Upfront, full disclosure: my guitar journey started with a Japanese Les Paul Custom copy from Ibanez. Later, I owned a genuine ’87 Les Paul Standard (subsequently sold to fund a PRS). Les Pauls were formative in my early guitar playing years. I’ve had the chance to play Les Pauls from many production years and across various models – SG, Junior, Special, Studio, and more. I’m also a recent convert to the Music Man Axis Sport, a hardtail with MM-90 pickups, in contrast to the EVH model.
The Les Paul Guitar. It’s an icon, isn’t it? It offers three fundamental sonic palettes, seemingly endless sustain, that instantly recognizable, classic aesthetic, and it’s one of the earliest electric guitar designs that has remained remarkably consistent for over half a century. That’s quite an achievement. If the Les Paul sound and feel are what you’re after, it’s a guitar that deserves a spot in any serious collection at some point.
What truly appealed to me about the Les Paul were a few key aspects. The sustain was incredible, notes seemed to ring out forever. The shorter scale length felt comfortable and contributed to that thick, weighty tone that Les Pauls are famous for.
However, my relationship with the Les Paul wasn’t without its drawbacks. I found the tonal range somewhat limited compared to other guitars. The neck profile, while classic, felt a bit too thick for my preference over extended playing sessions. And let’s not forget the weight – Les Pauls are notorious for being heavy, which can become a factor during longer gigs or practice.
These very points led me to trade my Les Paul Standard for a PRS, and this was long before PRS guitars became associated with any particular genre. The PRS was undeniably a beautiful instrument and offered a broader tonal spectrum. Yet, even the PRS couldn’t quite capture the pristine clean tones I was seeking, relegating it to its case, perhaps as a future collectible.
Enter the Music Man Axis. This guitar effortlessly bridges both high-gain and clean territories. It’s significantly lighter than a Les Paul, and for me, the Axis neck is the gold standard in consistent comfort, surpassing any guitar neck I’ve ever played. Sonically, my MM90 Axis leans more towards a Les Paul Junior’s raw and primal character than a refined Standard. Interestingly, I’ve always been drawn to the Juniors for that very unpolished, aggressive sound. The Axis Sport, in a way, delivers a “refined raw” tone, which is incredibly appealing.
Regarding build quality, my ’87 Les Paul Standard was decent, but it had a pre-existing neck warp that required correction. Les Pauls are also known to be vulnerable to headstock breaks due to the angled design – a common repair, though thankfully, I avoided that issue. While some Gibson purists might argue that the 1980s were a low point in Gibson’s quality, and that standards have improved recently, I still find their pricing structure quite high for what you get. It’s almost baffling to see more visually striking figured maple tops on budget-friendly Epiphones compared to many Gibson Custom Shop offerings. You’re undeniably paying a premium for the Gibson name and legacy, although it’s fair to acknowledge that they likely involve more handcrafting than many bolt-on guitars. However, in my experience, the overall playability, engineering, and wood selection across the Ernie Ball Music Man (EBMM) line surpass Gibson’s offerings.
Is my Axis a Les Paul? No, it’s fundamentally different. Would an EVH or standard Axis be closer to the Les Paul experience? Arguably, yes, as they are both humbucker-equipped, heavy rock-oriented guitars. However, any Axis model will offer far greater tonal versatility than a Les Paul, and they are also kinder to your wallet and your back! Ultimately, comparing an Axis to a Les Paul is really an apples-to-oranges situation. The Axis is a brighter sounding, bolt-on, longer scale guitar made with lighter woods and often featuring a tremolo system (sometimes locking). In contrast, the Les Paul is a short-scale, set-neck instrument with a fixed bridge and a generally heavier overall tone.
As a final thought, circling back to value, I recently had the opportunity to purchase a used US-made Les Paul Studio for a very tempting $450. Despite the great price, I decided to pass, preferring to invest in a future Ernie Ball Music Man purchase instead. For my needs and preferences, the modern design and versatility of guitars like the Axis simply make more sense than revisiting the classic, but potentially limiting, world of the Les Paul.
