The Ernie Ball Music Man Axis line of guitars has been a staple of our instrument offerings for more than twenty years. With a comfortable body shape reminiscent of a cross between a Fender Telecaster and a Gibson Les Paul, the guitar is an absolute player’s dream.

Popular with guitarists such as Steve Stevens, Stephen Egerton of the Descendents and Adam Levine of Maroon 5, any guitar in the Axis line is a fantastic addition to any guitarist’s arsenal. Below, we break down the finer distinctions between the three Axis models, so that you can determine which particular offering best meets your playing needs.

The Axis

The Axis made its debut in 1990. The guitar features a beautiful quilt or flame book matched maple top over a lightweight basswood body. Two medium output custom DiMarzio humbuckers are mounted directly to the body for optimum resonance and signal response. This tonewood / pickup combination is a perfect recipe for hard edge rock tones, but also delivers a subtle dynamic response at lower volume levels when needed. The asymmetric hard rock maple neck allows for comfortable hand positions across all 22 frets, while the double locking Music Man Floyd Rose tremolo keeps the guitar perfectly in tune.

Buy this if you want an Axis with a double locking Music Man Floyd Rose tremolo.

The Axis Super Sport

Not long after the introduction of the Axis model, we continued to expand on the potential of the guitar’s design. Over the next three years the AXIS Sport and AXIS Super Sport models were unveiled. Though the AXIS Sport is no longer offered, the Super Sport variant has continued on as a fan favorite. Featuring the same basswood body and maple top and DiMarzio humbuckers, the Axis Super Sport incorporates different options to bring out extra versatility. Super Sports come equipped with either a hardtail bridge or Music Man vintage tremolo system, a 5 way pickup switch with split-coil capabilities, and a conventional Volume/Tone pot configuration

Buy this if you want an Axis with a five-way pickup switch and Music Man vintage style tremolo.

The Axis Super Sport Semi-Hollow

The most recent entry into the Axis line of guitars is the Semi-Hollow Body. The Semi-Hollow is characterized by its chambered basswood body and distinctive “M hole” maple top, which provide extra acoustic resonance. Like the Super Sport, the Semi-Hollow can be configured with either a hardtail or MM vintage tremolo, in addition to a 5-way pickup switch.

Buy this if you want an Axis with a hardtail bridge and semi-hollow body.

 

Technical Specifications

ModelSpecs
Size
Axis12-5/8" wide, 1-3/4" thick, 36-1/4" long (32.1 cm wide, 4.5 cm thick, 92.0 cm long)
Axis Super Sport12-5/8" wide, 1-3/4" thick, 36-1/4" long (32.1 cm wide, 4.5 cm thick, 92.0 cm long)
Axis Super Sport Hollow Body12-5/8" wide, 2" thick, 36-1/4" long (32.1 cm wide, 5.1 cm thick, 92.0 cm long)
Weight
Axis7 lbs, 4 oz (3.29 kg) - varies slightly
Axis Super Sport6 lbs, 13 oz (3.09 kg) - varies slightly; 7 oz (0.2 kg) more with tremolo
Axis Super Sport Hollow Body6 lbs, 13 oz (3.09 kg) - varies slightly; 7 oz (0.2 kg) more with tremolo
Body Wood
AxisBasswood with bookmatched figured maple top
Axis Super SportBasswood with bookmatched figured maple top
Axis Super Sport Hollow BodyBasswood with bookmatched figured maple top
Bridge
AxisMusic Man® double locking tremolo with fine tuners; lowers pitch only
Axis Super SportStandard - Music Man® strings-thru-the-body bridge of chrome plated, hardened steel with solid steel saddles; Optional - Music Man® vintage tremolo
Axis Super Sport Hollow BodyStandard - Music Man® strings-thru-the-body bridge of chrome plated, hardened steel with solid steel saddles; Optional - Music Man® vintage tremolo
Neck Radius
Axis10" (25.4 cm)
Axis Super Sport10" (25.4 cm)
Axis Super Sport Hollow Body10" (25.4 cm)
Headstock Size
AxisOnly 5-7/8" (14.9 cm) long
Axis Super SportOnly 5-7/8" (14.9 cm) long
Axis Super Sport Hollow BodyOnly 5-7/8" (14.9 cm) long
Frets
Axis22 - High profile, medium width
Axis Super Sport22 - High profile, medium width
Axis Super Sport Hollow Body22 - High profile, medium width
Neck Width
Axis1-5/8" (41.3 mm) at nut, 2-3/16" (55.6 mm) at last fret
Axis Super Sport1-5/8" (41.3 mm) at nut, 2-3/16" (55.6 mm) at last fret
Axis Super Sport Hollow Body1-5/8" (41.3 mm) at nut, 2-3/16" (55.6 mm) at last fret
Neck Wood
AxisSelect maple neck
Axis Super SportSelect maple neck
Axis Super Sport Hollow BodySelect maple neck
Fingerboard
AxisSelect maple
Axis Super SportSelect maple or rosewood
Axis Super Sport Hollow BodySelect maple or rosewood
Neck Finish
AxisGunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend
Axis Super SportGunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend
Axis Super Sport Hollow BodyGunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend
Tuning Machine
AxisSchaller M6LA with pearl buttons
Axis Super SportSchaller M6-IND locking with pearl buttons
Axis Super Sport Hollow BodySchaller M6-IND locking with pearl buttons
Truss Rod
AxisAdjustable - no component or string removal
Axis Super SportAdjustable - no component or string removal
Axis Super Sport Hollow BodyAdjustable - no component or string removal
Neck Attachment
Axis5 bolts - perfect alignment with no shifting; Sculpted neck joint allows smooth access to higher frets
Axis Super Sport5 bolts - perfect alignment with no shifting; Sculpted neck joint allows smooth access to higher frets
Axis Super Sport Hollow Body5 bolts - perfect alignment with no shifting; Sculpted neck joint allows smooth access to higher frets
Controls
Axis500kohm volume pot
Axis Super Sport500kohm volume and tone - .022µF tone capacitor
Axis Super Sport Hollow Body500kohm volume and tone - .022µF tone capacitor
Pickups
AxisHH - 2 DiMarzio custom humbucking
Axis Super SportHH - 2 DiMarzio custom humbucking
Axis Super Sport Hollow BodyHH - 2 DiMarzio custom humbucking
Left-Handed
AxisNo
Axis Super SportYes
Axis Super Sport Hollow BodyNo
Switching
Axis3-way toggle pickup selector
Axis Super Sport5-way lever pickup selector
Axis Super Sport Hollow Body5-way lever pickup selector

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