need some info on a used Axis SS

[aggravation]

I'm looking at a few on ebay and based on things the owners are telling me I was wondering is it true that you need to oil the necks periodically?
Can you damage the neck by taking all the strings off?
Do you guys ever have to adjust the truss rod...if someone has had to adjust the rod once in 7 years is that a sign that there was trouble? How about if you also knew he never oiled the neck?

Finally how much do you think a black one is worth in good shape other than one small ding in the face, not through the finish, just a small dent.
Or another way of asking that what is the average difference in re-sell price between quilted and solid colors regardless of damage?
Thanks.

 

[aggravation]

OK, maybe my questions are too obtuse, or maybe I just asked too many for a newbie.
So how about just answer this one question:

Regarding the SuperSport versions: What is the average difference in re-sell price between quilted and solid colors?

Holding out for the night crew to come to the rescue

 

[jagged]

I'm looking at a few on ebay and based on things the owners are telling me I was wondering is it true that you need to oil the necks periodically?

Yes, this will make sure that your neck is nice and smooth. I'd even recommend getting some cleaning stuff as well.

Can you damage the neck by taking all the strings off?

Probably not.

Do you guys ever have to adjust the truss rod...if someone has had to adjust the rod once in 7 years is that a sign that there was trouble?

No, it is not a sign of trouble. Wood shifts and bends, this is normal.

How about if you also knew he never oiled the neck?

Don't think this has anything to do with the truss rod.

Finally how much do you think a black one is worth in good shape other than one small ding in the face, not through the finish, just a small dent.

Generally, we don't talk about prices here...

Or another way of asking that what is the average difference in re-sell price between quilted and solid colors regardless of damage?
Thanks.

Call your local EBMM dealer to find out.

 

[beej]

Hey there-

> is it true that you need to oil the necks periodically?

Yes, they're unfinished wood with oil & gunstock wax. They seal the neck and provide a slick playing surface. Some guys have never re-applied the stuff after years of playing, some do it regularly. If your neck feels rough to the tough you can give it a go (search the board for details- lots of info on how to do it).

> Can you damage the neck by taking all the strings off?

No. They were built without the strings on, right?

> Do you guys ever have to adjust the truss rod...

Yes, how much depends on your neck and the climate where you live. Since the neck is unfinished it can be susceptible to humidity changes. Where I am it gets very humid in the summer and dry in the winter, so I find I'm tweeking the truss rod slightly every 3 months or so.

Hey- it's built to be tweeked. You're not going to hurt the guitar by playing with the truss rod.

> if someone has had to adjust the rod once in 7 years
> is that a sign that there was trouble? How about if you
> also knew he never oiled the neck?

Not a problem in either case. Probably just means the previous owner didn't like to make the action as low as he could

As for price, it really depends. They can go from $700 or so on up to over a grand. Generally you see them in the $800-$900 range. Your best bet is to look through the "for sale" threads and do a search for completed items on eBay to get a sense of current market value. Don't worry too much about a ding, most guitars have some wear on them unless they're museum pieces!

Good luck- they're great Axes! (Lame pun intended.)

Hah- Jagged beat me to the punch!

 

[uvacom]

Let's see...

1. It's good for the necks to be reconditioned very occasionally, but they don't really need it either. The oil/wax treatment from the factory isn't going to rub off of evaporate or anything. Anyway, if the guitar needs it when you get it, it's not hard to do.

To answer your what I think your real question is, AFAIK there are no long term maintenance issues associated with *not* reconditioning the neck periodically. If there's some serious "dirt burn" (grime rubbed into the finish) it can be a chore to clean off, but it doesn't really hurt the guitar.

2. Probably not, but just to be on the safe side I detune each string before removing it, instead of just taking the shortcut and using wire cutters to chop off the old strings. If you leave the strings off for a while you might have to re-intonate the guitar when you put strings back on.

3. The truss rod can be adjusted as often or as little as needed. If you change string guages, the bridge (or just the saddles), use an alternate tuning...anything that adjusts the overall tension of the guitar will generally require a truss rod adjustment. Also, sometimes after a fret dressing/crowning the frets might be a little lower and thus the truss rod might be adjusted to retain the desired action.

Again, to answer what I think your real question is, it's not a sign of trouble if the truss rod on a used guitar has been adjusted only very infrequently. That's pretty typical. Conversely, it's also really not a big deal if it has been adjusted a lot, as long as the guitar can still be set up correctly. If the truss adjustment wheel were bottoming out against the body, I'd consider that a sign of trouble.

4. They're worth whatever somebody is willing to pay. In general I'd pay 800-900 for a used ASS in excellent condition, maybe with a little dent. I don't think the finish color or opacity is much of an issue, some of the solid colors are gorgeous and not every transparent top has blown me away. A really nice top might boost the value a little, but that's totally subjective and can only considered on an individual basis.


Edit: Dayumn I got ninja'd. Shows me for thinking I could take my time.