[NAMM] New AXL Models:1216 & SRO

The AXL USA 1216 Artist features Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups co-designed by Seymour Duncan and the inventor of the humbucker, Seth Lover. Under the hood, CTS pots are connected by cloth-covered wire, like the original guitars that inspired this version. They used Orange Drop capacitors and feature a “volume kit” designed to keep the treble frequencies at the same level the player desires even when the volume pot itself is rolled off.

The model features TonePros’ tune-o-matic bridge and tailpiece, as well as TonePros locking mechanisms. Every fret is hand-pressed. Other features include a solid mahogany body and set neck, Grover Rotomatic tuners, and a Graph Tech Tusq XL nut.

The 1216 Classic model features all of the above but substitutes AXL Alnico pickups and is offered at a lower cost with factory bridge/tailpiece and no “volume kit.”

The  American  SRO  Artist is designed as an  American  classic.  The Seymour Duncan Five-Two pickups on the Artist model are a mix of Alnico 2 magnets on the treble strings “for warmth and a softer attack, ” and Alnico 5 magnets on the bass strings “for punch and brightness.” The “Super-7 switching” utilizes a push-pull pot to engage the bridge pickup regardless of switch position – adding two more pickup combinations. CTS pots are connected by cloth-covered wire, and Orange Drop capacitors are designed to give a creamy, classic tone.

They use a vintage-style bent-saddle bridge and TonePros Kluson tuning machines. They also feature a solid alder body and maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, a Graph Tech Tusq XL nut.

The SRO Classic model features all of the above but substitutes AXL Alnico pickups and is offered at a lower cost with standard 5-way switching and Grover mini-Rotomatic tuners.

Pricing & Availability:

The AXL USA 1216 starts at a street price of $329.99 with AXL Alnico humbuckers and the American SRO guitars start at $299.99 with single coil AXL Alnico pickups.

For more information on AXL guitars, visit axlguitars.com.