The Axis Sport is a derivative of the Music Man Van Halen, also manufactured in California, but with different woods (swamp ash or ash according to sources, but given the weight it would rather swamp ash = ash swamps, timber ri telecaster of 52), and a different acastillage: fixed bridge and vintage vibrato instead of the floyd, mechanical self-locking, a tone and more volume and a 5-way switching (cons 3 on the Axis EVH).

The pickups were unchanged cons, di Marzio custom, but they are really showcased in this model (due to a split position and sounds provided by other easels that floyd). And far be clear: no question of changing the pickups.

The neck is exactly the same as the axis, plus the opportunity to have a rosewood fingerboard. This model had a relatively short lifespan (about 6 years)

Correction: after several trials and purchases, there is a slight difference in question handle. The "maple keys" vary somewhat, but the "Rosewood" away a little of the original while maple. The profile is still unbalanced, but lacks the roundness (too thick or not enough, but rarely identical). It will seem insignificant to most, clearer for those who have their habits on the keys of this model maples.

UTILIZATION

This is the most comfortable handle on the market for my taste, but as with all music man, it is narrower than average. It will therefore be necessary for small hands. Nevertheless, the national average (1m75), with hands not particularly sensitive, I feel perfectly at ease, for plans blues (neck asymmetric but rather round) as plans for more technical. But overall it's a handle blues, rock and more. The neck width (41mm at nut), if it promotes the soloists, will require a little getting used to own broken chords. The jazzman should not love.

The guitar is light, well balanced (tends to be horizontal, so for fans of slash ... sorry!), Controls well placed and the access to the truss rods (short in the body) will allow you to settings less tedious (no disassembly of strings each).

Question acastillage, good quality, however, that the lottery with a little vibrato (as for luke ago). One of my orange axis is not great, I have tightened, which would also provide an extra ordinary sound (admittedly a little rough) much better than fixed bridge base (not worth the hardtails the blow in my opinion). One of my blue is no less extraordinary: I can give Klitschko a large number of dive bombing tremolo or Dante to Blackmore, AC is given (you can check on my myspace videos) as well as a floyd! If you think I'm exaggerating, take a look at the videos from my space: http://www.myspace.com/letaz59

SOUNDS

The axis is a sport EVH ultra versatile in its configuration of pickups, controls, and bridge.

Versatility does not mean less character. It is a rock guitar that allows to move from country to blues, blues rock, rock to hard rock (obviously sounds van haleniens are too), and can also do jazz. She has an incredible presence in the mix, and she managed to achieve unanimity among my friends (not fundamentalist, but almost) blues, jazz and rock musician shredder. I NEVER use it for recording solos and primarily rhythmic.

As this guitar is very balanced and sensitive to the nuances, you can plug directly into the amp and alternate solos and rhythmic gadgets. At the Van Halen what.

IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR THE SOUND:
-The factory setting of a sport axis allows a palette of its very varied, like a super-strat. However, you can still adjust the sound so very marked, enhancing mics and shaking vibrato. I did on my first model (maple fingerboard), and I can compare more easily now that I am with a second copy (default setting). The guitar takes on its character, but beware, some amps or pedals (distortion and fuzz) does not cash in saturated (peavey classic, fender, marshall jtm, and even my rivera!) He will have a channel sat very balanced, not fuzzy. Basically, I made this setting to "wake up" my Marshall JCM800. The sound is much more sustained than with a hard-tail (I had also ...). Nevertheless, it remains very volatile, but the compromise between fender and gibson is optimum. My second is the standard setting, to have something "softer" kind super stratum, and with rosewood fingerboard, it's pretty efficace.b]

OVERALL OPINION

I have owned about thirty electrical (a dozen fender, gibson of, prs standard 22, Music Man Luke II, Shecter USA, etc.). In today my arsenal consists of 4 electrical: one the paul standard and ... I stopped on 5 axis (3 sports, 1 Super Sport Piezo, 1 olp floyd amended).

For each concert, each plan, I am systematically axis sport, I use my "number one" for 5 years (already refrettage the meter is telling you). Do I really said that I wish I could redo this choice without hesitation? In fact I watch any sport axis (if you're a seller ...). So, to relieve my beautiful and varied pleasures I have acquired 2 more sport axis, rosewood fingerboard (see my photos page, just missing my sunburst)

This model is rare opportunity, since he had little success (less than the super sports anyway). Know that early career, this guitar was sold approximately 11,000 F (so about 1650 euro rate observed in 1998: https://www.judge-fredd.fr/spip.php?article239 )
Personally, I paid mine (January 2001) 1450 euro. Knowing that she was no longer sold after 2002, the price has been lowered.
In short, this model is not collectible, and less than a Fender Start asked the same range, the bargain price is usually below 1000 euros (or even well below the U.S.)

PS: I'm not EBMM HTD endorsers or otherwise, I "roll" with current models in this case. Consider me as free and honest.