Newbie...Considering an Axis SS

[Jim7895]

Hi all

I am a newbie to the forum and had some questions regarding an Axis SS.

In particular, I'm looking towards an MM90 hardtail. I am hoping the quiet circuit does a good job of retaining the P-90 tone. I've heard comments that it does. In addition, I've heard the pups are not particularly hot, which is a good thing. Humming hot P-90s are a drag for me.

I play primarily blues rock, and some clean stuff. I've got a two humbucker guitar for heavier stuff, so this one wouldn't be expected to cover that ground.

I've gotten pricing, and it seems a good value for a USA made guitar.

It would be a drive to try an Axis out (albeit a humbucker one).

I am concerned about the 1-5/8" width at the nut. This seems a bit narrow. Comments?

Also, if one ever wanted to change out the pickups, can any passive P-90 be used, or does the quiet circuit make it impossible to use any other pickups?

Finally, if I order a new one, I'm considering ordering one from MF or something to try out the feel and quality. I would then return it. I've found that trying guitars with my own stuff, over a period of a couple of days leads to the best gear decision.

Are there any dealers that have a wide variety of Axis SS MM90 units that would ship one for a tryout? I'd like to order a Pacific Blue burst, and doubt anyone has one in stock.

Sorry for th rambling, and thanks in advance!!

 

[Jimi D]

Hi Jim, and welcome to the forum...

The Silent Circuit is great - you can essentially remove it from the circuit simply by pulling the battery, but I can't hear any difference in tone whether the thing is disabled or not. The only noticable effect is the reduction in noise when you've got it powered up. And speaking of the tone, the Axis with MM90s is really a Tele on steriods - it's a very versatile single coil guitar, voiced so you can dial in breadth and air and quack, and still make it growl when you want to. As for the neck, I played Jems until I played my first Axis - I have very large hands, and if I can adapt from a super-wide Jem neck to an Axis neck, then anyone can. Frankly, I think the Axis is the best neck to be found on a production guitar today... Anyway, I hope you can find one to test drive, because its always best to try before you buy - and if you don't find the Axis neck quite suits you, you might want to look at the Albert Lee; it has a more symetrical back profile and feels a little shallower... anyway, good luck!

 

[Jim7895]

Excellent!

So the guitar will still play w/o a battery in the silent circuit. Good deal.

I currently have a Hamer Artist with P-90s, and love the tone and feel of P-90s. Unfortunately, I can't seem to connect with the balance of the semi-hollow (slightly neck heavy), and the neck is a little too clubby for me. It's really a bummer cause the tone is great, although there is a bit more hum than I'd like.

I am also considering a G&L Tribute ASAT Special or a PRS SE Soapbar II.

I'd really like to stay USA, however.

I'll have to watch for p-90 Axis to try out.

Thanks for the response!!

 

[dmkozak]

No one asked me, but ...

there's a world of difference between the quality of a G&L Tribute and an Axis. The Tribute is a beautiful guitar for what it's supposed to be, but it is no Axis (or MIA G&L for that matter). The 9.5" radius neck is nice (altho lacking the wonderful truss rods of either the MIA G&L or the Axis), but the materials (except the USA pickups) can not compare to the MM. Also, the big G&L MFD pups are not P-90's. They're big single coils; great single coils, but they're very different than P-90's. Just wanted to point out that comparative size does not make comparative pups.

 

[Jim7895]

there's a world of difference between the quality of a G&L Tribute and an Axis. The Tribute is a beautiful guitar for what it's supposed to be, but it is no Axis (or MIA G&L for that matter). The 9.5" radius neck is nice (altho lacking the wonderful truss rods of either the MIA G&L or the Axis), but the materials (except the USA pickups) can not compare to the MM. Also, the big G&L MFD pups are not P-90's. They're big single coils; great single coils, but they're very different than P-90's. Just wanted to point out that comparative size does not make comparative pups.

Good points. I am leaning towards the Axis, as its quality appears superior. Those mid priced electrics (G& L Tributes, PRS Se's, Ibanez Artcores, etc) get so darn tempting.

Thanks for keeping me focused on the quality issue!

 

[mcclassic]

Curiosly I just got a Axis90 through guitar center in Manhattan, the guitar arrived yesterday is a hardtail with flame and birds on the maple neck and curly top, the guitar is one of the lightest one, the tone is great, I played to my just adquisited Rocket 44 and it rocked great.

Hope you can get what you are looking for in term so tone and feel as I said to the guy at guitar center (Alan Claus) I have to test the guitar to be sure is fine (which now I not for sure it is) but I have not found so far a bad MM they all seems to fit me perfectly. Good luck!

 

[phatduckk]

hey buddy - welcome to the forum

this came up a while ago and i recorded some clips of my ASS w/ MM90s vs my Les Paul with Duncan Custom P90s.

here's the clips:
ASS MM90: http://www.phatduckk.com/music/etc/MM90-P90/ASS-MM90-Bridge.mp3
Les Paul P90: http://www.phatduckk.com/music/etc/MM90-P90/LP-P90-DuncanCustom-Bridge.mp3

Hope that helps

ps: I like the Axis ASS a LOT better. It feels great, plays great and sounds great. Also maybe Beej will chime in here cuz he played my Axis for a while and loved the MM90s

 

[beej]

Hey dude! Yeah, guess I can chime in

The Axis is an incredible guitar. Really comfortable neck, lightweight body, it's the full deal.

I've played MM90s on a couple of occasions and had the chance to play Arin's ASS MM90 and LOVED it! It's ideally suited for blues/rock. The pickups sound great clean, but have a little more meat than your standard single coil. Crank up the amp a bit and these things have fantastic tone- lots of bite to them but still a bit of high end. A great mix between humbuckers and singles. When I first cranked it up, I just kept cranking out the old ZZ top licks. Lotsa grit

Per your question- the Silent Circuit acts as a dummy coil to reduce noise, and so in theory you should be able to use it with other pickups. But I'm guessing you'll love the MM90s should you go with 'em.

Whereabouts are you? Maybe someone here can steer you in the right direction.

 

[Spudmurphy]

.....and if you don't find the Axis neck quite suits you, you might want to look at the Albert Lee; it has a more symetrical back profile and feels a little shallower... anyway, good luck!

The AL neck is sublime !!!!!
It's soooooooooooo good!!
Spud

 

[Jim7895]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses! The clips sound great, although I'm sold on the P-90 tone for sure!

I tried some Rio Grande Humbucker sized P-90s some time ago, but they were wound a bit hotter than I liked, and were pretty noisy.

I did get a Hamer Artist with P-90s (Duncans), and I really dig the P-90 tone. Unfortunately, the balance of a semi hollow and the neck profile just aren't working out for me. Its a bummer cause it a great guitar, but just isn't working for me.

So, I'm looking at a solidbody P-90 (Axis SS). I'd be trading in the Hamer plus some cash.

I'd really like to have a dealer ship me one to try out for a few days. While trying one out at the shop is fine (I tried the Hamer at a shop, but after a few weeks, it just didn't feel right).

I don't want to appear to pissy about this, but I'm gonna take a hit on the Hamer, so I want to be sure on this one.

The Axis appears to be the best value ofthe others I've looked at, that's why I'm focusing on it.

Any good dealers with a tryout policy that someone can recommend?

Thanks again, all! I'm getting pretty stoked about this axe!!

 

[Sub1 Zero]

get the axis, it will rock any !b@ne$ into a corner

 

[kbaim]

I think World Of Strings in Long Beach California has (or had a couple months back) a pac blue p90 ASS. May have been a trem though.

It didn't play as well as the identical twin I got there 2 years ago. The E, A,and D strings just didn't sound right to me. Kinda muffled.

 

[brentrocks]

the axis (EVH) is an awesome axe!!! i say EVH because that is what i have, i have never played an axis, but from what everybody has said around here.....they are pretty much the same..........

what i'm trying to say is that they rock!!!!

 

[beej]

Any good dealers with a tryout policy that someone can recommend?

Just a guess, but I think you'll probably have to find a local dealer for this. Where are you located? Maybe somebody can recomend a shop.

 

[Jim7895]

The closest local dealers would Dave's Guitar (La Crosse, WI) and Willie's (St.Paul, MN)

I'll watch their stock.

Thanks for all the replies, everyone!!