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Axis 30th Anniversary

JP or Another AxisSuperSport??

highenuff

highenuff

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
59
Location
Chicago
This may seem like a dumb question but I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on my up-coming decision. Another AxisSuperSport, or JP? The reason I am asking about the JP is that I cannot get my hands on one prior to me buying one! I have heard great things about the JP, but the Axis's are just perfect! I have owned many a guitar i.e. Les Paul's, Jackson's, and PRS-the EB's are by far the best sounding guitar and a great deal!

So anyways just a little info--

Just to let you guys know I will be using the guitar in a 70's - Today Cover band; covering all the bases from classic rock, hair metal, to the alternative music of today.

Thanks for any input!
 
Well I would recommand in your case a Luke (for the versatility) or a Axis SS with MM90 this guitar is just perfect

I am not so enthousiatic about the Petrucci but it's just my opinion an many other here will have a different view :-)
 
FWIW, I'm in the same position as you... have an ASS and would like to get something else. I've picked up an Axis Sport MM90 and an HSH Silhouette at good prices just to check out what they sound like, but just think of those as experiments as neither are on the same level as the ASS. (I wouldn't have had to buy those if EBMM guitars were in stock at any dealer near me - sigh)

I've played the JP and although I really like it and think it will complement an ASS nicely, "vintage" is not a word I would use to describe its sound.

I think you should be looking at the Steve Morse Y2D instead.
 
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Hmm, I was in the exact same boat as you. I already had an Axis SS, my first Ball, which is a great axe, but a couple of weeks ago, another bout of guitar lust overcame me. Speaking only for myself, I wouldn't buy 2 of the same make/model when there are so many other Balls out there. I ended up with a just-about-brand-new JP6 Piezo, and bought it sight-unseen and unplayed. It was the most I ever paid for a guitar, and it was a little unnerving to take that leap of faith, but I have no regrets. For me, the trem is far superior on the JP, and it has a buttery tone that is its own, yet it's different than the Axis. And playing it is sheer ecstasy. Having a JP and an ASS is fat-city, let me tell you, and I have a wide range of tones and applications. I'm still fiddlin' with the Piezo, but the different sounds you can get from a JP make it a no-brainer (being on the other side of the fence now) to buy. Hope you find what you're looking for.
 
Having not played my 20th Silo yet, I can't be entirely objective, but, having had and played an Axis and my JP, I'd have to say go for the JP if you're even remotely considering one.

After hearing how versatile John is, there doesn't seem to be a tone he can't pull out of his. Dream Theater runs the gamut, and to hear him play Floyd, Maiden, Queen and any number of other covers, he nails them all.

I'm with Ernie on this one. I'm already planning my next couple of guitars, and I think it's going to be a JP7 and another JP6. With a couple of JP6's for different tunings and the 7 and you have just about everything you need.

Of course I'll still have my Morse, AL and Silo for backups... :D

Just an opinion of course.

fred
 
The JP neck is much wider than the Axis. The string spacing is similar to an Ibanez RG. If you really like the Axis neck, you might find the JP too wide. The JP body is also bigger than the Axis or Silo Special.
 
......not sure if you're a Canucklehead or not but we have an Axis SS Rosewood with MM90s and piezo at the store right now and that hting is nuts! But then again we also have a Luke and although I'm a bassist I really dig the V of the Luke's neck and do love the sound of the EMGs.

any way you slice it, you'll love whatever MM you get :cool:

happy hunting!
 
My 2p :p

I've heard a few peeps say that, although the JP is a great guitar, it doesnt have enough versatility tone wise. I gotta say, thats just not so! We do all sorts in my band. Dream Theater, Floyd, Queen, Extreme, Incubus, Muse, Radiohead, Porcupine Tree. I remember when we first tried Ogre Battle (a very old Queen song). I Just flicked the PUP selector to the mid position and it gave me a nice stratty type sound. Queens of the Stone Age. We do no-one knows and that song has a very flat hard guitar sound. Backed off the tone, mid postion again and there it was. And, I've said this before, and i know it's a bit unorthodox for the purists but.......... the piezo! If you back the volume right down on it and use it on your overdrive channel you can use it almost like a channel switch. Clean to dirty at the flick of a switch and no tap dancing!

I'm quite old fashioned in that (because ive never had a footswitch) i use my guitar for all the sounds. I'm not saying everybody should, it's just what i'm used to. Like Brian may or Hendrix you know. I dont switch channels to get different sounds. I prefer to use the volume and tone controls and the Petrucci can deliver. You gotta remember that tone does come from your fingers and how you put something across. It's not always what you play but how you're playing it i say.

I do agree that there are guitars that are obviously more versatile. Like the silo I would imagine. But with a bit of imagination I reckon a Petrucci can give you what you want.

Just my thoughts mind. I am however hugely biased!
 
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I am an Axis fan and lusted after a Petrucci...until I played one! For me the neck was too thin / flat / wide...just like the shredder ibanez's from the 80's and nothing like the Axis'!

I ended up getting the Luke which compliments the Axis perfectly - nice single coil & humbucker sounds, comfy neck, piezo! Otherwise the Y2D is probably another good option...the neck and tones of that are sweet!

SteveK
 
Funny, I just played a Luke and really didn't like the V-neck compared to the rounder Axis and Silo. The JP neck felt pretty good to me when I played it a few weeks ago, but admittedly I didn't spend that much time with it.

Now that I've played one, my vote goes to the 20th Silo. I've got one on order - should compliment the Axis SS very nicely.
 
robelinda2 said:
gonna have to get me hands on a petrucci soon....great comments here cant be ignored forever!!
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F...me, you have 3 EBMM's on order and you're talking about getting another? Hopefully you'll sell me the 20th ann Silo?
 
I own an Axis Super Sport and a JP. They are very different guitars! The neck profile is very different (as mentioned here before).

Personally, I like the Axis neck better, it feels better to me... The JP neck is a lot thinner and wider, it's good, but the Axis neck fits me better... It's all about personal taste really...
 
Colin said:
F...me, you have 3 EBMM's on order and you're talking about getting another? Hopefully you'll sell me the 20th ann Silo?
Click to expand...

hey i had 4 on order until just now, when i've walked in the door with my new Y2D! Would love to try out a petrucci, unless one came on ebay real cheap here in Oz, can always sell a strat or two, they have to be good for something!

if i dont like the 20th silo ( yeah right! ) you'll be in line Col!
 
robelinda2 said:
hey i had 4 on order until just now, when i've walked in the door with my new Y2D! Would love to try out a petrucci, unless one came on ebay real cheap here in Oz, can always sell a strat or two, they have to be good for something!

if i dont like the 20th silo ( yeah right! ) you'll be in line Col!
Click to expand...

waoooooooou you received your Y2D ? tell me more about it Do you like it ?
 
i'm posting pics of the y2d right now, in between playing with the Y2D on my lap as i type!! just unreal, there is something SO special about a brand new Ernie Ball guitar, it is just SOOO new! all shiny and not broken in, but it sure feels nice, sounds and plays amazing. i feel very honored to even play this guitar, its a beauty!!!
 
+1 for the JP6, I can't understand how people say its not versatile because I keep proving to myself that it is THE most versatile out there. After my JP6 purchase I kept buying guitars, its a sickness, but I wanted more of a strat sound, bought a strat HSS and SSS strat...ehh, the split singles on the JP6 work better and are more balanced. Last week it was a LP and I loved it but the clean tone sucks and the overall feel was...well, not so good, switched back to the JP6 before the 1st set. The JP6 rocks, bridge and split single positions are just the best hands down, and the piezo direct into board...authentic acoustic tones. Every other guitarist on our team continues to be amazed at how it can cover everything. Their only gripe for the most part is the modern look, its not for everybody. The JP6 has ruined me and now my next guitar will be a backup JP6
 
Very little to add except JP #3 should arrive tomorrow. #4 (Dargie Delight) is on order.:D
 
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