Axis Super Sport

[DJL]

Hi,

I'm looking at buying an ASS, however it’s incredibly hard to find any in the UK to try and the spec I want means it will have to be ordered from the US. (6 months wait at the moment!)

What’s it like buying blind with Music Man guitars? I normally wouldn't buy a guitar without playing it - I'm hoping due to the price and more boutique nature they are more consistent than other manufacturers.

What strings do they normally come with - can you specify gauge as part of the order? I don't want to spend £1500 on a guitar and then have to get it setup with different strings after delivery. Any gauge recommendations? - I normally use 10-46's on my multipurpose guitars.

Also, do they come with a case - most 2nd hand ones appear to be in very similar cases?

Sorry about the barrage of questions.

Thanks
Daniel


Spec:
Axis Super Sport
HH tremolo w/ piezo
Maple neck with matching headstock
Pacific Blue Burst

 

[mbgreene]

With respect to availability check out machinehead in the UK. The shop owner is a forum member here (DaveB) plus has a substantial personal collection. The UK music man distributor is Strings and Things if you are able to contact them directly.

Every MM I've owned I've purchased without playing the specific guitar. they were either ordered through a dealer from the factory or ordered through a dealer that had stock but was nowhere near me. (Although I had played the models before, therefore understanding neck profiles, feel playabilty etc.. that I would recommend). The quality and consistency is as good as there is in the business.

All new models come with the hardshell case.

String guages differ depending on the models. You can't order them with different strings. the ASS ships I believe with 9-42 in the humbucker model and 10-46 in the mm90 version. Either will take a string chane of a guage or so with no problem.

You can also check the for sale thread in the forum. sometimes things pop up

Good Luck

 

[Colin]

you won't regret getting one...

 

[Astrofreq]

Agreed. 4 of the 5 I have I bought without playing. These guitars can be set up to play just about any way you like. If you like thick necks, these will be comfortable. If you play Ibanez Wizard type necks, this will feel so completely different.

Here's almost what you want in the UK.
eBay: Musicman Axis Super Sport Electric Guitar USA. MINT (item 200101657180 end time May-13-07 12:00:00 PDT)

 

[spkirby]

Agreed. 4 of the 5 I have I bought without playing. These guitars can be set up to play just about any way you like. If you like thick necks, these will be comfortable. If you play Ibanez Wizard type necks, this will feel so completely different.

Here's almost what you want in the UK.
eBay: Musicman Axis Super Sport Electric Guitar USA. MINT (item 200101657180 end time May-13-07 12:00:00 PDT)

Thanks for the promotion Radrock...thats (for the next 48hrs or so) my one...

DJL, I dont know where you are in the UK but I'm in Oxford and you are welcome to give it a try out if you want...48hrs before the auction closes....

Cheers
Steve

 

[robelinda2]

every ball i've bought i bought blind, and i didnt regret any of them. best guitars on the planet.

 

[DJL]

Thanks for all the info - much appreciated.

My main instrument is a American Deluxe Ash Strat, which I think neck wise feels very similar to the MM ASS, dimensions are pretty close too.

Steve - I've been watching your guitar on eBay for a few days - very tempted by it but its not a good month money wise - only 30hrs to decided . Thanks for the offer of letting me play your guitar, i'm in the Guildford area so its not far, but I just don't have the time in the next few days.


One last question - there seems to be a lot of 2nd hand ones mentioning the fact they are USA models. Don't they all come from the US of is there some kind of assembly somewhere else?

Thanks
Daniel

 

[Lance Romance]

Until I got my first Musicman, a Silhouette Special, I had NEVER bought a guitar I hadn't played at a rehearsal at the least. An Axis Supersport and an Albert Limited later I'm still thrilled. Buy with confidence, smile forever!-Eric

 

[spkirby]

One last question - there seems to be a lot of 2nd hand ones mentioning the fact they are USA models. Don't they all come from the US of is there some kind of assembly somewhere else?

Thanks
Daniel

Yes they all come from the same place - sunny California USA! No assembly elsewhere...

(although not to confuse matters there was for a limited while in the 90's an Axis EX that was assembled in Japan for the Japanese market but it looked like an EVH without the signature...)

Steve

 

[andynpeters]

Thanks for all the info - much appreciated.

My main instrument is a American Deluxe Ash Strat, which I think neck wise feels very similar to the MM ASS, dimensions are pretty close too.


Thanks
Daniel

I have a Deluxe Ash Strat too and I agree the neck is v. similar to EBMM....in my case Silhouettes.

As for buying blind, well try playing the wrong way round. Pretty much every guitar I've bought has been without trying it as I can never find them anywhere except EBay. So I tend to buy 2nd hand ones and sell them on if they don't suit me. I'd like to try an ASS but new prices are very scary in Europe and they lose a lot 2nd hand. But if you've tried one, then I think you'll be OK as the computerised construction system gives them a very consistent feel

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I have bought 2 of my balls without playing them, and they were 100% ok. I have only ever played one 'duff' Ball, which was an ASS in Manny's in NYC with MM90's. The neck felt like the wood was peeling and it was bowed like a banana. That said it was used, tatty, and had obviously not been looked after! You can buy Balls sight unseen with confidence!

 

[DJL]

Yes they all come from the same place - sunny California USA! No assembly elsewhere... (although not to confuse matters there was for a limited while in the 90's an Axis EX that was assembled in Japan for the Japanese market but it looked like an EVH without the signature...)

That explains why I had Japan in my head then.

Great forum you guys have here. Big thanks to all who have answered questions and especially all those who've offered to let me play their guitars.

I will be placing an order on Monday! and then waiting till November

 

[Spudmurphy]

I bought mine unseen and did not regret it.