Which Guitar Should I Buy??

[Marc Jennings]

Hi all,

I'm new to the group and am about to purchase my first Musicman guitar. I'm on the UK so choice is somewhat limited.

My dealer has two guitars in my price range:

1. Axis Sport MM90 in silver metalic with trem and rosewood fingerboard. This guitar has a minor ding to the front.

2. Silouhette Special HSS with trem, again in silver metalic with rosewood fingerboard.

I've tried both but can't make up my mind which one to go for. I play largely blues rock using both clean and distorted tones through a Yamaha DG80 combo and have a PRS Custom 22 hardtail in addition. I never use a trem but my dealer has no hardtails in my price range.

Of the two guitars the Axis may be a little more resonant but the Silouhette has the greater versitility. I like the looks of both but maybe the Silouhette a little more other that the black scratchplate which I assume I could swap out. As I said the Axis has some small damage to the top which is a shame on a new guitar.

Both are the same price.

I am trading in a G&L Legacy against either one of these and have been offered a fair price.

So which would you go for?

Any advice appreciated.

Marc Jennings

 

[kbaim]

This one is easy.

Just spend more time playing both. Bring your amp to the shop if possible (unless they have it there).

Ask to play in a private room if they have one. Take a chunk of time playing one and then the other.

If the guitars have been there awhile, ask them if they'd restring them for you which may help a bit tone wise and fingering wise.

The one you should buy will choose you.

KEITH

 

[Jimi D]

Let me start with a proviso: I am an Axis maniac! I love the Axis, it's my favorite guitar of all time, and I personally would pretty much choose any model Axis any time over anything else... but...

I currently own both an Axis Super Sport MM90 and a Silhouette Special. I have also owned a number of P-90 guitars in my day, and have another EB/MM with the MM90 pickups (an Albert Lee), and imho, the Silhouette Special is more versatile and adaptable than an Axis with MM90s. The SilSpec will give you the basics for most classic rock and blues tones (a bridge humbucker, single coils, and the classic Strat "in-between" tones). The SilSpec's more "comfortable" form factor with it's forearm contour might also be a factor. If I had to make a recommendation for "only one", I'd suggest the Silhouette Special. However, if you happened to find an Axis Sport in the H/S/S configuration, I'd tell you to flip a coin

 

[Marc Jennings]

Thanks both.

I do intend to spend some more time with both these guitars using my own amp.

I notice from reading on the forum that the Sport MM90 has now been discontinued. What was the reason for? was in not a popular model?

 

[Jimi D]

I notice from reading on the forum that the Sport MM90 has now been discontinued. What was the reason for? was in not a popular model?

EB/MM is a smaller factory with a limit on its production capabilities. All Axis Sports were discontinued to make room for the production of the Bongo and SUB bass models. The Axis Super Sport MM90 is still in production.

 

[SGMan88]

Just spend more time playing both. Bring your amp to the shop if possible (unless they have it there).

This is a very good idea. I am an axis fanatic too and I would choose the axis too. For versatilitythe Silo. You'll be happy with either one

 

[ex3.8]

Hi all,

I'm new to the group and am about to purchase my first Musicman guitar. I'm on the UK so choice is somewhat limited.

My dealer has two guitars in my price range:

1. Axis Sport MM90 in silver metalic with trem and rosewood fingerboard. This guitar has a minor ding to the front.

2. Silouhette Special HSS with trem, again in silver metalic with rosewood fingerboard.

I've tried both but can't make up my mind which one to go for. I play largely blues rock using both clean and distorted tones through a Yamaha DG80 combo and have a PRS Custom 22 hardtail in addition. I never use a trem but my dealer has no hardtails in my price range.

Of the two guitars the Axis may be a little more resonant but the Silouhette has the greater versitility. I like the looks of both but maybe the Silouhette a little more other that the black scratchplate which I assume I could swap out. As I said the Axis has some small damage to the top which is a shame on a new guitar.

Both are the same price.

I am trading in a G&L Legacy against either one of these and have been offered a fair price.

So which would you go for?

Any advice appreciated.

Marc Jennings

Well. Having owned a guitar with P90's (not axis though) and now owning a Silo special. I can tell you that for "rock" i much prefer the silo. I The P90 (IMHO) are great for blues, Jazz, etc.
I found them to noizy.
My next EBMM will most probably be an axis or a Silhouette with a floyd (if i can find one)

Good luck

 

[lock-ny]

I own both as well and although they are both versatile, the silo wins, I also swapped the pups around in the silo to get it to sound the way I wanted to whereas in the axis you really cant swap the pups out without butchering the guitar and killing the value of the guitar. the silo is contoured and comfy as well, but the axis has the axis vibe that rocks too -