Introduction, just picked up my 1st Axis!! (w/issues)

[crazytodde]

(BTW if this is the wrong forum for introductions I apologize, but didn't see where else to put it)

Hi!
Names Todd, wanted a EVH/Axis for the last 18 or so years and finally picked one up!

I just picked up an Axis for $800! Kinda bittersweet. He wanted $850, but there is major buzz on the lower frets... I figure well I'm taking a risk so I'll talk him down, so I got him down to $800, thinking $50 for setup. There was a pack of sicilica gel type stuff in the case so I figured there wouldn't be a moisture issue.

To me, from reading it looked like the neck didn't have enough relief so I turned the wheel counter clockwise till right about where the frets stopped buzzing and at that point the wheel is so loose you can turn it with your fingers. That was kinda scary so i hand turned it back in the other direction, even after I did that buzzing seems reduced. What the heck could be going on with this truss rod?

Also the guy played kinda dumb, and if you look in the picture, (I didn't notice till I brought it home doh!) but there is a "TONE" knob like the early VH models. So now I'm thinking he was playing dumb, but replace the VOL knob with a TONE knob? Makes no sense to me.

In short, what is the worst case scenerio here?

Thanks all!

 

[Gio_Force_One]

hi welcome to the forum. it really looks like a nice guitar. did you bring it to a tech at all yet to see what they think. it could just be something simple. I wouldnt worry about the tone knob thats an easy fix. goodluck hope everything works out for you and everyone on here is really helpful. someone should beb able to help you out.

 

[Colin]

welcome Todd, the guitar sounds fine. Just get that setup done and you'll be fine. The tone knob was obviously a nod to the previous model. Nice guitar stick around, you'll get to see some cool stuff here.

 

[crazytodde]

I should say also that tommydude was veryhelpful, I was gonna buy one of his guitars (why I joined the forum), it didn't wind up happening but he still was very helpful.

I got the action as low as I could, was able to lower the bridge a tiny bit, and allthough the action is a nice amount higher than stock its still increadibly fast and it sounds abosulutely amazing. My girlfriend commented about how much smoother eveything sounds lol.

I can't wait to get it to a tech!

 

[Slingy]

Nice Axis! That Tommy guy seems to know a thing or two about guitar setups. Anyways enjoy it and wow that is a great price for any Axis.

 

[fbecir]

Nice guitar !
With a good setup, I am sure it will be great.
Perhaps can you provide better pictures ... with such a top we want to see more !

 

[cosmic]

Nice guitar, that's for sure. Welcome!

 

[megaroel]

800.bones thats dirt cheap. i payed alot more for mine was yours used? well still a nice looking guitar.

 

[roburado]

AFAIK, the bridge was set up from the factory to sit on the body of the guitar. I'd start there, and then, I'd fix the neck relief. Nice acquisition, though. Congrats!

 

[tommydude]

Hey Todd !! You did good man, glad I could help you out.

Really great people here on the Forum, so stick around

The tech place will work out any kinks. I don't think you should have any problems.

That Axis neck just feels super smooth doesn't it ?!?! Great Quality

 

[crazytodde]

Yup, was a good deal, yes it's used its a 2001 model. It was going for $850 and I had no intention of talking him down but the fret buzz was so bad that I figured in risk, and he took my offer. I really wanted a blue one, but how can you beat $800!!! I got it from a recording studio that was moving and had to get rid of stuff.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Is changing the volume knob to a tone knob a problem? If so, I'll have to do something with my Axis.....as I did the same thing. Yah....it's an EVH thing.

 

[crazytodde]

Oh...let me explain why the TONE knob bothered me. It's because the guy I was buying it from said things like "oh I don't know anything about guitars!"

And when I was leaving he asked me if the guitar had something to do with Van Halen. I thought it was strange that he was playing dumb about guitars, and about the Van Halen heritage, but had the wherewithal to change the volume knob to a tone knob.

And I don't know if he specifically said this (didn't care much at this price I was gonna pick it up) but he was trying to lead me to believe the thing was never played. He also (in an email) told me there were "no real playability issues" When I picked up the guitar it was nothing but BUZZ.

So I am well aware the TONE knob is not a big deal, its just that everything didn't seem to add up.

Thanks all!

 

[tommydude]

Todd,

It sounds like that dude may have had too many late nights staring at his Lava Lamp........

I believe you may have landed the deal of the year for an Axis here on the Forum, so be proud man!!

Send us a picture of the neck. How is the Birdseye?

Not sure what type of music you like, but you might want to buy a D-Tuna sometime down the road when your budget allows. Nice little toy.

 

[paranoid70]

Maybe he wasn't the original owner, and someone else put on the TONE knob?

 

[straycat113]

You beat me to it paranoid lol. The guitar looks really well taken care of for a 10 year old ax from a studio, usually house guitars look beat to death. Who knows when but one night someone probably just switched the knob as a nod to Ed, but a good tech should have it buzz free and I think you made out great.

 

[meanMRmustard]

Welcome to the highly addictive world of Musicman guitars!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cjl5150]

Awesome deal on an awesome guitar. Welcome to the forum and welcome to the addiction...lol

 

[crazytodde]

Some / Tech Opinion

I had a tech look at the Axis, he said there is nothing major wrong with the guitar. I don't know how good this guy was but he advised against an immediate set-up.

He made some adjustments and got it playing ok but still some buzz and fretting out.

He said the remainder of the buzzing and fretting out was from uneven frets.
He also said the strings looked a little low at the nut and would have raised one of the strings at the bridge if there was a possible adjustment for it.

He thought I should play it for a while, telling me to play the guitar and some of the problems might work themselves out.

(he didn't charge me anything)

He also took a look at the frets with some kind of magnifier-monocle magnifying glass thing and said that there was no evidence of fret wear. Basically it looks like this guitar has hardly been played.

There is only one small ding and some pick scrapes below the strings that look like they could easily be buffed out.

The guitar had 10's on it and I switched it out with Slinky 9's the next day expecting to get more buzzing but didn't. The guitar feels like it was made for 9's I think the 10's were louder and had more sustain but the feel of it is so much better with the 9's. Maybe I just don't like the combination of low frets and higher string tension.

He did say that it will take more than just a normal set up that if playing it doesn't even out the frets that a couple of them might need shaving down.

One thing that really surprised me, I put the strings on, tuned up the guitar, and tried my best to stretch the strings and it looked like they were pre-stretched or something. I tried as hard as I could but I couldn't get the m to go out of tune, so I locked the nut and did a whole bunch of ridiculous dive bombs and the thing won't go out of tune.

Amazing!

Next I play to put a D-TUNA on, and get a setup around the 1st.

Thanks all!

 

[Jonny Dubai]

Sweet guitar. Awesome price. Great score. Welcome.

J