Axis vs EVH

[Knox]

Ok - because I'm an Ernie Ball Virgin!! Can anyone, in a nutshell, or feel free to elaborate in great detail please, describe the difference between the Axis and the EVH.

I've heard a lot of folk seem to believe that the Axis is a much better evolution of the EVH and many of the problems such as the neck where resolved when the EVH changed to the Axis!

I'd love a history, specification etc of each so I know what to look out for when I am buying one!

I have my eye on a few but don't want to ruch into it because a few of those possibilities turned out to be Japanese copies! And I wouldn't have known only Ali here on the forum has got me into Ernie Ball EVH/Axi now...........! Blame him!

 

[Ali]

Hi m8,

The Gods of EBMM will correct me if I'm wrong but here are the differences I know of:

1. The Axis had a body contour added on the back where the EVH was flat.
2. The knob, which is actually unchanged, had the word "Tone" on the EVH and the word "Volume" on the Axis.
3. The pickup switch was moved from the lower horn to below the Volume knob.
4. The neck width is wider by 1mm (I think at the nut but can't remember) as the E string on the EVH had a tendency to slip off the neck
5. No EVH signature on the back of the neck of the Axis obviously.
6. Different colour options added for the Axis over the past 8 years, and some EVH colours deleted.

The rest of the spec is identical.

Did I forget anything?

 

[Knox]

Thanks Ali! Looks like those 2 gorgeous Axi on Ebay are gonna remian in the US of A as the sellers haven't got back to me Just have to keep searching just like the littlist Hobbo........!

 

[slukather]

Hi m8,

The Gods of EBMM will correct me if I'm wrong but here are the differences I know of:

1. The Axis had a body contour added on the back where the EVH was flat.
2. The knob, which is actually unchanged, had the word "Tone" on the EVH and the word "Volume" on the Axis.
3. The pickup switch was moved from the lower horn to below the Volume knob.
4. The neck width is wider by 1mm (I think at the nut but can't remember) as the E string on the EVH had a tendency to slip off the neck
5. No EVH signature on the back of the neck of the Axis obviously.
6. Different colour options added for the Axis over the past 8 years, and some EVH colours deleted.

The rest of the spec is identical.

Did I forget anything?

Yep thats everything.

Hey Knox, just so you know, once you buy a EBMM, theres no turning back, one ain't enough, then 2, 3, 4. etc etc.

Good luck which your hunt, it's a worth while one.

Scott.

 

[Jimi D]

4. The neck width is wider by 1mm (I think at the nut but can't remember) as the E string on the EVH had a tendency to slip off the neck

As I understand it, the neck is wider by 1/32" at the 22nd fret, and identical at the nut... 1/32" is about 33% smaller than 1mm, which translates into a nearly meaningless change in terms of feel, since the neck is otherwise the same... it does help with to keep the high E string on the board at the dusty end, tho'...

 

[Ali]

Hey Knox, just so you know, once you buy a EBMM, theres no turning back, one ain't enough, then 2, 3, 4. etc etc.

Tell me about it

I should be getting the Mac upgraded to start recording some stuff that's been floating around my head for the last few years but that new blue Morse Deluxe.....

 

[nobozos]

The main difference is going to be the price. You will get basically the same tone out of the two, and the feel is pretty much the same. I played an EVH vs. an Axis through the same amp with the same settings, and there is a slight difference in tone, but not very much. The tone is much more alike than different. It may have had more to do with the age of the wood than with anything else.

My personal opinion is that, unless you are a huge VH fan, and you just have to get a signature model, it's not worth the extra expense to get an EVH over an Axis. You could buy a brand new Axis with the Premium Maple top in whatever color you like for less than an EVH used.

I believe the only other difference between the EVH and the Axis,besides those previously mentioned, is the addition of coil tapping wires to the pickups. If I'm correct, the original pickups in the EVH had only two wires, where the Axis has four wires.

 

[hbucker]

I have to say that I do notice the different feel in the necks. It isn't like night and day and certainly isn't something I couldn't live with, etc. But it is there IMO The Axis feels wider to me. And it felt wider before I was told that it was wider. I was astonshed that the specs weren't more differen between the two necks.

I basically argree with what others have said. Don't spend the extra for the EVH unless money isn't an issue or there is something about it that really gets you going. The rear bevel on teh Axis is an improvement. The pickup switch change is probably an improvement.

I have an EVH and love it. I wouldn't trade it for an Axis. I've played Axis that I didn't like at all by comparison and I've played Axis that I loved and that were every bit as good as my EVH. As with any kind of guitar, you need to play them if possible in order know if they feel the way you want them to. And every guitar plays and sounds slightly differently. That's not a slam. That's just the way it is IMO.

good luck

 

[NorM]

The EVH also had offset bridge saddles on its Floyd (As do all EBMM Floyds of that era) They are NOT replaceable.

Also The plural of Axis is Axes
I love that one

 

[Knox]

If I bought an Axis I'm thinking "Would I luist after the real thing for ever more ie the EVH.....?" I'd have to buy an EVH neck just so I could see Ed's signature transfer or else make one in photoshop - sand of the AXIS logo and replace it would an EVH signature.........or something sad like that!

 

[brentrocks]

hold out for the EVH...it is a piece of rock n roll history!!!

 

[Knox]

I know! I don't realy want to jump in and blow my readies on the first axis I see - but I am becoming more and more drawn every day! (Thanks Ali....!)

I'm getting married next week so it could be a quick divorce and I might be better holding of for at least a week after the wedding!

I do really want an EVH but unless someone can sell me one for between $1000 and $1200 then it ain't lookin' hopeful!

Thanks

 

[Ali]

I know! I don't realy want to jump in and blow my readies on the first axis I see - but I am becoming more and more drawn every day! (Thanks Ali....!)

Don't mention it. You can blame me in rehab

M8, I suspect you'll end up with a trans amber EVH one of these days. If there is any doubt regarding the Axis and the whole EVH thing then I'd wait until you're 100% happy.

Though might I mention that the EVH was an Axis before it was an EVH, and then an Axis again...confused? I am

 

[slukather]

Tell me about it

I should be getting the Mac upgraded to start recording some stuff that's been floating around my head for the last few years but that new blue Morse Deluxe.....

Well l bought a JP about 3 weeks ago, and now l'm thinking of buying a JP7.

Scott.

 

[JFRICK]

The other guitar player in my cover band bought an Axis a few months ago. I got to compare it against my EVH, and I still like the EVH better. Probably b/c I've been playing if for 10+ years and I'm used to it. The one thing I did like better about the Axis is the contour added to the back. I personally don't like where the toggle switch got moved to.

 

[gainiac]

Ooh, ooh, ooh... just the person I want to talk to! Any chance you could compare and contrast the necks on the EVH & Axis for me. I wish I could play an EVH for myself but... easier said than done. Thanks!

 

[JFRICK]

I really couldn't tell a difference in the necks. I have done the infamous high E string slipping off the neck, but I haven't played his Axis enough to see if that happens with them. The only difference I noticed was that the Axis's neck felt "drier" b/c it's newer. Sorry I can't help anymore than that.....

I'd say go with the Axis, they sound the same, unless you want the EVH for the signature or collectability....Like I said before, the contour on the back of the Axis was a major improvement.....The back edge of an EVH can get uncomfortable, although I wouldn't trade my EVH for an Axis.