Advice needed on the MusicMax Axis

[WineRed]

Hi all,

I've been planning to buy a MusicMan Axis for quite some time.

While I'm familiar with Fender strats/teles, and Les Pauls, I have very little experience with the Axis. The only experience I had was playing one at a music store (big mistake!!) which totally got me hooked.

A few questions that I have...

1. Are all Axis models (not the Sport or the japanese ones, just the USA models) the same? Are there any variations? For Fender USA strats for example, there's the fat strat, the hardtail, maple/rosewood fretboard etc. So is the USA Axis just as confusing?

2. I looked around on Internet stores (such as Music123), I found the same color options, but no sunburst flame maple tops. Are these flametops still in production?

3. Brand new Axis models are beyond my budget, which means the only way is to find used ones. What is a good price for a used Axis?

4. Any stores/Internet stores that are known to sell used MusicMan Axis?

Thanks all!
WR

 

[Jimi D]

Well, I'll take a crack at some of your Q's; with four Axi' in my stable, I know a thing or two about 'em if I do say so myself...

First off, the Axis, Axis Sport and Axis Super Sport are all made in the US... There is an Axis variant (I think it's called the Axis EX) that's assembled in Japan for the Japanese market and resembles an EVH except for the missing headstock signature, but they are rare in the US, and even if you did happen to end up with one, the parts were still manufactured in the US... Anyway, there are a number of configurations for the Axis in it's various manifestations, but it works out predominantly like this...

The original Axis, based on the EB/MM EVH, has two hums and a Floyd. That's the Axis proper, the first, THE Axis...

The Axis Sport was the first variation on the Axis theme, with stop-tail and "vintage" trem models (as opposed to a Floyd). The original Axis Sport had a pickguard, and came with a number of pickup combos (H/H, S/S/H, S/S/S) on Ash bodies. Maybe two years later, EB dropped the pickguard and changed the Sport to a choice of two MM90s (EB/MM's version of the P90) or two humbuckers, still with either stop tail or vintage trem... The Sport has since been dropped from the EB/MM catalogue...

The Axis Super Sport is basically an upscale Sport, with a Basswood/Maple body and binding... It has the same pickup configurations as the latter-day Sport models, and is still a part of the EB/MM lineup....

Check EB for the best used prices - if you shop carefully and are not too picky about the type of finish you get, you can pick up an Axis for under $800 or a Sport for about $550 fairly easily. Super Sports seem to go from about $650 up... finding any of them in a burst will probably add a bit to the price - it's not the most common EB/MM finish...

When I bought my first Axis, I had two Strats and two Teles besides... Now I have four Axi and two AL's and I think I still have a Strat around here somewhere, but it hasn't been out of it's case in many, many months...

Anyway, I hope you find an Axis for you!

good luck!

 

[WineRed]

Hi Jimi,

Thanks for the helpful info! That pretty much cleared things up

I managed to find a sunburst one with slight flametop (looks quite similar to a figured top 58 reissue Les Paul), going for US$950. It's not in mint condition, some minor scratches, but overall looks fine.

Is this a fair price?

Thanks,
WR

 

[Jimi D]

In my opinion, if the neck and frets are in EXCELLENT shape, then that would be a fair price, especially if it's a local deal and you can see and touch and play the guitar before laying out your $$$ - BUT you can find an Axis cheaper if you're willing to shop the Internet and be patient, so it's really up to you. I payed more than that for my Axis Sport (new) and almost that much for my first Albert Lee, and I've never regretted either purchase...

 

[ex3.8]

My 2 cents.....

I almost got my first EB Silspl. on ebay. but the p.... cancelled the auction with 15 minutes to go. afte a week of being pissed off beyond explanation. I got a brand new one from the store. It ended up costing me probably $500.00 more. but after three months, i think it was well worth it.

P.S. This was my "quit smoking" present. Thats what i told my wife and i'm sticking with it.

 

[Estin]

watch and wait on ebay for a good axis. i found my mint red quilt hardtail dual hums super sport for only $600 and the guitar looked brand new. i see them go for like $700 too as new. thats the best way to get one. you can get silhouettes for under $500 sometimes.......... mint

 

[WineRed]

Jimi, ex, and Estin,

Thanks for your inputs. I guess I'll wait up for a decent one.

Ebay has been a little devoid of Axis' lately, and those advertised on gbase are kinda overpriced.

Cheers,
WR

 

[dwf1004]

WineRed:

Check your private message...I sent you some info.

 

[WineRed]

Folks, some updates.

I have come across several offers: A sunburst (slightly flamed top), a trans amber (orangey finish), and a trans gold (yellowish).

While the sunburst looks best at least in the pics, the other two kinda looked a little flashy.

My question is, are these trans finishes better looking in the flesh?

Also, what are you fave finishes on an Axis?

Thanks!
WR