Im thinking about taking the plunge...

[Guitarded]

Hey there, I'm a newbie to the forum an this is my first post! I have often read posts in the forum and found some great info thanks to you guys. I'm seriously thinking about picking up my first Music Man and I think its going to be an Axis. I've had my eyes on them for a long time now but never really played one until yesterday and I must say...WOW.

These are truly well crafted pieces of art. Beautiful tops/finishes, unbelievably smooth and comfortable necks, and tone to die for. I am typically a Les Paul guy and I love the LP tone but this Axis has been on my mind since I played it. I have a very nice strat I'm selling locally since it just doesn't get played much and I'm thinking of putting that money towards the Axis.

So here my issue. When this strat gets sold I will be able to add some $ and possibly get a used Axis fairly quickly, Or I can wait a while and save even more $ and buy new. My thing is I'm very picky about looks and want only certain finishes. Do used ones come up on here often? Should I just buy new to ensure I get what I want? Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[sargentcrunch]

Hey I am new here as well and I recently got my first EBMM (an Axis ) and I was picky over finishes when I saw pictures on the internet but when I saw a gold one in the store it looked 100x better than any picture could show. I personally don't think pictures can accurately capture the tops on high end guitars. And I believe the Axis was designed to be the combination between a Les Paul and a Telecaster (correct me if I am wrong).

As for the question about used ones on here, I am not really sure because I am new here. But if you are really set on a finish you might want to buy it new to your specs. Someone on my thread told me if I am going to spend that much money get what you want.

 

[paranoid70]

Used Axis guitars do show up on the For Sale thread on this forum. Typically the guitars sold here are in great condition - I bought one a few years back with no issues at all. Better experience than eBay!!!

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/20928-music-man-guitars-sale-no-comments-please.html

 

[Guitarded]

Thanks for the speedy replies!

I appreciate you showing me the for sale thread Paranoid. I don't know how I missed that. There's actually an Axis for sale with one of my favorite finishes (trans blue) and I'm trying to work a deal out with the seller. I truly appreciate the help and look forward to being a member of this great community.

 

[threeminutesboy]

Welcome here mate! Good luck with your new axis

Second hand axis is perfect to start with (i started my addiction like that)

 

[fbecir]

Welcome aboard mates.

Axis guitar are great. My ASS MM90 was a real discovery.

 

[mystixboi1]

i've bought and sold literally hundreds of guitars over the past 15 years and 90% were used. as a buyer on the used market, it's important to know the gear you are going to buy and the person you buy from. pictures can only say so much. I bought a guitar recently that the seller said was mint. when i got it, it was just about mint. no dents, dings or swirls anywhere on the guitar BUT the neck was incredibly dirty. i had to take some steel wool and some EB wonder wipes to clean it up. It looks fantastic now, but added about 45 min of time that i wasn't expecting.

when buying used, i always always always find out the following info:

any mods?
any finishes ever applied to the guitar... especially on the neck?
any dings, scratches or dents?
does it come with case?
case candy?
how are the frets?
any wear on the guitar? fretboard?

i always get feedback on the user... i expect ebay feedback or names of other members from the forum they have done deals with in the past.

also, if i want to see any additional pics, i ask for them.

only once in the past 15 years did someone say they wouldn't take additional pics for me(this happened last week on a different forum) so I didn't buy from him. he said that he had over 200 positive deals with different people on the forum, but that didn't sit right with me. so i passed and got the guitar from someone else... at a lower price too.

hope this helps... good luck!!

 

[Guitarded]

i've bought and sold literally hundreds of guitars over the past 15 years and 90% were used. as a buyer on the used market, it's important to know the gear you are going to buy and the person you buy from. pictures can only say so much. I bought a guitar recently that the seller said was mint. when i got it, it was just about mint. no dents, dings or swirls anywhere on the guitar BUT the neck was incredibly dirty. i had to take some steel wool and some EB wonder wipes to clean it up. It looks fantastic now, but added about 45 min of time that i wasn't expecting.

when buying used, i always always always find out the following info:

any mods?
any finishes ever applied to the guitar... especially on the neck?
any dings, scratches or dents?
does it come with case?
case candy?
how are the frets?
any wear on the guitar? fretboard?

i always get feedback on the user... i expect ebay feedback or names of other members from the forum they have done deals with in the past.

also, if i want to see any additional pics, i ask for them.

only once in the past 15 years did someone say they wouldn't take additional pics for me(this happened last week on a different forum) so I didn't buy from him. he said that he had over 200 positive deals with different people on the forum, but that didn't sit right with me. so i passed and got the guitar from someone else... at a lower price too.

hope this helps... good luck!!

Thanks Mystix, some very helpful tips there. I have had experience buying/selling used gear on ebay and my local craigslist, but this would be my first time buying anything from a forum. I must admit I was a little hesitant at first but it seems most people on here are stand up guys (with great taste in guitars ). I hope to soon be the proud owner of an Axis and the availability/prices of used ones seem better here than anywhere else.

 

[BartB]

Welcome! Hope you pick up a great Axis, new or used, they are great anyway!
Like Mystixboi explaind, do you homework online and it will work out just fine

 

[TSHOW]

Welcome...................and good luck...............The Axis is my favorite EBMM guitar................I went crazy and bought 3 New ones this year....I don't regret it at all......I play them live all the time...............!!