Nooby needing some help

[sw686blue]

Newbie needing some help

Hello folks!

I'm thinking of buying a EBMM Axis Super Sport from a local guitar dealer. The guitar is used but in excellent condition aside from a couple of things.

My first question involves the finish. It is finished in Black Sparkle with matching headstock. Also, the body is bound with cream binding. Was this common for the sparkle finishes? What is the body made of? Ash? Basswod/Maple cap?

What pickups did this guitar come equipped with? The neck sounded great but I found the bridge to be very bland.

Any info/opinions on these guitars is very appreciated!

Thanks.
Nick

 

[Astrofreq]

All the SS's have creme binding to my knowledge. I think that is standard. The bridge and neck pickups are the EVH/Axis custom Dimarzio humbuckers. Different people like different sounds. To me, the bridge is the bomb, but maybe not to your ears.

I don't know the wood types, so someone else can chime in on that.

 

[spkirby]

Axis Super Sports all had binding (The Axis Sports did not but they are still super )

Wood depends on the pickups:

2 Humbuckers (Custom Dimarzio) - Basswood w/ maple cap
2 MM90 (P90) - Ash w/ maple cap

Also look on Welcome to the Ernie Ball Music Man Company for all the specs....

 

[sw686blue]

Thanks for your help! I wasn't sure if EBMM still used a maple cap since the top was opaque finished (black sparkle).

There are 2 issues that are holding me back on purchasing this guitar. There seems to be a bubbling of the finish right next to the bridge plate. It is very small, approvimately 1/16" in diameter. Not much, but it's there.

The bigger issue that I have is that there is a serious ding on every single fret right below the G string. It's the strangest thing that I've ever seen. I doubt that dressing the frets would remedy it. I'm worried that it would need to be refretted. If I can talk them down in price in order to take a refret in consideration, then I'll definitely buy it. I love the black sparkle and the matching headstock is very cool!

 

[jamminjim]

Does it look like someone struck the G string with something and put grooves in the frets? Or is it like severe wear?
Either way it's likely you'll need a refret. How many frets are dinged? It's possible to get a partial refret, replacing and level and dressing only the damaged frets. Also, EBMM does refrets and if you PM me I could tell you how much, so you would know more to get it discounted. Also you can get ahold of Customer Service and they can help you with it.

The finish prob is only cosmetic so if you can live with it it's no biggie. But be sure to point it out in bargaining. Sparkles are more rare finishes.

 

[sw686blue]

Does it look like someone struck the G string with something and put grooves in the frets? Or is it like severe wear?
Either way it's likely you'll need a refret. How many frets are dinged? It's possible to get a partial refret, replacing and level and dressing only the damaged frets. Also, EBMM does refrets and if you PM me I could tell you how much, so you would know more to get it discounted. Also you can get ahold of Customer Service and they can help you with it.

The finish prob is only cosmetic so if you can live with it it's no biggie. But be sure to point it out in bargaining. Sparkles are more rare finishes.

It really looks like someone snapped the G string and indented every single fret directly below the string. It's very noticeable too. I'd be very surprised if it could be repaired without a full refret.

I can definitely live with the small bubbling near the bridge plate, that's no biggie.

 

[jamminjim]

Well I guess the question would be, how bad is this dent in the frets? Is it possible for you to show us a close-up picture of it?

REason I ask is, I have a 98 Silo that has divots under the g string from wear/playing and it still plays great.

I have to admit... it sure sounds unusual though. I would think it would take more than just snapping the string to make significant dents in the frets.

 

[sw686blue]

I won't be able to get any pix before next Saturday at the earliest since I'm going away on business tomorrow and I won't be back until Friday evening. I agree, it does not make any sense. The only thing that I can think of is that the last owner only played that one string!

I'll try to get some pix or if I can get them to drop the price considerably to factor in a fret job.

I'll keep you guys posted. I'd really love to get that guitar!

 

[Marcus2]

Welcome, Nick!

Hi Nick,

Marcus2 here. Welcome to this forum. It's just as friendly as the HFC, and there are some great folks here. EBMM customer service routinely chimes in.

Have fun!

Marc

 

[sw686blue]

Hi Nick,

Marcus2 here. Welcome to this forum. It's just as friendly as the HFC, and there are some great folks here. EBMM customer service routinely chimes in.

Have fun!

Marc

Hey Marc,

Nice to see you here! Thanks for the welcome and hopefully I can join the EBMM club real soon.

I was hoping to swing by the guitar store today and see if we could come to an agreement but I was too busy with the family. I was hoping to be able to take the guitar with me on my trip!

Nick