Axis Sound difference - mahogany vs basswood

[mallcorn]

For those of you who have actually played both and know for sure - I would like to hear about how the sound compares between two Axis guitars each with maple necks, maple fretboards, and stock pickups for the following:

(1) Axis BFR - with the mahogany Tone Block
(2) Axis - with the Basswood body.

thanks,

..mike

 

[DrGonzo5150]

I think there is a few of us here hanging out for a comparison..

Welcome to the Forum

 

[grandmacpubah]

I don't think anyone has a BFR Axis yet. I'm still waiting for mine and I ordered it about 4 months ago or so.

 

[TNT]

It's very difficult to state in "advance" the qualities of a specific guitar based on it's wood.

e.g., if you were blind folded and handed a half dozen guitars, some basswood and some mahogany, you would hear differences between ALL of them.

And, oddly enough you may end up picking a basswood body because that's the guitar you thought had the most sustain, and conversely, a mahogany body because that's the one you thought sounded the warmest.

Certain woods are used because , generally speaking, they produce certain characteristics. BFR's are premium instruments, because of the appointments, not necessarily the sound.

 

[mallcorn]

Agreed, one can only assume the sound (including sustain, warmth, etc.) This is why I am interested in hearing first hand how they compare instead of going on assumptions. I appreciate you pointing out the sustain qualities of a basswood body and the warmth of a mahogany body. I have experienced a particular guitar with a basswood body and the same guitar with a mahogany body and the mahogany body guitar did not sound good compared to the other. I do own a couple of guitars that are mahogany body guitars and they are outstanding sounding guitars (you probably know which guitars I am referencing).

I am not a guitar collector, only a guitar player so sound is a key driver for me but I am drawn to nice to have things like birdseye necks, excellent tops, etc.. Over the years, I have developed a taste for high quality instruments but have no respect for high quality instrument that have no soul as far as their sound.

I have owned one EBMM EVH and have played several Axis and Axis Super Sport guitars and really appreciate and understand their sound. I have not had the opportunity to experience the Axis BFR and before spending quality money on one, I want to better understand how their sound WILL vary from the standard Axis that does not have a mahongany tone block.

I am sure from one BFR to another BFR the sound will not vary, if so, slightly, as this is the case with the Axis. You pretty much know what you are getting. The BFR is not the standard Axis because they have changed the body by adding the mahongany tone block. Hearing is believing.....

thanks,

..mike

 

[beej]

What's been generally said about guitars with the Mahog Tone Block (20th Silhouette, JP BFR, etc.) is that is that you get more lower-mids in the sound.

I've got a 20th Silo with the tone block and it does have a thick sound which reflects that. Accordingly I'd expect the BFR Axis to exhibit the same characteristics.

 

[phatduckk]

What's been generally said about guitars with the Mahog Tone Block (20th Silhouette, JP BFR, etc.) is that is that you get more lower-mids in the sound.

I've got a 20th Silo with the tone block and it does have a thick sound which reflects that. Accordingly I'd expect the BFR Axis to exhibit the same characteristics.

i'd second this. I have a standard Silo and 20th Silo (with BFR style mahog tone block) and also own a BFR Luke & used to own a standard Luke.

Between those 2 "sets" I would say beej's statement holds true in my experience as well. Both the 20th silo and BFR Luke have more lower mids and sound a bit "thicker" than their "standard" counterparts.

Once more BFR Axis hit the streets im sure we'll start seeing & hearing more 1st hand comparissons

 

[Tone?]

the AXIS is already thick sounding. wonder what the mahogany does to Basswood. my guess is that it would add overtones and maybe some more mids?

hmmmm....

 

[mallcorn]

Well, I have continued to dig for answers to my question as to how the sound may differ from a standard Axis and an Axis BFR. I have not heard with my own ears but I have been told what to prepare to hear.

The Axis BFR starts with an Axis basswood body and routes a channel just wider than the pickups that runs from under the bridge to the neck pocket. A block of mahogany wood is then placed in the routed pocket. Then the maple top is added and the body finished out. The purpose of the mahogany block is not to change the sound but to improve the sound.

Here is what one should prepare to hear going from an Axis to an Axis BFR:

- improves sustain
- improves punch
- improves clarity

Both guitars sound fat. The Axis BFR will be punchier. The Axis should not be as clear sounding as the Axis BFR when playing a chord. With the Axis BFR, you should be able to more clearly hear each note played with better separation. Therefore, these guitars will sound different, in these subtle ways....

But, does this indicate that one will be warmer sounding than the other? Is more clarity better for only certain types of music or for all types? Maybe only our ears can be the judge....

Your thoughts?

..mike

 

[balance]

Interesting comments Mike on the addition of Mahogany. The Basswood/Maple combo is a really full sound across the frequency spectrum, but in my experience, Mahogany adds a thick, low-midrange punch to the sound...very full and fat. However, I've never experienced Mahogany as adding much clarity to the sound, though Maple matched with it helps.

To me, Mahogany and Rosewoods are humbuckers compared to Ash and Maple being single-coils. Humbuckers have a punch and power that other pickups (woods) cannot match, while single-coils have a clarity unlike any other. The best example to me would be listen to Albert Lee play the AL model, lots of clarity and note definition.

 

[mallcorn]

I was able to find someone with both Axis and Axis BFR guitars. A comparision was done playing each guitar thru a Fender Bassman amp using only the volume knob of the amp to control a clean and a driven/breakup sound. I was told the only thing that could be identified regarding sound differences was the Axis BFR sounded a little beefier or more in your face playing on the sixth, fifth, and fourth strings. Playing on the higher strings, using a .09 gauge set, you couldn't tell one guitar from the other.

The overall comment was for the bigger strings the BFR seemed to "add a little more salt and pepper" to the sound than the Axis standard. I have added pictures of the BFR guitars played.

..mike

 

[Astrofreq]

Buy a purple one, buy a purple one!!

 

[A.J.]

I've played both and radrock is right, the purple sounds best.

Actually the comments about the added sustain, clarity and punch are pretty spot on to my ears.

Think of the Axis as a really nice big screen T.V. Think of the BFR Axis as that same T.V. but with HD capabilities.