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Sterling MMA...backup

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wesman11483

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I'm considering a Sterling Axis as a backup...does anybody have experience with both the Sterling and the "real thing?"

Just looking for some sound guidance about the ins and outs of both...will be swapping out the guts, so mostly looking for neck and overall construction feedback...or should I just save my pennies for a used EBMM?
 
peterd79

peterd79

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I have had experience with both...

I have three Sterling AX series guitars... two AX40D (with the custom DiMarzios) and a AX30D (with the custom DiMarzios). though they are very similar the price is in the details...

obviously with the EBMM you're going to get a maple cap vs a maple veneer...
the bridge on the sterling though great isn't quite as nice as the EBMM bridge. I did swap out the bridge on one of my AX40s with a Gotoh Stainless Bridge and that will give the EBMM a run for it's money.
The AX40 (D series) are fetching right around 6-700 and I've seen a few AXIS' go for just a few hundred more. Now you'll need to be patient and seek it out but if you can snag one on the cheap the Sterling is worth it.

That being said I'm a die hard Sterling fan and use them almost exclusively (I have 2 EBMM guitars that I just love and can't part with) but for the price point the Sterling line does exactly what I need them to do. From what I was told there's almost no or very little difference in the CNC code used to cut the bodies and necks for the Sterlings... and all comes down to the finer details that just can't be had at the Sterling price point.
 
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wesman11483

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xjbebop said:
The quality difference is noticeable, but the SBMM instruments are very solid and a great value.
Click to expand...

That's my fear. I'm planning on doing a bit of modification...so on one hand would hate to murder any resale value on an EBMM...but if the quality difference is 'that' noticeable, I'm afraid I would want to turn around and do the same project on a used EB...
 
xjbebop

xjbebop

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I'd say a Sterling would be a perfect platform for mods / experiments!
Heck, I'd actually like to own one of the new Axis models.
We got a smoking deal on one of the pre-"D" version Axis models some years ago, and it really is a great guitar.
Yeah, there's a quality difference (you would hope so considering the price difference...), but the SBMM's are still great guitars.
 
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wesman11483

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xjbebop said:
I'd say a Sterling would be a perfect platform for mods / experiments!
Heck, I'd actually like to own one of the new Axis models.
We got a smoking deal on one of the pre-"D" version Axis models some years ago, and it really is a great guitar.
Yeah, there's a quality difference (you would hope so considering the price difference...), but the SBMM's are still great guitars.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I just submitted a Reverb offer on a[nother] EBMM Axis MM90 lol. If that doesn't go through I'll most likely snag the Sterling...and either way I will most likely start a mod thread...if there's interest...
 
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wesman11483

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