whats so special about the axis

[jongitarz]

My 2 cents....Although I work for EB/MM a while back when I first started working there, my son needed a new guitar. Not being rich, the only way to get him one was to sell my LP. So being the good Dad that I am, sold the LP and bought 2 Super Sports..1 for him, and 1 for me. People said I was nuts! I had the LP for 26 years. I have NEVER regreted doing this. The Super Sports are great guitars...All the balls(no pun intended) of the LP and WAY lighter...Faster neck, better top. Go play one...compare it to others....Don't follow trends....buy what feels good to you.

Jon

 

[hbucker]

I've never heard the rumour that EVH slept with the bosses wife! Hahahaa that would be very rock and roll though! (J/J!!!)

For the why Eddie left EBMM reasons see this thread...

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1089

We'll probably never really know but let's keep guessing.

Back on topic...whatever happened, the Axis is a damn fine legacy!

Steve

Interesting... thanks.

Even though it was posted by a Moderator (which gives it credibility) it has an air of an outsiders perspective. Maybe I'm just reading that into it though.

I would be interested to hear how many Axis they build in a year now. Clearly, they would have been able to produce that many EVH's too. At least to that extent, the argument over production is nullified since if he'd stayed with EBMM they could have cranked EVH production up to the current Axis level. And I really don't know how many Wolves are manufactured each year. Perhaps a visit to to PV board is in order....

There's always the issue of the differences between the Wolf and EVH: carved top, pickup differences, angled headstock, flatter radius and wider fretboard. Are those differences due to his desire for a different guitar or were they required to not infringe on any copywrite EBMM might have? We'll never probably know but that won't stop us from arguing about it.

I think the talk about EVH owning the rights to the Wolf is interesting. I see nothing sinister in it; just a good business decision.

Sorry to digress once again..

 

[mesavox]

I don't know why you don't believe that it was because of numbers like Eddie says... You seem hung up on this 1000 number. EVH wanted to sell way more than 1000 of them a year. Remember, the waiting time was at times nearly a year.

So, let's say they built 1000 EVH's a year. But, the demand was for 1500 of them a year. Now, let's say they build 1000 Axis a year but the demand is 900 from customers and the extra 100 from stores just ordering some for stock.

See the diff? Those are just numbers pulled from a hat, but it is how supply and demand works and Eddie wanted the supply to always be where the demand is.

I have a friend with one of those outrageously expensive LPs. The fretboard at the 11th fret around the high E string has a major dip in it. You can litterally see the fret angle down just as it passes the B string. I'm talking about 1 quarter square inch here... MASSIVE QC BLODGE. This isn't some little mistake that can be easily missed and warranty is no big deal. This isn't some problem in manufacturing that caused an unexpected shipping stress point... this is luthiery 101. And this is a well over 2 grand guitar. He got it used so there is no warranty. It's a rhythm guitar now. A darn pretty one and a killer sounding one at that, but it's also a killer sounding lead guitar that deadens out on every note above the 11th fret.

That is not, I repeat NOT to bash Gibson. That is addressing the coment about how so many people play Gibsons and not EBMM.

Not as many people drive Infinitys as BMWs either but Infinity is a far superior car... and a lot cheaper too.

 

[koogie2k]

I think I have test driven every make and model guitar that there is. From the standard names like Gibson and Fender to the super high end customs. Of course, there is a custom that I like...just don't have the $8,000 - $10,000 to start the build of one. I tried out many guitars because I am a very finiky (sp) player about how the neck feels. I owned only one guitar (a custom Ibanez) and one day checked out an EBMM. Fortunately, there was every model in the store so I played them all. They all had a wonderful neck and the tone was amazing. I ended up with a Petrucci model (the best one for me) but the Axis is killer as all EBMM models are. I have stated on here before, find the one that gives you that "religious" experience. If it is a EBMM, great, you have a wonderful instrument and welcome to the club. (You can still stay with us if you choose NOT to get the EBMM, love to have you onboard) If is a starter pack BC Rich, then wonderful. You have found the "one" for you. We just happen to belong to a nice little club all with one great thing in common....our beautiful balls!

 

[jongitarz]

koogie2k is right...I own many guitars, and love them all for different reasons...You need to check your options...what is good for you may not be good for me...It's all about how it feels. However, that being said, and the fact that I am employed by EB/MM please try our stuff!

Jon

 

[hbucker]

I don't know why you don't believe that it was because of numbers like Eddie says... You seem hung up on this 1000 number. EVH wanted to sell way more than 1000 of them a year. Remember, the waiting time was at times nearly a year.

So, let's say they built 1000 EVH's a year. But, the demand was for 1500 of them a year. Now, let's say they build 1000 Axis a year but the demand is 900 from customers and the extra 100 from stores just ordering some for stock.

See the diff? Those are just numbers pulled from a hat, but it is how supply and demand works and Eddie wanted the supply to always be where the demand is.

The reason I'm hung up on the 1,000 number is that is the number universally accepted as the production number per year of EVH's. For the record, I'm not hung up on anything, I'm just trying to make a point that seems to be spinning out of control. And the current implication is that there are a lot more Wolves produced anually than Axis. This may be true. I've just not heard anything other than opinion as to whether or not this is the case.

If your numbers are right then so be it. By your admisson they are just pulled from a hat. If the official count per year of Axis' produced is 1,000 or less, your point is 100% accurate. But if the actual number of Axis' currently produced per year is 2,000. Then I think my point is well made that they could have produced more EVH's if that was the only problem. Seems obvious to me. It also doesn't seem like a big deal other than for the sake of discussion.

With any manufacturer you have to consider factory capabilities too. It's very logical to think one factory could only produce 1,000 guitars of a certain quality while another factory has the man/woman and machine power to produce 5,000 at the same quality level.

I have no idea what the capacities of the given factories are and am not pretending to know. I'm just saying that's yet another variable.

I will say that with Fender and Gibson there is probably a better chance that qc issues will be more wide ranging just from my experience. I don't know if that's due to their size, practices, personnel, corproate structure or what. But I had a Fender Deluxe Strat Plus about 12 years ago that was a decent enough guitar. But some of the fret were lacquered up to the crown. I had to take a razor blade and trim it down and even then, there was enough lacquer on the frets that they got kind of funky with finger goo after a while. (mmmmmmmm finger goooo!)

Believe me, I hear what everyone is saying. And I'm not necessarily disagreeing. I'm just not agreeing. None of us has enough info to to say "this is why it is". I guess that's my hang up if I actually have one.

Nobody is a bigger EVH fan than I am but he is a business man in addition to being a guitar legend. Not that you have to lie to be a business man at all. The good ones don't lie. But they do tend to put every ounce of spin on they can whatever their official responses are. Again, it's not that I doubt his official statements on these products, I'd just be curious to see the numbers behind all the comments. It it turns out he's 100% correct and I'm just a suspicious nerd. I can live with that. And there have been multiple rumors about his departure from EBMM. That's how this tangent kind of got started in the fist place.

 

[nobozos]

I've owned 4 Les Pauls, and 3 Axis', and I prefer the Axis. To me, it gives you the best qualities of a Les Paul, and the best qualities of a Strat in one package.

To answer the question "What's so special about the Axis?", I'll share an exchange I had with the owner of my local guitar shop.
They are the local authorized dealer for PRS, Gibson, Fender, Ernie Ball, Jackson, and many others. I noticed that they only had one or two Axis' at a time, and when they sold, they didn't get a replacement for it for at least 3 months. I asked him, "So what's the deal with Ernie Ball? Don't they like you guys?" He explained to me that, if they want to have an Axis hanging up in their shop, they have to order it, and wait for it to be built for them. He went on to say that with Gibson, for instance, thier factory rep looks at your sales, your population base for your area, and some other factors, and plugs the numbers into a formula that determines how many, and what kinds of guitars they will send you. For example, in Peoria, Gibson may determine that if you want to be a Gibson dealer, you need to maintain an inventory of 3 Les Paul Customs, 5 Les Paul Standards, 2 1960 Les Paul Classics, 8 Epiphone Les Pauls, and so on. If Gibson or Epiphone has a new guitar, they push the store to have one on the shelf.

I think that the fact that every guitar coming from Erine Ball is going to be there because someone ordered it is a much better production plan than just mass producing and shipping a bunch of guitars.

I could see a board meeting at Gibson where someone is standing up and telling everyone how many "units of product" were shipped this month. Music Man impresses me as a guitar manufacturer that hasn't lost sight of the fact that they are making musical instruments, not just a product.

I have never picked up a guitar from Music Man that was a piece of crap. Every guitar they make is made with the same quality and attention to detail as any other. There is no low end Music Man. Not like how Gibson has Epiphone, or Peavey has the overseas line.

 

[jongitarz]

Here is something to think about....We don't have a "number" of any guitar...Axis, whatever..We make what is ordered..Period. We do not have x numbers of guitars stacked somewhere waiting until someone orders it..We are much like Burger King..We don't make it until you order it...We are however, working on a low carb Albert Lee.

Jon


P.S. nobozos post was right on.

 

[OrangeChannel]

Low Carb Lee eh? Woo.

 

[musikarero]

As for the reason or reasons why EVH left....WHO CARES!!

 

[Jimi D]

We are much like Burger King..We don't make it until you order it...We are however, working on a low carb Albert Lee.

I'll take an Albert Lee in White with Gold hardware, with three mini humbuckers, a trem, and a 'blower' switch in addition to the usual 5-way blade. To go...

 

[glockaxis]

To reiterate what others have said,

The necks are awesome, the quality/workmanship is the best I've seen, and the guitar is simply beautiful w/ all the top grade wood and componets used.

I believe the shape is a cross between a LP and a Telecaster which does make it look kinda retro.

The price is high (well deservingly---not just based on name) but way lower than a LP.

Many famous musicians use the Axis for recording as well as live (Steve Stevens, Vinnie Moore etc..)

My first guitar was an Epiphone LP (because Jimmy Page used one) but grew tired of it and since childhood, I'm not a trend follower----I just want good equipment. I have since got a EBMM Axis, Ovation Custom Legend, Ibanez RG1570, and a G&L Legacy (strat) instead of the junk Fender is producung nowadays, and a Yamaha bass. If I had a bottomless pit of $$$ I'd buy more EBMM guitars.

 

[SGMan88]

It looks so great..and playing it feels so right...play one and you will definitely know what all of the buzz is about

 

[PurpleSport]

Low Carb Lee eh? Woo.

Woo indeed...

Jon, were you just bein' facetious, or is this something that's actually gonna see the light of day, i.e. a SUB version? A workin' class AL would be quite a kewl tool.

Any details you can share with the intelligentsia here? An ETA? Colors? Hardware/features? Anything? Bueller? Bueller?

 

[OrangeChannel]

That piques my interest to....maybe one wth a piar of buckers? Hmm? Can I get a woo woo?

 

[kbaim]

I own a few different ebmm models as well as a prs, a les paul studio, a '76 strat, and an ibanez st50.

Bottom line for me is I like playing the other guitars, but I LOVE playing the eb's.

Net result is better playing after making the switch.

Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but I had my les paul for 6 months until the neck stopped shedding gunk. One reason I stopped playing it.

Picked up a eb and fell head over heels in love.
KEITH

 

[kb1473]

trend?

I agree that we should all play the axe that we personally find irresistable rather than playing something just because joe celebrity does. That being said, I don't think you can accurately describe Gibsons & Fenders--which have been around for over 40 years-- a "trend."

 

[glockaxis]

If I wanted an EVH EBMM I would have bought one. The Axis is tweaked a little from the signature one. The "trend" I was referring to was blindly following a mfg. based on the great guitars they used to make.

 

[hbucker]

Re: trend?

I agree that we should all play the axe that we personally find irresistable rather than playing something just because joe celebrity does. That being said, I don't think you can accurately describe Gibsons & Fenders--which have been around for over 40 years-- a "trend."

I agree and disagree with youat the same time. The original Fender and Gibson designs are classic and will IMO always be a factor in one way or another. In that way I totally agree with you.

But their designs fall in and out of favor as far as what is hip at any given time. PRS is a good example. Right now they are clearly the flavor of the month. Anybody who is somebody has their photo taken with a PRS. That's fine, they're great guitars. But the curb apeal of these guitars is higher right now based on trends IMO. Same thing with Les Pauls. Their great guitars but back in the 80's people were trading in their vintage LP's straight up for Kramers (the flavor of the month in the 80's).

Now those people are kicking themselves since trends have shifted and now the vintage LP's are worth more than ever. My guess is that in another 10 years we'll be looking at another flavor of the month based on some guitar prodigy who will transform music in one way or another. If he's playing an LP or a '60 reissue Strat then the tradition will continue. But if he happens to be playing an Axis (or any other currently low profile guitar) look out, everyone will want one and it will then be the new flavor.

 

[Hookpunch]

I have posted this link here before but its from a retail store that carries Gibson, Fender, PRS etc.

Ernie Balls in their opinion

" The Ernie Ball / Music Man instruments are the best made solidbody instruments that we carry.

http://www.12fret.com/new/ernie_ball_music_man_silhouette.html