Worried About MM Axis. Advice Please

[primal65]

First of all, Hello to all.

I'm currently in search of a new axe. Like many of you, I'm sure, I've fell in love with the looks of the MM Axis. Sadly, no one in my area keeps it in stock, so I haven't been able to personally try it out. I've decided to order it online, but there's one thing that worries me: the 10" radius fretboard. I've played for many years, but I'm not sure I've ever spent much time on a guitar with this low of a radius. Most of the electrics I've played over the years have been Ibanez, and their standard necks are 12".

My question is, do you think I've have a problem with the 10" on the Axis. While I'm not a run-of-the-mill shredder, I do like to speed it up from time to time. I play many styles of music, but one thing I do lot of is fast thrash riffing (ala Megadeth, Pantera), does anyone think I've have a problem keeping up the speed if I change to the 10" radius? What about soloing, sweep-picking, etc..? Are 2 1/2 step bends possible? Basically, what is the main differences you notice when going from flatter fretboards to one with a 10"?

Thanks for any help I recieve. Cheerio

 

[GWDavis28]

Dude, fill in your location, there maybe someone in your area that has one and you might be able to hookup with them to see if the Axis is for you or not.

My guess is that once you pick one up, you'll be hooked.

There are many former Ibanez player here. A lot of them prefer the JP, I guess the neck profile is similar. Then there's JimiD former Ibanez owner and Axis lover!!!

Glenn |B)

 

[blackspy]

I 'used' to play Ibenhads with the very flat radius, wizard neck. I now almost exclusively play an Axis. I love it. I think the biggest difference, radius wise, is that you can't get the action quite as low as you can on a flatter fretboard without bends fretting out. Though, the axis plays like butter and the action is plenty low on mine anyway. I never felt like I was missing anything. Nothing is impossible on it, just because of the radius. You can still play metal, sweep pick, solo, etc... just feels a little different. I got used to it pretty fast, since the necks are so damn nice.

 

[glockaxis]

I got an Ibanez Rg 1570 a couple of years ago because of the flat neck and the HSH configuration reminded me of a Heartfield Talon my brother had back in the day, plus the good price. Upon getting it I was disappointed and ended up trading it in for my Martin D28 (plus cash).

That's one guitar I have no regrets over.

 

[Roubster]

I started out playing Ibanez guitars. I've only owned 2, and one a very cheap one. However the other one is a pretty awesome RGT neck thru w/ 15" radius. I pretty recently bought a Silhouette that also has 10" radius, and I dont really notice much. As a matter of fact the Silo is 1000000 times more comfortable and more enjoyable to play. The only thing that I actually notice now that I think of it is, that string skipping is easier on flatter radius necks, but I can still do it NO problem on the Silo and even faster now .

 

[Neskob]

Had a Ib@nez Rg 620, mahogany body, DiMarzios...all the goodies, great guitar, traded it for a JP6, never looked back , and was in love with the damn thing. EBMM is superior in every single thing , radius is almost the same to my hands , it even feels more natural and comfortable. No worries there, believe me (been playing Ib@nez all my life)

 

[jazzbo jim]

Great necks, but I wish they were 12" personally. Once I get mine refretted I may actually plane it down a tad.
I would advise you to make a road trip and play a few different EB's (JP, luke, etc.)
I value and respect the input of my esteemed forumites, however, YOU must ultimately live with and enjoy the guitar. "try before you buy"

PS, when properly setup, I can get Ma3 bends on the axis-2 1/2 no problems.