Help Comparing Axis and Axis SS

[boogieslide]

I used to own an Axis and am currently looking for another one. Never played the Axis Super Sport, but in doing some research I am seeing there are some similarities as well as some pretty cool differences.
One of the big things for me with the Axis was the ability to do massive whammy dives and never go out of tune. No other guitar has done that for me. So the SS doesn't have the locking system, but does have locking tuners. Does that help? Or is the Axis far more stable for whammy bar action?

The Super Sport looks to have much more versatility in the tone options department with the added tone knob and 5 way pup selector. How do they compare in sound?
Looks like the necks are pretty much the same though, correct?
I can't wait to get my hands around one of those necks again

Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

Pete

 

[shreder75]

better make sure there's nobody in law enforcement around when you say things like not being able to wait to get yer hands around necks..

hehe..sorry =) had to do it..

I've played a SS briefly in a sam ASSh before...necks exactly the same...and it's got the schaller locking tuners as well..that's about all I know th ough...

 

[beej]

The Super Sport is an AWESOME guitar!

Neck/body are the same. The 5-way switching makes it more flexible than the Axis and allows you to get fenderesque tones using the inside or outside coils of the 'buckers. Sonically you get the same sound as the Axis, but with a few added tones

Stability wise, I don't think anything beats the Floyd if you've got some serious wanking to do. But with the MM trem and the locking tuners, this guitar does an awesome job of staying in tune. I can dive bomb like crazy on this and my Luke and both do an excellent job of staying in tune. The Floyd would be a little more stable, but you have the added hassle of setup/locking. Changing strings/detuning on the Super Sport is a breeze, so I think it's worth the tradeoff.

And for a bit of added incentive, consider that guys like John Petrucci and Steve Lukather used to use Floyds and now go with the stock MM trems/locking tuners. (Though obviously the petrucci trem is a bit different than the vintage trem.)

 

[boogieslide]

Great info! Exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for. Kinda sounds like I need to take a test drive on an Axis Super Sport.

Perhaps someone can help clear me up on the Super Sport pick ups. I see MM90s listed. Do they all have them?

 

[beej]

Perhaps someone can help clear me up on the Super Sport pick ups. I see MM90s listed. Do they all have them?

Two options: the same Dimarzios that are in the Axis (smoke!) or the MM90s (spank!). Both sound great.

 

[dan desy]

With the vintage trem, you can't dive as much a Floyd and get the strings as slack. But no mater how much use mine, it doesn't go out of tune. Locking tuners and good nut ensure that.

And the 5 way gives you amazing, usable tones. The Axis SS (mine is the rosewood one) comes highly recommended by me! What more could you ask for?

 

[dan desy]

Oh yeah, the pickups. Same as the regular Axis. I'not not usuallya fan of Dimarzios, but I love these. Nice and bright and just hot enough. They split very well.

 

[Jimi D]

Perhaps someone can help clear me up on the Super Sport pick ups. I see MM90s listed. Do they all have them?

With the MM90s, the guitar body is Swamp Ash with a Maple top instead of the typical Basswood... Also, you have a 3-way switch on the MM90-equipped Super Sport, instead of the 5-way... Otherwise, the guitars are pretty much identical...

HOWEVER...

If you already have an Axis, I would STRONGLY recommend you look at a Super Sport MM90 - there are some terrific single-coil tones in that guitar!!

 

[DaveB]

With the MM90s, the guitar body is Swamp Ash with a Maple top instead of the typical Basswood... Also, you have a 3-way switch on the MM90-equipped Super Sport, instead of the 5-way... Otherwise, the guitars are pretty much identical...

HOWEVER...

If you already have an Axis, I would STRONGLY recommend you look at a Super Sport MM90 - there are some terrific single-coil tones in that guitar!!

Amen to that - front P90 with a decent valve amp is tone to die for...

red beans and ricely...

Dave

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

On my guitars at least, the pickups are set everso slighty lower on the ASS than the regular Axis. I didnt care much for the single coil options or the tone pot, so I had them taken out!