axisboldaslove
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2005
- Messages
- 36
First is a gotoh trem a retrofit? And how can i get the neck to have the usa axis feel? Gun stock oil?
- Thread starter axisboldaslove
- Start date
You woulda been better off buying a used Axis instead if you're gonna spend all that money on the Sterling.
Time you upgrade pickups, gotoh bridge, etc...
It won't have the same feel of the USA neck anyway regardless of Gunstock oil/wax.
You will have to strip the finish off it.
Not to mention it has a totally different fretboard radius than the normal Axis.
Time you upgrade pickups, gotoh bridge, etc...
It won't have the same feel of the USA neck anyway regardless of Gunstock oil/wax.
You will have to strip the finish off it.
Not to mention it has a totally different fretboard radius than the normal Axis.
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A Sterling, in my opinion, is a top of the line OLP... Not a bad starter guitar by any means but don't pay a new price for one. If you can get one for about half ($200-$300) I wouldn't sneeze at it. Hell, I would probably buy one for $200... And I would leave the hardware alone... No need to throw money away...
Dude... OLP don't exist anymore and I bet they are much better because OLP were garbage anyway.
Totally different guitars.
Hendog
Well-known member
I own a Sterling (and I'm about to buy another) and I found the best thing is to keep it stock.
They really are great "beater" guitars that I can leave laying up against the wall or pick up and play without washing my hands. The sound and build quality are amazing for the price.
They really are great "beater" guitars that I can leave laying up against the wall or pick up and play without washing my hands. The sound and build quality are amazing for the price.
Yes, I know OLPs were garbage.... I thought that was what I was saying... Yes they are two different guitars... The Sterling and the Axis are two different guitars too... But the Sterling is way, way better than the OLPs were.
This was my point. They are great beater or starter guitars for the money...
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browndog
Well-known member
Dude... you have obviously never even seen one.
Slagging the Sterling line is not a good way to start out.
Trent
Well-known member
I played one(AX-40) a few weeks ago.
Great guitar for the cash!
I wish these were available when I was starting out before I had the cash for the USA Music Man stuff.
The neck shape is very close to my Axis.
Cheers
Great guitar for the cash!
I wish these were available when I was starting out before I had the cash for the USA Music Man stuff.
The neck shape is very close to my Axis.
Cheers
telemike
Well-known member
For us poor folks whose budgets cannot justify $1500+ for a guitar, the Sterling line is a dream come true.
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Man...! This is a tough crowd...!
Let's reiterate what I was saying to be clear...
1. OLP's were junk guitars trying to cash in on the EVH/Axis. But remember, Ernie Ball knew about them because they were "Officially Licensed Products".. I believe the Sterling line came along because of these guitars. I wouldn't want my name associated with them either. So they really put their hands into it and created the Sterling. (I applaud MusicMan for that)
2. The Sterling line is a bottom of the line, import Axis. But by no means a bad guitar. And yes I have played 2 AX-40s and 1 AX-20. They are great guitars for what they are. Would I pay retail for one..? No... But then again I won't pay retail for an Axis, Hamer, Les Paul, PRS, etc, etc... (I won't buy a car new either. This has nothing to do with the guitar, it's just me)
Would I replace the hardware on an AX-40...? No, why would I. The hardware supplied is good enough for what the guitar is. Would I be embarrased to play an AX-40 out on stage..? Absolutly not. It is a great guitar, for what it is. I would put it in line with the higher end imports. Epiphone, Brian May, Agile, Anthem.. They actually are probably better than most of the imports out there. I wish when I was a kid the imports were this nice...
In fact I would probably rather get an import AX-40 than a USA Super Sport model...(And no, I am not slamming the Super Sport line....!!!!!)
I applogize if I didn't make myself clear in the other posts... It is a damn nice guitar for the money...
How can you argue with the reveiw below....
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKisM8f4mcs"]YouTube- Sterling AX20 - AX40 Review[/ame]
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patpark
Well-known member
we're not for everyone, but we fill a needed part of the guitar buying public.
Most of the guys here are willing to spend $1500+ for the right guitar. But remember, there is a huge market for guys who won't or can't spend more than $500-$600 for a guitar. We fill that gap. Maybe even groom some of them to be future Music Man buyers.
Thanks for the input guys and we appreciate everyone's opinion!
Most of the guys here are willing to spend $1500+ for the right guitar. But remember, there is a huge market for guys who won't or can't spend more than $500-$600 for a guitar. We fill that gap. Maybe even groom some of them to be future Music Man buyers.
Thanks for the input guys and we appreciate everyone's opinion!
telemike
Well-known member
I want a Sterling Albert Lee model!
Exactly...!
Hendog
Well-known member
Sterling is better than any other $500 guitar I have ever played.
I own real EBMM (I have bought and sold 10+) and I still buy Sterling.
Just because Sterling are in a mid price range, that doesn't necessary mean they're **** guitars.
I love my JP50 , not because I can't afford more expensive guitars. I play a JP50 because it's a great guitar, holds up on gigs. The only reason I didn't buy an AX40 is because I hate Floyd Rose type bridges, it's a great guitar as well. quality control for Sterling is very good.
I play the Sterling right next to my other guitars, some are worth 3 or 4 times more than a Sterling, but the JP50 does its own thing. I like having a guitar for every season
I love my JP50 , not because I can't afford more expensive guitars. I play a JP50 because it's a great guitar, holds up on gigs. The only reason I didn't buy an AX40 is because I hate Floyd Rose type bridges, it's a great guitar as well. quality control for Sterling is very good.
I play the Sterling right next to my other guitars, some are worth 3 or 4 times more than a Sterling, but the JP50 does its own thing. I like having a guitar for every season
i'll toss in my two cents here... and to add my experience to what Pat is saying...
I grew up playing Strats (because its what was available) and i remember seeing the EVH model on magazine covers but they were waaaay out of my pricerange as a young buck. Somewhere around my 23rd birthday my parents bought me an OLP MM1F (Floyed equiped) Tobacco Sunburst guitar. This was an incredible guitar and I never had a single problem with it... and a real tone monster (i got lucky). The years passed and OLP went under in that time frame i got bored with my stats and my career took off providing the means for me to by a TOP DOLLAR GUITAR! My first choice was EBMM... I spent many hours playing every EBMM i could get my hands on... and finally decided on a Silo.
There was a night and day difference between the two builds but the OLP was a good intro to the EBMM brand and gave me a good idea as to what i was looking fom.
Where the Sterling Brand comes into play is that they are more consistant on the quality and are focused on nailing their price point. I have played them and they are incredible guitars for the $500-$600 range and put a reliable product in the hands of musicians and i think they've nailed it. Sure with any import product there will be slight variances but with Sterling they seem to have cut the variances out drasticly so there is a consistant product hitting the hangers.
If i were in the market for another guitar i wouldnt hesitate picking up a Sterling because i know what i'm going to get... a reliable instrument that will perform when i need it. I wouldn't consider it a beater... it's a good chunk of chage you're throwing out there... and you're getting a good piece of wood in return and it's a much better solition for an EBMM intro than OLP ever was.
I grew up playing Strats (because its what was available) and i remember seeing the EVH model on magazine covers but they were waaaay out of my pricerange as a young buck. Somewhere around my 23rd birthday my parents bought me an OLP MM1F (Floyed equiped) Tobacco Sunburst guitar. This was an incredible guitar and I never had a single problem with it... and a real tone monster (i got lucky). The years passed and OLP went under in that time frame i got bored with my stats and my career took off providing the means for me to by a TOP DOLLAR GUITAR! My first choice was EBMM... I spent many hours playing every EBMM i could get my hands on... and finally decided on a Silo.
There was a night and day difference between the two builds but the OLP was a good intro to the EBMM brand and gave me a good idea as to what i was looking fom.
Where the Sterling Brand comes into play is that they are more consistant on the quality and are focused on nailing their price point. I have played them and they are incredible guitars for the $500-$600 range and put a reliable product in the hands of musicians and i think they've nailed it. Sure with any import product there will be slight variances but with Sterling they seem to have cut the variances out drasticly so there is a consistant product hitting the hangers.
If i were in the market for another guitar i wouldnt hesitate picking up a Sterling because i know what i'm going to get... a reliable instrument that will perform when i need it. I wouldn't consider it a beater... it's a good chunk of chage you're throwing out there... and you're getting a good piece of wood in return and it's a much better solition for an EBMM intro than OLP ever was.
Heeboja
Well-known member
Hmmm, You know OLP aren't that bad if you can find a good one. And if you can find a good one (like I have) it's really great. My OLP Petrucci plays better than a lot of 1k+ guitars (Music Man not included) and now also sounds better when I swapped out some hardware and the pickups. It's a great guitar. Just not a real Petrucci. Hopefully, that will redeem itself coming weekend (Stay tuned on that one though.)
On SBMM: A/B:d the Jp50 and the EBMM JP6 and found them to be remarkably similiar. The scoop is bigger on the JP50 than the OLP but not as big as the JP6 which puts your arm in the perfect position. The stock bridge on the Jp50 is also very good. I'd change the saddles for some graphtech stringsavers though just 'cause I like the sound of them more. Also It stays in tune stock WAY better than the OLP which you couldn't get to stay in tune even without playing it. You just looked at it and it went out of tune. Now, I have better tuners and a graphtech nut and that problem is in the history books.
Haven't seen any other SBMM around though. It would be nice to finally get my hands on that asymmetrical neck shape.
(Stay tuned on that one though.)On SBMM: A/B:d the Jp50 and the EBMM JP6 and found them to be remarkably similiar. The scoop is bigger on the JP50 than the OLP but not as big as the JP6 which puts your arm in the perfect position. The stock bridge on the Jp50 is also very good. I'd change the saddles for some graphtech stringsavers though just 'cause I like the sound of them more. Also It stays in tune stock WAY better than the OLP which you couldn't get to stay in tune even without playing it. You just looked at it and it went out of tune. Now, I have better tuners and a graphtech nut and that problem is in the history books.
Haven't seen any other SBMM around though. It would be nice to finally get my hands on that asymmetrical neck shape.
noise5150
Active member
- Joined
- May 13, 2008
- Messages
- 39
The AX40 is a great guitar for the money Ive recenlty played one and I may buy one. I also have an Axis, PRS, Gibson Custom Shop, Charvel, Carvin...all high end guitars. Guitars like the AX40 or import Wolfgangs or Import Jacksons are important because they allow most people to buy a quality affordable guitar that they can learn on or use as a spare. The other advantage is that if you have a (Trans Gold) Axis, like I do, and want to get another color, you may not be able to afford a new Axis but you may be able to swing a cool looking AX40.
axisboldaslove
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2005
- Messages
- 36
The only thing i liked about the OLP MM1 axis copy was the pu's. i still have those and they are actually real close sounding to the dimarzio set in the axis?
Evh_axis_eric
Active member
The sterling is far from a "beater" or "junk" as some eloquently put it! I just bought one and have played ten at the store and they are great for the $$$.
The store i go to has a tech there that actually sets all the guitars up proper and let me tell you the AX40 i played was outstanding!
I am changinf the pu's to a real set of axis pu's i bought on ebay and i am going to tru oil the neck to match the axis neck when i am done i am more than confident that it will NOT be a beater or junk!
The store i go to has a tech there that actually sets all the guitars up proper and let me tell you the AX40 i played was outstanding!
I am changinf the pu's to a real set of axis pu's i bought on ebay and i am going to tru oil the neck to match the axis neck when i am done i am more than confident that it will NOT be a beater or junk!
