Simply put , and discounting the differences in the trem. systems , can the SS do all that theAxis can do , and more? I mean, does the switch pos. 1,3 and 5 with the tone full on , on the SS, the same as switch pos. 1,2&3 on the Axis ? Thanks.
Axis versus Super Sport
- Thread starter super_su
- Start date
lenny
Well-known member
here are the links to the schematics which show you which p/u's are active depending on the switch location for both guitars you crave Same guitar more options, the axis is a balls out rock n roll high gain distortion machine with a nice clean sound and comes with a diving floyd ONLY.....the ss more tonal options and bridge options but its still the same fiddle
http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_axis.pdf
http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_axis_sport_hh.pdf
hope that helps a bit
http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_axis.pdf
http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_axis_sport_hh.pdf
hope that helps a bit
Last edited:
Quarter
Well-known member
That is correct on all accounts. Position 2 and 4 on the SS add the split coils and they sound very sweet.
I like running position 2 through a clean channel with a little reverb and chorus and let it sing.
Thanks Lenny , I saw those schematics and still think thay are the same at those positions that I mentioned , only the Axis doesn't go through the tone control which ,if you turn the tone of the SS full on, shouldn't differ much.Can those who have A-B'ed them tell the differece? Cheers.
I've got the Axis, Axis Super Sport and Axis Sport, all with humbuckers... There are subtle but noticable differences in tone between all three; the difference between the Axis and the others might be explained by the Tone pot and the 5-way switching on the Sport and Super Sport - the extra electronics and wired tap probably loads the pickups slightly and reduces their "punch" a touch... Then again, maybe it's setup differences between my Floyd-equipped Axis and the others... 
I've got the Axis, Axis Super Sport and Axis Sport, all with humbuckers... There are subtle but noticable differences in tone between all three; the difference between the Axis and the others might be explained by the Tone pot and the 5-way switching on the Sport and Super Sport - the extra electronics and wired tap probably loads the pickups slightly and reduces their "punch" a touch... Then again, maybe it's setup differences between my Floyd-equipped Axis and the others...
I agree, the Axis has much more punch / edge / oompth than the SS and therefore sounds slightly stronger in high gain applictions. The SS, though, is much more versatile and the split positions are really useful, even though they are quieter than positions 1,3,5.
Yes the humbuckers are all the same type, custom Dimarzios.
Astrofreq
Well-known member
I have both as well. I generally use the SS nowadays for simply practical reasons. The AXIS doesn't have a locking nut, so I can change to drop D easier, but I supposed most people use the D-Tuna for that. Also, I can change a string much faster on the Axis, therefore eliminating the need for two guitars at a gig. I can change a string in about 1 minute. I live in NYC, so I can only take to a gig what I can fit in a taxi's trunk. If I can get away with one guitar, I will do it.
As far as pickups go, I don't think there is much difference in the tone in the similar settings. I do like positions 2 & 4 quite a bit.
Tone knobs are for dorks. I wish the Super Sport didn't even have them.
I wouldn't sweat the pro/cons too much. Just buy one. You'll end up buying the other before too long anyway. Just look at everyone on this forum
As far as pickups go, I don't think there is much difference in the tone in the similar settings. I do like positions 2 & 4 quite a bit.
Tone knobs are for dorks.
I wish the Super Sport didn't even have them.I wouldn't sweat the pro/cons too much. Just buy one. You'll end up buying the other before too long anyway. Just look at everyone on this forum
I compared the ASS and Axis when buying and found the Axis is far closer to the EVH tone I was looking for. The ASS was a lot more versatile but lacked the rock edge. I already had the Luke for the versatility duties so went for the regular Axis.
beej
Moderator
The axis has 1 500k pot. The ASS has two, which is the equivalent of 1 250k pot. In general, larger pot = brighter sound.
If you unwire the tone pot from the ASS you should get the same sound (though the Floyd probably has some sort of tonal effect too.)
If you unwire the tone pot from the ASS you should get the same sound (though the Floyd probably has some sort of tonal effect too.)
Astrofreq
Well-known member
Has anybody done this? Do you know if it would work for sure? I'd totally be interested in trying that. What would I do with those wires after unsoldering them? I'm new at the pickup changing.
Roubster
Well-known member
I personally preffer the Axis SS much more because it is more versatile. And tone knobs are very usefull if you know how to incorporate that into a musical piece, so please dont say that again Radrock ("tone knobs are for dorks")!!
They are there for a reason, but of course you have the choice of getting an Axis without the tone knob. Everyone has their prefferences, so just because you dont use it, that doesnt mean squat (respectfully).
I preffer a much warmer and darker sound for example. And the 20th Silo should be my perfect guitar as should the Axis SS and my moded Silo.
They are there for a reason, but of course you have the choice of getting an Axis without the tone knob. Everyone has their prefferences, so just because you dont use it, that doesnt mean squat (respectfully).
I preffer a much warmer and darker sound for example. And the 20th Silo should be my perfect guitar as should the Axis SS and my moded Silo.
beej
Moderator
It's a pretty easy mod if you're handy with a soldering iron. If you're not, you may want to practice on something else first ... or ask a friend to do it.
You'll have two wires coming off your tone pot- one to the lug on your volume pot (from the pickups) and one to a capacitor, to ground. Just unsolder the wires from the tone pot. Cover the ends of the loose wires so they don't accidentally touch any of the other components or ground out (electrical tape works well). Other option is to just snip the wires, but that means it'll be a bit more of a pain to solder them back to the tone pot if you want to use it again.
It's a quick fix if you don't care about your tone pot and want to brighten up your sound.
Astrofreq
Well-known member
I wouldn't be suprised if the punchy sound comes from the FR instead of the lack of a tone pot. If you play a FR guitar unplugged you can hear the springs ringing and even some sounds coming from the bridge.
Tim O'Sullivan
Well-known member
I have removed the tone pot from my ASS. It just has a little more umph without it.
Elmer Imperial
Well-known member
Interesting idea. I don't believe I've ever touched the tone pot on any guitar I've ever owned, I just leave it turned up to... 11.
I believe it's time to break out the soldering iron!
I believe it's time to break out the soldering iron!
Astrofreq
Well-known member
I'm with you. I've never even seen that tone know until today. 
Interesting idea. I don't believe I've ever touched the tone pot on any guitar I've ever owned, I just leave it turned up to... 11.
I believe it's time to break out the soldering iron!
I gotta say I find that there is much more of a difference between the Axis and the ASS than people have so far suggested. The Floyd and the tone pot aside (they DO make a tonal difference) there is also the fact that the bridge pickup is further away from the strings on the ASS. This means the tone of the bridge pup and the tone of both buckers in parallel are different on both instruments.
I love them both but I think the regular Axis has more of the tone that I am looking for and I just roll the volume pot down to get a good clean/crunch sound.
I'm not the biggest fan of EVH but the "volume IS tone" thing I agree with.
I love them both but I think the regular Axis has more of the tone that I am looking for and I just roll the volume pot down to get a good clean/crunch sound.
I'm not the biggest fan of EVH but the "volume IS tone" thing I agree with.
Tim O'Sullivan
Well-known member
I gotta say I find that there is much more of a difference between the Axis and the ASS than people have so far suggested. The Floyd and the tone pot aside (they DO make a tonal difference) there is also the fact that the bridge pickup is further away from the strings on the ASS. This means the tone of the bridge pup and the tone of both buckers in parallel are different on both instruments.
I love them both but I think the regular Axis has more of the tone that I am looking for and I just roll the volume pot down to get a good clean/crunch sound.
I'm not the biggest fan of EVH but the "volume IS tone" thing I agree with.
The distance of the bridge pickup to the bridge on my EVH, ASS and Axis are all the same. Its the bridge on the ASS that makes it look further away.
