help with Music Man Axis Super Sport

[scottkahn]

This question is just for other owners of the Axis Super Sport...

Is there supposed to be any sort of lock for the tremolo arm in the bridge? When I insert it, it just sort of goes in as far as it can and swings freely. It works, but I'd like to adjust the depth of the arm so that it sits out a little further from the body, and perhaps adjust the tension so that it doesn't swing freely.

I'm not sure if a part broke off inside or what. It functions fine, of course, but just seems like it should have some adjustability that is missing.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[decosteonline]

hi scott,

there customer service team is amazing. great turn-around time. check w/ them - they've been a great help w/ my EBMM questions.

 

[John C]

Scott,

I don't have a Super Sport, but I do have a Silhouette Special with the same trem (the Super Sport has the solid cast saddle and the Silo Special has the bent saddles, but they are the same basic bridge).

The arm should push in and snap in place. If you push down on the arm there is a set screw down where the arm snaps in place that should control how freely the arm swings; if that screw is in too far it could be keeping the arm from snaping down into place.

Otherwise, as Patrick suggests contact EBMM Customer Service; with any luck someone in the repair shop might be able to walk you through these adjustments over the phone.

 

[scottkahn]

Thanks.

I found the screw and tightened it -- it definitely holds the arm better now .

It doesn't really "snap" into place like my other tremolo arms. The end of the arm itself doesn't have any indentations, which is why when it was loose it just freely slid too far into the cavity of the guitar.

 

[John C]

Thanks.

I found the screw and tightened it -- it definitely holds the arm better now .

It doesn't really "snap" into place like my other tremolo arms. The end of the arm itself doesn't have any indentations, which is why when it was loose it just freely slid too far into the cavity of the guitar.

How old is your Super Sport? Are you the original owner?

I've had 3 EBMMs with the vintage trem:

2004 Silo Special
2006 Albert Lee
2007 Silo Special (still have this one)

All had the same arm with a pointed end and indentations to snap into the trem block (much like a Fender with snap-in arm). I wonder if they changed the arm at some point alond the way - or, if you're not the original owner, maybe someone put in a different arm.

 

[scottkahn]

I am the original owner, and the end that goes into the guitar is definitely not pointed -- it's leveled off. I will now use the power of my position to call my contact at Music Man and investigate further.

Thanks for that very important info!

Scott

 

[scottkahn]

Just an update -- Ernie Ball folks confirmed that I do NOT have an actual Music Man tremolo arm with the guitar!

I wish I had some recourse with Sam Ash Music -- that's where I managed to find my beloved Axis Super Sport almost five years ago. I can't believe they misplaced the trem arm and stuck in another one that had the same dimensions. I've lived with this minor annoyance all this time! (it wasn't my only guitar, and didn't always use the tremolo arm on it)

So now the correct arm, with a notched end, is on its way to me .

Scott