Axis vs. Petrucci

[johnnymorales]

Ordered an Axis, wondering if a Petrucci might suit me better. Unfortunately, I can't find a Petrucci to try locally however, I have played several Axis guitars which I love. I play mostly hard rock and blues with the occasional VH song thrown in. My other guitar is a strat - but I want something to cover the humbucker space while still allowing me to play some more mellow songs with a decent clean sound.

Can someone who owns or has played both talk about some of the main differences? I wouldn't be able to swing a BFR petrucci - so my options are probably limited to the base model without a Piezo.

 

[phatduckk]

feel-wise the petrucci has a thinner neck. that's oen of the biggest physical differences. otherwise:

the JP has arm contours
a floating trem

 

[azazael]

Get a supersport with a vintage trem.

 

[whitestrat]

My other guitar is a strat - but I want something to cover the humbucker space while still allowing me to play some more mellow songs with a decent clean sound.

You'd want an Axis in this case... The JP is a great guitar, but it's mainly because of the 24 frets, that I'd suggest the Axis more because of it's 22 frets.

Neck-feel wise, the Axis would be less stressful on your hand than the JP coming form a strat.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

The Axis neck is essentially a broken-in strat neck. It would definitely be an easier adjustment for you compared to the JP neck, which is wider and thinner by comparison. Also the JP is a 24 fret guitar, the Axis 22.

For the territory you're describing, an Axis would cover it. But give the Super Sport with a vintage trem some serious thought. It's WAY more stable than a Fender vintage trem, and it actually makes a Floyd unecessary (unless you have your heart set on one). You can dive bomb and come back in tune every time.

You'll still have a dual humbucker guitar, but with some different switching options, since there's a 5-way switch instead of a 3-way. So you can get some strat/tele style tones out of it in addition to humbuckers.

 

[musicmankixazz]

You'd want an Axis in this case... The JP is a great guitar, but it's mainly because of the 24 frets, that I'd suggest the Axis more because of it's 22 frets.

Neck-feel wise, the Axis would be less stressful on your hand than the JP coming form a strat.

Disagree entirely, I have a small hand and the J P plays amazing for me. Axis neck is great too.

 

[whitestrat]

Disagree entirely, I have a small hand and the J P plays amazing for me. Axis neck is great too.

Good for you.

That's exactly it... If you have large hands, and are used to the bulk of a strat, then the Axis would retain that bulk. The JP6 is almost wafer thin, and is more suitable for smaller hands. Again it also boils down to playing technique. If you are a thumb wrapper, then a wide-thin neck like the JP would be stressful after a 3 hour jam session. Nothing for you to grip on. It's a fast neck, and it's suitable for shred/legato playing, but try doing 3 hours of Hendrix on that... Your hand will cramp up.

 

[Rossie]

Yup... What whitey said...

It boils down to your playing technique... As the TS said that he's coming from a strat, I think the Axis neck would be more suitable...

I love both necks though... Play differently on both necks too...

 

[johnnymorales]

Thanks for the responses! I'm more of a thumb wrapper - so maybe the Axis is the way to go for me. I do play alot of Jimi and things like that.

 

[azazael]

As I said Supersport, but if you go for the Axis. Get it coil tapped!

 

[DrGonzo5150]

... give the Super Sport with a vintage trem some serious thought. It's WAY more stable than a Fender vintage trem, and it actually makes a Floyd unecessary (unless you have your heart set on one). You can dive bomb and come back in tune every time.

You'll still have a dual humbucker guitar, but with some different switching options, since there's a 5-way switch instead of a 3-way. So you can get some strat/tele style tones out of it in addition to humbuckers.

+1

Axis or Axis Super Sport.
Thumb over the top vibe is not my idea of a good time on a Petrucci.
All great guitars.. Just different

 

[whitestrat]

Thumb over the top vibe is not my idea of a good time on a Petrucci.

I know what you mean man...

 

[morsecode]

The one thing that hasn't been mentioned is the trem which is a big factor in my opinion. Again, in my opinion, I will take the Petrucci trem any day over a Floyd. I also much prefer the slimmer necks of the Pet eventhough I came from a background of playing strats and LP's. I don't buy the hand size thing. It all comes down to personal preference, and you really need to try both to make your own decision.

I also prefer the sound of the Pet pickups and the piezo option sets the Pet apart further....which are other things to consider.

 

[azazael]

The one thing that hasn't been mentioned is the trem which is a big factor in my opinion. Again, in my opinion, I will take the Petrucci trem any day over a Floyd. I also much prefer the slimmer necks of the Pet eventhough I came from a background of playing strats and LP's. I don't buy the hand size thing. It all comes down to personal preference, and you really need to try both to make your own decision.

I also prefer the sound of the Pet pickups and the piezo option sets the Pet apart further....which are other things to consider.

He said can't afford Piezo so it doesn't really come into it. Anyway can get Supersport with Piezo also.

 

[Brand X]

I recently had an Axis....but to me it was just not comfortable compared to my Petrucci which I consider to be THE most comfortable guitar around. I haven't tried a BFR which have got slightly bigger bodies and a less drastic fore-arm cutaway......I've just got rid of my Morse because as much as I loved it - it was almost unplayable to me after spending so much time on the Petrucci....

Somehow you've got to A/B them.......

 

[lenny]

Until you try one for yourself ....you wont have an answer.....look at the posts ...its good for ME.....or no you cant do that .....its a guitar ....personally i dont care for the axis shape to cramped i have small hands as well ...and it feels like an OLD strat neck....now the Albert Lee for me is the nicest neck of all.....for me....but i have tried every model....until you try one for yourself you will NEVER know.....all of us are different with different opinions of what feels good to them/us....you will never get the answer to your question this way.....you must seek out the Pet and give her a whirl...then YOU will know what it feels like...

 

[azazael]

Ordered an Axis, wondering if a Petrucci might suit me better. Unfortunately, I can't find a Petrucci to try locally however, I have played several Axis guitars which I love. I play mostly hard rock and blues with the occasional VH song thrown in. My other guitar is a strat - but I want something to cover the humbucker space while still allowing me to play some more mellow songs with a decent clean sound.

Can someone who owns or has played both talk about some of the main differences? I wouldn't be able to swing a BFR petrucci - so my options are probably limited to the base model without a Piezo.

Maybe you could try a Sterling JP, it might give you a sort of idea as to how the JP might feel.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Can someone who owns or has played both talk about some of the main differences? I wouldn't be able to swing a BFR petrucci - so my options are probably limited to the base model without a Piezo.

Where are you located??

We may know where you might find someplace to play them back to back.

I've played both. I like them both, but with a solid preferance for the Axis. I have both and Axis with the floyd and a supersport with MM90's. If I plan to use the trem, I use the Axis. As good as the vintage trem is, I find the floyd to work far better for me.

Not to throw a monkey wrench into it, but you can also get a Silhouette in a HSH configuration (24 frets) or a Silo Special in 22. Very different feel and tone from a JP. What I really liked about it is that it's so light. Again...you'd need to play one to decide if it's right for you.

I think you'll like the Axis.

jack

 

[Spudmurphy]

Nothing much extra to chip in here.

I have an EVH (which is close to an Axis) and a JP both necks are different and I just love both necks - they are easy to switch between. For me the JP just wins it.

Lenny is also spot on about the AL neck. Only neck that I haven't bonded with is a Luke neck - horses for courses I guess.

 

[GHWelles]

Good for you.
. The JP6 is almost wafer thin, and is more suitable for smaller hands. Again it also boils down to playing technique. If you are a thumb wrapper, then a wide-thin neck like the JP would be stressful after a 3 hour jam session. Nothing for you to grip on. It's a fast neck, and it's suitable for shred/legato playing, but try doing 3 hours of Hendrix on that... Your hand will cramp up.

What? I think the JP neck is perfect. It is very similar to my old San Dimas Charvel neck, which were some of the best necks made.