Axis & Wolfgang Owners- Neck Contour Question

[nast2112]

I'm thinking of picking up an Axis now. I'm digging the fact that they're only 1 & 5/8" at the nut. But what is the contour of the back of the neck? Thin too or is it a larger boat/U shape? Can you share some opinions? I had a Wolfgang Special and the neck was too big for me- uncomfortable for me to play (I know the nut was wider than 1 & 5/8" though). I have a Warmoth Pro neck on my 5150 replica that is 1 & 5/8" at the nut and STANDARD THIN that I love. I'm hoping the Axis is somewhat close to this? Here's the Warmoth link with contours if that helps in your answer. Thanks a bunch. Chris.

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/necks/...=back_profiles

[bcgvh]

Well I have a Wolfgang Flametop Special and I just absolutely love the neck. It's been a while since I've played an Axis, but from what I can remember the thickness was about the same. It's not thin though.

[AT]

I'm thinking of picking up an Axis now. I'm digging the fact that they're only 1 & 5/8" at the nut. But what is the contour of the back of the neck? Thin too or is it a larger boat/U shape? Can you share some opinions? I had a Wolfgang Special and the neck was too big for me- uncomfortable for me to play (I know the nut was wider than 1 & 5/8" though). I have a Warmoth Pro neck on my 5150 replica that is 1 & 5/8" at the nut and STANDARD THIN that I love. I'm hoping the Axis is somewhat close to this? Here's the Warmoth link with contours if that helps in your answer. Thanks a bunch. Chris.

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/necks/...=back_profiles

I've never owned the Axis or original EVH, but I have numerous Wolfgangs and love the asymetrical shape of the neck contour (gradually gets slightly thinner from the low-E to high-E). I've never played a more comfortable neck. The EBMMs I have played I consider to be extremely similar.

Also, the Wolfgangs are 1 5/8" at the nut.

[nast2112]

I guess I will add that at one time I owned an OLP MM1. Nut and fingerboard width sound the same as the Axis. The OLP MM1 neck had a thinner contour (I would say like a Strat). Anyone have an OLP and Axis (or played both) and know if they are the same? Is the Axis neck closer to a Strat thinness or more like the Wolfgang?

Thanks!
Chris

[AT]

I guess I will add that at one time I owned an OLP MM1. Nut and fingerboard width sound the same as the Axis. The OLP MM1 neck had a thinner contour (I would say like a Strat). Anyone have an OLP and Axis (or played both) and know if they are the same? Is the Axis neck closer to a Strat thinness or more like the Wolfgang?

Thanks!
Chris

I briefly owned an OLP MM1 a while back, and the neck was "familiar," in a sense. I'd say it was slightly thinner to me than the Wolfgang.

[nast2112]

I briefly owned an OLP MM1 a while back, and the neck was "familiar," in a sense. I'd say it was slightly thinner to me than the Wolfgang.

Thanks for the input. I think I'm going to get the guitar.
Chris

[AT]

Thanks for the input. I think I'm going to get the guitar.
Chris

Do you mean the Axis? If so, when you get it post your thoughts. I'm thinking about getting one myself in the interest of finding some variety from the Wolfgang.

[AaC]

Hey dudes! I have all three, Axis, Wolfgang Special, and Olp. Okay, the only similarity between these three guitars is that they look similar. Although the pickups in the OLP and Axis/EVH may be consiedered by some to be similar, once you plug the Axis in the OLP plays and feels like crap.

Okay, first off the wolfie neck is substantially wider than the EBMM neck. The EBMM neck is considerably narrower than the Wolfgang and you can sort of see the assymetrical profile of the neck just by looking at it. Alot of people I know that have small hands like yourself have much preferred the feel of this guitar over the wolfgang. The Wolfgang also has pickups that are slightly hotter and have a little more midrange to them. If you like the early 90's van halen tone then you will love this guitar. The OLP can't really be compared to either of these guitars other than looks-wise.

Anyway I hope my rambling helped a little bit.

Heres a pic of all 3:

[A&Z Guitar Repair]

I agree, the Wolfgang neck has always felt wider than the Axis. Possibly the radius change or asymetrical neck shape. The Axis/EBMM has always felt deeper to me. While I have large hands, the Axis/EBMM never felt small or crowded. At 6' 4" the Axis looks like a childs guitar on me. I love them and feel that their build quality is second to none. However, I feel like "Lurch" when playing them standing up. I've since sold all of my EBMM's and Axis' due to the small stature, not the playability.

Chris, I'd definitely recommend an Axis if you're wanting a great playing/sounding guitar. As stated above, they are excellent in build quality and reliability.

[nast2112]

THANK YOU everyone. I appreciate the replies (as always, this group comes through). I picked one up off of ebay. I will shoot a pic & note when I get it and share my thoughts on this neck, too.

Thanks
Chris

[gproud5150]

EBMM EVH/Axis = 1 5/8" nut, 10" radius
Wolfgang = 1 5/8" nut, 15" radius (that's what makes the difference in feel)
OLP = 1 5/8" nut, 12" radius (pretty standard radius)

[nast2112]

Thanks everyone. Nice gee-tars Aac. I'm excited about the Axis. With exception to the Martin 12 string my wife bought me 4 years ago, this will be the nicest guitar I've ever owned. I will post a pic once I receive it.

Chris

[AaC]

Thanks man! Congrats on the new geetar! What colour is it?

[smme5150]

I agree, the Wolfgang neck has always felt wider than the Axis. Possibly the radius change or asymetrical neck shape. The Axis/EBMM has always felt deeper to me. While I have large hands, the Axis/EBMM never felt small or crowded. At 6' 4" the Axis looks like a childs guitar on me. I love them and feel that their build quality is second to none. However, I feel like "Lurch" when playing them standing up. I've since sold all of my EBMM's and Axis' due to the small stature, not the playability.

Chris, I'd definitely recommend an Axis if you're wanting a great playing/sounding guitar. As stated above, they are excellent in build quality and reliability.

Scott, That cracks me up and I know how you feel. I'm 6-4 200lbs and I always equate my stage appearance as a "Praying Mantis playing a uekelele"!
I got rid of my EVH EBMM for the big $$$ not how I look but I have the same problem with my Wolfgang cause it ain't much bigger! I think I need a big beefy Strat!

[Majestic]

I own 2 Axis guitars: one with a Floyd, and one Super Sport, which is basically the same, except it has the warmer "vintage trem", 2 knobs, and a 5-way selector switch.

I *just* got my Axis SS back from the shop last week, where I had the neck re-radiused to 12", and had it refretted w/ Dunlop 6105 frets. These are the taller "Wolfgang" frets. They are NOT the 6105s available from Warmoth, though, so don't get confused. They use the same "naming" scheme, but Warmoth's 6105 is actually quite short compared to Dunlop's 6105.

Anyway, the difference has been awesome. If I could do it again, and technically I suppose I could, I'd probably re-radius the neck to 15" like the Wolfgang. The frets have made things so much easier for *me*, it's night & day.

I can now play in the "blues box" up between the 17th-20th frets, and not get hung-up on the strings or the wood of the fingerboard. Any kind of fast soloing, and bending was really difficult for me on this neck, compared to my 80's Charvel, which has I believe a 16" radius and gigantic frets that are not only tall, but wide.

Tapping & legato has become easier as well. Truthfully, I bought the guitar "used", so a setup alone would've changed quite a bit about the guitar's tone, which is now much less mellow, while still being warm. It's now warm & tight, whereas before it was just "mush" on the bottom 3 strings. Some of that is because of the pickup, of course, which is 17k, and way too bassy IMO.

The pickup is the next thing to go. Probably going to go with DiMarzio's Virtual Hot PAF.