Axis vs AX40

[SFW]

ok... here it is point blank: Is the Axis a $1k better guitar than the AX40?

I owned an Axis in the late 90s, and thought it was a great guitar. I played an AX40 today at the store and though it was a great guitar. The trem stayed in tune, the pickups sounded good. The neck felt really good. The guitar just felt solid. So in my search for a new guitar, I'm wondering if I should keep saving my pennies (damn, the Axis has gotten expensive since I bought my last one!)or buy the AX40 and pocket the extra money that I would save.

[aleclee]

Re: Axis vs AX40

As someone GASsing for an Axis SS, I plan to split the difference and get a used US-made Axis.

[jmh151]

Re: Axis vs AX40

I have an Axis and I'm loving my Charvel Pro mod right now... bigger frets and wider neck

[oilpit]

Re: Axis vs AX40

I wouldn't ever spend more than about 500 bucks on a guitar made of Basswood...

Charvel ftmfw

[B2D]

Re: Axis vs AX40

I scored an Axis Super Sport recently for $750... if you're patient you can get a good used one on CL or eBay for 3/4 or less the price of a new one.

I don't think the real Axis is $1k worth of materials better, but you're also paying for the time and the skill of the workers at the SLO factory. US-made = premium.

The AX40 is an superb guitar for the price point it's in. If I wanted an Axis badly enough and couldn't justify/didn't want to/couldn't drop coin for a US made one, I'd get an AX40 no problem.

[aleclee]

Re: Axis vs AX40

I wouldn't ever spend more than about 500 bucks on a guitar made of Basswood...

Seeing how the AX40 goes for more than that, I guess you're saying you wouldn't get either one.

FWIW, here's what I ended up with: eBay link. IMO it's definitely worth $200 more than an AX40, especially since I love unfinished all-rosewood necks. I wish it had a trem but between my Tele and PRS Singlecut that's something I'm learning to live without.

[tone?]

Re: Axis vs AX40

I would buy a used Axis for cheap instead.