Difference Between Axis Sport and Axis Super Sport?

[doomy3]

Hi, I am not really familiar with EBMM guitars, so I was hoping I could borrow from the expertise here...

I am looking at trading for an Axis Sport MM90, but I can't find much info on them online... How do the P90s sound on these? Also, what is the difference between the Axis Sport and the Axis Super Sport? What is the average value on a very good condition Axis Sport MM90 w/HSC used? Thanks for all your help!

Chad

 

[roburado]

If I'm not mistaken, the Sport has an ash body. Super Sport is basswood and maple top. The sport also had some different pickup combinations like SSS, HSS, which I don't think the Super Sport ever had. Sports sometimes have pickguards. I'm sure there are people who know a heck of a lot more about the differences than I do.

 

[doomy3]

If I'm not mistaken, the Sport has an ash body. Super Sport is basswood and maple top. The sport also had some different pickup combinations like SSS, HSS, which I don't think the Super Sport ever had. Sports sometimes have pickguards. I'm sure there are people who know a heck of a lot more about the differences than I do.

Thanks, and what is an average used price on one of these? Any reviews on the P90s that come in them?

 

[roburado]

Not really sure. I think I've seen some with an asking price of $600 - 700, but I don't really know. I could just be confabulating the whole thing. There are some folks who have recently bought some. So, wait for them to chime in.

As far as the P90s are concerned. Do a search for MM90s here on the forum. There are a number of threads on this very topic, comparisons to the humbuckers, etc. There were even some with sound clips, IIRC.

 

[roburado]

Here's just one of many threads: http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/24957-mm90-pickups.html

 

[Jimmyb]

The Sport is a great guitar. If memory serves, all of the ones with MM90's were made after they stopped putting pickguards on them.

I've not personally tried the MM90 version, but I have two sports, HH and SSS. They are really worth checking out.

$600-700 sounds about right for the ones I've seen offered (which is an absolute bargain)

 

[tommyindelaware]

an mm90 sport is a little known amazing guitar !!!!! i am very suprised it's not still a current model . they are killer. i REALLY like the hardtails.

 

[roburado]

I will own a Sport. Maybe two.

 

[ChrisB]

I have a Sport with the MM90s and it is GREAT. The pickup system is stone quite on stage and they have tone for days. Played mine this weekend in a duo set and it was fantastic.

Don't let the MM90s fool you, I get plenty of sound and all the harmonics I want. I have an Esquire and the Sport and play the Sport all the time.

 

[Sub1 Zero]

I kinda want a hardtail sport, as a LP substitute. I love how they look without the binding...

 

[roburado]

Yeah. Super cool without binding. Plus, you get the color going all the way around the guitar rather than having it just on the top (with a black back) like on the ASS.

 

[kompressaur]

an mm90 sport is a little known amazing guitar !!!!! i am very suprised it's not still a current model . they are killer.

I really needed to read that.I just sold my mm90 sport

...still it aint so bad...my new gigging partner has it and he is smitten

and i got ball vouchers again.woot! woot!

Komp

 

[Randy Wilson]

Too bad these aren't made anymore! They are made of a solid chunk of ash, hence the incredible sustain quality of the guitar. The MM90's are more responsive pickups than the original P90's that Gibson made. This guitar really is a true cross between a Telecaster & a Les Paul Junior. The patented silent circuit makes this guitar a dream in the studio. I play mine through a 65 Blonde Blackface Deluxe Reverb & nothing compares to it. This guitar is the BOMB! If wishes were fishes, everyone would have one of these.

 

[dmkozak]

Does the Sport have a flat back or the belly carve of the SS?

 

[Jimmyb]

Good question. I think it's got the carve in it, although to tell you the truth, I can't remember.

How bad is that!!?

 

[headcrash]

I have a Sport H-H hardtail and it has the belly carve.

What I can say is, that the ash body does sound better to my ears than the basswood/maple of ASS. It's got more twang to it, even with humbuckers and cuts through nicely.
I even consider the Sport's to be the better guitars, although they were cheaper and are not so much sought after. Maybe the expensive maple tops (which do look fantastic!) of the ASS make this guitar more expensive?

 

[wired]

If you can find an Axis Sport, don't miss out. I love my Sport, it has a different vibe than my EVH, a nice bare-bones raw tone to it. Hands-down the best guitar I've owned for the money. Mine was NOS from a music store in Wisconsin, I picked it up on eBay for $700 Here's a pic:

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I can't say enough good stuff about the Axis Sport. I've got a trans blue that just kills. It does have the belly contour, and it's really comfortable. It's also the first guitar with a 5-way switch that I actually use!! It gets some great tones, and is probably more flexible than the 3 way switch counterpart. I picked mine up for $695 on eBay. (Shipping included)

 

[5Stringer]

Does the Sport have a flat back or the belly carve of the SS?

All of the Axis , Axis Sports and Axis SuperSports have the belly curves.

The basic difference between the Sports and SuperSpots, both HH and MM90, was always the wood used - the electronics are identical.

All Sport bodies were made of ash, regardless of the pickup configuration. The SuperSports use basswood with a maple top for the HH version, but ash/maple is used for the MM90 pickups.

Originally we offered the Sport in HH, HSS, and SSS pickup configurations, and all of those had pickguards on them. When the the decision was made to only offer the HH combo and drop the other two, that is also about the time we stopped using a pickguard. A few months later, we offered the MM90 version, so that version never was offered with a pickguard.

Dan

 

[5Stringer]

BTW, not to plug a particular couple of stores - but if any of you knuckleheads are interested in purchasing one of these beauties still Brand New - I did a quick search and found that there are, as hard to believe as this is - still 4 in existence in the U.S. Since they are new they still would have the new warranty as well:

There are 3 at this store:

ROYAL MUSIC CENTER
1966 ROCKAWAY PARKWAY
BROOKLYN , NY 11236-0000
718-241-3330
718-241-3516 (fax)
[email protected]
Royal Music | Guitar Bass Keyboards Drums Superstore! | 516-377-8000

and 1 at this store:

DELOACH'S MUSIC
254 NORTHSIDE DRIVE EAST
STATESBORO , GA 30458-0000
912-764-2527
912-489-9941 (fax )

Personally - I have to confess - I love these guitars!

Dan