Axis question - tuning stability with a vintage trem?

[DanielT2]

Hey guys,

Can someone tell me what the tuning stability is like on the Axis Supersport with Vintage Trem and locking tuners? Is it difficult to keep in tune (like a Strat trem for example?)

If you are planning to use the trem a lot, is the Axis with Floyd a better option? If so, is the Floyd on an Axis difficult to set-up/maintain etc?

Thanks.

 

[GuitarHack]

I have zero issue with my ASS + vintage trem. As long as I keep the trem posts and nut slots lubed, it can really take a lot of abuse. I no longer see a real advantage with the Floyd.

 

[DanielT2]

I have zero issue with my ASS + vintage trem. As long as I keep the trem posts and nut slots lubed, it can really take a lot of abuse. I no longer see a real advantage with the Floyd.

Really, it's that good!? Did you replace the nut at all or just lube it with graphite powder?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I haved owned both the Floyd and vintage trem Axis. I can tell you from personal experience, the MM vintage trem is rock solid. The combo of the two point fulcrum combined with the locking tuners keeps the tuning extremely stable. In fact, I think they work better than a Floyd. (Note: That won't stop me from buying the Floyded Axis . . .)

I use a small amount of Big Bends Nut Sauce as lubrication at the nut, and I just have the stock nut that came with the guitar. I can dive bomb the hell out of the trem, and it constantly comes back in tune.

The Floyd on the Axis isn't any more complicated than any other Floyd equipped guitar. I can change strings quickly on them, and the tuning is stable (once the strings are properly stretched). The only thing that keeps bringing me back to the Axis (w/floyd) is the controls. That three way switch is perfect.

 

[DanielT2]

Thanks for the response Tony.

So it seems there's no real point in going with the floyd then. Do you notice any differences at all between the Axis and the Axis Supersport other than they trem (i.e. feel, neck, sound, fret size etc)

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Nope,

the only differences (other than the trem) are:

Controls:

Axis - 3 way switch ASS - 5 way switch

Axis - Volume only ASS - Volume and tone knobs

The only other difference, and it's subjective, is that the Floyded models tend to have a slightly brighter sound. The only thing I can attribute this to is the increased mass in the Floyd block.

Otherwise, same pickups, body shape, necks, frets, etc. .. .

 

[Eilif]

Steve Lukather dropped the Floyd in favor of the vintage trem. That says it all right there.

So it seems there's no real point in going with the floyd then.

 

[JeffreyB]

I have three with the vintage trems, and one with the Floyd on order....All you need is a little lube for the nut, and it works fine with no tuning problems. I just wanted to have at least one with the Floyd.

 

[DanielT2]

Thanks for the responses. Looks like the vintage trem might be the one to get.

BTW, is the action as 'slinky' on both guitars?

 

[Fusionman]

I personally do not find the vintage trem on my Axis Sport as slinky feeling as my JP6 but the vintage trem is rock solid. Tuning is spot on and I did change the nut to Tusq which helped the tuning stability a noticible amount.

I cannot dive the vintage trem down as much as the JP nor can it be pulled up but its a lot less finicky a bridge to deal with.

 

[GuitarHack]

Really, it's that good!? Did you replace the nut at all or just lube it with graphite powder?

Thanks for the reply.

Graphite in the nut slots, a little PTFE-based lube on the studs...it's that good.

I do put 10's on all my guitars, and in one case, on my Silo Special, I had to widen the 3rd string nut slot.

Even the floating vintage trem on the Lue is still pretty stable.

 

[GuitarHack]

Nope,

the only differences (other than the trem) are:

Controls:

Axis - 3 way switch ASS - 5 way switch

Axis - Volume only ASS - Volume and tone knobs

The only other difference, and it's subjective, is that the Floyded models tend to have a slightly brighter sound. The only thing I can attribute this to is the increased mass in the Floyd block.

Otherwise, same pickups, body shape, necks, frets, etc. .. .

What Tony said...ASS has a more versatile switching arrangement, plus you can get rosewood board, piezo bridge, hardtail, and MM90 pups. Only Axis option IIRC is matching headstock.

 

[douglasspears]

I have a Rosewood Axis SS, with the vintage trem flush to the body. I jam with friends once a week and I tune up before we play, and don't need to bother at all again usually until we jam again the following week. When I was tuning up 2 weeks ago, I went through all the strings and didn't have to touch a thing, it was all perfect from the previous week. Then I thought back and realized this was the 2nd or 3rd week in a row I hadn't had to touch a tuning knob!

Well, last week, and then again last night it was no different. It's now been over a month since I've touched a tuning knob, haha! And I don't only play it once a week, I also noodle around on my own during the week in between the weekly jams, which are about 3 hours each!

I don't go crazy on the bar, or really even use it that much, but when I do, it's fine...maybe just a quick bend on the G and B strings after a dive, and it's back to perfect. As we get into the cold and dry winter, I'll probably have to adjust a bit, but for the past month or more I literally haven't turned a single tuning knob!

 

[douglasspears]

Bonus last night was that the other guitar player didn't have his guitar with him, so I "had" to break out the old EVH for him to play. So we rocked the EVH [pictured above] and my Rosewood Axis SS, it was great! He commented on how broken in the neck felt, and how fast it was.

 

[douglasspears]

yes, this is the way most other web forums work, you just post in the correct thread, NOT let a thread run it's course then lock it. Anyways....

 

[VinSun]

My trem is floated on my Axis Sport, and I've absolut no tuning problems with it.

 

[beej]

yes, this is the way most other web forums work, you just post in the correct thread, NOT let a thread run it's course then lock it. Anyways....

And you also get a friendly ribbing on most other web forums when you resurrect a 4 year old thread

 

[Astrofreq]

I found the Floyd held up much better tuning wise when doing heavy tremming. That's my experience, although most on here have had different results. Plus, the Axis has more bite than the Super Sports. Less pickup selection, but more bite. It IS slight, but there is a difference in tone, even with the same pickups.

 

[straycat113]

For stability you are not going to beat a Floyd as it is going to be able to withstand the most abuse, it also will be a bit of a pain though if you go through strings a lot. The vintage EB trem is outstanding and better than any trem I ever had on a Fender Strat easily. But I would take the trem on the JP on every guitar I owned if possible as it is amazing

 

[OU812]

I'm not sure why people consider restringing a Floyd a pain? Sure if its floating and you're changing gauges then yes it might be if you're not sure what you're doing. However on a guitar like the Axis with a flush mounted Floyd I find it easier then on vintage style guitar. Just string it backwards. All you gotta do is align your tuner hole to point down the neck, and pull the string all the way through leaving the ball end at the tuning peg. Pull the string tight and cut your string just behind the fine tuners on the bridge. Perfect length for each string, then just clamp it into the saddle and start winding. No need to measure, no need to cut the string twice and its quick and simple.
Looks like this in the end....

Edit:

To add something to the original post, the tuning stability can get very close to a Floyd setup however a Floyd will have a bigger range then a vintage type trem.