Axis SS with piezo tone?

[tylerdrdn]

New here and need some advice.

I have had a number of EVH's, Axis, and Axis SS over the years, and I am considering an ASS with the piezo option. I have not had time to plug it in, only checked for playability, finish, etc... I did notice that it seems a fair bit more heavy than my previous EBMM's. My question is: how similar in tone (magnetic) is an ASS w/ piezo to one without? Is there a dramatic difference?

Thanks in advance.

 

[azazael]

It won't make much if any of a difference.

 

[tylerdrdn]

thanks for the reply

I was concerned that the additional weight and/or different bridge saddles would change the tone from what I am used to.

 

[azazael]

It wont have any additional weight.
If anything it might be slightly lighter due to wood routing for more pots and switches.

 

[the24thfret]

Like azazael said, no dramatic difference. Possibly very very (read: unnoticeable) differences in tone and weight.

 

[GuitarHack]

I have a few ASSs....piezo and non-piezo, trem and hardtail. Hardtail vs. hardtail, the piezo is definitely a heavier guitar. My ASS MM90 with trem and piezo is the easily heaviest EBMM I own.

Maybe it's the three chrome knobs on the piezo vs. two plastic ones on the non-piezo? Could be, those chrome knobs are heavy.

Tonally, not much difference that I can tell, beyond the usual variation from guitar to guitar.

 

[tylerdrdn]

guitarhack,

Thanks for confirming I am not losing my mind. It felt like a les paul taking it off the rack. Good point re the knobs.

Do you have an opinion on the piezo sound?

Thanks again

 

[threeminutesboy]

guitarhack,

Thanks for confirming I am not losing my mind. It felt like a les paul taking it off the rack. Good point re the knobs.

Do you have an opinion on the piezo sound?

Thanks again

You must be joking on Les Paul comparison, right ?

it is slightly heavier but not that much, as for the Piezo tone, I found it excellent for my needs.

 

[tylerdrdn]

No, not intended as a literal comparison to a Les Paul, but rather an analogy to a guitar that most consider to be on the heavier end of the scale. My point being that this guitar "felt" heavier than any of the previous EBMM's I have had.

Glad you like the piezo. Looking forward to it.

 

[threeminutesboy]

I'm sure you will love it

 

[GuitarHack]

guitarhack,

Thanks for confirming I am not losing my mind. It felt like a les paul taking it off the rack. Good point re the knobs.

Do you have an opinion on the piezo sound?

Thanks again

I rarely use it by itself for fingerstyle, fairly often by itself for strumming, and very often blended with the magnetic pups for a different sound. I've stumbled across some really great sounds that way. I'd use it more by itself for fingerstyle if I had a better acoustic amp (I have a Fender Acoustasonic), and if I was a better player (as in, my fingerstyle was more dynamically even across my thumb and all my fingers).

I think it's a very worthwhile option...it costs a bit more, but it's there if you want it.

 

[GuitarHack]

What the heck, some piezo pics

 

[tylerdrdn]

Thanks for the feedback.

Great pics. It would seem you like the piezo option.

 

[dmcguitar]

How well do those trems stay in tune? The piezo is the same as on the JP model right? Are any of the other models with piezo trems floating?

and lastly one of those guitars was a silouette, where is the piezo switch located?

 

[azazael]

How well do those trems stay in tune? The piezo is the same as on the JP model right? Are any of the other models with piezo trems floating?

and lastly one of those guitars was a silouette, where is the piezo switch located?

Its all in the setup but they work amazing.
The JP trem is based on the vintage trem.. Very similar.

As for silhouette?.....push pull?

 

[GuitarHack]

No switch for the piezo on the Silo Special...the third knob is the piezo volume, and when using the dual output jack, the tone knob (the middle knob)becomes a "blend" knob.

And yes, once the trem is set up and lubed, it is rock solid, almost like a Floyd.