Axis options and big decisions.

[Boobala]

I'm probably hours (maybe minutes) away from ordering a EBMM Axis and was wondering
if there is anything I should know before doing so.

I've read the FAQ and search the forum, and it only served to confuse me a bit more.

I've read that there is/was a "premium tops" option, and that maybe EBMM no longer
offers this option. Is it now a grab-bag sort of situation where you order your
guitar and hope for the best, or are they all "premium tops" now?

Is there a choice between Flame and Quilt, or are they all one type?

This is probably the wrong question to ask here in a EBMM forum , as I'm sure I'll
get a lot of "get the Axis" responses, but I slightly torn between the EBMM Axis
and the Peavey HP Special. Does anybody have experience with both and could tell
me anything which would sway me in one direction or the other? I'm leaning heavily
towards the Axis, but I do like the carved top Peavey HP Special. The Peavy offers
a few thing the Axis does not such as... Carved Top, Coil Taps and full floating
(but lockable) Floyd Rose. On theother hand the Axis, based on reviews I've read,
has better pick-ups and better quality control. (I'll take quality over features
any day).

Now, about me and my guitar needs (to help you, help me )

This guitar will not be gigged. I'm just an amateur, who likes to noodle away,
playing my own stuff and covers in the comfort of my home. I record some. I
already have a US Strat so all my single coil needs are met (No, I don't want
an Albert Lee... yet). This new guitar will be played through the following...

PODXT Live -> PC
PODXT Live -> Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
Vox Wah -> TS-808 Tubescreamer (clone)-> Uni-Vibe -> Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
Or any combination of the above.

My favorite guitarist are, but not limited to, David Glimour, EVH, Tony Iommi, SRV.

Thanks in advance!

 

[hbucker]

I've owned an EBMM-EVH since '93 and a Wolfgang since '98. Both guitars are the forefathers of the guitars you are considering.

The Axis is more similar to the EVH than the HP is to the Wolfgang but there is no doubt who the HP's father was.

I doubt you could go wrong with either. If you're a novice, I might recommend the guitar with less bells and whistles simply for simplicity sake. That would be the Axis. Sometimes more is not better. It's just confusing or irritating.

As for quality control, I have no problem with either. I wouldn't give it a second thought.

The coil taps on the HP might be a plus. But the Axis SS has something resembling that which is very functional.

While these are different guitars, I find myself thoroughly enjoying whichever I happen to be playing at the time. I think the PV pickups are a bit more versatile. Yet the Axis DiMarzios tend to be able to nail vintage in addition to moderns tones better. And the DiMarzios handle straight out high gain better.

The carved top is comfortable but has never been a deal breaker for me. One of the biggest differences to me is the neck. HP has 15" radius and is significantly wider than the Axis neck. Axis neck is a 10" radius and pretty narrow by most standards. Whichever of those sounds better to you could be a deal breaker.

I have nothing but good things to say about my EVH or other EBMM products. But I'm also very satisfied with my Wolfgang. I personally don't think either would be a mistake. This being the EBMM forum I'd guess you'll probably hear about how bad PV products are. I will take this opportunity to disagree in advance. But the fact that the Axis is probably going to cost a little less $$ and it's a simpler guitar design, that may be a really good match for you.

Good luck.

 

[Jonny Dubai]

The EBMM necks are to die for. The playability is 2nd to none. They are classy guitars and come from a great company who realy puts the customer first.

We love it here!

J

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

+1 on the Axis, though I expect the Peavey guitar is a nice axe too. The Axis I would say would have the edge.

 

[Boobala]

Thanks for the info all.

I didn't know, and am still not sure, about the neck on the Peavey. I've searched and searched
and the only thing I found suggested it (PV HP Special) had a compound radius fingerboard. The
Peavey website offers no info regaurding the neck other than it is 25.5" scale, oiled Birdseye
maple. No width or radius info. If it is just like the Wolfgang, then it would be 15" radius
fingerboard, with the EVH asymetrical contour. Probably wider as well, but I can find no info
about that.

Anyway, the fingerboard radius doesn't concern me much, both the 10" and 15" have thier advantages,
and I could go with either. The width issue however does concern me a little bit.


All that doesn't really matter, 'cause I'm 95% sure I'll go with the Axis. Speaking of which,
Does anybody have info regaurding my other questions (Quoted below)?

I've read the FAQ and search the forum, and it only served to confuse me a bit more.

I've read that there is/was a "premium tops" option, and that maybe EBMM no longer
offers this option. Is it now a grab-bag sort of situation where you order your
guitar and hope for the best, or are they all "premium tops" now?

Is there a choice between Flame and Quilt, or are they all one type?

Again, thanks in advance!

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

In regards to "what top will come on my Axis" it will be either flame or quilt, whichever one happens to get pulled from the pile. EB no longer offers the premium top option, which gave you the ability to select figure for $500.

All EB tops are very good.

 

[Lew]

With all due respect,if you can't tell the difference quality wise between a musicman and a peavey(yes even the high priced ones) then save yourself some money and go whichever costs less $.I really do not mean to patronise you,just my opinion.

Enjoy whatever you choose \o/

 

[lock-ny]

Have you looked into the axis supersport, split coils, great bridge, I have one and it rocks the house, it will cover every guy you mentioned there - oh and BTW I know this is a MM forum but the axis is nicer than the HP, plus the resale value of those things is terrible, I worked for a music magazine for a bit and we had one in the shop for a bit, it was cool but the axis will make you happier in the long run, check out the supersport before you place an order -

 

[hbucker]

For specific questions re: the PV HP I would consult their web site forum:

http://forums.peavey.com:8080/~Guitars/login

Very helpful and I'm sure AJ will answer any questions you have.

Good luck with your search. And I do disagree with Lew. But not with the other comments regarding the great neck on the Axis or the EBMM products in general.

 

[Lew]

For specific questions re: the PV HP I would consult their web site forum:

http://forums.peavey.com:8080/~Guitars/login

Very helpful and I'm sure AJ will answer any questions you have.

Good luck with your search. And I do disagree with Lew. But not with the other comments regarding the great neck on the Axis or the EBMM products in general.

Traitor
Ha!HBucker has a point tho, it is just an opinion!Play what feels good to you.
Going on features I think the only thing a supersport doesn't have in your list is a carved top,and unless you have a real hard-on for a floyd the MM bridge well set up will be just as functional.

 

[Boobala]

In regards to "what top will come on my Axis" it will be either flame or quilt, whichever one happens to get pulled from the pile. EB no longer offers the premium top option, which gave you the ability to select figure for $500.

All EB tops are very good.

Thanks, that answered my question perfectly.

With all due respect,if you can't tell the difference quality wise between a musicman and a peavey(yes even the high priced ones) then save yourself some money and go whichever costs less $.I really do not mean to patronise you,just my opinion.

Enjoy whatever you choose \o/

Having never seen a Peavy in real life, it's difficult to judge the quality. I suspected the EBMM was better. I've actually played an Axis and was impressed with the quality, and judging by the responses here and a few other places, I feel my suspension was correct.

BTW, The Peavy Floyd is "Full Floating" (but lockable) and the Axis is blocked (Dives only). This really means nothing to me as I would probalby lock the Peavey Floyd down anyway.

Have you looked into the axis supersport, split coils, great bridge, I have one and it rocks the house, it will cover every guy you mentioned there - oh and BTW I know this is a MM forum but the axis is nicer than the HP, plus the resale value of those things is terrible, I worked for a music magazine for a bit and we had one in the shop for a bit, it was cool but the axis will make you happier in the long run, check out the supersport before you place an order -

I have a Strat that fufills all my single coil needs. The Peavey having a coil tap was just a bonus, and never really a selling point to me. In fact the thing(s) I liked abut the Peavey was the carved top, and the fact that I could have shipped to me by next week. And for some bizaar reason I really want the Floyd Rose trem, so the ASS is out.


I did visit the Peavey forum, but was too lazy to register to ask a question and browsing the first few pages offered no help. I guess, in the back of mind, I had already decided on the Axis.


THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP!!! I'll be ordering the Axis soon, very soon. I need you all to pray (or whatever voodoo you do) that I get an awesome QUILT top.

 

[Lew]

I was refering to the ASS in regards to bridge function,and I beg your pardon I asumed you had played both to have them in mind for buying.

 

[Boobala]

I was refering to the ASS in regards to bridge function,and I beg your pardon I asumed you had played both to have them in mind for buying.

I apologise for the ASS/Axis bridge confusion. For some reason my brain (a traditionally unreliable source) was telling me that the ASS trem was locked back.


Before I ordered the Peavey I would have made the hour long drive to the closest dealer and tried it out (and maybe buy). I'm was just trying to save myself a trip with some online research first.

 

[Lew]

I apologise for the ASS/Axis bridge confusion. For some reason my brain (a traditionally unreliable source) was telling me that the ASS trem was locked back.


Before I ordered the Peavey I would have made the hour long drive to the closest dealer and tried it out (and maybe buy). I'm was just trying to save myself a trip with some online research first.

haha np
Yea I understand avoiding long drive's,it has to do with my age I think,a few years ago I happily drove four hours to get the last barden pickups for sale in the UK,yet now it's an effort to run in to town for some fresh strings ;DD

 

[lock-ny]

BTW Boobala there are lots of axis's around, when you decide what color and options you want call CS and see where they sent one and then call that store and grab it, I would call pete dubaldo first to see if he has it or has one coming in soon for good pricing, good luck dude -

 

[dfrady]

Trans. Red with matching head is absolutely AMAZING !!!

 

[Boobala]

BTW Boobala there are lots of axis's around, when you decide what color and options you want call CS and see where they sent one and then call that store and grab it, I would call pete dubaldo first to see if he has it or has one coming in soon for good pricing, good luck dude -

Who or what is "CS"?

 

[Axistence]

CS: Custom Service
-------------------------
The HP's neck feels good, not as good as the Axis, but ok. Problem is the overall quality of the HP and the small details too. The Axis like all the EBMM family is simply amazing. I waited for playing a HP 5 months. When it arrived and after playing it at the store, I went to the other guitar shop to order my Axis.

 

[hbucker]

If you can live without a Floyd the A.S.S. would be a really good match for you. IMO Floyds aren't worth the hassle unless your style really requires use of a locking trem.

Otherwise, the Axis would be good and you'll have no regrets.

 

[geektard]

but there is no doubt who the HP's father was.

WHAT?!

If Wolfgang is his daddy, guess who's HP's grandaddy?