Natural Axis with Amber headstock??? What the???

[moanjam]

this is a pic of an axis i just bought on ebay (should be arriving this week). the ad said that there's a 'bright spot in the photo below are only reflections from the light' - i thought for a while that this was reflected in the headstock, but now i'm not sure. can anyone tell me that this is an amber headstock neck attached to a natural body? to my eyes it is - the seller said that he bought this from guitar center adn they said it's new but i'm sure it's an amber neck replaced on a natural body. i guess i'll have to take a closer look at it when i receive it this week. i know ebmm doesn't typically sell necks, but would i be able to get a natural headstock neck from them? i've waited for ages to find a natural axis and i don't want to have an amber headstock.

 

[brasco68]

I have a Natural Axis Super Sport, and the one you're showing here looks like an Amber headstock for sure. It's pretty noticable.

Love to know the story behind that one. It can't be the original neck .

 

[spkirby]

Looks definitely to be an amber neck...I think the ebay sellers story about buying new is, how shall we say this politely, inaccurate. No way did it leave the factory like that. On a natural neck the headstock is the same color as the fretboard...

The volume knob is not original either.

Hopefully these are only cosmetic things and that it plays well for you.

 

[fogman]

man that thing needs some serious wonder wipes.
did the previous owner ever wash his hands?

 

[Axilla]

That's a "sick" top for sure, but the neck must have been replaced by someone who had two of those Axis'.
Strange combination, but that quilt top is just awesome !!!

...or more knucklehead style: "That tops sucks!"

 

[andynpeters]

That's a "sick" top for sure, but the neck must have been replaced by someone who had two of those Axis'.
"

A pretty unlikely scenario....not that many spare EBMM necks about. I think it's much more likely that the headstock (possibly also the back of the neck) has darkened with age and exposure to unhealthy tobacco laden bars. Looks pretty much the same colour as my purple SS's headstock.
Compare it

to the red one which never left home

Hmmm....the photos don't really capture the difference all that well , but the purple one is pretty orange in person. Ask for a photo of the back of the headstock if you're worried....see if that's orange too.

 

[phatduckk]

from those photos that looks like a painted headstock to me as well.

id guess a neck swap has taken place given those pix

 

[candid_x]

Isn't it also possible that the dude refinished the body to natural, and left the headstock because he couldn't replace the decals?

 

[Spudmurphy]

^
I'd go +1 with that suggestion.

 

[Beth]

Interesting... though we've seen stranger things 'round these parts.

Moan, what's the serial number? We can see the guitar's DNA that way...

 

[Bungo]

Once you have the serial number you will be able to find out what colour the guitar was when it left the factory.

Also I believe EBMM will replace a neck if you send them back the old one. I would assume some money would have to change hands as well but you'll need to contact customer service to get the full lowdown.

Hope this helps!

 

[Bungo]

...and right on cue there she is, Evening Beth.

 

[moanjam]

hmmmm.....that's something i never thought about. btw, what's the process to do that to a top?

Isn't it also possible that the dude refinished the body to natural, and left the headstock because he couldn't replace the decals?

 

[moanjam]

Once you have the serial number you will be able to find out what colour the guitar was when it left the factory.

Also I believe EBMM will replace a neck if you send them back the old one. I would assume some money would have to change hands as well but you'll need to contact customer service to get the full lowdown.

Hope this helps!

yes, this is what i am hoping i can do as i had a nightmare with a previous natural axis purchase on ebay. the story goes like this. my favourite colour on the evh/axis is a natural quilt top, so i purchased one on ebay last year. when the guitar was delivered to me, it was delivered by ups IN IT'S CASE BUT NOT IN A CARDBOARD BOX!!!!! and the case wasn't even locked!!!! someone at ups could have taken it out and stolen the guitar. the case was cracked and before i opened the case, i wondered if the guitar itself was damaged. i open the case and.....there isn't a natural quilt top axis in the case....it's a FLAMBER AMBER AXIS!!!!! the seller sold me a guitar that wasn't pictured in the ebay auction!!! i turn it around to examine it and low and behold, there's a crack behind the headstock beind the locking nut screws IN THREE PLACES!!! i tried to get my money back from paypal but failed and was stuck selling the guitar locally but losing a lot of cash as no one wanted to pay for a damaged guitar. so now, this is my second quilt top natural axis i've bought and i pray that ebmm will allow me to trade in the amber neck for a natural one because i soooooo want to own a natural axis!!!!

 

[moanjam]

hey guys - just wanted to thank you so much for your help on this. i really appreciate all your comments and i agree that this is definately a replaced neck. i'll send the serial number to ebmm as soon as i receive the guitar to figure this all out. thanks again!

 

[Sweat]

It really looks like a neck replacement, if you really want a axis natural why not just buy a new one, ebay is just evil and DuBaldo Music has a kick ass one in stock well worth the extra few hundred dollars, just my opinion.

 

[douglasspears]

my biggest question....how did you NOT notice that!?

 

[whitestrat]

That knob doesn't look stock either...

 

[Shadowbox]

Please let us know how it goes!

BTW, moanjam.....a fellow King's X fan, per chance?