Template for replacing Axis hardtail with vintage tremolo

[SiloCologne]

Hi everybody,

i want to replace the hardtail bridge of my EBMM Axis with a EBMM vintage tremolo.
I already have bought the trem but i can't find a template for cuttings, trem pots and the
back side spring chamber. My luthier said, without a template he can't do the job.

So, is there a chance to get such a template or may someone send me some measurements,pls ?

Best,
Oliver

 

[tbonesullivan]

Is it an EBMM vintage tremolo, or some other brand? Most tremolos come with a routing template. Just make sure that you really want to do it, as modding EBMM instruments invariably reduces their value irrecoverably. Often it's easier and cheaper to just get one with a trem.

 

[SiloCologne]

Hi tbonesullivan,

thanks for fast response.

it's an original EBMM vintage trem like on Axis SS, Silhouette Special or Luke III.
Unfortunately there are no routing templates with the trem.
the guitar was a bargain, on which i would like to reshape the neck like that of a
silhouette spec. in addition to retrofitting the tremolo.

If I were to buy a higher-priced super sport, I wouldn't dare to have the reshaping
done

i guess, having an axis with silo neck will be a killer axe !

 

[Sweat]

So to get this straight you have a hardtail Axis? Not a ASS but an original HT Axis? Need a pic and jeez why do you want to make it a trem????

 

[Astrofreq]

We need pics please.

 

[SiloCologne]

I want a trem coz it roxx

 

[SiloCologne]

I guess i just need the exact distance of an axis ss from the trem slot to the bridge slot. the measurements of the trem slot and the spring slots.
May anybody help?

 

[edhalen]

My .02 - I'd leave it alone and find another with a trem

 

[DrKev]

Other than calling Music Man and asking nicely your luthier will have to measure up another Axis guitar themselves. (For sure, I would never do the job based on anybody else's measurements).

 

[GoKart Mozart]

the guitar was a bargain, on which i would like to reshape the neck like that of a
silhouette spec. in addition to retrofitting the tremolo.

If I were to buy a higher-priced super sport, I wouldn't dare to have the reshaping
done

My opinion: that's somewhat of a rarer guitar being a Axis hardtail. If you got a good deal on it, sell it for a profit, then buy an Axis SS with a trem.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Ok, so you're taking a rare version of a guitar with a neck you don't like and re-shaping it to be more like Silhouette neck, and also installing a tremolo? Isn't the Axis one of the smaller necks that EBMM Makes? It's also an asymmetrical profile. Honestly I'd just sell it, get a Silo or Silo Special, and throw a Tone Zone / Air Norton in it.

 

[Rbg]

Please! Don’t do it

 

[John C]

My opinion: that's somewhat of a rarer guitar being a Axis hardtail. If you got a good deal on it, sell it for a profit, then buy an Axis SS with a trem.

Ok, so you're taking a rare version of a guitar with a neck you don't like and re-shaping it to be more like Silhouette neck, and also installing a tremolo? Isn't the Axis one of the smaller necks that EBMM Makes? It's also an asymmetrical profile. Honestly I'd just sell it, get a Silo or Silo Special, and throw a Tone Zone / Air Norton in it.

He posted pictures in post #6 - it's an older Axis SuperSport hardtail,, not the ultra rare hardtail Axis.

@SiloCologne - that's some major surgery you're contemplating on that guitar; are you sure you're still going to come out ahead after paying your luthier for the trem installation and shaving down the neck compared to just buying another guitar?

 

[SiloCologne]

He posted pictures in post #6 - it's an older Axis SuperSport hardtail,, not the ultra rare hardtail Axis.

@SiloCologne - that's some major surgery you're contemplating on that guitar; are you sure you're still going to come out ahead after paying your luthier for the trem installation and shaving down the neck compared to just buying another guitar?

I think yes. It will be still cheaper to mod the hardtail then to buy a Super Sport. Im living in europe so the prices for a used ss are about 500-700 dollars more in europe than in the usa. The actuall offers for a pre used Axis SS are about 2500$. I paid for my Axis HT 1300$. The Trem was 170$ and the luthier will cost 200$. When everything will work, i will get a Axsi SS for 1670$ !

 

[SiloCologne]

Please! Don’t do it

I' really sorry!

 

[SiloCologne]

Ok, so you're taking a rare version of a guitar with a neck you don't like and re-shaping it to be more like Silhouette neck, and also installing a tremolo? Isn't the Axis one of the smaller necks that EBMM Makes? It's also an asymmetrical profile. Honestly I'd just sell it, get a Silo or Silo Special, and throw a Tone Zone / Air Norton in it.

As John C mentiones, its not the rare version of an Axis. I already have a HSH an a HSS Silo. I checked out the Air Norton, Tone Zone Combo, but the Silo has different sound qualities and didnt came near an Axis sound. I love my silo's very well! But i want an Axis with the playability of an silo neck. mounting a trem to the axis will brighting up the sound too. Of course a hardtail sounds fuller, but i want the Eddies FR sound.

 

[SiloCologne]

Ok, so you're taking a rare version of a guitar with a neck you don't like and re-shaping it to be more like Silhouette neck, and also installing a tremolo? Isn't the Axis one of the smaller necks that EBMM Makes? It's also an asymmetrical profile. Honestly I'd just sell it, get a Silo or Silo Special, and throw a Tone Zone / Air Norton in it.

In fact, i like the neck profile, but i got small hands i always got cramps whem i play more then 15 minutes. Thats realy not cool, cause i want to play for hours. with the silo neck, i can play the whole day without any spasm

 

[beej]

Well it's your guitar- obviously do what makes you happy! That said, doing it will kill the resale value if you ever change your mind.

Another option is to offer it up for a trade- Axis for a Silo.

 

[V_S]

What about this one: Music Man Axis Sport gebraucht mit Original Koffer ?
The price is still too high for my taste but considering the rising prices of the last years it may be reasonable.

BTW... I sold this Silo to this guy (Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Honey Burst) and he had it converted from hardtail to trem... so he might know someone who is able to do the job. Here it is in action after the conversion:

 

[John C]

I think yes. It will be still cheaper to mod the hardtail then to buy a Super Sport. Im living in europe so the prices for a used ss are about 500-700 dollars more in europe than in the usa. The actuall offers for a pre used Axis SS are about 2500$. I paid for my Axis HT 1300$. The Trem was 170$ and the luthier will cost 200$. When everything will work, i will get a Axsi SS for 1670$ !

Wow; you did get a good deal for the current market on the Axis SS; and your luthier has quoted a lower price than I expected for the work - sounds like you've done the math and it adds up for you. Good luck with the project!