Played my first axis yesterday! HELP!!

[Big Dainjerus]

I need some social support fellas. I strolled into guitar center yesterday and plugged an axis into a line 6 spider thing and it rocked. I came home last night and I havent been able to get the vision of my hand wrapped around that neck outta my mind. I loved everyhting about it, except the quilt top wasnt that great. Are there flame top axis'? Do they sound the same? I like the look of flame and i feel like they seem to come out better on average than quilts, unless it is a nice quilt, but im assuming i wont be lucky enough to find a nice quilt. Whats the best way to go about getting an axis? And how can I try and lo ball the salesperson to take the price down from 1200.

 

[Rush]

I need some social support fellas. I strolled into guitar center yesterday and plugged an axis into a line 6 spider thing and it rocked. I came home last night and I havent been able to get the vision of my hand wrapped around that neck outta my mind. I loved everyhting about it, except the quilt top wasnt that great. Are there flame top axis'? Do they sound the same? I like the look of flame and i feel like they seem to come out better on average than quilts, unless it is a nice quilt, but im assuming i wont be lucky enough to find a nice quilt. Whats the best way to go about getting an axis? And how can I try and lo ball the salesperson to take the price down from 1200.

Start shopping around on the net, and then call lots of people and get quotes. Once you've educated yourself you should have no problem wheeling and dealing with the salesman. Good Luck!

 

[Big Dainjerus]

that neck

oh yeah, when I was soloing high up the neck like past the 14th fret the neck almost felt *fretless* as my fingers moved along. it was amazing the clarity of the notes high up on the fretboard, or maybe im just not used to playing a good guitar???

 

[dwf1004]

BD, small world. Welcome aboard!

I'll answer your questions from over on vhlinks....

As Rush said, "Once you've educated yourself you should have no problem wheeling and dealing with the salesman." That is what my remark of "if you played your cards right" entailed. It's all about bringing that price down, and getting the case included, and if you can haggle a little bit, you can walk out with an Axis for a song (pardon the pun). Like I said, if you have the green or the plastic in hand, that can open up a lot of doors right there.

Axes (FYI, the correct plural for Axis -- we checked on this long ago ) are produced with either quilt or flame and just sent out for general orders, a la GC, etc. If you want something specific or custom, such as a premium top (see here), you would have to order direct from EBMM.

Either way, quilt or flame tops are just appearance aspects on a regular Axis; they're both maple tops, and there's no difference in regards to the body/woods used or electronics inside (unless you go with MM90's on an Axis Super Sport...we call it an ASS in this neck of the woods. ) As far as general public consumption, EBMM maunufactures Axes for general consumption (no, I don't suggest eating your guitar! ) If you want something specific, a la quilt or maple, you're either on the hunt at GC's, etc. or you'll have to order direct.

If you order direct, EBMM's build time is about 3 months, but from what I've heard from people fortunate enough to have ordered new from EBMM, bro it is SO worth it, AND you get the case, no questions asked, plus warranty, tools, and free strings on registering. Hey, good things come to them that wait, right? (You could just go harass the people at GC every day and play their Axes in the meantime. )

Glad that you're an addict like all of us here brother, and we expect to see you with an Axis soon...oh, and we desire pics when that happens as well (standard rule of the board. )

Take care, BD, and see ya here or on the 'links!

 

[koogie2k]

Welcome to the addiction! As dwf stated, when you get your Axis...we need pics. GC can be easily handled with regards to price. Have money in hand at the price you want to pay and see what happens. You will come to a happy ending I'm sure. Or.....order one up. I recently ordered a JP-6 from Bassplayr (member of the forum and dealer) so you can go that route also. Good luck and I hope you get your axe soon!

 

[Big Dainjerus]

You guys rock over here! I already feel like I am joining a nice happy family of guitar owners over here! But I need to get my axis first! OK, so if it was listed at 1199 at GC, what is a reasonable price to get it down to? Im a pretty good talker and bulls****** so I shouldnt be especially bad at it. But then I think about all the nasty fingers and hands that would have touched my baby before I got to it, and no one wants a chick who has been through the same why would I want my guitar like that, and if the cost of ordering one are about the same, then Ill wait the 3 months or so to get my virgin axis! But I have a feeling that ordering them can be a little more expensive, can you guys tell me the best places or ways to go about ordering one and how much they most likely would go for? And what about ebay axis is that a good idea? If the price is more or less the same for every way I might as well take the wait because I can imagine how sweet a nice, young, fresh and prestine axis would be!

Oh and at first I was a little afraid taht all you guys are just ernie ball workers trying to talk up the guitar to get some sales (who knows?) but after I played my first axis and held that neck yesterday I understand what the addiction is about.

 

[koogie2k]

Well....if you order one from a legit place...you should not have any problems and can get one reasonably priced.....just depends if you want the premium price and what model. I happen to play Petrucci models and just ordered my fourth one. I went through a dealer here on the board as I stated earlier. Give him a call or pm him if need be.....bassplayr.

If you want the one that is at GC...tell them that it has been beat on a little and they need to show you "the good consumer" some leeway on the price. Simple as that and make sure the case is included. The BS that " a case is extra" is just that...BS. They all come from the plant with a case and you should not get charged for one.

E-bay....anything purchased there is a chance like anything else. You really don't know what you are getting. I have not really dealt with anyone on e-bay so I cannot comment. I personally will not. Just me. Some peeps on here have had dealings with e-bay and with good results. However, you get no warranty when you buy someone else's wares.

I think you should order one unless GC really gives you the deal you are looking for. My 2 pennies on that.

NO...I do not work for EBMM. I just happen to be a VERY satisfied customer who has sworn off all other guitar manufacturer's guitars. EBMM is just superb when it comes to dealing with us...the common folk who make up a majority of their sales. They are awesome. You will be happy when you have you EBMM in hand I can guarantee you that! Hope this helps.

 

[Rush]

E-bay....anything purchased there is a chance like anything else. You really don't know what you are getting. I have not really dealt with anyone on e-bay so I cannot comment. I personally will not. Just me. Some peeps on here have had dealings with e-bay and with good results. However, you get no warranty when you buy someone else's wares.

EBay is no different than any other marketplace. If your smart about your purchase and research things chances are you will do fine. I've never been screwed on EBay and I've done a good bit of business there buying and selling with higher priced items. I just sold a mint Petrucci to a guy in NY, so I could get the same in a 7-string! , and he will be totally stoked when he receives it.

If your new to EBay there are lots of things to look out for, so I would not suggest buying higher priced stuff right out of the gate. Instead familiarize yourself with the system and how it works on smaller items (pedals, etc.). You can get amazing prices from people on there, so it's definitely a place to shop.

Good Luck!

 

[Big Dainjerus]

I tried to pm bassplayr but it wouldnt let me it said he wasnt a user or something

 

[Warg Master]

It's Bassplyr.

He's a good dude, I'll vouch for him. His store rocks!

 

[nobozos]

If you can't PM Bassplyr, go to his store's website.

www.cherrystreetguitar.com

I know him pretty well. I've been in his store many, many times. I've dealt with him on several purchases, and he is probably the most fair and reasonable guitar retailer I've ever met. Really a class act.

BTW, ordering a guitar from EBMM should not cost you any more than buying one off the rack, unless you decide on the premium maple top. I believe you do have to pay a certian percentage up front though, and the wait is about 90 days.

I left a lenghty response for you at VHForums that pretty much tells you what these guys have already said, but it is still worth reading.

 

[Fiesta Red]

I hate GC. I can vouch for Ebay, once your educated. After watching the market for a couple of months, I picked up an awesome purple Axis. There are a couple of Axes there right now that have been reposted because no one will buy a used one for their initial asking price. From the pictures, the guitars look great and the necks/fingerboards don't appear to be tainted with someone else's funk. You can pick up a nice one for about $900 with case. Also try www.gbase.com.

My 2 cents.
-Mark

 

[nobozos]

Hey Big D. Heres one on Ebay that is in your area, so you could probably contact the seller, and pick it up personally. Check this out! The price is outstanding, and the guitar is awesome.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3755473813&rd=1

Don't know if you are a big Floyd Rose guy or not, but if you don't care about a trem, this guitar is a steal. It also has more tonal versitility than the standard Axis.

 

[Warg Master]

Uh... Bassplyrs store is named Daddy O's Music Shack..... and it's in Springfield, IL... does he run both?

 

[nobozos]

You are right. I did a little investigating, and found that you are indeed correct. I was unaware that EBMM had a dealer in Springfield, and assumed that Bassplyr was Bruce from Cherry Street Guitars because, well, he plays bass and owns an EBMM Dealership in Central Illinois.

My apologies to Bassplyr for the confusion, but Bruce really is all the things I described. I will have to find your shop and check it out sometime.

 

[Warg Master]

It just seems that there are a multitude of good EBMM dealers then! Wish I had one locally, but then again, not paying tax rules!

 

[dwf1004]

First off, everyone's calling this guy Big D, and I'm getting confused. (That's my local nickname)

Second, I've bought two EVH models, 2 Axes, and a Silhouette Special from eBay without any issue to them. (Well, the purple EVH had some fret wear on it, but nothing a recrown didn't take care of...) The key is to check out the feedback of the seller (make sure no negatives, etc.), and know what you're looking for before you look for it.

Third, the ASS that nobozos posted is gorgeous, and that's a hell of a deal for that guitar. He was actually selling that for $100 less than that last week. Plus, if you're not keen with the clear knobs, etc. he gives you the original ones as well. I would SO snatch that up if I had the bread on looks alone. That color is actually a little darker -- see this Photoshop'ed image to give you a more accurate glimpse at that color (NOTE: I didn't PS the headstock, in case you were wondering).

That was the first Axis I bought brand new from eBay back in February 2002. Sold her only to "downgrade" to the EVH model, since I am in the minority and HATE where the pickup select switch is now.

Good little beast...she's out there somewhere now...

 

[OrangeChannel]

Man I wish I knew you were selling it.

 

[koogie2k]

That's cool that peeps had success on e-bay....I just won't buy from there. My own preference. I do look at stuff on there for ideas. Who knows, maybe one day I will buy from there.......but not any time soon I believe.

 

[dwf1004]

Man I wish I knew you were selling it.

Yeah, I would have truly known that she was gonna go to a good home. The guy that bought it from me emailed me about 2 weeks later and asked if I wanted to do a buy-back, since it was not what he was looking for (he was on that "quest", etc.). F*ck me if I was broke at the time, so it went back up on the 'Bay.

Loved part of the description though: "Purchased from original owner, who told me when I bought it 2 weeks ago that he babied it, and that's no lie...it shows!" Made me feel good...