2nd Guitar Axis or Gibson

[koogie2k]

My axis's can do anything any guitar can do.
Les Pauls and Strats are for people with no imagination...

Yes and No. I wouldn't really make that kind of statement...even our own beloved Pops has guitars from other manufacturers. May not be gibby or fender...but...he loves the variety.

I just cannot get past the gibby neck. The "feel" is what makes me buy a guitar....and EB's "feel" better to me than all other production made axes out there....I do have one Custom Ibanez that I love....it sits in the case most of the time...but...I break her out now and again. She is a totally different animal than my EB's.

I am a loyal EBMM user. They have the best "feel" and tonal properties that fit me best. The guitar is a tool for us to use.....I bet Luke can make a First Act guitar sing better than anyone on this forum.....but...he prefers to use his EBMM.

It's in the player. You have a guitar that has great feel no matter the brand....and you will keep playing.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I have 4 Axis guitars and recently bought a Les Paul Studio, with a rubbed finish. I had owned a 'Paul once before, and after selling it because of its weight I always wanted another. The one I bought came along and it weighs the same (really!) as my Axis and has a really nice chubby neck. The tone is much rounder and fatter than the Axis, though I would say that the Axis is a far more versatile guitar, especially when it comes to the cleans. Also the Axis bites much better than the Gibson. Its really a different animal to the Axis, and if its what you lust after, get one.

However, despite attractive the £549 brand new price tag, the bad part was the set up. The fret ends were so sharp! Plus I the bridge Burstbucker was not really powerful enough for me, so I swapped it with a Bare Knuckles Miracle Man.

I like it, though its my every now and again guitar, where as my Axis's are the bread and butter for gigs.

 

[paranoid70]

Honestly, I don't know if EBMM puts out a guitar with a "vintage" type tone but if they do, that's certainly an option. QC is certainly more of a sure thing with EBMM.

From my experience, I find that the EBMM guitar that gets you that 2 humbucker vintage (i.e. Les Paul) sound would be the 20th Anniversary Silhouette. If you can hunt one of those down, give it a try. In my opinion it has the best of both worlds, the vintage humbucker sound with the awesome playability of Music Man.

 

[hbucker]

I do think that unless you specifically like the feel of an LP (many people do) or are going for an authentic vintage vibe and tone, there is no reason to go with an LP over a Music Man product. Many folks upgrade their pickups in LP's to sound more modern and such. The Axis is already there as are the other MM offerings in one form or another.

If the 20th Anni Silho has the vintage tone nailed then so-be-it. You're just going for feel then and EBMM is hard to beat there. Still, the LP has its own vibe, history and feel. If that's what you're looking for, nothing but some form of an LP will do.

It's all up to you.

 

[dmullen]

+1 for the Rosewood Axis SS but then again that's the only axis I have played. Like several others have said...it's up tp you bro...try everything and pick what feels good to ya. If you are in love with your axe you will become a better player and absolutely love playing it...a lot of us here just fell in love with BP's guitars and don't want anything else.

 

[guitarman23]

ya know what another great option would be?!

get a ukulele!!! those own! i did this massive 30min solo on it, it sounded amazing!!!!!!! lol


Duh!! get an axis!!!

 

[darchirnoj]

Dude, let's be realistic. Whether you get the LP or an EBMM, how long before you start lusting for another guitar? Probably real quick (& those who don't agree with this, you are in absolute denial...........just peer over at your current guitar collection). In other words, JUST DO IT!
I've played both and I think that both are great guitars, but I agree with what has already been said about Gibby quality. It's usually hit or miss. I've pulled some of their guitars off walls and they absolutely stink, while others play and sound superb.
I've yet to ever (& I mean ever), played an EBMM that didn't play awesome. They all sound different and play different (tried Morse, Petrucci, Axis, Silo Special, Silo, 20th Silo), but they were all such a joy to play.
I think another thing that people have a hard time with is seeking out a product because of the BRAND (not everyone, but this is something that I'm sure has driven the sales of Fen*** & Gib*** had they not had their "history").
If that's an issue, just imagine (or pretend, rather) that Gib*** and EBMM are both brand spanking new guitar companies with no history whatsoever.
Try an LP vs. a Silo Spec, a Morse (which gets my ultimate vote per your request, btw), and even another Axis.
I'm not a gambling man, but I'd put some money on which brand I'd think you'd go for.
I'd go with a Morse in all black....classic color combo.....and you've got the dual humbucker + a few singles thrown in.
Plus, it's non-contoured body will resemble your Axis in that respect.
In the end (and I think I've said this before), it's just a guitar, dude. It's just a guitar.

 

[Eilif]

There have been some great comments on the issue thus far, so I'll try to not be redundant. But to answer your question about Axis or Gibson, a question that needs to be answered is what is the reason for the 2nd guitar? Without knowing the reason for the axe no. 2, we can only make shots in the dark. So here I go...

A second Axis doesn't make sense unless you need it as a backup and you want your backup to be as close as possible to your existing Axis--unless your new Axis is different from the first. MM90 vs Humbucker. Hardtail vs Floyd. You get the picture.

If you want a Les Paul because you want that sound, there is probably no substitute. It's the same with Marshall amplifiers, for example. If you want that Marshall sound, that's what you'll have to get. Other guitars can come close, but none will nail it.

Now, if you want something that sounds close to a Les Paul but be within the EBMM line, I think your best bet will be a 20th Anniversary Silhouette. If you can't find one, then your next best will be a regular Silhouette or a Silhouette Special, depending on what kind of pickup you like next to the neck.

Others have talked about how an Axis compares to a Les Paul, so here I will pile on to add that the Axis "feels" better and "plays" better...but that is subjective. I've a friend who loves Les Pauls, their overall feel, and the shorter scale length; the Axis doesn't do it for him. The other difference would be in the sound. The Axis pickups have a more "modern" feel, a beefier sound. ("Modern" being more 80s vs. "classic", which I guess would be more 60s or 70s.) The Les Paul will have a bit more clarity and not as much balls, if you'll pardon the pun. I've not played a Les Paul much, but that's my take on it.

You already know how great the Axis is. If you're gunning for a Les Paul for guitar no. 2, I think the best advice I or anyone could give, however, would be to try one out before you buy. It is quite different from the Axis.

Good luck! And please let us know how it goes.

I have a Axis ss and I think it's awesome!! but now I am looking for a 2nd guitar.I was thinking maybe a Gibson les paul(never own one before) or a 2nd Axis.

I play mostly 80's Rock,how does the Axis compair to a Gibson LP?

 

[JohnnyBoy]

Harmony Central review of the Steve Morse gets a great review - this is the version with the silhouette body shape. @ Lims show this was demoed and IMO proved to impress the most re number of sounds from it.

Y2D model is going to be v flexible re sounds also, but will weigh a little more.

Why Gibson?, when EBMM Steve morse models will get you more sounds, better build quality etc.

Louis

 

[dwells]

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[candid_x]

The damn strings just layed on the bridge, it wasn't even grooved, any decent bends and it was pinging and slipping all over the place.

My son's SG was the same way. He was told "you have to cut the notches in the bridge pieces yourself, or just play it until the grooves form themselves." What?? His friend with a new LP had to drill the holes in the new guitar to mount the pickguard himself.

 

[jbhafner]

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Now that is a good idea! Luke came up from a LesPaul to Ibanez to Valley Arts to MusicMan. See....you're already way ahead of the curve! You might want to look at the Luke

 

[RafRey]

I have gone through lots of guitars, lots! In fact, I just sold a Gibson Les Paul Standard Limited Edition with ebony fretboard that looked gorgeous! But, it was a newer model with the chambered body and felt very delicate. I played it at one of our bigger gigs, and it kept going out of tune. At least it looked good! Soon after that, I posted it for sale. I walked into GC to get some strings and there was my Axis, calling to me. Sold the Gibby, grabbed the Axis!

Not that I don't like Les Pauls; one of my favorite guitars of all time was a Studio from the early nineties. You can get your LP tone and feel, but without the binding and extra cost. The bodies are not chambered and have a solid feel, which also adds to the tone. For heavy rock rhythm or clean jazz, these are all you need. BUT, they just don't feel as comfortable to play and rip around on as my Axis, IMHO. They are just two different animals.

Now, if the name on the headstock doesn't matter to you, Agile makes great LP knockoffs. I have a gold top.

That being said, I love my Axis, but I don't know if I would buy another one INSTEAD of an LP, since I like to have a few different flavors at my disposal. Doesn't mean I won't buy another AND an LP!

Whatever you decide, have fun!

-Raf

 

[Micheal D Lord]

- A/B a Lp and some Balls at the guitar store.

I really like how the gibby looks and sounds but man I hate how it feels...I have a SS Axis Hardtail w/tone knob and 5 position switch...so I am looking for something a little different.After trying many EBMM.The Axis just feels,looks and sounds perfect for my style.

Why mess with a good thing!!!

So I am going with a Axis Sport 3 position switch w/whammy bar no tone knob.....plus I can get an awesome deal on a used one in perfect condition

 

[Volt]

IMO everyone should own an American strat, a Gretsch 6120, and a Les Paul. Then they should buy an Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Special (et al) to appreciate what a truly superior guitar it is.
I've been playing guitar for 49 years (eeek!!!) and I've played dozens of guitars. My Silo Spec is the best playing guitar I have ever played. Really.

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

Just an FYI, the Axis Super Sport sounds different than an Axis and the Axis Sport. I have all three (sort of..counting EVH as Axis) and they all have their unique tonal charateristics. If you throw in the MM90 ASS then you add a completely different animal. Try and track down a Sport. IMHO it will fit the mold you are looking for. Obviously the only way to get a Sport is on the second hand market therefore your cost is contained. If it doesn't meet your needs then resell it. As a matter of fact, if the Sport is an HH and you don't like it, I'll buy it. My Sport is an SSH and I want to add an HH Sport to the herd.

 

[JMB27]

Try before you buy. Let your ears, your arms, your shoulders, your back and your hands decide.

Both can be very good guitars for what you prolly wanna play .... but if it ain't got the special something when you first try it, then you're gonna be fighting it as long as you own it and prolly trade out for something else

just my .02. etc. etc. etc.

Cheers always, eh

Joel
p.s. while I own a couple of Super Sports, I still have an H150 (les paul style from Heritage Guitars) .... why? I still think variety is the spice of life

 

[Axilla]

forget about the gibson too heavy while giging get a new ASS MM90 (i'm not a fan of the floyd)

Just what our French friend says.
Try to get your hands on an Axis Sport or Axis Super Sport with MM90s and check them out. Guess you won't be disappointed

 

[Earplayer]

Hi there! Don´t get me wrong - i think you should play/try one before you are going to jump on one of these... it´s one of those V.S. threads... totally different animals. You can´t compare apples and oranges...

In my opinion no EBMM guitar can really cover THAT Strat or LP sound...
That is why i have a Fender CS´60 Relic Strat and a Gibson CS ´58 VOS Les Paul - GREAT and wonderful sounding instruments in their own way.

But i also LOVE EBMM! Why?! Great gigging, sounding and looking instruments with the best playability. Especially if you are playing live-gigs you will love your EBMMs even more.

Go for a 20th!!!

-Tom.

 

[Adwex]

My axis's can do anything any guitar can do.
Les Pauls and Strats are for people with no imagination...

Really!!??

Jimi Hendrix had no imagination?
Jimmy Page had no imagination?


Fanboy has no clue.