Any JP and Axis SS owners?

[WilliamMunny]

I have a problem. It has plagued me for years and this is the only place I have left to turn....

You see, I am addicted to MusicMan guitars....

I have a few JP's and have often felt that they were made specifically with me in mind....they are just the perfect guitar!!!

But now I am thinking about an Axis Super Sport...

I have only held one once for like 5 minutes a few years ago, so I was wondering if anyone here could give me some info that may help solidify my stance on purchasing one...

1. How does the neck compare to the JP...can you get to that 22nd fret easily?
2. How is the tremolo...does it compare to the JP tremolo at all (the best ever IMO!)
3. Anyones' general opinions on the two would be very appreciated!!!

thanx in advance for any time or info that you offer up!

 

[Astrofreq]

1. The neck is much thicker. More to hold onto. Yes, the 22nd free is easy to get to.
2. I prefer the hardtails, but if I had to choose, the JP seems more to my liking because it floats.
3. The JP is a great guitar, but I just don't like the neck on it myself. Too skinny for me. The Axis neck is the bomb and the bridge humbucker I believe is the best pick-up ever. HOWEVER, I like the middle position on the JP more than the 2,3 & 4 positions on the SuperSport. But on the hardtail Axis, the 3-way is the best because you aren't splitting up any of the coils, which to me doesn't sound that good on the EVH pickups. I like the two humbuckers together though.

We all have it comin', kid.

 

[Slingy]

You see, I am addicted to MusicMan guitars....

Unforgiven! Best movie ever! Anyways yeah we all have that problem.

 

[WilliamMunny]

"Deserves got nothin' to do with it!"

I think that I am just going to have to bite the bullet and make a road trip to someone who actually has one in stock....the only way to know for sure I suppose.

 

[Slingy]

You should also post pics of your JP's. There's a dealer locator on the music-man site that could be helpful in locating an Axis near you.

 

[roburado]

The JP and the ASS tremolo are basically the same thing--or so I've been told on this forum. The JP just has that cover over the saddles.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

William,

Put your location in your user CP. It's sometimes difficult to find the EBMM model in stores that you want to play (unless you're in driving distance to DuBaldo's). Members will often be willing to let you give their guitar a try and answer questions about them. I know that I've just mentioned an EBMM product in the past and received PM's from locals telling me that I could borrow theirs for a week if I wanted to. I was amazed.

And yes, the Axis neck and the JP neck are very different. I like them both but prefer the Axis myself.

jack

 

[WilliamMunny]

sorry....total noob mistake.

thanx for all the feedback guys!

 

[marduke]

i have both and love both!.. the JP to me is easier to play and sounds HOT! but the ASS is all out rock and roll! the necks are very different. funnily enough i get more comments about the ASS than the JP6.....
but both are fantastic guitars, if you get an ASS you wont be dissapointed!

 

[Fusionman]

I own both a JP6 and a Axis Sport; HH version

1. The necks are totally different. The JP is wider but thinner front to back while the Sport is narrower across and thicker front to back. High fret access is easy on both. I like them both but prefer the JP especially for faster playing. I actually wish it was 22 fret gtr though.

2. The trems are essentially the same but the JP trem floats, ie, it can be depressed to de-tune and raised. It is a wonderful easy to play, shimmery feel. My Sport trem rests flush to the top of the gtr so I can only depress it. You could raise it up a bit like a Luke but I prefer the advantage of more solid tuning. Again, IMO, the JP trem wins this shoot out.

3. I prefer the Axis pickups to the JP.

4. My JP has the piezo which I love.

5. I wish the standard JP came with coil tapping using a push-pull tone pot like the BFR's.

6. The fret work on both is superb. The overall craftsmanship on both gtrs is top shelf too.

7. On a strap, both gtrs balance well but the JP is a physically bigger gtr. Sort of a super strat body. I like the deep arm contour of the JP.

8. The Axis has the 5 way pickup switching so there are a bit more tonal options.

9. The volume pot on the Axis Sport does not compensate for a loss of treble when you turn it down.

10. Both are great gtrs. But bear in mnd that the JP was designed specifically for one player and entirely reflects his tastes in a gtr. While the Axis SS or Sport owes a debt to another great (unnamed here) player, it seems to be more of a "any man" or "working man's" design.

11. Lastly, I prefer the discontinued ash body Sport to the basswood/maple cap Super Sport. However, the recently discontinued basswood/rosewood top, rosewood neck SS is killer...