AXIS tonal questions/dillemmas...

[mullmuzzler]

Hi!

I have a couple of questions regarding Axis guitar.

I plan on buying a EBMM guitar in near future (Axis or JPM). I wanted one ever since I saw EVH playing one, and when my tonal idol Petrucci started playing EBMM - I was bought, especially since I've played JPM in a store. I mean, the neck is just perfect on this guitar. These two come in concideration cause both of them being made of basswood body (I play Ibanez). I wanted to know differences between Axis and JPM necks i terms of feel and comfort (I reckon that both of these necks are different in terms of dimensions, but I would like to know if they are comparable in terms of playability - the shred factor, how to put it... Easiness of the hand... - english is not my native language).

Also, my other dillemma is Axis' maple top... I've read somewhere (Suhr or Anderson site, not quite sure) that a minimum thickness of the maple cap (flat one) that has a tonal purpose or affects tone of the body is 5 mm ... Axis, being made of basswood, which is softer wood and on the warmer side has a maple top, but does it affect the tone, or is it just for cosmetic purposes? How thick it is...?

Thanks in advance!


mullmuzzler | OSSMT

 

[JeffreyB]

Axis answers

Hey Mullmuzzler...I'll do my best to answer these questions....I recently just started playing the axis guitars, and absolutely love them. The difference (in my opinion) in the necks are that the axis has a more narrow width (from E to E string) and a slightly fuller thickness and rounded "D" or "C" shape profile. The JP has a wider (at the nut) and thinner and flatter neck profile....probably closer to what you're used to on the Ibanez (I'm NOT saying that it's exactly the same, but a lot closer than the axis)
The axis neck is by far the most comfortable neck I've ever played and I've owned probably every kind of electric out there. If you are more of a technical shredder type player (sweep picking, fast scales, etc) you might like the JP better.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8dcL7emZrU"]YouTube - Music Man Axis Super Sport[/ame]

Here's a clip of me and my axis.

As for the maple top on the axis...it brightens up the attack of the basswood just enough to make it the perfect tonal balance. I play all types of music and the axis covers them all perfectly. Consider the Axis Super Sport if you want the ultimate in tonal variety...it has great single coil tones in addition to awesome rock sounds.

I hope this helps.

 

[TNT]

Muzz,

Great guitar choices!!! Yeah, I play the Axis (my favorite).

The necks (back profile AND fretboard), as mentioned already, are JPM (Ibanez flavored but better!) and the Axis (unmatched). I personally like both very much.

And, in addition, different hang feel, obviously frets, radius, etc. . . However, I feel the biggest difference, or equally as much as the neck, is "pickups"(tone/sound!!) Therein lies the two biggest differences.

You really need to do a side by side comparison (if possible) to really see the differences. Not one better or worse than the other , just preferential differences. Good luck!

Let me know when you get your Axis!! LOL

 

[whitestrat]

Hi!

I have a couple of questions regarding Axis guitar.

I plan on buying a EBMM guitar in near future (Axis or JPM). I wanted one ever since I saw EVH playing one, and when my tonal idol Petrucci started playing EBMM - I was bought, especially since I've played JPM in a store. I mean, the neck is just perfect on this guitar. These two come in concideration cause both of them being made of basswood body (I play Ibanez). I wanted to know differences between Axis and JPM necks i terms of feel and comfort (I reckon that both of these necks are different in terms of dimensions, but I would like to know if they are comparable in terms of playability - the shred factor, how to put it... Easiness of the hand... - english is not my native language).

Also, my other dillemma is Axis' maple top... I've read somewhere (Suhr or Anderson site, not quite sure) that a minimum thickness of the maple cap (flat one) that has a tonal purpose or affects tone of the body is 5 mm ... Axis, being made of basswood, which is softer wood and on the warmer side has a maple top, but does it affect the tone, or is it just for cosmetic purposes? How thick it is...?

Thanks in advance!


mullmuzzler | OSSMT

I've played the guitars (JPM, JP6, Axis) in question, and owned 2 (JP6, JPM) of them.

Honestly, The Axis, because of the assymetrical shape, is very comfortable to me. the shape and size is somewhat remniscent of the JPM, but not the JP6. The JP6 feels closer the a JEM neck with a C shape rather than being just flat. The JP6 is still a faster feeling neck to me which has NO restrictions. That kinda makes my hand cram up and hurt after 30 mins of continuous playing, but it's really speedy. It's a bit too flat for my liking. The Axis, like the JPM, is more comfortable, but not as slick.

oh, and the Axis (regardless of how thick the maple top is) sounds like no other basswood guitar... It's really nice. Had I not already bought my JP6 that fateful day, I would have gotten an Axis.

But the Silo is still more my thing...

 

[mullmuzzler]

Thanks. By "JPM" I meant EBMM guitar, not Ibanez John Petrucci model (thus my mistake typing "JPM" instead of "JP6")...

I cannot compare them side-by-side... I can try a LUKE, but that's another story, right?

That maple cap is really getting to me... I've played RG Ibanez that had maple top bent over basswood and it was aroud 5 mm. The thing is, I haven't noticed any tonal difference (brighter tone) than on my other Ibanez, if you know what I mean... I'd really like to know maple thickness on Axis, just to calm my mind

Thanks!


mullmuzzler | OSSMT

 

[JeffreyB]

Are you concerned that if the maple top is not thick enough, that it won't enhance the tone enough?


TRUST ME....the axis will sound HUGE compared to any Ibanez regardless of how thick the maple top is....I have been weary of maple top guitars with bolt on necks until I tried the Axis. I played my axis guitars in my church this weekend (very large church with over 10,000 members) I have never had so many compliments on my tone and I usually play PRS, carvin carved top, or les pauls.



BUY it...you will not be sorry.

 

[glockaxis]

the maple top is at or about 1/8 of an inch thick.

 

[mullmuzzler]

Are you concerned that if the maple top is not thick enough, that it won't enhance the tone enough?

Well, yeah... Like I said, I didn't notice any difference when I played 5 mm bent maple top basswood guitar.

the maple top is at or about 1/8 of an inch thick.

Is that a fact? I mean, that's a little bit over 3 mm... Are you sure?

That is really thin top, I don't think that it affects the tone at all, the way maple should kinda tighten up things a it...

To me, Ibanez Wizard neck is too thin, being 17 mm at the first fret... I'm looking for something thicker, but not a baseball bat neck, if you know what I mean. The problem is that I can't try Axis. I can order one, but can't try it before I actually pay for one. Petrucci neck is quite good and the radius is not so big as on Wizard, maybe 14 or 15". It feels rounder than my Ibanez... Maybe it is because of the neck profile, I dunno... I really like Axis design...




mullmuzzler | OSSMT

 

[glockaxis]

That's what the man that's been w/ the company for 30+ years said over the weekend(don't remember his name darn it!)

 

[mullmuzzler]

Cool, I thought that it is a little thicker... Binding makes it look thicker... Kinda... To me - illusion...

mullmuzzler | OSSMT