New guitar or new neck?

[Lord Nerdos]

I was at my local EBMM dealer the other day picking up a tremolo arm for my Axis SS and decided to try one of the Axis guitars they have on display. I was amazed at how the neck felt thicker and therefore more comfortable for me. It reminded my of the guitar that started my EBMM obsession - an Axis EX that I stupidly never bought after trying in a store...
My ASS is second hand and has had a lot of play from the previous owner. In fact it looks like it is need of a fret dress (the high E string has its own groove from the 2nd the the 12th fret. It wouldn't surprise me that it is a shade thinner than the Axis neck I tried, but it feels like a world apart.
I figure I have 3 options:
a) get a new neck for my ASS - around 500 USD
b) get an AX40 and keep my ASS
c) sell the ASS (I bought it for 1000 USD second hand and could probably get 600 USD for it now) and buy a new Axis...

I can't get the feeling of that neck out of my head and it has triggered a serious bout of EBMM GAS!

What to do???

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I think it's too soon to choose B, since the Sterlings are not yet in stores. Gotta play one before commiting to that, in my opinion.

If it were only the frets needing to be leveled and dressed, I think that's probably only in the 100-200 range and even a complete re-fret from EBMM is maybe half the cost of the neck. So, to me, the neck replacement seems sort of excessive. I doubt that you've worn down the actual neck so much that it's changed shape.

The idea of selling and then buying new Axis sounds pretty good to me. Of course....for me....I just bought a new Axis and am now in the process of selling 5 of my guitars.

So the answer to the question....what to do? I dono, but the problem is one we all seem to run into.

jack

 

[Mikey]

Refretting the neck will probably do the trick. If you are in the US send it to SLO. I guess nobody knows better how to refret your axe.

 

[Sticky1973]

....I can't get the feeling of that neck out of my head ....

A refret and setup might restore your faith in your own axe.

However, did you absolutely love the Axis you tried? Then don't let it be the 2nd one that got away.

Personally, I say go for feel first, then mod whatever you choose into submission.

"0wnage" as the cool kids would say

 

[threedays]

Newbie question here, and I don't mean to derail the topic, but how would you get the neck? From EB or someplace else?

 

[Larry]

Newbie question here, and I don't mean to derail the topic, but how would you get the neck? From EB or someplace else?

Call EB.

 

[Lord Nerdos]

A refret and setup might restore your faith in your own axe.

However, did you absolutely love the Axis you tried? Then don't let it be the 2nd one that got away.

Personally, I say go for feel first, then mod whatever you choose into submission.

"0wnage" as the cool kids would say

Oh boy! The comment about not letting the second one get away has me GASing like crazy!!!

Maybe I DO need another axe with a Floyd-Rose after all...

Thank you to all with your info!

 

[Astrofreq]

Once you go Axis, you never go back.

 

[RocketRalf]

Get the one you tried. Then send your old one to SLO for refretting so you don't have to live without an Axis. Then keep the one you like the most, or keep both

 

[KINGSFAN]

If you do get a new neck from EB, you will have to forfeit your current neck. EB will only replace necks, meaning that they will destroy the original neck before selling you a new one.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Get it re-fretted - all mine have been done and I love them even more!

 

[Lord Nerdos]

How long would a refret or a new neck take?

Hi guys,

Thanks again for your input. I have a question about time frames for getting a refret or a new neck. I know the guys at the factory are really busy, so how long should I realistically expect to be without my guitar?

Cheers!

 

[roburado]

Hi guys,

Thanks again for your input. I have a question about time frames for getting a refret or a new neck. I know the guys at the factory are really busy, so how long should I realistically expect to be without my guitar?

Cheers!

Call Music Man Customer Service and ask them.

 

[guitarman23]

i waited about a week or a little more, the process was easy/fast(Thanks to dan) but man it was pretty quick till i got my guitar and they did an awesome job/ good cleaning too!