Newbie and need expert advice on an Axis

[Frankiestein]

Hello folks! I'm brand new to this sight so hello to all! I need a bit of help, I'm looking at purchasing a Music Man Axis and I noticed this guitar has a thick shim in the neck pocket, about an 1/8" thick. Is this common? Seems odd. Also has a two knobs instead of one. I have to assume someone added this knob as I have never seen an Axis with 2 knobs, except for the SS. Any information or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Flash Gordon]

Welcome!

Axis Supper Sport (AKA ASS). Tone & volume control with Hardtail or standard tremolo. A standard Axis aka EVH is volume only and Floyd Rose bridge only.

As for that particular instrument... Run away!!! There are plenty to be had at decent prices that do not require shimming. And that is a giant shim. It's been modded for sure. Probably an Axis with an added tone pot, or an ASS that someone dropped a Floyd Rose into and did not measure up properly hence the shim.

Check out the for sale thread for good deals from forum members! Good luck and continue to ask questions!

 

[Stratty316]

That's is an Axis with an added tone pot. The 3 way toggle is the dead give away that it's not a super sport... That alone isn't a deal killer... That shim on the other hand is very odd! EBMM does use shims on Axis guitars when needed... But they don't use whole chunks of wood like in that picture. I would also say run and find another Axis to buy.

 

[DrKev]

Bearing in mind the axis bridge will normally sit flat on the guitar top, maybe somebody wanted to float the trem - the only way to do that and keep the bridge plate parallel to the guitar without routing the body is raising the bridge about 1/8" and that would necessitate a shim under the neck to fix string height (because the bridge saddles are not downwards-adjustable). I think a smaller shim under one end of the heel would have done the job and the 1/8" shim is kind of overkill but whatever, no big deal and it's certainly a neat an effective way to do it.

If that was indeed the case, and assuming the shim has not been super-glued or epoxied in place, a good tech can easily undo it and the guitar can be setup the way it was intended. But I personally would not buy until I was certain of that.

 

[Frankiestein]

Thanks for the advice! Here's my dilemma, I live in Florida and the guitar is in Massachusetts. They are only asking $999 for the guitar with the case. I have EVHMM which I purchased new back in the early 90's and Its my favorite guitar, but more of a collectable for me. So I'm looking for a "player" and I really like the top on this one. I guess I would have to roll the dice. I'm going to see if they can have their guitar tech look at it and see if that giant shim is necessary.

 

[cjl5150]

Used gear sites like guitar center, offer deals like the one you are considering with a 30 day return policy. Might be safer to go that route.

 

[dibart77]

I agree with the other guys here. I would RUN from this. The largest neck shim I have seen is, like, 1/32". Either that neck is wacked out, or the truss rod is broken so they couldn't adjust the relief, OR IT'S a home-made copy and the builder mis-routed the neck pocket. I would not touch this guitar with a 10-foot-pole.

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[DevRock]

Such shame. One of the best tops I've ever seen on an AXIS.

BTW, OP, PLAY that darn EVH!!!

 

[Frankiestein]

I contacted customer service and this is what they said.


Thanks for providing the serial number and pictures. This one has definitely been modded from how it was originally shipped from the factory.

This Axis was completed on July 8th, 2004. The color is translucent gold with the maple neck and matching headstock. It was originally shipped to Guitar Center.

The additional tone knob is definitely an aftermarket mod from a previous owner. When this originally shipped form the factory it only had the volume knob. Also that is definitely an aftermarket modded neck shim. The shims we use in factory range from .10" to .20" and are about the length & width of a paper clip that go on the very inner part of the neck pocket, they are not visible unless you take the neck off. The knobs are also not the ones we use in factory.

Everything else appears to be authentic, but the wiring is suspect since the tone pot was added and the neck could be compromised depending if they glued that shim to the neck or neck pocket.

 

[Frankiestein]

I agree, one of the nicer tops I have seen!

I know it is a sin not to play. I do play it, but not on a daily basis.

 

[Frankiestein]

Well I can put this one to bed. I just got a call from the guy at the store and he said he took the shim out and it seemed to be ok, but said the neck is extremely warped. He said they should not of even taken it in as a trade. I told him if they decide to dump it I would consider it for the right price. Such a shame, I really loved the top on that one.

 

[DrKev]

Wondering out loud here...

If they'll accept a suitably low price, you could send the warped neck back to EBMM and buy a new replacement neck. Ask EBMM how much it'll cost, factor in shipping, and then make GC an offer? You could possibly even arrange that GC ship it to EBMM for you, EBMM replace the neck and give it a factory setup and then ship it to you, all for about the same price you could have had it in the first place?

Or am I crazy?

 

[Frankiestein]

Excellent idea! I like the way you think! I just threw an offer at them. I'll see what they say. Thanks!

 

[Flash Gordon]

I'm still running away! Picture a Forest Gump run...

 

[DrKev]

Excellent idea! I like the way you think! I just threw an offer at them. I'll see what they say. Thanks!

Get a quote from EBMM and figure out your total costs, including shipping, before you pay a penny to GC. And figure out how much you lose in the worst-case scenario. This could be risky but it might just work!

I'm still running away! Picture a Forest Gump run...

LOL! I just spat tea all over my keyboard!