JP vs Axis

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Dear one and all,

At some point in the new year I will be buying a new EBMM guitar (just waiting for the coffers to be replenished after Christmas!)

I have 4 Axis guitars, and am thinking about getting something a little different. Initially I was going to get an HH AL, but I thought I should maybe get something totally out of my comfort zone!

Tonally, how do the JP guitars compare to the Axis? Are they in the same tonal ballpark or am I way off? I know the neck is totally different, but I thought it would be something cool to consider before I spend my money on another identical Axis in a different color!

 

[joe web]

the JP is a bit "darker" sounding because of the rosewood fretboard and the missing maple top.
the trem is resting on the body, so the attack and sustain is different as well.
but overall, it´s a basswood body guitar and therefore you´ll notice similarities to the axis sound.

if you want to try out something a bit different, go for a Y2D!
different tone-range, an extra single coil and a rocker guitar!
the neck is not too far away from the axis neck. same nut-size, 22 frets as well and the thickness is nearly the same but rounded and not asymmetrical shaped.
the trem is flowting on the newer once.

both guitars are great to have, the JP is more a modern high-speed-strat-style guitar, the Y2D is a solid-hard-rock-style guitar with a different low-end and mid-range character.
check them out and decided for your self, which guitar will fit your playing-style and music better.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I have been looking at the Y2D and it seems like an awesome axe, however looking at sellers who weight the guitars they seem a little too heavy for my puny bad back. I can handle 7 to 7.5lbs, but the Y2D's seem in the 8+ lbs range. How heavy are yours?

I must confess that I really like the Morse, though!

 

[joe web]

my purple sunset is the heaviest of all my y2ds.
but yes, they are a bit heavier as the axis /evh models. my tobacco hardtail Y2D has nearly the same weight as my evh.
so add the tremolo an you have the extra weight of the guitar. the PDN Y2D trem is very light weight compared to the other. it´s close the the evh - but it has totally different kind of woods.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

If you can possibly do it, try out both an SSS Al and an HH Al.

The SSS is a very familiar neck for an Axis player with completely different tones. The Al HH is again a familiar neck with similar tone, but subtly different. I know that the body is one that's love it or hate it. I love it but have run into people who absolutely hate it (those people tend to not be capable of considering anything that's not shaped exactly like their guitar)

 

[bbake1]

If you go for a JP, some have a finished neck. With playing the Axis for so long I cannot handle the stickiness of a neck with any finish on it. I had a Y2D for a while and it had a nice tonal difference from the Axis. I would get another Y2D (with a floyd) if I were looking again.

 

[ozzyrules]

Have you considered an MM90 ASS?

 

[Volfgang]

Honestly my JP6 is way different to my Axis, tonewise and soundwise. My JP6 has a darker sound and the pickups arent as sensitive as the Axis, I mainly use the JP6 for dropped tuning and playing heavy hardcore metal. The nut width is 43mm so its slightly wider and thinner than the Axis, its a huge difference if you go from playing an Axis for years.(especially if you dont have huge hands). Anyhow they are both pretty nice guitars to play but the specs are totally different in every way, and I guess it makes sense when you think about whos behind these models, eg, Petrucci(JP6)= A precise,tight and articulate style versus EVH(Axis)=a more bluesy oriented, open,fast and aggressive type of player...

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Whatever I decide, it has to have Humbuckers as I am not a single coil kinda player at all.

I do have other non EBMM guitars with quite different necks, so I think its something I could probably get used to.

I suppose it boils down to trying one out! I would like to at least try a JP6 if nothing to eliminate it from my search. Looks like a trip to Greensboro GC is on the cards at some point!

 

[spkirby]

Tim, you and me are big Axis fans, and I also have a bunch of other makes with different profiles and can adapt pretty easily, although these days I prefer larger, more rounded shapes. I urge you to try a JP before throwing down the cash...the neck profile is so wide and flat it might be a deal breaker (it was to me). Like others have said, the AL has the closest profile to the Axis, the Morse is also another nice meaty neck in a similar vein.

Personally in your shoes I'd consider that Gamechanger in the FS thread...has buckers & piezo but does a lot of extra things! The neck is more silo like on the reflex/GC but not as drastically different as a JP is.

 

[threeminutesboy]

Tim, you and me are big Axis fans, and I also have a bunch of other makes with different profiles and can adapt pretty easily, although these days I prefer larger, more rounded shapes. I urge you to try a JP before throwing down the cash...the neck profile is so wide and flat it might be a deal breaker (it was to me). Like others have said, the AL has the closest profile to the Axis, the Morse is also another nice meaty neck in a similar vein.

Personally in your shoes I'd consider that Gamechanger in the FS thread...has buckers & piezo but does a lot of extra things! The neck is more silo like on the reflex/GC but not as drastically different as a JP is.

the Reflex is not for Tim it as too many switching possibility Tim downgraded is ASS to a 3 way switch I doubt a zillion pups configuration will float his boat

Tim as the others said the AL HH might be a good choice for you, not too heavy all RW neck you will love and the possibility to have it hardtail as I remember you are not a trem guy

 

[glockaxis]

I agree with spkirby. I've tried the whole lineup and now have settled on the Luke and Axis. I did not like the tone of the JP nor the string spacing or toggle switch location for the piezo. Build quality was awesome as usual but the Luke and Axis fit me perfectly.

 

[colinboy]

Hi Tim happy xmas and hope your keeping well mate. I dont have an AL with HB yet but after watching a few videos i would love to get one in the near future.Heres two video demos of the guitar in action i just love the tone!

I think you should check out the reflex too Tim as its an amazing axe and the tone is unreal from them.Let us know what you decide.
Cheers,Colin

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Thanks for all the input guys. I think that spkirby is right with the neck profile. I have played a JP (briefly) a while back and it was a different animal than the guitars I usually have. My non EBMM have bigger necks rather than the JP thinner one, so it probably will be a deal breaker.

I think if I am being honest with myself, it probably will be an AL that I go for. It has the correct pickups and available without a wobbler stick, plus has that awesome solid rosewood neck. The question is, can I wait until the coffers are full, or will I be bad with my credit card! Sadly, being responsible these days I will wait until I have the cash!

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

the Reflex is not for Tim it as too many switching possibility Tim downgraded is ASS to a 3 way switch I doubt a zillion pups configuration will float his boat

Tim as the others said the AL HH might be a good choice for you, not too heavy all RW neck you will love and the possibility to have it hardtail as I remember you are not a trem guy

You know me very well! You are right, Gamechangers and even plain ole Reflex guitars are not for me. I like to keep that wiring simple!

 

[danyeo]

Those Axis necks are addicting. I found the JP to be a bit slimer and had a shred feel.

 

[T- Bone]

I went thru all of this too and ended up just putting different pickups in one of my Axis's'sssss because I wanted that same feel with a 'different' tone. So far it has worked out perfectly. I put a Dimarzio Norton/Paf Pro in one and it is becoming my favorite guitar

I've had a JP6 and the neck was way to slim and flat for me. I'm a rocker and not a shredder. I also had a couple Silo's that were very cool. I kinda wish I wouldve kept them but they always seemed 'weak' and too vintagey in comparison to my Axis guitars.

The Luke was one of my favs but I hated the EMGs in it and it didnt last too long. The newer ones with passives really look good! I loved the neck on that thing

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I went thru all of this too and ended up just putting different pickups in one of my Axis's'sssss because I wanted that same feel with a 'different' tone. So far it has worked out perfectly. I put a Dimarzio Norton/Paf Pro in one and it is becoming my favorite guitar

I've had a JP6 and the neck was way to slim and flat for me. I'm a rocker and not a shredder. I also had a couple Silo's that were very cool. I kinda wish I wouldve kept them but they always seemed 'weak' and too vintagey in comparison to my Axis guitars.

The Luke was one of my favs but I hated the EMGs in it and it didnt last too long. The newer ones with passives really look good! I loved the neck on that thing

How is the Luke neck profile compared to the Axis? I know it has a 'V' shape but its been a long time since I have played one!

 

[dwells]

Get a reflex .

 

[Astrofreq]

Get another axis, dude!