I keep pulling my E string off the board

[tomr63]

I haven't owned an EBMM guitar for a couple of years. I sold an Axis SS a while back and have missed it ever since, so I recently bought an Axis Sport to fill that void.

I have been playing a Les Paul with a big 50's neck and a Strat with a big V neck for a while now and I am having a tough time adjusting to the little Axis neck. I am constantly pulling the high E string of the neck.

The strings on the Axis are a lot closer to the edges of the fretboard than on my other guitars. I don't think they are mis-aligned, the low E and the high E are pretty much equal distances from the edges of the board.

The guitar sounds great and is fun to play except for this one problem. Do any of you have the same problem?

 

[MusicManJP6]

what gauge strings you using? maybe move up a gauge?

 

[meenahga]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I have an Axis Super Sport and have also played a Sport. I never found the strings slipping as you describe, to be a problem.
I think you hit the nail on the head. It's easy to get used to a certain neck, it's feel, width, and how hard or light you have to fret the strings to get the desired results. Also MusicManJP6 has a point concerning string gauge. I remember years ago picking up my buddies gibson guitar, strung up with super light 8's, I was used to 11's at the time. Wow, I was way overbending the strings.

My very first guitar was a Burns of London with a very short scale neck, something like 24 inches. It took me quite awhile to adjust to the "feel" of a different scale length and string spacing when I finally made the change to a different guitar.

When I finally discovered Ernie Ball Music Man guitars, the necks felt incredible to me. I adjusted very quickly to the comparativly narrower neck of the Silhouette.
I am sure if you give it a little time you'll find or develop the "feel" and "touch" for your Sport. Congrats on scoring an EBMM guitar, and enjoy!

 

[ashman]

I used to have that problem all the time when I got my first ASS about 4 years ago. Give it some time, you will learn to adjust to the smaller neck. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't EBMM actually widen the neck a little when the EVH evolved into the Axis to help with high E slippage?

I string up with 10's by the way, the yellow pack.

 

[TNT]

Yeah, the "fit and trim" on MM instruments are quality and precise. Not a lot of "fat" to trim, like on some other guitars.

You can however, adjust just about anything you need to on a guitar with a "bolt-on" neck (that's why I LOVE EM'), including that of which you speak.

It does take some degree of skill and knowledge to do it, but any competent tech can do it.

 

[tomr63]

Thanks for all the input guys, I appreciate it. BTW I have it strung with 10s.

 

[Ahess86]

I have struggled with this very issue from time to time on my ASS. I've played other guitars for years and then found EBMM's necks to fit my hand perfectly, but I've had this same problem that you've spoken of. I actually found that the (awesome) fret dressing job that came from the factory contributes to this a little bit.

First thing is I went from 9's to 10's, that helped slightly. From there, its mostly about learning your new instrument. It took be a while but I'm finally playing without this problem.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I do notice this with my Axis Super Sport and believe that the combination of closeness to the edge, and the low frets make it easier to push both high and low E off the board. I do notice this coming from a couple of my guitars if I haven't used the Axis in a while. I also have a Wolfgang strung the same way (slinky 10's) and the bigger frets seem to make a difference.....but for some songs, the Axis is definately easier to play and faster. After about 5 minutes of adjustment, I'm fine with the Axis again.

jack

 

[Astrofreq]

Bend the other way.

 

[hbucker]

I have an EVH which has an even narrower neck than the Axis. It's my understanding that this problem is a major reason why they widened the Axis neck.

For me it really isn't an issue. At times I've noticed it but really, it simply doesn't happen for me. I would put forth that it's either a technique issue or perhaps, the Axis neck is not the neck for you. No harm, no foul. We all have our own style and preferences.

 

[Astrofreq]

Seriously though, it used to happen to me when I first started playing axis guitars. I've gotten used to the neck and it hasn't happened in years.

 

[J_Alexander]

i have never understood this. someone explain it to me lol. i have a evh and 2 axis guitars. i have never had a stirng slip off the fretboard?????? i bend the high e up and low e down. how do you guys get them off the fretboard??????

 

[Rufedges]

This is the ONLY problem I have with my Axis SS, and I think I will get used to it. Just another millimeter or two of fretboard for the high E string and the guitar would be absolutely perfect in my opinion.

 

[azazael]

Never been a problem, the only problem I have sometimes is the E string gets stuck onto the side of the pickup. Thats probably a height issue though.

 

[ashman]

i have never understood this. someone explain it to me lol. i have a evh and 2 axis guitars. i have never had a stirng slip off the fretboard?????? i bend the high e up and low e down. how do you guys get them off the fretboard??????

With a little thing called vibrato

 

[VAiN]

Never been a problem, the only problem I have sometimes is the E string gets stuck onto the side of the pickup. Thats probably a height issue though.

I have this same problem!! I hate it.. it drives me nuts.