Axis Or axis supersport

[JPSixx]

Wow that is a beauty radrock! Is this one yours?

 

[V_S]

BTW... you can always disconnect the tone pot (takes 2 minutes) or use an no-load pot on an ASS if you want to eliminate the it's effect and keep the 5-way switch.

I... but will tell you why the Axis has more bite. No tone cap. Even with the tone knob turned all the way up, you have the cap in series with the pot. It's still going to have some minor affect. Now, Music Man used to make Custom Axis guitars with a tone knob also. If you like the sound of the supersport better, put a 500k and cap (I forget the value) across the pickup.

 

[tommydude]

I prefer a locking trem and 3-way switches, so the Axis is for me. Nothing wrong with the ASS, same neck, same feel, I just don't care for sliders and don't need a tone knob. It comes down to what you like.

Enough said!

 

[Tubes4Tone]

I just picked up an Axis Sport with 5 way slider 2 Humbuggies and vintage trem. Simplicity + Flex-ability = Tasty tone !

Need I say more ??

George

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I have to disagree with the masses. I think there is enough of a tone difference that it should factor into your decision. True, they do have the same pickups, but the Axis simply has more bite. I have found that to be the case on both the Floyd Axis models and hardtails. My suspicion is that the lack of extra wiring adds more "umph" to the overall sound, enough to where super sports are no longer on my shopping list when browsing guitars. I have owned half a dozen super sports over the years. They are awesome guitars, don't get me wrong, but the extra bite sounds better to my ears.

I agree with you totally!

I have an ASS and have removed the tone pot and replaced the 5 way with a 3 way and it sounds much better (to my ear anyhow!)

 

[luv]

My first Ball, an Axis w/ Floyd, was brighter and edgier than my second Ball, an Axis SuperSport with EBMM trem. The two ASS's that I've owned were warmer sounding (to my ear) than my Axis.

The only thing that ever bugged my about my SuperSports was the volume drop in positions 2 and 4. Certainly not a deal breaker, but just something that I noticed. The only thing that ever bugged me about the Axis was the f'ing Floyd.

All the Hardtail Balls that I've owned had more punch than any of the trem models I've owned. Hardtails Rock! That being said, I'm wanting an Axis with Floyd now. I know, it's all f'd up...but that's how I roll.

 

[Trem]

I have an Axis Super Sport, and like it because it's not a Floyd. The bridge just sounds better to me. Warmer. The five-way switch gives you more flexibility for sure, which is especially helpful if you play through a sensitive tube amp. Play with your volume and tone knobs to get funk, rock, jazz, country, you name it. You don't have that option (as much) with the Axis.

It really depends on your needs. For a more allround guitar, I'd go for the Axis Super Sport. Easier to change strings too, in live situations. If you are an Ed-head, or use whammy bars all day long, your choice would obviously be the Axis. Several forumites commented on the 'bite' that the Axis has over the Axis Super Sport. I bet it's possible to get a push-pull pot as your volume pot and bypass the five-way switch all together, having your pickup go straight to the output jack via volume. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I personally dig the strat-sounds you can get with positions 2 & 4 on the ASS, making it really the best of both worlds, true mix between a Strat & Les Paul, only more versatile and playable in true EBMM fashion. Good luck making your decision! You can't really go wrong with either, IMHO.

 

[aleclee]

Several forumites commented on the 'bite' that the Axis has over the Axis Super Sport. I bet it's possible to get a push-pull pot as your volume pot and bypass the five-way switch all together, having your pickup go straight to the output jack via volume. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

My theory is that it's due to the Axis' lack of a tone circuit. Even when dimed, a regular tone control sends some treble to ground. As a result, the guitar without a tone control will sound brighter than one with a tone control. In the late 80s when PRS got some complaints about the "sweet switch" equipped guitars being too bright, they started adding a dummy tone control circuit to roll off some high end.