A Deep Dive-Bomb Down The Rabbit Hole Of The Mythical Ernie Ball Music Man AXIS EX Guitar!!

The Ernie Ball Music Man AXIS EX has to be the most obscure production guitar for fellow EVH collectors to hunt, simply because they were only allocated for the Japanese market and there’s so little published information about the model.

I have acquired dozens of Ernie Ball Music Man AXIS EXs over the years in a quest to get my hands on as many of these guitars as I could with the intent of documenting my comparisons to the Van Halen Signature model.

There is certainly a lot of mystique about the AXIS EX and a number of opinions on the internet, but here are some notations that I believe to be true and may hopefully be helpful to anyone potentially interested in acquiring one of my favorite guitars!!

1996 | After Edward's Departure For Peavey, EBMM Introduces The AXIS (Made In USA) Along With The AXIS EX (Made In Japan).

  • 1996 | Ernie Ball Music Man Modifies The Design Of The Van Halen Signature Guitar and Introduces the AXIS (Made In USA)
  • 1996 | Ernie Ball Music Man Partners With Japanese Distributor, Konda Shokai, and Introduces The AXIS EX (Made In Japan)
  • After Eddie’s departure from EBMM to Peavey, all of the leftover parts from the EVH Signature guitars that remained were then sent from the Ernie Ball Music Man plant in San Luis Obispo, California to their distributor in Japan (Kanda Shokai Corporation) for assembly and final setup.
  • These guitars continued to be built with the same specifications as the Van Halen Signature model while the AXIS EX name was introduced as its value-priced successor for the Japanese market.
  • The Eddie Van Halen signature graphic was deleted from the front of the headstock and “Made in San Luis Obispo, California” was deleted from the back.
  • The AXIS EX does not display any markings of the model name or “Made In Japan” anywhere on the guitar, so even those who are lucky enough to own one may not know exactly what they actually have.
  • After all of the remaining parts from the EVH Signatures were used to build the initial run of AXIS EX models, the Kanda Shokai plant continued to source the woods and components for production through 2005.
  • Nobody knows how many leftover Van Halen bodies and necks may have actually been sent from California to Japan, and I personally have yet to find one, so that still remains to be a myth that I continue to pursue with hopes of someday finding 1 of maybe a handful to possibly dozens.

What’s really cool about the AXIS EX is that it doesn’t display the model name anywhere, only the Ernie Ball Music Man logo.  It looks exactly the same as Eddie’s EBMM prototype that he played and actually even more of a replica than the Van Halen Signature models with his autograph on the headstock.

The bodies and necks of EARLY AXIS EX guitars are excellent, but still different than the EBMM EVH:

  1. The early EX bodies do have 2 piece bookmatched maple tops but also typically have a thin quilt maple veneer layer that is stained (and is also prone to fading like the EVH).
  2. The cream binding on the EX is slightly thinner than the EVH.
  3. The hole for the upper strap button on the EVH is drilled at 12 o’clock if upright and the EX is drilled at closer to 1 o’clock.
  4. The neck on the EX is slightly thicker at the nut than the EVH, and feels closer to the USA AXIS (which many prefer since the high E string resides so close to the edge on the EVH).
  5. The fingerboards on the AXIS EX does have a very light lacquer finish, unlike the EVH.
  6. The application of the Hand-Rubbed Gun Stock Oil and Special Wax Blend on the back of the neck of the Japanese EX is good, but just not quite to the level or consistent as how EBMM applies “their secret sauce” in San Luis Obispo.

The Myth That The Earliest AXIS EX Guitars (Made In 1996 and Very Early '97) Were Produced With All Of The Exact Same Hardware, Electronics, and Accessories As The Edward Van Halen Signature Model Is True!!

NECK PLATE
Vintage MUSIC MAN® Logo
★ 5 Digit Serial Number
1991-95 Van Halen Signature
1996 AXIS (USA)
1996-Early ’97 AXIS EX (MIJ)

5 digit serial number neck plates are hard to find and are the remaining stock of pre-stamped Van Halen Signature neck plates. Most early production AXIS EXs have the same vintage logo neck plates, but the serial numbers begin with the letter “A” (just like most of the ’97 AXIS USA models).

MUSIC MAN
Branded Floyd Rose
★ with OFFSET Saddles
(to the left)
(GOTOH GE1988T)
1991 – 1998
*D-Tuna Added – Not Original On EBMM

Many of the later EXs no longer came with the offset saddles like the EVH because the initial supply of the GOTOH GE1988T were depleted and discontinued around 1998, so the EX eventually also went with the same revision of the bridge that was being installed on the USA AXIS (GOTOH GE1996T).

 

DIMARZIO ★ B1
CUSTOM BRIDGE PICKUP
1991-95 Van Halen Signature
1996 AXIS (USA)
1996-Early ’97 AXIS EX (MIJ)

DIMARZIO ★ N1
CUSTOM NECK PICKUP
with “PATENT APPLIED FOR” Sticker
1991 – 1995 Edward Van Halen Signature
1996 – Early 1997 AXIS (USA)
1996 – Early 1997 AXIS EX (MIJ)

★ USA HARD CASE
Although Gig Bags were standard, the same USA Hard Cases for the Edward Van Halen Guitar were also an option for early AXIS EX models.

HI-END GUITARS CRAFTED BY HAND Logo is a great indicator of an early AXIS EX Model (1996-Early97)

“HI-END GUITARS CRAFTED BY HAND” Logos are applied under the finish within the back cavity of the guitar.

I would love to learn more about this company or possible division of Kanda Shokai, so please contact me if you have additional insight for me to share. 

What I do know is that Japanese guitar shops value these guitars with higher regard than they do others without the marking.  I personally feel that the quality of early AXIS EXs built without the HI-END GUITARS marking are of equal quality, but since this example was built in ’96 my assumption now is that the logo may be an excellent indicator that the date inside the neck pocket will likely also be one of the earliest produced since the others that I recall seeing also had 5 digit serial neck plates (and possibly even “PATENT APPLIED FOR” DiMarzio Custom Pickups, like this one).

* The tops on the High-End Guitars AXIS EXs are definitely impressive, but I’ve noticed that the Translucent Gold color on them is a bit darker than the others I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying.

1996 AXIS EX BODY & NECK DATE CODE (17 10 96 – 1)
17 10 96 = October 17, 1996
1 = Body & Neck Pairing Code

★ KANDA SHOKAI CORPORATION
WARRANTY CARD
October 24, 1996

⭑  1996  ⭑  HI-END GUITARS  ⭑  5 DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER  ⭑  GOTOH GE1988T  ⭑  “PATENT APPLIED FOR” N1 PICKUP  ⭑

Early AXIS EX Specifications (1996-98)

1998 Ernie Ball Music Man / Kanda Shokai Corporation Japanese Dealer Catalog – AXIS EX, pages 6-7

1998 Ernie Ball Music Man / Kanda Shokai Corporation Japanese Dealer Catalog

SIZE: 321mm Wide / 44mm Thick / 921mm Long

BODY
Wood: Basswood Body with Bookmatched Figured Maple Top

Finish: High Gloss Polyester
Colors: Top-Translucent (hand stained): Red, Gold, Black, Pink, Purple, Blue, Green, and Natural
BACK & SIDES: Black
BINDING: Cream

BRIDGE: MUSIC MAN Floyd Rose Licensed Locking Tremolo with Fine Tuners (Lowers Pitch Only)

NECK
Scale: 324mm

Radius: 254R
Frets: 22 High Profile, Medium Width
Width: 41mm at Nut, 56mm at Last Fret
Wood: Selected Maple
Finish: Gunstock Oil and Hand-Rubbed Special Wax Blend, Headstock Matches Body Color
Tuners: Schaller M6LA with Pearl Buttons
Truss Rod: Adjustable-No Component or String Removal
Attachment: 5 Bolts-Perfect Alignment with No Shifting, Sculpted Neck Joint and Flush Mounted Neck Plate Allow Smooth Access to Higher Frets

ELECTRONICS
Shielding: Graphite Acrylic Resin Coated Body Cavity and Aluminum Lined Control Cover
Controls: 500K Volume Pot
Switch: 3-Way Toggle Pickup Selector
Pickups: 2 Custom DiMarzio Custom Humbucking

1997 | Subtle Changes Appear

The next wave of AXIS EX guitars that were sold in the late 90s evolved along with the AXIS USA models and featured very subtle differences than the limited initial run, such as:

“VINTAGE A” NECK PLATE
Vintage MUSIC MAN® Logo
Axxxxx Serial Number

* Be Aware that “VINTAGE A” Neck Plates were also reissued on later models in the 2000s, so be sure to check the other parts such as the bridge saddles as well for consistency if you’re relying on sales listing photos and are unable to disassemble the neck to verify the manufacture date.

DIMARZIO CUSTOM N1 NECK PICKUP
with Red U.S. Pat 5,399,802 Sticker
1997-early1998 AXIS EX (MIJ)

** Same DiMarzio N1 Stamped Custom Neck Pickup as the EVH, but revised with the Red U.S. Pat 5,399,802 Sticker

BACK OF HEADSTOCK STAMP
Y Stamp

*** Y or Z Stamped Headstocks Became Standard on the AXIS EX in 1997, but still not sure why…

Late 1998 | Bigger Changes Appear On The AXIS EX

NECK PLATE
ERNIE BALL MUSIC MAN® Logo
G Serial Number
1998-2005 AXIS EX
2001-2002 AXIS EXS

MUSIC MAN Licensed Floyd Rose
with CENTERED Saddle Screws – no longer offset!!
(GOTOH GE1996T)
1999 – 2005
*D-Tuna Added – Not Original On EBMM

DIMARZIO CUSTOM N2 NECK PICKUP
with Red U.S. Pat 5,399,802 Sticker
(Same sound and patent number as N1 but stamped N2)
1998-2005 AXIS EX (MIJ)
2001-2002 AXIS EXS (MIJ)

2001 | The AXIS EXS / EX SOLID Appears In Japanese Dealer Catalogs

2001 Ernie Ball Music Man / Kanda Shokai Corporation Japanese Catalog – AXIS EX & EXS, pages 12-13

AXIS EX  (200,000 Yen)
[with Gig Bag]

Body:  Basswood With Bookmatched Figured Maple Top (+ Maple Veneer)
Body Finish: High Gloss Polyurethane
Neck:  Selected Maple
Neck Joint:  5-Bolt Sculpted Joint For Perfect Alignment With No Shifting
Neck Finish:  Hand Rubbed Gunstock Oil And Wax Blend
Fretboard:  Maple , 324 Scale , 254R
Neck Width:  41mm at Nut , 56mm at Last Fret
Frets:  22 / High Profile , Medium Width
Pickups:  2 Custom DiMarzio Humbucking (B1 & N2)
Bridge:  MusicMan Floyd Rose Licensed Locking Tremolo (GOTOH GE1996T with Centered Saddle Screws)
Tuners:  Schaller M6LA with Pearl Buttons
Control:  Volume (500k Pot)
Switch:  3-Way Toggle
Strings:  ERNIE BALL 5150 (#2900)
String Gauge:  .009 .011 .015 .024W .032W .040W

TRANSLUCENT Colors:  Red, Gold, Purple, Green, Blue, Pink, Black, Natural

AXIS EX SOLID  (170,000 Yen)
[with Gig Bag]

Body:  Alder (Solid Body with No Maple Cap / Veneer)
Body Finish: High Gloss Polyurethane
Neck:  Selected Maple
Neck Joint:  5-Bolt Sculpted Joint For Perfect Alignment With No Shifting
Neck Finish:  Hand Rubbed Gunstock Oil And Wax Blend
Fretboard:  Maple , 324 Scale , 254R
Neck Width:  41mm at Nut , 56mm at Last Fret
Frets:  22 / High Profile , Medium Width
Pickups:  2 Custom DiMarzio Humbucking (B1 & N2)
Bridge:  MusicMan Floyd Rose Licensed Locking Tremolo (GOTOH GE1996T with Centered Saddle Screws)
Tuners:  Schaller M6LA with Pearl Buttons
Control:  Volume (500k Pot)
Switch:  3-Way Toggle
Strings:  ERNIE BALL 5150 (#2900)
String Gauge:  .009 .011 .015 .024W .032W .040W

SOLID Colors:  White, Fire Engine Red, Pearl Lavender, Candy Red, Black Sparkle

2001 Ernie Ball Music Man / Kanda Shokai Corporation Japanese Dealer Catalog – Color Chart, page 30 – Accessories, page 31

2002 | AXIS EX & EXS Production Continues

2002 Ernie Ball Music Man / Kanda Shokai Corporation Japanese Dealer Catalog – AXIS EX & EXS, pages 12-13

2002 Ernie Ball Music Man / Kanda Shokai Corporation Japanese Dealer Catalog – Color Chart, page 30 & 2002 AXIS EXS Advertisement

2002 AXIS EX TRANSLUCENT Colors:  Red, Gold, Purple, Green, Blue, Pink, Black, Natural (Same as 2001)

2002 AXIS EXS SOLID Colors:  White, Candy Red, Black Sparkle

  • Discontinued Colors From 2001: Fire Engine Red, Pearl Lavender
  • This 2002 Japanese dealer catalog distributed by Kanda Shokai Corporation was the last advertisement of record for the Ernie Ball Music Man AXIS EXS.

2005 | Farewell To The Ernie Ball Music Man AXIS EX

2005 Ernie Ball Music Man / Kanda Shokai Corporation Japanese Dealer Catalog – AXIS EX, page 11 – Accessories, page 26 – Color Chart, page 27

  • This 2005 Japanese dealer catalog distributed by Kanda Shokai Corporation was the last advertisement of record for the Ernie Ball Music Man AXIS EX model before it was discontinued.

INSIDE The Case Studies

★ “5 DIGIT” NECK PLATE
Vintage MUSIC MAN® Logo
5 Digit Serial Number

1991-95 Van Halen Signature
1996 AXIS (USA)
1996-Early ’97 AXIS EX (MIJ)

5 digit serial number neck plates are hard to find since they are the remaining stock of pre-stamped Van Halen Signature neck plates. Most early production AXIS EXs have the same vintage logo neck plates, but the serial numbers begin with the letter “A” (just like most of the ’97 AXIS USA models).

“VINTAGE A” NECK PLATE
Vintage MUSIC MAN® Logo
Axxxxx Serial Number

1997 AXIS (USA)
1997-98 AXIS EX (MIJ)
*2002-2004 AXIS EXS/EX SOLID (MIJ)

* “VINTAGE A” NECK PLATES WERE REISSUED on many later model AXIS EX guitars!!  Do not assume that an AXIS EX with this type of plate is an early model (1997-98).  Always verify that the bridge has OFFSET saddles if you’re unable to look inside the neck pocket for a production date.

“MODERN G” NECK PLATE
ERNIE BALL MUSIC MAN® Logo
Gxxxxx Serial Number

1998-2021 AXIS (USA)
1998-2001 AXIS EX (MIJ)

MUSIC MAN Licensed Floyd Rose
★ with OFFSET Saddles (to the left)
(GOTOH GE1988T)

1991-95 Van Halen Signature
1996-98 AXIS EX (MIJ)
*D-Tuna Added – Not Original On EBMM

MUSIC MAN Licensed Floyd Rose
with Standard/Centered Saddles
(GOTOH GE1996T)

1999-2005 AXIS EX (MIJ)
*D-Tuna Added – Not Original On EBMM

BASSWOOD BODY with
BOOKMATCHED FIGURED
MAPLE TOP & VENEER
* EVH D-Tuna Added (Not Original)

AXIS EX NECK POCKET
PRODUCTION DATE CODE (7916-2T)
7916 = September 16, 1997
2T = Body & Neck Pairing Code

MAPLE TOP & VENEER
Maple Top (Approximately 5mm)
Veneer (Approximately 1mm)

LATE MODEL NECK POCKET
BASSWOOD BODY + VENEER
* No Bookmatched Maple Top
(2004 with Reissued Vintage A Plate)


CREAM BINDING
(5mm)

BACK OF BODY
Opaque Black

1996-2005 AXIS EX (MIJ)

HIGH-END GUITARS
CRAFTED BY HAND
TREMOLO CAVITY

* This logo is an excellent indicator of a very early production AXIS EX, but there were also 1996-mid97 AXIS EX guitars produced without it.

1996-mid97 AXIS EX (MIJ)

STANDARD TREMOLO CAVITY

1996-2005 AXIS EX (MIJ)

3 WAY TOGGLE SWITCH

1996-2005 AXIS EX (MIJ)

VOLUME POT

1996-2005 AXIS EX (MIJ)

HEADSTOCK

HIGH-END GUITARS
HEADSTOCK
No Letter Stamp On Back
Of Earliest Models

Y STAMP
HEADSTOCK

Z STAMP
HEADSTOCK

NECK HEEL
PRODUCTION DATE CODE (7916-2T)
7916 = September 16, 1997
2T = Body & Neck Pairing Code

SPOKE WHEEL TRUSS ROD

★ DIMARZIO CUSTOM B1
BRIDGE PICKUP

DIMARZIO CUSTOM N1
NECK PICKUP
★ with “PATENT APPLIED FOR” STICKER
1991 – 1995 Edward Van Halen Signature
1996 – Very Early 1997 AXIS EX

DIMARZIO CUSTOM N1
NECK PICKUP
with Red U.S. Pat 5,399,802 Sticker
1997-Early98 AXIS EX

DIMARZIO CUSTOM N2
NECK PICKUP
with Red U.S. Pat 5,399,802 Sticker
1998-2005 AXIS EX

★ USA HARD CASE
Optional 1996-97

HARD CASE
Made In Japan
Optional 1997-2001
* Silver Hardware, Less Plush Interior, Dark Blue Inner Hinge Fabric

UNIVERSAL CASE
Optional 1998-2005

GIG BAG
Standard 1996-2005

VIDEOS

Podcast: Music Man Axis EX – MULLY
July 3, 2016
YouTube Video Credit: Col. MULLY

Ernie Ball Music Man

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