Hi, I've been keeping a look out for a second-hand Axis in the UK, there's a couple I've got my eye on at the moment. One from 2001, one from 2010, both in good condition, asking prices fairly similar - is there any reason to prefer the older one over the newer?
Question Buying a used Axis
- Thread starter prlgmnr
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brandall10
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- Jun 19, 2017
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I'm certainly no expert, but I had a late 90s Axis for several years, sold it around 2005 as I was going through a single-coil-only phase, and just recently purchased a 2011 Tribute. To me it feels like the same guitar. I recall being really blown away w/ the 90s Axis, by the sheer level of workmanship and playability, and of course the same holds true for the Tribute.
They made some minor changes actually at the time the Tribute was introduced insofar that the bridge has been slightly redesigned and that nut is now glued on vs. screwed through the neck, but the best I can tell those are not necessarily improvements. Aside from that, I'm unaware of anything that was done over the years, at least for the standard full-line Axis.
I only say this based on ONE experience I had a couple of years ago at a GC. They had a brand new AXIS that I tried out. It felt nothing like my '93 AXIS (or whatever the first year was). The neck seemed to be missing that magic. Could have been a fluke, though, since it was just one. Maybe they need to be roken in?
spychocyco
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I don't have one that old, but I have an '07 and a '16, and there doesn't seem to have been a change in that span. The feel is a little different between the two because it's a regular neck vs. a roasted, but as far as size, profile, etc., they seem to be identical. Both are incredibly comfortable and equal levels of awesome. 
I know they changed the necks very slightly when they transitioned from EVH to Axis, but I've never heard of any other changes in them over the years. The only Axis neck that I've ever played that I didn't bond with instantly was a full rosewood neck, and I think that was more personal preference than anything else.
I know they changed the necks very slightly when they transitioned from EVH to Axis, but I've never heard of any other changes in them over the years. The only Axis neck that I've ever played that I didn't bond with instantly was a full rosewood neck, and I think that was more personal preference than anything else.
