“A highly responsive and expressive solidbody electric that delivers world-class tones”: Ernie Ball Music Man Axis review

Once upon a time, it was Eddie Van Halen's signature model. Now, it's simply one of the best high-performance electrics money can buy, and perhaps it's time it should be recognized as a true modern classic

Ernie Ball Music Man Axis 2024
(Image: © Ernie Ball Music Man)

Guitar World Verdict

The Music Man Axis is a highly responsive and expressive solidbody electric that delivers world-class tones. After more than three decades, it’s become a classic that’s still worthy of attention.

Pros

  • +

    Gorgeous figured neck and top woods.

  • +

    Built with immaculate attention to detail.

  • +

    Custom DiMarzio humbuckers deliver aggressive, expressive tones.

  • +

    Neck has a comfortable, worn-in feel.

Cons

  • -

    Expensive, although not as costly as other USA-made variants of its original namesake’s signature models.

  • -

    No tone control.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Looking for huge savings on guitars and more? Take a look at our Black Friday guitar deals pages for all the latest and greatest offers.

For the first four years of its existence, the Ernie Ball Music Man Axis was the original Edward Van Halen signature guitar before its name changed in 1995. However, the Axis has enjoyed immense success on its own terms for three decades now, proving that a great guitar can still appeal to the masses even without a big-name artist’s signature on the headstock.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**

Join now for unlimited access

US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year

UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year 

Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Prices from £2.99/$3.99/€3.49

Chris Gill

Chris is the co-author of Eruption - Conversations with Eddie Van Halen. He is a 40-year music industry veteran who started at Boardwalk Entertainment (Joan Jett, Night Ranger) and Roland US before becoming a guitar journalist in 1991. He has interviewed more than 600 artists, written more than 1,400 product reviews and contributed to Jeff Beck’s Beck 01: Hot Rods and Rock & Roll and Eric Clapton’s Six String Stories.