Got an Axis!! Questions & pics inside:

[GoKart Mozart]

Well, I got a great deal on an Axis off of Ebay last week and it arrived this afternoon. The top is nice plus it's in great shape. What did I pay? $650!! I think I got a great deal. Here's a few shots of it (I think the flash on the camera makes it look brighter than it actually is).

http://home.earthlink.net/~jacobcody/pics/axis/pic1.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~jacobcody/pics/axis/pic2.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~jacobcody/pics/axis/pic3.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~jacobcody/pics/axis/pic4.jpg

This last one's of the group:
http://home.earthlink.net/~jacobcody/pics/axis/group.jpg

I have a few questions:
1) The serial number is G09710. Can someone give me a manufacture date?

2) The guitar has 3 trem springs installed. Is this normal for 9 guage strings?

3) What are these two black metal squares for on the trem where the bar slides in? (pic: http://home.earthlink.net/~jacobcody/pics/axis/myst.jpg)

4) There are some light pic scratches on the top. You can't see them all the time but it still kinda bugs me:
http://home.earthlink.net/~jacobcody/pics/axis/scratch.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~jacobcody/pics/axis/scratch2.jpg
Is there anyway I can get these off?

5) The neck''s in need of a good cleaning. When I clean the necks on my Wolfgangs, I usually remove all the strings and put a cloth under the trem so it doesn't slip off of the posts. I've read some threads on here though saying that you should keep some of the strings on to keep tension on the neck. What should I do?

Thanks for reading everyone!
-Jacob

 

[nobozos]

Man, you got a great deal. I can't be sure, but if I remember correctly, green was a pretty limited production run. That would make your guitar a little more rare.

To answer some of your questions.

1) Someone from EBMM customer service can tell you what year it was born.

2) Don't get too hung up on how many trem springs it's supposed to have, just adjust it to how you like it, but keep in mind that it's supposed to rest against the body in it's normal position. It's all personal preference outside of that.

3) The black metal squares pinch the trem arm to make it either swing freely or stay where you want it. The adjustment screw for it is on the bottom of that trem arm assembly. It is a small allen head screw.

4) Use some Ernie Ball guitar polish. Other than that, don't dick with the finish too much. If you plan on gigging with that guitar at all, pick scratches will be the least of your worries. You have to think of nicks and dings as character marks, or you will put a gun in your mouth the first time you ding a corner of the body on a mic stand or a cymbal.

5) I don't under any circumstances remove all the strings from a Floyd Rose trem, unless I plan on removing the Floyd all together.
Leave at least two strings on to keep tension on the trem. Even though you protect the body by placing something behind the trem, you are creating a lot of tension on the pivot bolts. The pivot bolts screw into metal sleeves that are pressed into the wood. With all of the strings removed, the trem is trying to pull those sleeves out of the body.

Use some Murphy's Oil Soap for cleaning the neck. You can get it just about anywhere. Don't use anything abrasive on the neck, just do the best you can with a cotton T-shirt. After cleaning, use some lemon oil to condition the neck.

 

[nobozos]

By the way, I forgot to ask you something. I see you have a couple Wolfgangs. Which do you like better?

 

[hbucker]

I see you have a couple Wolfgangs. Which do you like better?

Oh Oh! Here we go again... ;-)

 

[Estin]

nice deal indeed, i think i sorta got you beat though, i got a dead mint 2000 red quilt axis super sport with gig bad for $600 plus $25 for shipping. although green is a bit more rare than red. grrr..... ;-)

 

[GoKart Mozart]

By the way, I forgot to ask you something. I see you have a couple Wolfgangs. Which do you like better?

Hmmm...that's a good question. I've always wanted an EVH/Axis guitar, so it's kinda like a dream come true. I deffinitely like some of the quality and workmanship of the Axis better, such as the nut assembly (my nut on the amber Wolfgang wore groves in it and the top pieces). I love the way both of them play though. All in all, it's a very close call, I haven't decided yet. I might take one of the trem springs out, cause the Floyd is deffinitely stiffer than the one on the Wolfgang.

Something weird: I changed the strings on it yesterday and now it seems like the action is too damn low, especially on the unwound strings! It's like I can actually feel my fingers digging into to the wood now. I left two of the strings on to have enough room to clean the fretboard, but could the neck have shifted slightly? Maybe it's just the brand of strings...I usually use D'Addarios but I put a set of Ernie Ball slinkys on there.

 

[nobozos]

I found pretty much the same differences between the Wolfgang and the Axis.

As far as the strings go, I don't know what to tell you on that. I've never heard of anything like that before. All I can tell you is to check your neck relief, and adjust your pivot bolts on your Floyd until it's comfortable for you.

 

[Brian]

Hey there,

Congrats on the great purchase

Your emerald green Axis was born in

02/00


Thanks

Brian

 

[lock-ny]

dont touch the pivots on the floyd, all you need to do is add some relief to the neck, raising the floyd and lowering it will only screw things up, nice looking guitar BTW