Sterling by Music Man AX40

[mrfunnyman]

Has anybody out there played the guitar listed in the title and an Ernie Ball Music Man Axis? Over the weekend I was in the local guitar store and I saw a Sterling by Music Man hanging up so I tried it out since I am wanting to build a clone of and EBMM Axis guitar. I was floored by this guitar and for the price wow I have never played a EBMM Axis so I can't compare the 2 but if anyone out there has played both can you give your input on them please.

 

[darnright]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

The USA EBMM's are as good as about anything going. Very consistant. I have heard both ways on the Sterlings, I've heard they were OK and I've heard they weren't very good at all. The Sterlings replaced the OLP brand that made EBMM copies several years ago. I have NOT heard anyone say the Sterlings were great or spectacular...yet.

I haven't played one.

-dave

 

[Wonker]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

I have a few at work and the people that play them...like them and sometimes even buy them. I haven't heard anything that bad about them.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

The Sterlings that I checked out at NAMM were very good for the money but definitely not on par with their US counterparts. Of course, no manufacturer is gonna bring dogs to NAMM.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

I thought the OLPs were pretty good for the price. I am sure curious about the sterlings tho. My guess is that they are rebranded OLPs with a 2-3 x markup..

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

I thought the OLPs were pretty good for the price. I am sure curious about the sterlings tho. My guess is that they are rebranded OLPs with a 2-3 x markup..

No, the Sterlings aren't anything like the OLPs. The OLPs, I own an Axis copy (MM1), is a decent guitar but the necks end up going bad with warping and twisting. The Sterlings are leaps and bounds above them in quality. Sterling Ball had been toying with what to do after the OLP licensing of the EBMM name expired. He decided to create the Sterling line. To me, they are the best in the market range.

Of course, I'm pretty EBMM-biased....

 

[darnright]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

No, the Sterlings aren't anything like the OLPs. The OLPs, I own an Axis copy (MM1), is a decent guitar but the necks end up going bad with warping and twisting. The Sterlings are leaps and bounds above them in quality. Sterling Ball had been toying with what to do after the OLP licensing of the EBMM name expired. He decided to create the Sterling line. To me, they are the best in the market range.

Of course, I'm pretty EBMM-biased....

I'm sorry Butch, I just read your gloss as ResidentT Wangologist....lol..Sorry..
You are probably correct. As I said, I think dollar for dollar, there aren't really any "better" USA made guitars. There might be some with fancier wood and prettier embellishments...but EBMM makes a great instrument and they're all good...and very very consistent.

I had a couple MM1s and they were just OK, I have not even seen a Sterling. I have talked to 3 or 4 people that have them and all were satisfied, but None were goddy about them. Like you said, they are probably as good as they get in their class.

-dave

 

[jmh151]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

I have an EBMM Axis and played teh Sterling copy you mention. IMO, I wouldn't attempt to build a copy, I'd buy the Sterling. They feel alot better built than the OLP's, and close enough to the EBMM for the price

 

[mrfunnyman]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

Change of plans, instead of the Sterling by Music Man AX40, look what I picked up from a GC out of state.

I saw it on there used gear page a week and a half ago selling for $899, well I called and asked some questions about it and asked for sum pix, well they sent me a pic of the right guitar with the wrong price tag, and they ended up selling the guitar to me for that price total cost with shipping $822.49. God I cant wait for it to get here my first EBMM Axis I'm really excited this is truly the steal of the year for me and it comes with the OHSC and case candy.

 

[darnright]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

Congrats!!!! That is a REAL deal!!! You will love it, I have no doubt. Great color as well.

-dave

 

[jmh151]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

Awesome!

After 9 years mine is due for a grind & polish due to some fret buzz on the first fret.

They're awesome guitars and great buys used.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

I thought the OLPs were pretty good for the price. I am sure curious about the sterlings tho. My guess is that they are rebranded OLPs with a 2-3 x markup..

IMO, the OLPs were disappointing to say the least. Every one I ever played felt like a $200 guitar. The Sterlings I checked out a NAMM weren't up to the standard of US-made EBMMs but quite good nonetheless. When it comes to OLP vs. Sterling, I think you get what you pay for.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

I'm sorry Butch, I just read your gloss as ResidentT Wangologist....lol..Sorry..

Well that was kinda unnecessary....

Did I say something inappropriate? If I did, I apologize...

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

Butch, I think he was referring to your Avatar. you have Resident Twangologist there.. I think he thought it said: Resident T Wangologist.

Do the Axis still come with the same pups that they did when they were the EVH model?

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

Butch, I think he was referring to your Avatar. you have Resident Twangologist there.. I think he thought it said: Resident T Wangologist.

Ahhhh.......

 

[mrfunnyman]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

I found this on another site about the EBMM EVH and the EBMM Axis: I asked Rollie Delgado who was head guitar tech at Ernie Ball from 1991 to 2000 and worked on most of these guitars. Here is what he said: "The only differences between the Axis and the EVH signature are: The pickup switch was moved from the horn to down next to the volume knob; The axis also has a body bevel on the back, which the EVH does not; The neck width above the twelfth fret is also slightly wider on the AXIS. Pickups are the same as the EVH. Finally, The electronics routing on the AXIS is also a little different. If you look on the back of both and compare, the cavities are different. Other than that they are the same, same tone and feel. And the AXIS is much cheaper!"

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

I found this on another site about the EBMM EVH and the EBMM Axis: I asked Rollie Delgado who was head guitar tech at Ernie Ball from 1991 to 2000 and worked on most of these guitars. Here is what he said: "The only differences between the Axis and the EVH signature are: The pickup switch was moved from the horn to down next to the volume knob; The axis also has a body bevel on the back, which the EVH does not; The neck width above the twelfth fret is also slightly wider on the AXIS. Pickups are the same as the EVH. Finally, The electronics routing on the AXIS is also a little different. If you look on the back of both and compare, the cavities are different. Other than that they are the same, same tone and feel. And the AXIS is much cheaper!"

That's pretty much true. You should go to the EBMM forum. There's a ton of great knowledge there. Sterling Ball, as well as other EBMM employess are very active contributors.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Sterling by Music Man AX40

I found this on another site about the EBMM EVH and the EBMM Axis: I asked Rollie Delgado who was head guitar tech at Ernie Ball from 1991 to 2000 and worked on most of these guitars. Here is what he said: "The only differences between the Axis and the EVH signature are: The pickup switch was moved from the horn to down next to the volume knob; The axis also has a body bevel on the back, which the EVH does not; The neck width above the twelfth fret is also slightly wider on the AXIS. Pickups are the same as the EVH. Finally, The electronics routing on the AXIS is also a little different. If you look on the back of both and compare, the cavities are different. Other than that they are the same, same tone and feel. And the AXIS is much cheaper!"

From my experience, the AXIS tends to have much nicer wood- but I think the store I got mine from- Royal Music in Merrick, N.Y.- gets to hand pick them- with the not so fine ones going to chain stores like Guitar Center.

And MrFunnyman's correct- those are the only diferences between the EVH and AXIS.