Ax-40

[AnotherNoob]

Hey guys. Sat down at the local shop while my friend was fooling around with basses, and so i saw a Sterling AX40 sitting (hanging) there. Never knew they existed. Took it down and it was the first MM i ever played. I just played it unplugged, and it felt nice! Comfy fender like feel. So with Christmas coming up, i was wondering if i should save for the real deal (Axis) or get the AX40? I'm probably gonna save either way (or else i'll just be looking at Axis all day again, i'm very ungrateful that way :S) but ya.. Good stuff They are set up in America somewhere i read?

 

[patpark]

set up and inspected in Orange, CA USA.

 

[travs]

I saw a trans gold last week of the 1st time. Its all there! great fit and finish. I did not plug it in. its on my list for sure.

 

[Tung]

It's a great guitar, it's as close to the real thing as you can get with that price tag. Only reason i don't own one right now is because I don't like locking tremolo system.

 

[browndog]

I owned one for 5 months. Excellent guitar for the money. If you can afford the Axis, I would buy the real deal or take the money and buy a 2... a JP50 & an AX40.

 

[smd24fan]

Owned one and loved it, sold to pay for my JP6. Would buy another in a heartbeat!

 

[straycat113]

I am kind of confused about this ax. I have never played one but the reviews and comments and I am not just talking magazines as you know they cant really be trusted, but from guys on forums are simply stellar. I have not heard one negative thing or even a great for the money, just a plain ass kicking ax with overall great reviews.
I can remember back in the days when you bought a lower end model it was barely playable, Today they give the real thing a run for the money. Truly amazing.

 

[redeleon]

will get this one after I graduate this school year!
YEAH!

 

[RonJ5150]

AX40 with Orginal Floyd, Dimarzio and Properly blocked trem

Attached is my mod'd AX40.

• Original Floyd Rose R2 nut
• Dimarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton
• Blocked trem with piece of Oak (6cm x 3cm x 8mm) fixed to the body (Dives only)
• 42-9 Slinkys

The Floyd gives the guitar a better feel - bar action, g string buzz is gone etc...The pickup change didn't do much to the sound. The piece of Oak improved the sound and sustain.

Letting the strings stretch out until Friday then I set the Intonation...

 

[tornandfrayed]

Nice guitar...great quilt

 

[Tung]

The Floyd gives the guitar a better feel - bar action, g string buzz is gone etc...The pickup change didn't do much to the sound. The piece of Oak improved the sound and sustain.

Letting the strings stretch out until Friday then I set the Intonation...

So you don't think the Air Norton/Tone Zone really much of an improvement over the stock pups?

 

[azazael]

Attached is my mod'd AX40.

• Original Floyd Rose R2 nut
• Dimarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton
• Blocked trem with piece of Oak (6cm x 3cm x 8mm) fixed to the body (Dives only)
• 42-9 Slinkys

The Floyd gives the guitar a better feel - bar action, g string buzz is gone etc...The pickup change didn't do much to the sound. The piece of Oak improved the sound and sustain.

Letting the strings stretch out until Friday then I set the Intonation...

Any reason u didnt get the Gotoh? It would have been considerably cheaper and more true to the Axis.

 

[RonJ5150]

Stock pickups are good...not much of a difference.

The Floyd was the big improvement! I like OFR or high end Ibanez....

 

[azazael]

Stock pickups are good...not much of a difference.

The Floyd was the big improvement! I like OFR or high end Ibanez....

Gotoh Floyd is just as good as an OFR.

 

[RonJ5150]

The Floyd was the low risk option to chose since I have other guitars with it and the measurement I had taken confirmed it would just drop in.

It's all setup now and it sounds great. The voicing between the pickup settings is very noticeable, bridge crunchy and the neck throaty.

Sterling should just use the OFR and add an extra 50 to the price of the guitar.

 

[peterd79]

the great thing about the Sterlings is they have picked up where OLP completely missed the mark. OLP for me was a great introduction to the Ernie Ball Music Man Company... The guitar that i got was and still is a great guitar, Sterling Guitars took that concept and took it one (or two or three) steps further with putting out an incredibly amazing product. They have put together a great guitar...
i wouldn't hesitate to jump on a Sterling... without a doubt its a great guitar with a great feel.