I prefer the JP neck because I prefer thinner necks. For me, it's just easier to move around on it. But the Axis neck is amazing as well! I'm sure if I own both someday, it wouldn't bother me at all.
1. Comfort- This depends. I have both, so I can tell you that its all up to what you want to play. The pet neck is obviously much flatter and thinner, so that is nice. But if your looking for something to lock down on and start riffing, then you want the Axis neck. Its like the Les Paul neck they forgot to put on the LESS paul. Its round, but it doesn't completely fill up the cup of your hand, so if your a small guy like me its great.
Playability- Petrucci wins in this catagory. It is just a mechanical machine. Your hand has a lot of room to move on the neck so it can really start shredding. The neck is super comfortable on both, but they are completely different. However, when it comes down to which neck your hand glides upon effortlessly, its the Petrucci.
3. Feel- See comfort.
Bottom line- test them both out, but be sure to get what you want. Don't get one just because it looks cool, but let it be a factor if you know what I mean. It depends on what you are looking to do with music.
pet wins for me in all categories. the axis feels just as good but different for the first five frets or so but after that the jp is so nice. jp is comfortable but takes less energy to be comfortable. anything shy of a 12 hour session should be alright with a jp. the jp is the most playable neck ever and i feel there is a direct relation to playability and feel. when i can play good it feels good.
I like both. Possibly the two most playable guitars available. For me, though, the Axis has the best neck in the business ... ever ... period. I've never wrapped my hand around a more comfortable neck. It felt like it was custom-made for my hand.
I would say the Axis. It's essentially a broken in neck.
I haven't played on a JP, so i can't really comment on it. IF it's like some of the other guitars I've used with similar necks, it's too skinny for me.
Would agree with that totally! The JP neck is great for accuracy and speed but the axis neck is just perfect in my opinion. My tiddly little hands love it as well!
Well you know, I have played both. I have small hands (well, not small-small, but you know). They both feel as good (as good as any other EBMM neck). Suprisingly, I really enjoyed the jp. It is awesome as far as playability.
I play better on my Axis than I do on my JP, but I think it is because the tone is better on the Axis. That said, I play my JP at least twice as much as I do my Axis, and that is a very conservative estimate. Overall, when things like the comfort of the body, trem, pickup versatility, and two extra frets are considered, I find the JP to suit my needs much better.
Having owned both, I prefer the Axis. To me it has more of a natural feel and I was a long term Ibanez RG player. I found the JP to sound a bit darker but in a really good way. I miss that the most having sold mine.
There were two things that I could not get used to on the JP, the forearm carve on the body and the thinner neck. In terms of thickness only, the JP neck reminded me a lot of an Ibanez Wizard neck on an RG1570.
Cosmetically, I like both but I would give the edge to the JP as it just looks amazing in person.
Want to bring this thread back from the dead, as I have several EVH's , however there is a purple JP6 BFR that is calling me bigtime!! I am tempted to pull the trigger as a bit of a change from the EVH's. Lets throw the BFR into the mix this time .................. Your thoughts on the differences???
I got a great review from Dizzy (based on that, I would buy it immediately), however he is 6'2" and Im 5'8" , so Id love to hear a few more opinions.
I'm hardly more than 5'8'' myself (probably even less - You know, here in Europe no one but the brits measure people in inches) - and I have found the BFR (which I have sold very recently) extremely comfortable.
If You dig the overall proportions of the JP6, but with a bit smoother feel altogether, and don't mind a painted neck (read: don't have sweaty hands), You will feel quite pleased with it, for sure.