Quality Tops / EVH vs. AXIS

[PRSPlayer]

I have to admit ... it's been difficult looking for an available EVH guitar that has a decent looking top (quilt or flame). Actually, it's been hard just finding an available EVH!

But as I continue to search, I can't help but notice the beautiful tops on just about every AXIS I see! Actually, I don't think I've ever seen an AXIS with just an "average" looking top. All of the ones I've seen are absolutely gorgeous.

And I have to admit ... at about 1/2 the cost of an EVH, it's been very, very tempting.

One look at this AXIS, and you'll see what I mean ...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3762847290&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

[mcclassic]

that one is beautiful, I have avis super sport looks like that one, I think mine looks a little better.

On Axis vs EVH, I have both and so far they are about the same. Actually the one left at my local store is good but I think my axis is better. Of course is a matter of different taste... good luck in your search.

 

[PurpleSport]

That's a very unusual figuring, almost reptilian...definitely NOT your average flame or quilt...somewhere in between, it appears.

I believe there's even a name for this, but it escapes me at the moment...Jon, any ideas?

 

[jongitarz]

Qulame? Flilt?

 

[PurpleSport]

I remember now....thought it was "angel step", but that has a tendency to have distinct horizontal waves between the flaming - I believe this is a good example of a nice, tight "blister quilt". Very cool and unusual!

 

[PRSPlayer]

So do most of the EVH models just have an "average" looking top, at best?
Did EBMM step up the quality on there tops on the AXIS to help draw interest after EVH split?

It's been pretty frustrating trying to find an EVH that looks half as good.

And considering the fact that I will pay AT LEAST twice as much for the guitar ... I don't want to "settle".

Okay guys, come clean ..... Who's stashing all of the pretty EVH's?

 

[koogie2k]

I just saw this on the 'bay.....you may have seen it, but I think the top is awesome. Give her a looksy....


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3761401527&rd=1

 

[jongitarz]

Did EBMM step up the quality on there tops on the AXIS to help draw interest after EVH split?


The quality of the tops was always there...We did not, and still don't need EVH to draw interest to our guitars. IMHO I think the Axis is a better guitar, but the tops have always been consistant.

 

[hbucker]

The top on my EVH smokes. It's very unique too. I've posted mine in the pics of your guitar thread.

Part of the reason you may not be seeing awesome tops on the EVH's out there is that people want to hold onto the really good ones. The ones that aren't as pretty are easier to part with so those are the ones that are on the market.

Just a thought.

 

[jongitarz]

The top on my EVH smokes. It's very unique too. I've posted mine in the pics of your guitar thread.

Part of the reason you may not be seeing awesome tops on the EVH's out there is that people want to hold onto the really good ones. The ones that aren't as pretty are easier to part with so those are the ones that are on the market.

Just a thought.

I agree with this

 

[mcvinyl]

Hi,

Here's one that's on ebay here in Australia.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3761335168&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

With your stronger US $ it might be a good deal, I don't know. It says he will only post to Australia but you could always ask if he'd post to the USA.

Worse case scenario I could organise freight to the USA for a board member.

Simon

 

[brentrocks]

I have to admit ... it's been difficult looking for an available EVH guitar that has a decent looking top (quilt or flame). Actually, it's been hard just finding an available EVH!

the top on mine isn't the greatest...it is quilt, but not the one i would have picked out!

i bought it because it was signed by THE MAN!!!!

i have seen some EVHs with kick as tops...and i have seen some with ok tops like mine.

the axis tops seem to be consistantly good!

 

[PRSPlayer]

POSTED BY hbucker: "Part of the reason you may not be seeing awesome tops on the EVH's out there is that people want to hold onto the really good ones. The ones that aren't as pretty are easier to part with so those are the ones that are on the market."

Yeah, I agree with this as well.
And BTW ... that is an AWESOME top you have there.

I guess my point is, while alot of EVH's may have nice tops, the ones I've seen that are "on the market" do absolutely NOTHING for me. On the other hand, I don't ever recall seeing an AXIS with an "average" looking top. They are consistantly gorgeous!

The quality of the tops was always there...We did not, and still don't need EVH to draw interest to our guitars. IMHO I think the Axis is a better guitar, but the tops have always been consistant.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with that. Endorsements are a HUGE marketing tool for any guitar manufacture. And what guitarist draws more attention than EVH? I can tell you it's NOT any of EBMM's current endorsees. And I would go as far as to say that you can thank EVH for the majority of the success of the AXIS as well. I'm sorry, but I don't think that moving a toggle, or contouring the backside of the guitar constitutes any sort of impressive "innovation".
And as I understand it, the fact that the EVH did draw so much attention was the same reason why that model no longer exists. EBMM simply couldn't keep up with the demand for the guitar. So, I guess if EBMM hasn't made any efforts to improve the production process since then, you're right ... EBMM doesn't need EVH to draw interest to their guitars.

IMO, EBMM and EVH had a great thing going and I was sorry to see that relationship end. I was even more sorry to see EVH go with Peavey and totally rip off the EBMM design. So now what? Charvel? PULEASE ....

It will be tough for Eddie to top what he did with EBMM, and so far .... I haven't seen it.

 

[dwf1004]

Dino, whatcha getting all bitter for? Making comments like that will get you slapped in my neck of the woods (or at least if youre in front of me!)

Seriously, bro...I have not seen a BAD EVH. I've seen some where the top just doesn't do anything for me personally, but it didn't look BAD bad. If you're looking for the heavy ass quilt like EVH used to play in the day, your search will be forever ongoing, and plan to sell your house when you find one. Mint or near mint of that stature could bankrupt the common man.

I will agree with you on the endorsements aspect, as they can make or break a company. That's why you see the big stars signed up with whatever company to make green when they're doing good, and see them dropped like a hot potato when they f*ck up.

I WILL however, disagree with you on EBMM's endorsement spotlight. I've heard that the Benji Madden endorsement is getting the EBMM name out there at or slightly below the same level as EVH's spark (guess it's the generational thing, I dunno...) When you look at it logistically, short of Dudley and the boys getting their "Crossroads" on and selling their souls to Satan, that exposure will only help the company. The way I see it is that when one goes with tunnel vision for the Benji model, and sees the other options that EBMM has to offer, they may still go with the Benji model, OR they may go with something else also EBMM. Either way, they're still in the EBMM corral. As our jailbird friend Martha Stewart would say, "that's a good thing".

The "innovations" were not true innovations, as has been stated on the board before (Jon or Derek, can't remember), but things that EBMM adjusted on the guitar post-EVH that either they wanted to do to the guitar before, but EVH would not allow (they cannot modify a signature guitar without the endorsee's approval), as well as things suggested by the customer base. And yes, let's be honest and logical here, there was that approach of "reverse engineering" in order to prevent from having to sh*tcan the model and start from scratch.

The EBMM manufacturing process has matured and developed over time, and the changes started WHILE they were still producing EVH's (this is from information I have gathered over time; Jon feel free to correct at will!). This is how they went from the 1 year+ wait time from the initial surge to the "typical" 3-4 month turnaround. They've also got a new plant up and running as of recent, if I'm not mistaken. I'm not going to fault them for the past, you live and learn, and to use another cliche, that which does not kill you only makes you stronger. If they hadn't upped themselves, then the defense simply just wouldn't be there. Good to see that they moved forward from setbacks in the past; good companies do that.

I agree with the take that there was a good thing in place while Ed was on the list. I also agree that the EBMM signature can never be topped; you can never outdo the original, and anything that follows would be sad attempts to copy and exploit it (I submit Blade, the Matrix, and Star Wars as examples). I hate to say this about my man, but the only reason that he moved to Peavey, one, and opened up options for 3 different models, two, was due to the fact that he had more control and ownership over the contract, design, etc. as well as a coupld of more dead presidents in his pocket. Sad but true, and I never thought that I would see that coming from me on my screen, but you bast*rds converted me.

In all, EBMM makes such a damn fine product, and I can vouch for 3 of them (EVH, Axis as a previous owner, and Sil Spec). When the day is done, you can see that the company has done fine over the last 9 years post-EVH. The bad-asses in the SLO don't need a friggin' endorsee. The quality of the instruments and the care and assistance provided afterwards sells itself.

Dino, all I can say to you is that, as before, don't settle for second best in regards to the Axis if you're pining for an EVH (if you've played an EVH before, you will follow in my footsteps and "downgrade"), good things come to them that wait, and you should've....well, I'll leave that one alone.

 

[PRSPlayer]

Dino, whatcha getting all bitter for? Making comments like that will get you slapped in my neck of the woods (or at least if youre in front of me!)

I didn't mean any disrespect, and I sincerely apologize if anything I said was "out of line". The comment that EBMM did not and still does not need EVH to draw interest to their guitars, is simply not true. To be honest, I couldn't stand EBMM guitars before EVH began endorsing them. There was simply nothing in their entire line of guitars that interested me in the least. It was EVH's involvement with the design of the EVH model and the endorsement deal that forced me to take a second look ... and I'm glad I did! Now, if I simply wanted the "flavor of the week", or whatever had the EVH name on it, I would own a Wolfgang. But personally, I think they are junk (apologies to all Peavey employees in advance). Bottom line ... I really love EBMM guitars, and as a future owner, EBMM has EVH to thank for it.

I WILL however, disagree with you on EBMM's endorsement spotlight. I've heard that the Benji Madden endorsement is getting the EBMM name out there at or slightly below the same level as EVH's spark (guess it's the generational thing, I dunno...) When you look at it logistically, short of Dudley and the boys getting their "Crossroads" on and selling their souls to Satan, that exposure will only help the company. The way I see it is that when one goes with tunnel vision for the Benji model, and sees the other options that EBMM has to offer, they may still go with the Benji model, OR they may go with something else also EBMM. Either way, they're still in the EBMM corral. As our jailbird friend Martha Stewart would say, "that's a good thing".

Yeah, and PRS is doing the same thing with their "Billy Martin" model.
I've got alot of mixed feelings about that. Yes, it may be a very good marketing strategy, but to me, there's a fine line between "marketing" and "selling out". The Billy Martin model is simply a rip-off of the Gibson Gothic IMO, and even though it's attracting a whole new market for PRS, I believe it's also lowering the standards and integrity of the company. But yeah, you have a very good point and your whole concept on this is the very reason I was even considering the purchase of an AXIS.

Now as far as being a "better guitar" ... I dunno.
My theory is that EBMM simply made some very slight modifications to the EVH to avoid the obvious lawsuits and because the guitar was too successful and profitable to just totally drop it from their line. Again, thanks to EVH.

Again, I apologize for voicing my opinions in any way that may have been disrespectful towards other forum members or EBMM employees.

 

[kbaim]

PRSplayer makes sense to me. Sometimes being affiliated with certain others lifts your game. NO?

 

[dwf1004]

Dino, as I said in email, I didn't see you out of line, and if I had, I would have called you on it. Also, I would have arranged for Jon to send you the dead skunk.

To be honest, my experience with EBMM previous to EVH (this was in my youth of guitar playing) was with the Steve Morse model, and that didn't appeal to me (I can hear the gasps now...shut up. ) You also have to remember that I was a young cat, naive in the ways of good gear, etc. and starting out on an old generic electric with a ground problem, and later "upgrading" to a Hohner headless (I can hear the snickers too...you shut up as well! )

Once I heard about the EVH model, I had to have one. I had an in through the grocery store that I worked at at the time (I was 17, etc.) -- the guy who owned the Guitar Shop here in Scottsdale would come in, and after talking with him a while, asked him about it. He said that he had 3 on order, and that I could have one that was on order with a $100 deposit. I went down there the next day before work to play one of the ones that he had that was unclaimed, and jerked around on it for about 20 minutes. Butter. Sold. Game over. Insert your closing word here.

So there I was that following Thursday, with $100 out of my $104 paycheck (thank God for the Bank of Parental Units to get me through that week), and when I got an inheritance later in June of 1992, and 1 week before my guitar came in, I bought my first REAL guitar. I have never looked back since then. In my book, the EVH signing brought EBMM into the limelight, and the respect that they deserved, and have never lost, IMO.

Dino, if you wanted the flavor of the week, you'd have all 3 of the models of the Wolf, the new Charvel, the 5150 amp, and the EVH Phase 90, along with the Ernie Ball strap that EVH used, complete with metal eyelets that went into the guitar replacing the strap buttons, and the radio transmitter that comes out of the back of Eddie's guitar. Oh, and you'd also have your hands on the prototype Sony wireless that EVH used during the 1992-1995 tours. Did I miss anything?

I would not go so far as to say that the Wolf's are junk, but that they are not as well constructed or designed as the EBMM, and that is all that there needs to be said. As before, you cannot compare to the original. But that's another discussion for another time, and one that needs no flames, etc.

The difference with EBMM over the other companies, in line with signature models, is that they don't go with the flavor of the month or what have you. They go with pioneers and well known artists that are deserving of the honor, and not just someone that they can stamp the name on to in order to sell wood, such as the case would be with other related companies. EVH is a pioneer, no matter how you look at him now, etc. Steve Morse, yeah, he's alright. (norm is going to get me for this tomorrow, I can assure you ! LOL!) And, when you think of progressive rock, 3 bands come to mind: Rush, Yes, and Dream Theater. John Petrucci, nuff' said. Benji, though not my style and taste of music, is one of the leaders in that genre, and he has always played Sil's, so it seems fitting that he should get one as well.

Who knows, 10 years from now, we'll be looking at EBMM marketing the timrams88 Signature Model (though I definitely won't buy one...)

Dino, you said the same thing that I did, but in different words...they reverse engineered the EVH model, and made the changes they wanted, as well as customer suggestion, renamed it BACK to the Axis, and there you go. It stays in the product line, and saves R&D time, etc. Not a bad decision, IMO...which of the two is better is up to the player.

Now, if you get a dead skunk in the mail, you'll know that you were out of line. Now shut up and go buy that red EVH already, would ya?

Later...

 

[SteveB]

PRSplayer,

I thought I read (somewhere on these boards) that the EVH guitar was pretty much already designed by Dudley before EVH even got on board. Maybe jongitarz can support or refute that.

Personally, as someone who's been playing for 20+years, endorsements mean very little to me as a purchaser. Perhaps an artist's endorsement will bring an item to my attention (if I didn't know it existed). That might cause me to have a look, but I'd never run out and buy something just because of an endorsement.

While I love the playing of Yngwie, Vai, and Morse.. I don't own a Fen*r Strat, Iba*z Jem, or EBMM Morse guitar. I don't believe that buying such a guitar will make me play like them.

I *did* order a Petrucci 6-string from EBMM, not out of fandom, and not because that's what JP is playing. I tried one because I have noticed that JP and I hold our guitars in a very similar fashion (both left and right hand posturing). I figured his 'comfort' tweaks to the design might suit me, so I tried one, and it was very comfortable. I still sounded like SteveB, though.

 

[PRSPlayer]

SteveB,

I totally agree.

 

[jongitarz]

FYI...Eddie never owned that design..We did. When he left, the only thing we couldn't use was his signature. We can't even refinish EVH necks because Eddies legal dept. won't let us reproduce it on existing guitars. I am now officially done with this thread.