Steve Morse vs Axis Sport, JP6 and Silhouette Special

[geng]

I have been gigging for over 25 years, my first 15 years mainly with strat. 10 years ago I found Axis Sport and have been gigging with it ever since, but sometimes also with fender strat or musicman petrucci. I use mainly position 2 and 4 (inner coils and outer coils) but in solos and heawey riffs I use pos 1, 3 or 5.

I find petrucci too agressive but in middle position there is a good clean sound option but thinner sounding than my Axis Sport. I like Silhouette Special but it is very similar to strat (although fuller sounding).

I found musicman guitars great to play with, the neck on petrucci is exceptionally playable. I'm selling my petrucci and a fender strat but like to buy a guitar that has good cleans and less agressive humbucker sound than petrucci. To me my Axis Sports beats all other guitar option in terms of sound but I would like to own another musicman with great cleans and soft/warm humbucker sound.

My question is about comparison between Steve Morse (new one HSH) and Axis Sport or Silhouette. Can Steve Morse Musicman be a good choice for what I am looking for?

Regards

 

[BigMESA]

I can't answer your question but I am interested in buying another JP6 if you want to share the details, just pm me

 

[agt]

Sounds like you like the playability and design of the JP but find its sound too aggressive. Have you considered trying different pickups in it? Just a suggestion.

 

[envy-guitars]

Maybe a shot in the dark but the Luke is my personal favourite MM guitar, its the only MM I own personally (Lava Pearl with Piezo for those who are interested). The EMGs are a different beast to the JP6 but tend to be a little more versatile seeing as though you get HSS. The V profile is also VERY different but hellishly playable - hence why I took it home!

Anyway get yourself to your nearest MM dealer and give one a shot!

 

[ScoobySteve]

There's no real way to really give you an answer seeing that we all perceive sound and tone differently.

The only way is to try each one out on a rig that is similar (if you're lucky identical) to the one you own.

I've never played the Morse. It's the only EBMM I've never played to be honest, so I really couldn't say. But without a doubt the Silo and Axis are less aggressive (less punch I guess you could say) than the JP, the Luke has outstanding playability (what a neck!) but I think it's in the same ways as aggressive as the JP6 but in a different fashion. The SSH config makes the Luke a bit more versatile.

Sorry for the long explication, basically my advice: TRY IT!

 

[geng]

Sounds like you like the playability and design of the JP but find its sound too aggressive. Have you considered trying different pickups in it? Just a suggestion.

I was thinking of it but was told it would be difficult because of the piezo. I would really like the playability of JP6 but with the warm sound of Axis Sport.

Is there anyone who has swapped the pups for that purpose?

Regards

 

[Jimmyb]

Ok, first off, I've not played a Petrucci or a Morse, so that colours my opinion somewhat.

If you're mainly playing with positions 2 & 4 on the Sport, it seems to me that you're more of a fan of the cleaner sounds. In which case, I'd point you more in the direction of the Silo Special, with the HSS configuration. Alternatively, you could try the Luke, which has the some config, but with a different neck profile. Not everyone gets on with the profile of the Luke, so try one first to see if it suits.

I'd also recommend that you try and get your hands on a 20th Silhouette. Although they are HH guitars, they really play clean well. Also, the 25th guitar has some really cool clean tones, if the recent videos by Pete and John Mayer are anything to go by.

If you still can't narrow it down, maybe check e-bay or craigslist for a Sport in HSS, or SSS config, that way you can get the tonal variety, but with the shape and feel that you're used to, but with different pickup options.

 

[azazael]

Just to clarify. Axis Sport or Supersport??
They are quite different animals.

 

[geng]

Just to clarify. Axis Sport or Supersport??
They are quite different animals.

Axis Sport, HH Swamp Ash, maple neck, hardtail. Needs very soon new frets. I like all of its sound, but in clean department I use mainly pos 4 (inner coils) and if not same position in solos I usually switch to middle or neck. In harder rock rythm I use bridge humbucker.

I like how warm and musical it sounds, its never harsh but sometimes I miss a typical strat neck sound.

When I gigged with two guitars (axis and strat) I used the strat for cleaner stuff and bluesier stuff. After being musicman player for many year its hard to go back to usual fender C neck.

I have never tried morse but I have tried Silhouette Special and Luke. The Luke didn´t stay in tune and Silhouette was fuller, better sounding and more playable than strat.

I tried to work with amp settings and petrucci but I mainly used the middle position (rather thin strat sound) and ever felt the humbucker lacked the warm and musical sound of my Sport.

But I am willing to swap pups in my petrucci if that would help - then I would like to have five way switch like in my Sport.

 

[geng]

Just to clarify. Axis Sport or Supersport??
They are quite different animals.

Are they so quite different?
How?

 

[paranoid70]

From what you are describing, I think the Silhouette Special is what would fit best. Spend some more time with it, I am sure you will love it.

 

[geng]

Anyone who have swapped pickups in Petrucci for the purpose I mention?
How logical or realistic is it?

 

[tommyindelaware]

you will need to be quite handy w/ a soldering iron...............

Anyone who have swapped pickups in Petrucci for the purpose I mention?
How logical or realistic is it?

 

[azazael]

Are they so quite different?
How?

Different woods. No Maple Top on the Sport just an Ash body.
Supersport Maple top and basswood body.

 

[geng]

Different woods. No Maple Top on the Sport just an Ash body.
Supersport Maple top and basswood body.

In terms of sound, is my Sport brighter (ash wood) and Super Sport darker (basswood)?