Help! Choosing Between an Axis Super Sport or JP6 (2008 Edition)

[racerXazn]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post here..after playing so many guitars and seeking advice from other forums I have (finally) thought of coming to an Ernie Ball forum to get advice on Ernie Ball Musicman guitars. Go figure.

Anyway what I have here is a huge decision to make. I have the option of buying an Axis Super Sport with a trem (new) or an older JP6 model (used).

The axis is selling for $1600 and the JP6 is selling for $1100 with a BOSS RC-20XL Looper and straplocks, etc.

I've played both the Axis and the JP heavily, and to be honest I can't really decide on which neck I prefer. I've been playing a Jackson neck (thin and wide) for years but as soon as I discovered the typical EBMM neck I've never looked back.

The problem is I don't know which one I'd be more happy with; if I could I would purchase both. I guess it boils down to the better deal? Would I regret not getting the axis?

By the way I have pictures of the actual axis here:
http://www.gearmusic.net/userimages/large_inventory_pics/ebmmsstg.jpg

The JP6 has a black finish with a few scuffs on it (no big dents, just a few scratches that could easily be buffed out in my opinion).

I generally play in a rock-ish/metal style. I've been leaning towards a more Andy-Timmons like guitar style but I guess my main influences are typical hard rock artists and progressive rock artists. I like to "shred" but I prefer more melodic and jazzy/bluesy playing, yet I found that both guitars have the ability to really play well...it's such a hard decision!

I'm playing through a Line 6 Spider IV (I know it's not necessarily full but forgive my inability to spend an adequate amount of money on gear, I'm heading off to uni next year ).

I'll be hopefully playing in a band in university but if not I'll just be playing at home with this.

Sorry for the long post, but it's such a hard decision for me.

Thanks,

racerXazn.

 

[DaPatrooch]

Well if you can't decide, I would get the Petrucci just because it's a better deal. You can decide based on other features, like bridge, sound, body shape, etc.

 

[racerXazn]

Thanks for the advice!
Is your JP6 easy to maintain? I mean like changing strings and whatnot.

 

[leftyguitarblue]

Thanks for the advice!
Is your JP6 easy to maintain? I mean like changing strings and whatnot.

Welcome to the forums! You can't go wrong either way, but for me, the JP is the way to go. I have played the same type
of guitars as you and the JP was a perfect fit.

Good luck in your EBMM journey! This will be the first of many I'm sure.

 

[leftyguitarblue]

Oh, and the JP bridge is super easy to deal with. By far the best trem I've ever used. It's like changing strings on a hardtail for me, quick and easy.

 

[racerXazn]

Welcome to the forums! You can't go wrong either way, but for me, the JP is the way to go. I have played the same type
of guitars as you and the JP was a perfect fit.

Good luck in your EBMM journey! This will be the first of many I'm sure.

Haha well hopefully in the future I can have both the Axis and the JP6.
Thanks for the advice!
What made you choose the JP over the Axis though? Sorry just curious~

 

[Jackson2112]

I would get the Axis, Does the JP6 have a piezo. It's what ever you want. Axis has the maple neck. Awesome guitar.

 

[ThatsAgood1jay]

I would go for the JP6 if your into alot metal. Its such a sweet guitar.

Never played an Axis but i am sure it is also super sweet.

 

[browndog]

Half the posts will tell you to get the JP & the other half will tell you to get the Axis. I’ve played both but only owned the Axis. Guess my vote.

 

[racerXazn]

Oh right, I forgot to mention that the Petrucci doesn't have a peizo.
I don't play much metal anymore but rather more hardrock and heavy metal?
I've always found Dream Theater material to be too difficult ha..I tend to play my own stuff which ranges from extreme metal to soft rock.
Which of the two is more flexible musically?

Thanks for all the help by the way

 

[the24thfret]

We can't choose for you!

Maybe the best solution is buy the JP6 now (cheaper) and plan on getting an ASS just a bit down the road (maybe used so it'd cheaper, and put the $500 saved from the JP6 towards the ASS).

But really, you can't go wrong with either... If you care for them they should hold their value just fine, so if you buy one and don't bond with it, you shouldn't take much of a loss.

 

[Tung]

The most important thing to consider here is the neck. It's difficult to decide for me personally because they're both great necks.
You have to decide which guitar is going to do what you're after, and go with that one. For me it usually boils down to the neck and how it performs for what you're doing. Most will say that the JP has a fast neck for shred, but I think the Axis is very comfortable to play as well. I think it's a more versatile neck than the JP.
The 2 guitars are very different from each other. They do share one thing though, they're amazingly comfortable guitars to play.

 

[racerXazn]

The most important thing to consider here is the neck. It's difficult to decide for me personally because they're both great necks.
You have to decide which guitar is going to do what you're after, and go with that one. For me it usually boils down to the neck and how it performs for what you're doing. Most will say that the JP has a fast neck for shred, but I think the Axis is very comfortable to play as well. I think it's a more versatile neck than the JP.
The 2 guitars are very different from each other. They do share one thing though, they're amazingly comfortable guitars to play.

Exactly my problem, I buy gear based on how well it plays...so this decision is extremely difficult.
However I just finalized the deal on the JP6 and got the price to $1000, and still with all that other gear!

I just added in a strap lock system and cable I had laying around that wasn't being used at all. Thanks for all your help everyone~

I'll be sure to post pics when I get it (I'm going to get it after exams haha)

 

[the24thfret]

Exactly my problem, I buy gear based on how well it plays...so this decision is extremely difficult.
However I just finalized the deal on the JP6 and got the price to $1000, and still with all that other gear!

I just added in a strap lock system and cable I had laying around that wasn't being used at all. Thanks for all your help everyone~

I'll be sure to post pics when I get it (I'm going to get it after exams haha)

$1000 for a used JP sounds pretty darn reasonable to me...!

 

[threeminutesboy]

listen to your heart

Getting a brand new EBMM is always a great moment

 

[DrGonzo5150]

However I just finalized the deal on the JP6 and got the price to $1000, and still with all that other gear!

Nice stuff
Can't wait for the pics