Steel Blue Axis BFR

[guitarheadhunt]

Wondering if anyone knows the specs on these guitars. Only 75 made. I am seeing conflicting information.
I assume it is a basswood body, Flamed maple top, Birds eye maple neck. Wondering about the fret material. Does anyone know if these are stainless steel or nickel. I have seen them listed as both. These guitars were made in the fall of 2018.

Thanks

steel blue axis - Bing

 

[mb99zz]

No idea on specs, but that sure looks nice

 

[ThePod]

I have one. It's awesome. It has the exact specs you stated and the frets are indeed stainless.

IMG_20200410_184608172~01 by ThePod, on Flickr

 

[guitarheadhunt]

Thanks for that. I can not find the specs on that anywhere. Everyone just says regular frets. Heck one seller says it has a roasted maple neck. We know that’s not the case. I can’t get Musicman themselves to answer the question I sent them either.

 

[GWDavis28]

It was a 2018 BFR, but your right doesn't say anywhere whether they are SS or not.

Ball Family Reserve | Ernie Ball Music Man

Ernie Ball Music Man BFR Axis Electric Guitar Steel Blue | Musician's Friend

Ernie Ball Music Man Axis BFR #31 Steel Blue

But ThePod has one so he should know.

Glenn |B)

 

[ThePod]

Yep, they are definitely stainless. I have an Axis without stainless frets (the one in my sig) and then my BFR. The BFR frets are so smooth and slidy compared to my other one.

 

[guitarheadhunt]

My JP12 has ss frets and I love them. My Silo's nor my Luke 3 tumescent does not. I just heard back from musicman customer service and they said that they are nickel on this model not stainless. Any guitar costing as much as these BFR's should come with ss frets. Disappointing. I was thinking of buying one but I really want ss frets on my next guitar.

 

[ThePod]

My JP12 has ss frets and I love them. My Silo's nor my Luke 3 tumescent does not. I just heard back from musicman customer service and they said that they are nickel on this model not stainless. Any guitar costing as much as these BFR's should come with ss frets. Disappointing. I was thinking of buying one but I really want ss frets on my next guitar.

Interesting. They are the hardest and smoothest frets I've ever played. they are much more slippery and smooth compared to my other axis. If they are nickel it's a very hard compound

 

[guitarheadhunt]

My Luke 3 tumescent looks like it has SS frets compared to my silhouettes and look very similar to the sheen of the frets on my JP12 but they are nickel. I am not sure how long you have owned the steel blue axis or how much and heavy you play it. One way to tell is look in the area of the neck where you tend to play most. especially rhythms. Look real close at the frets and see if you see the slightest indentations. Mine will usually show up around 2nd and 3rd fret under the B and G string. I have owned my Luke for about a year and it does not see as much playing time as my silos and it already has wear on those frets. My Jp has none and I have owned it a lot longer. Check to see if you have any visible fret wear anywhere on the neck.

 

[ThePod]

My Luke 3 tumescent looks like it has SS frets compared to my silhouettes and look very similar to the sheen of the frets on my JP12 but they are nickel. I am not sure how long you have owned the steel blue axis or how much and heavy you play it. One way to tell is look in the area of the neck where you tend to play most. especially rhythms. Look real close at the frets and see if you see the slightest indentations. Mine will usually show up around 2nd and 3rd fret under the B and G string. I have owned my Luke for about a year and it does not see as much playing time as my silos and it already has wear on those frets. My Jp has none and I have owned it a lot longer. Check to see if you have any visible fret wear anywhere on the neck.

It's at our practice space. It's pretty regularly played but I've only owned it since Feb. I'll check it out when I get there on Tuesday.

 

[Jamie M]

How long have SS frets been fitted on certain EBMM guitars?

 

[beej]

Any guitar costing as much as these BFR's should come with ss frets.

In your opinion, you mean

Disappointing. I was thinking of buying one but I really want ss frets on my next guitar.

This always gets me. People come here and when something isn't 100% to their liking they're "disappointed" (as opposed to impressed about everything else ... it always comes across as negative.)

These BFRs are a monthly recipie MM wanted to try out ... a little bit of this, a little bit of that. Some have features others don't. They're limited runs for those that can get their hands on one. That guitar is drop dead gorgeous, regardless of fretwire, but there are plenty of others out there for you to try out.

 

[Jamie M]

In your opinion, you mean


This always gets me. People come here and when something isn't 100% to their liking they're "disappointed" (as opposed to impressed about everything else ... it always comes across as negative.)

These BFRs are a monthly recipie MM wanted to try out ... a little bit of this, a little bit of that. Some have features others don't. They're limited runs for those that can get their hands on one. That guitar is drop dead gorgeous, regardless of fretwire, but there are plenty of others out there for you to try out.

Very well put there Beej

 

[Tollywood]

That is a sweet Axis. Another great BFR run.

 

[Jamie M]

Do any of you know if SS frets were on EBMM axes back in 2010 or is it a more recent thing?

 

[ThePod]

I reached out to Music Man themselves to really try to get an answer.
According to them the frets are indeed stainless.
Here is my email correspondence with them.
Hopefully this clears it up.


2020-06-25_01-14-40

2020-06-25_01-14-21

 

[TripHazard]

Excellent - good to get a definitive on that

 

[ThePod]

You would think that the folks at Music Man would make this info more easily available.

 

[guitarheadhunt]

You would think that the folks at Music Man would make this info more easily available.

I feel you on that. Here is my email from them stating that it was nickel. Not sure who do believe at this point. I know everyone that is selling this guitar makes no mention of ss frets.

 

[ThePod]

I feel you on that. Here is my email from them stating that it was nickel. Not sure who do believe at this point. I know everyone that is selling this guitar makes no mention of ss frets.

View attachment 36798

I agree... very confusing!!! I wish you could try one of these BFR models out in person, I think you would be convinced the frets are stainless. As I said I have an older axis as well, made in 2003 so I know it has regular nickel frets. My BFR frets feel harder and are way more shiny than those.