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Axis top question

Katana6506

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 19, 2005
Messages
465
Location
Midwest USA
Do Axes painted opaque colors (such as black) still have a maple top on the body, or are they just solid basswood with binding?
 
I could be wrong, but I'm believe I read somewhere that it is still a maple top. They do solid colors on the one's that aren't good enough "looks-wise" to do trans finishes on. Like I said I could be wrong though...
 
Excellent!

Another question (I don't need specific prices here-just a general idea)-do trans finishes on the Axis cost more than opaque if a premium top is not specified? What's the standard top look like under a trans finish? Also, is the standard top flame or quilt maple?
 
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I believe, and somebody correct me if I'm wrong, that all the Axees are the same price regardless if they are trans top, opaque top or rosewood top. The standard figuring (quilt or flame) is whatever ends up on the guitar. You could end up, like I did, and get what I consider to be an 11 top on a standard order Axis. (check out the pics) www.geocities.com/nobozos1983

You can order the specific figuring you want on your guitar for a $500 upcharge, and be guaranteed a great top.
 
You are correct, Nobozos! The type of top that you get doesn't reflect in the price, unless you get a Music Man Premium Top and specify quilt or flame. Even then, theres no difference in price between quilt and flame.

If you order a color that has an upcharge, whether its opaque or a burst or whatever, that upcharge applies -- also applies if you get an upcharged finish on a Premium Top.
 
nobozos said:
I believe, and somebody correct me if I'm wrong, that all the Axees are the same price regardless if they are trans top, opaque top or rosewood top. The standard figuring (quilt or flame) is whatever ends up on the guitar. You could end up, like I did, and get what I consider to be an 11 top on a standard order Axis. (check out the pics) www.geocities.com/nobozos1983

You can order the specific figuring you want on your guitar for a $500 upcharge, and be guaranteed a great top.
So that top is not a premium? Whatever it's classed as it's awesome!

Colin
 
Not buying the "premuim top" simply means you get a luck-of-the-draw top.

It might be quilt, it might be flamed. It might be highly quilted, it might be highly flamed. It might be barely quilted, it might be barely flamed. It may not have enough birdseye in the neck, it may have too much birdseye in the neck.

I do not like green eggs and ham.



All that aside, I've had 3 out of 3 flamed & quilt top Axis SuperSports come through here, where each of them was/is stunning. (I still have the trans red/flame, and the solid black Axis that doesn't count because it is opaque). I have a customer who has a flame-top Axis SuperSport that has little flame - it is still a VERY nice top, even though the flame is not as extreme/pronounced as some other non-premium tops that I have seen.




Bottom line, EB tops are great no matter what.




(sorry for the birdseye neck comment up top ;) )
 
i must say paying about 1400 for a guitar and not guaranteed a good top but i must say i am very suprised with mine.
 
its not like your going to be stuck with a POS top i mean we are talking about ernie ball it will look incredible i got this without paying for a upgrade top
PB160234.jpg

PB160239.jpg

and dont start with those strings i am already ashamed :o
 
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i honestly dont think it is worth the upgrade charge you dont get a better sound or tone a guitar could have the worst color/top ever for me its not what it looks like rather its sound. I know alot of people dont think like that
 
Wow- that's a really nice top!

I've got a Y2D on order (I think I'm days away from it now ...) with the upgraded top. Mostly it was because I wanted flame, not quilt (I already have a nice one of those), and that was the only way to be assured.

It wasn't that I wanted the best flame, but some flame. That was my rationale.
 
NOn of my guitars are with premium top options, and they all look fantastic! When I get the amber one back from Charlie Chandler I will post a family group shot!
 
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