotta pay this bad boy.

Another question.

Are there any shortcuts to taking some of the "finish" off of the neck? I know it'll break in with playing but if there are any shortcuts....

 

[nobozos]

Just depends on the lighting and the angle of the camera with figured tops. I can take a picture of my EBMM EVH from one angle with a certain light, and it will look plain. A picture taken with different light from the same angle will look very figured. Also, from a different angle, it will look very figured. Check out my photos on my profile.

 

[Sweat]

Looks like quilt and looks fine to me congrats great axe!

 

[patpark]

I'll try those tips.

But not now! I gotta pay this bad boy.

Another question.

Are there any shortcuts to taking some of the "finish" off of the neck? I know it'll break in with playing but if there are any shortcuts....

You can take a brillo pad (the green side of a dish sponge - dry) and that'll take some of the sheen off.

 

[Bryan]

You can take a brillo pad (the green side of a dish sponge - dry) and that'll take some of the sheen off.

Thanks!

I really can't believe how great this guitar feels for the price. I'm totally floored.

The EVH Special I returned to buy this (sharp frets and high E roll off) barely matches up, and that sucker was three times the price!!

 

[peterd79]

Thanks!

I really can't believe how great this guitar feels for the price. I'm totally floored.

The EVH Special I returned to buy this (sharp frets and high E roll off) barely matches up, and that sucker was three times the price!!

Then go buy two more... LOL!!! it's called Justification... LOL!!!!

 

[Bryan]

Then go buy two more... LOL!!! it's called Justification... LOL!!!!

Honestly I'm already waiting for next years color to be announced.

Pink anyone??

Purple perhaps??

 

[peterd79]

HA... i was only kidding... but last year was Blue and REd

 

[Bryan]

I loved the blue but I can't find one. I don't dig the red or the gold.

 

[ozzyrules]

Bryan,
I love that quilt. You did good.