How are the axl guitars? Ive never been able to play one and was not impressed with the aged series they had out, but they have one out now (Bulldog I think) that looks like a LP Jr and comes with Fralin p90s IIRC and it runs like $400. Id like to have another p90 axe since I sold my LP, but I cant pay LP prices for another
Axl guitars?
- Thread starter BloodRose
- Start date
ginormous
Understatmentologist
Re: Axl guitars?
Axl is the company that bought the VHT trademark from Stephen Fryette. They've established a production center in Hayward, CA for their US-built guitars, but the rest of their products are MIC.
If it sounds good, looks good, is durable and fits your budget, go for it. Don't expect any resale value for it, however.
Axl is the company that bought the VHT trademark from Stephen Fryette. They've established a production center in Hayward, CA for their US-built guitars, but the rest of their products are MIC.
If it sounds good, looks good, is durable and fits your budget, go for it. Don't expect any resale value for it, however.
Condemnedsoul
Active member
Re: Axl guitars?
This is the guitar forum and I'll be mentioning amps. Finding the equipment is a problem with VHT.
You are almost going to have to find one, maybe used, and try it.
I had a chance to try a couple of their mid priced guitars. They are not anything special. Their top imports are assembled and set up here in the U.S. I know they exist because they are in the catalog, but have never seen one.
This is also a problem with their amp lines. I can find dealers that actually have their Special 6 [or what ever it is now], but good luck finding a dealer that actually has one of their larger combos or heads in stock to try.
I was told by a VHS dealer that I would have to purchase the amp and have it shipped to the store to try. And if I didn't like the amp, I would be given store credit to purchase another VHT. Needless to say, VHT didn't get a purchase from me.
Good hunting.
This is the guitar forum and I'll be mentioning amps. Finding the equipment is a problem with VHT.
You are almost going to have to find one, maybe used, and try it.
I had a chance to try a couple of their mid priced guitars. They are not anything special. Their top imports are assembled and set up here in the U.S. I know they exist because they are in the catalog, but have never seen one.
This is also a problem with their amp lines. I can find dealers that actually have their Special 6 [or what ever it is now], but good luck finding a dealer that actually has one of their larger combos or heads in stock to try.
I was told by a VHS dealer that I would have to purchase the amp and have it shipped to the store to try. And if I didn't like the amp, I would be given store credit to purchase another VHT. Needless to say, VHT didn't get a purchase from me.
Good hunting.
LedSabbath
Member
Re: Axl guitars?
I have a version of their Strat model with a Trem King bridge. It play pretty well but the Trem system isn't to good. On aside note they wired the ground wrong. This may have had something to do with the dealer as they also gave me a threaded trem bar even though it takes a thread-less trem bar.
Kramer Guy
New member
Re: Axl guitars?
Check out www.guitarcenter.com and go to the used gear section. Click on guitars and hit nationwide search. I'm sure there should be a few on there for sale.
Check out www.guitarcenter.com and go to the used gear section. Click on guitars and hit nationwide search. I'm sure there should be a few on there for sale.
Hairmail
New member
Re: Axl guitars?
I've had the chance to play one, albeit unplugged. It was one of the lower priced ones, the marquee SRO, I think. Judging by the neck and how it sounded acoustically it played just fine, the neck was't half bad, especially for the price.
Its worth noting that the USA series guitars are only assembled in the US, the woods and some of the parts are imported, though the electronics are almost all quality stuff. Most of the reviews I read were positive, and its pretty hard to beat for value.
If you're going to get one I saw several people mention that it was treble heavy, but then again it is a P-90 equipped guitar with a push-pull that can bypass the tone knob. I don't think we'd expect anything else.
I've had the chance to play one, albeit unplugged. It was one of the lower priced ones, the marquee SRO, I think. Judging by the neck and how it sounded acoustically it played just fine, the neck was't half bad, especially for the price.
Its worth noting that the USA series guitars are only assembled in the US, the woods and some of the parts are imported, though the electronics are almost all quality stuff. Most of the reviews I read were positive, and its pretty hard to beat for value.
If you're going to get one I saw several people mention that it was treble heavy, but then again it is a P-90 equipped guitar with a push-pull that can bypass the tone knob. I don't think we'd expect anything else.
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jon the art guy
Nerdy Nerd
Re: Axl guitars?
I know Premier Guitar and Guitar World liked the Bulldog. It's a Lollar pickup in there.
I know Premier Guitar and Guitar World liked the Bulldog. It's a Lollar pickup in there.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Re: Axl guitars?
I'm sure the Lollars are great but the 'EMG designed" stock pups that were in my AXL AL-820 (MIC, LP type) are absolutely awesome. I mean really, really top-notch. They have a really cool vintage 'wah' sound that none of my other guitars have....a very pronounced, sweet, round, singing wah which can either be more (almost like an auto wah) or less evident (and barely noticeable) depending on how the pickup height's adjusted. But they always stay sweet, despite being (I'd guess) at least fairly high output.
Hands down the best stock pup's I've ever come across (by far) & easily on par with the Duncans/Dimarzio's/Lace's I've got in my other guitars. The only drawback is that they 're unpotted and squeal at high (pretty high) volumes with a ton of gain.
And while the US assembly probably guarantee's a good setup. Mine came with the best factory setup I've ever experienced, even my MIJ '94 Ibby Saber did'nt sound as completely 'perfect' out of the box. I've tweaked the pickup height (extremely marginally) since. But only to compensate because I swapped the stock green chicklet caps for Russian PIO's & changed the strings to EB pure nickel's. That sweetened things even further (also fattened it up a bit). There's nothing else I want to do to this guitar. It's such a player it's not funny.
I'm sure the Lollars are great but the 'EMG designed" stock pups that were in my AXL AL-820 (MIC, LP type) are absolutely awesome. I mean really, really top-notch. They have a really cool vintage 'wah' sound that none of my other guitars have....a very pronounced, sweet, round, singing wah which can either be more (almost like an auto wah) or less evident (and barely noticeable) depending on how the pickup height's adjusted. But they always stay sweet, despite being (I'd guess) at least fairly high output.
Hands down the best stock pup's I've ever come across (by far) & easily on par with the Duncans/Dimarzio's/Lace's I've got in my other guitars. The only drawback is that they 're unpotted and squeal at high (pretty high) volumes with a ton of gain.
And while the US assembly probably guarantee's a good setup. Mine came with the best factory setup I've ever experienced, even my MIJ '94 Ibby Saber did'nt sound as completely 'perfect' out of the box. I've tweaked the pickup height (extremely marginally) since. But only to compensate because I swapped the stock green chicklet caps for Russian PIO's & changed the strings to EB pure nickel's. That sweetened things even further (also fattened it up a bit). There's nothing else I want to do to this guitar. It's such a player it's not funny.
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SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: Axl guitars?
Nothing useful to ad, except that i kinda like the looks of the Badwater series . . . that's all.
Nothing useful to ad, except that i kinda like the looks of the Badwater series . . . that's all.
Hairmail
New member
Re: Axl guitars?
Its actually a Fralin P90 according to the reviews and site. If you're seriously looking into a LP Jr type guitar I'd say get it. All those components in a sub $600 guitar is pretty impressive.
I only have a couple of issues with issue with the AXL stuff but its only aesthetic: Their logo and Strat Headstock shape. I just don't like the headstock shape of their strat-inspired model. And the logo looks pretty good on their LP models but hideous on the already not-that-pretty headstock. Apart from that they're just great.
Looking past that.
Its actually a Fralin P90 according to the reviews and site. If you're seriously looking into a LP Jr type guitar I'd say get it. All those components in a sub $600 guitar is pretty impressive.
I only have a couple of issues with issue with the AXL stuff but its only aesthetic: Their logo and Strat Headstock shape. I just don't like the headstock shape of their strat-inspired model. And the logo looks pretty good on their LP models but hideous on the already not-that-pretty headstock. Apart from that they're just great.
Looking past that.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Re: Axl guitars?
Yeah, the headstock on the strat-type AXL looks awful..
Yeah, the headstock on the strat-type AXL looks awful..
Re: Axl guitars?
Yeah, this is what peaks my interest! I mean, unless the neck is a club and the frets are horribly dressed or the body was made of balsa (which we know it isnt), all the other things are top notch. I may check one out if and when my financial sitch turns around. Right now, I cant afford to change my mind. If been wanting a P90 axe, but know I prolly wont play it as a primary axe, so dont want lay down alot of money. I really enjoyed the Gibson I had, and I miss the option.
Drunken Bowling
New member
Re: Axl guitars?
A buddy of mine has one. I played it unplugged so I don't know how they sound but his had sharp fret ends. It was really uncomfortable to play.
A buddy of mine has one. I played it unplugged so I don't know how they sound but his had sharp fret ends. It was really uncomfortable to play.
