Reflex or Axis Sport

[Johnny Alien]

Knowing that the pickups are the same and I usually find a tone or two or three I like and stick with it....which would you choose between a Reflex and an Axis Sport HH? The pickups are the same correct? With one being an older ash model would that present a big difference in tone? I understand the reflex is more flexible but like I said that is not a huge selling point for me. Which neck do you guys prefer? Is the Reflex alot lighter?

 

[Jamie M]

I would go for.........both

 

[ozzyrules]

I believe the pickups are the same, but not 100% sure. I've never owned a Sport.You will definitely notice a difference in the neck radius. Reflex is 12" and Super Sport is 10". I assume that the Sport has the same radius as the Super Sport??? My 25th is noticeably lighter than my Super Sport(Ash body). The chambered body & mahogany tone block alone, are a major selling point. Then, throw in parallel/series capability & it's a "no brainer". Find a 25th/ Reflex, if you can. You won't regret it

 

[Barny]

IF you can, try and play both, however I know for a lot of people they do not have that luxury. For me the Reflex is the winner, as much as I love the profile of the Axis Neck, the flatter radius and slightly bigger frets on the Reflex make it a bit more "playable" for me (again this is all personal preference). The Reflex also has all the same pickup configurations as the Axis but also has the benefit of the series/parralell switch which gives the guitar a bit of a single coil "type" set of tones on top of the normal Axis tones. The chambering on the reflex also gives it a louder unplugged tone and definitly adds something (in combination with the mahogany tone block) that for me gives me "the sound" I have always had in my head!!

For me it is still a tough call because an Axis Super Sport was the first MM guitar I played and is what turned me on to the brand and how great there guitars are and I would like to think I will always own at least one Axis, but if push came to shove and i could only have one guitar, it would be a Reflex.

In terms of the old Ash model Axis guitars, again, they are really great instruments and definitly have a different tone to the reflex and the normal Axis super sport, for me it gives you a bit more of a "F" type guitar tone which is not a bad thing, I loved the one I used to own but again, I just find the reflex a more tonally interesting guitar.

Not sure if this helps!

 

[Johnny Alien]

I am going ahead with buying the reflex and I will have both of them at the same time and can A/B them through my amp. Maybe I can find a way to keep both but if not I will just sell the one that looses the head to head battle. I figure there is no way to really know unless I have both of them in hand.

 

[ozzyrules]

I am going ahead with buying the reflex and I will have both of them at the same time and can A/B them through my amp. Maybe I can find a way to keep both but if not I will just sell the one that looses the head to head battle. I figure there is no way to really know unless I have both of them in hand.

I have a feeling you will keep 'em both. They are all hard to part with.....

 

[guitarp77]

Never tried an ASS, but I can say that the Reflex is an amazing guitar, and extremely versatile.

 

[Stratty316]

Axis Sport, hands down. I would say its EBMM's most under rated guitar. I wish I had kept my other 2, but you know how bills go. IMHO, the neck profile is nicer, the Ash body gives you a nice "strat like" tone when in position 2 and 4 (not to mention 1,3 and 5 are killer HB tones) and if you can find one in Trans Green with a pickguard you have a vintage looking tone monster!

Then again, I am a little biased...

 

[Johnny Alien]

I wish I could find a trans green one.

 

[threeminutesboy]

I'm lucky enough to have both guitars. I am currently using mainly my 25th for 2 reasons it's more comfortable and it has a tone of its own that helps me to create my own tone.

That being said, the Axis Sport is already a Vintage classic in my opinion those guitars are aging nicely and among all my guitars my Orange Axis Sport and Purple are a solid number 2. I love the simplicity of those guitar, the pickguard design, everything is just so natural

A 3 way switch on the MM90 model, and you can rock all night

Good luck with your choice

One more thing, don't reject one or the other immediately. Take the time to try them especially the Reflex it takes time to enjoy such a wonderful instrument

 

[ily]

if i'll have to choose and have one i'll buy the REFLEX
more versatile (parallels sounds are just killer and more credible than pos 2 AND 4 on axis super sport)
the neck is just fantastic great great guitar

 

[luv]

I have both. They both ROCK! The sport is awesome for it's simplicity. The 25th is like a nice mature bottle of Red wine. It's complex, tasteful, bold yet beautiful. It's a whole different animal than the Sport.

 

[Slav123]

If you can find one - 25th Anniversary with a maple board and trem. Blows away an Axis SS!

 

[dwells]

reflex !!!!!!

 

[Johnny Alien]

I am not a fan of maple boards. I have rosewood on pretty much everything that I own.

I got the Reflex this weekend and it's an amazing guitar. I am not a huge fan of the parallel tones except in position 4 in which I think the parallel sounds killer in comparison to series. With that being said it will be a close competition with the Sport since I don't think I really need the parallel.

I will do a tone test and it might really come down to the neck. I do prefer 10" radius to 12" BUT the Reflex plays amazingly and is light. Depending how I feel about the Sport I may end up keeping both.

I don't think either can top the my Sport with MM90's though.

 

[threeminutesboy]

Sport mm90 is a different beast from the reflex

While one is a modern instrument the other one is pure vintage jewel

 

[Johnny Alien]

OK..after A/B'ing for awhile I think I am going to give the edge to the Sport. I like the neck a little better on it and I also like the smaller frets. One of my favorite thing about the Axis Sport is it's a cross between the old and new. The neck on the Reflex is a tad fuller and the frets are larger. That coupled with the fact that I will most likely not use the parallel settings makes the Sport a better option for me. My MM-90 Sport is my favorite of the lot.

So I am thinking the Reflex will go for sale very shortly or I will look for a trade for another Sport. Maybe a HSS model or another MM-90.