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veniculum

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Messages
64
Hey guys. Just wanted to introduce myself. I also have a few questions about my new guitar...most of which have been answered just by browsing this site. I do still have a few unanswered questions...and I'm hoping some of you may be able to help out.

First off, I'm a veteran guitar player...have been in a lot of bands, and have been playing for many years (25 or something like that). I have picky tastes when it comes to guitars...so while I like a lot of different types of guitars...and I own a lot of different guitars, I do appreciate quality, and don't ever skimp when I'm making a purchase (much to my wife's dismay ;))

Anyway...I was at GC yesterday, and while I didn't go in there with the intention to buy a new guitar...I was looking to trade a relatively new American Strat. I love my American Deluxe...but the American Special just didn't do it for me. They offered me a good price for my guitar, and 10 percent off on a new one. When I saw this particular Axis, I had to have it. I've always wanted one.

This thing is amazing..and while it needs a setup, it still sounds and plays awesome. The neck is a work of art...particularly the bird's eye maple.

That said, I do have a few questions, as I mentioned above....and I'm hoping some of you Music Man vets can help me out. First thing is simply...I'd like to know what year my guitar is. It didn't say on the tag at GC...and I didnt' think to ask...silly me. But when I noticed that it had chrome pickups (unlike most of these guitars), it made me wonder if it's a new thing...turns out, from another thread, it seems to be a GC exclusive. Still, I'm not sure how long this thing's been on the wall at GC...and I'm not sure if there have been any changes to new Axis models, provided there have been changes made since mine was made. Just for your reference, my serial number is G46819. Forgive me if there is a database somewhere...I did search for one, but only found a bass serial number lookup.

Just a few other quick questions. First, I didn't get a user's manual. Are these guitars supposed to come with one, or no? And if not, is there one available for download? Same goes for tools...although, it seems like the only tools anyone would need are the standard floyd rose allen wrench and a phillips head screwdriver.

Second...the trem looks to be a licensed Floyd Rose...is this a German made FR?..or a Korean knock off..any idea? Also, the trem is not setup as a floating trem, but dive-bomb only. Is this how they come from the factory?

Finally...I removed the back plates just to inspect the internals...and when I took off the smaller plate (covering the volume knob), I noticed a small...I want to say wire...but it's not really a wire...it's a real thin piece of metal that doesn't seem to be connected to anything. I'm curious about that. I'll certainly post a pic if you're not familiar with this.

In any event...I couldn't be happier with this thing. It sounds great...and the neck just works perfect for my hands.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I look forward to hearing back from some of you...as well as being involved as a contributing member of this forum.
Have a great day.

Todd

Here's my new axe(is)

EBMM5.jpg
 

kimonostereo

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
1,210
Location
Honolulu, HI
First thing is simply...I'd like to know what year my guitar is. It didn't say on the tag at GC...and I didnt' think to ask...silly me. But when I noticed that it had chrome pickups (unlike most of these guitars), it made me wonder if it's a new thing...turns out, from another thread, it seems to be a GC exclusive. Still, I'm not sure how long this thing's been on the wall at GC...and I'm not sure if there have been any changes to new Axis models, provided there have been changes made since mine was made. Just for your reference, my serial number is G46819. Forgive me if there is a database somewhere...I did search for one, but only found a bass serial number lookup.

There is a sticky at the top of this forum that you can post to to find out the DOB. I am going to say it's a 2010 model but only EBMM would know what month it came from unless you have the original cardboard box the guitar came with.

Just a few other quick questions. First, I didn't get a user's manual. Are these guitars supposed to come with one, or no? And if not, is there one available for download? Same goes for tools...although, it seems like the only tools anyone would need are the standard floyd rose allen wrench and a phillips head screwdriver.

Contact EBMM customer service or check out the FAQ's for quick answers on the website.

Second...the trem looks to be a licensed Floyd Rose...is this a German made FR?..or a Korean knock off..any idea? Also, the trem is not setup as a floating trem, but dive-bomb only. Is this how they come from the factory?

The Floyd is a Gotoh version. All Axis are set to lower pitch via trem.

Finally...I removed the back plates just to inspect the internals...and when I took off the smaller plate (covering the volume knob), I noticed a small...I want to say wire...but it's not really a wire...it's a real thin piece of metal that doesn't seem to be connected to anything. I'm curious about that. I'll certainly post a pic if you're not familiar with this.

It's a grounding wire. When you screw the back plate back on it should make contact with the shielding that's on the back plate.

Nice axe!
 

veniculum

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Messages
64
Thanks for the compliments guys.

Kimono..thanks so much man...you really helped me out. I really appreciate you answering my questions. One of the mods pointed out that sticky...so it looks like I'm good there. I really only wanted the year anyway...so I'll take your word on it.

What a great forum...top notch!
Thanks again guys.
 

veniculum

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Messages
64
Oh yes, those necks. They're addicting, huh.

This is, hands down, one of the coolest necks I've ever had the privilege of playing. And I'm absolutely stunned at the birds eye. I've got a Jackson PC-1, which is also a birds eye...and I was always impressed with the detail on that neck. This one actually looks and feels better...on a cheaper guitar nonetheless!

As I mentioned, I'm pretty picky when it comes to my guitars....I only will buy if the guitar is "top shelf" stuff (not to be too much of a snob ;))...but then a close second is the neck. This is why I never, ever buy online unless I try out a guitar first. Sure...the body is important...the tone is obviously very important...and then you have to like to look at it. But it's the neck...if a guitar has a neck I don't like, it will never make it into my collection...no matter what.

Anyway...this thing is amazing. And if you like these, I would say, try out a few of the newer Charvels (particularly the USA "Production Models"...or of course, the custom shop models). I own three. They're all USA-made...very much in the spirit of the early 80s Charvels...and they have AMAZING necks. I highly recommend them.

And on that note...I've been hard pressed to find anything that comes close to those guitars..until now. Yes...I am hooked!

Todd
 

veniculum

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Messages
64
This thread has answered so many of my questions...so a big THANK YOU once again...I really appreciate the info and the compliments. I couldn't be happier with this purchase. I have quite a few guitars these days, and I'm more excited about this one than any of my most recent purchases. Kinda like when I bought my PRS back in 06...or my Charvel Telly last year. These guitars really stand out as great players, great sounding guitars, and sharp looking guitars.

I just thought of another question...if anyone knows, I'd sure appreciate your response. I had mentioned that early on, I wasn't sure why my guitar has the chrome pickups...I'm assuming these are not covers, but the pickups themselves. I really like the zebras on most Axis models...but these are growing on me. I'm curious though...of course, the guy who sold me this guitar told me they were Ernie Ball designed...what did he know, right? After doing my research, it's my understanding that these guitars are equipped with DiMarzios. So first, are these MM-designed DiMarzios (similar to the ones in the Ibanez Prestige guitars)...or are they a standard DiMarzio pickup? And the second question is...are mine DiMarzios, or are they something else? They sound killer..and they certainly do sound like a typical DiMarzio Super Distortion/Tone Zone...but I'm finding it a bit difficult to find specifics on this guitar just because it is a GC exclusive. If anyone knows of a site that might detail this particular guitar (as opposed to the standard Axis), I'd appreciate it. You'd think GC's or MM's website might mention it...but neither do. And now that I'm thinking about it...the GC that I bought this thing from had another Axis on the wall..it was about 150 bucks more expensive than the one I have...the only difference as far as I could see was the finish, the fretboard was rosewood, and the headstock matched the body finish. I guess this commands a slightly higher price...I didn't happen to notice whether or not this one had the chrome pickups or the standard zebras.

Thanks again guys...I really appreciate it.

Todd

Edit...I found this on guitar center's 'Platinum' site. This is my guitar exactly...and apparently, they're 'Custom DiMarzios'. here's the link: GC Exclusive Music Man Axis
 
Last edited:

kimonostereo

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
1,210
Location
Honolulu, HI
Not sure if you live in the Las Vegas area, but when I was up there 2 months ago, there was an Axis just like it at one of the Guitar Centers.
 
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