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Ernie Ball Music Man BFR Nitro AxisTranslucent Purple

   
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NITRO AXIS

TRANSLUCENT PURPLE

The all-new BFR nitro-finished Axis Purple harkens back to Ernie Ball Music Man’s initial production period celebrating one of Music Man’s earliest artist-inspired guitar designs. The BFR Axis features a beautiful nitro-finished hand-stained translucent purple figured maple top over a lightweight basswood body. Contrary to the original black back, a unique purple-shaded back and sides are beautifully accented with cream binding. The electronics package includes dual proprietary Dimarzio Zebra pickups, a 3-way toggle switch, and a single 500k volume knob. Each guitar has a numbered certificate of authenticity and a G&G hardshell salt and pepper case.











 

NITROCELLULOSE LAQUER FINISH

Hand-stained Translucent Purple maple top

ZEBRA HUMBUCKING PICKUPS

Exclusive dual Dimarzio humbucking pickups

MUSIC MAN FLOYD ROSE

Floyd Rose style double locking tremolo with fine tuners

FIGURED MAPLE TOP

Beautiful translucent purple maple veneer over lightweight basswood body

Model Axis
Size 12-5/8" wide, 1-3/4" thick, 36-1/4" long (32.1 cm wide, 4.5 cm thick, 92.0 cm long)
Body Wood Basswood
Body Finish Nitrocellulose (additional information below)
Body Colors Translucent Purple Top; Opaque Purple Back
Body Bindings Cream
Bridge Music Man® double locking tremolo with fine tuners; lowers pitch only
Pickguard N/A
Scale Length 25-1/2" (64.8 cm)
Neck Radius 10" (25.4 cm)
Headstock Size Only 5-7/8" (14.9 cm) long
Frets 22 - High profile, medium width stainless steel
Neck Width 1-5/8" (41.3 mm) at nut, 2-3/16" (55.6 mm) at last fret
Neck Wood Figured Maple
Fingerboard Figured Maple
Fret Markers 1/8" Black dot
Neck Finish Gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend; Nitrocellulose Headstock
Neck Colors Natural; Headstock matches body
Tuning Machines Schaller M6LA with pearl buttons
Truss Rod Adjustable - no component or string removal
Neck Attachment 5 bolts - Sculpted neck joint allows smooth access to higher frets
Electronic Shielding Graphite acrylic resin coated body cavity and aluminum lined control cover
Controls 500kohm volume pot
Switching 3-way toggle pickup selector
Pickups HH - 2 DiMarzio custom humbucking
Left Handed No
Strings 9p-11p-16p-24w-32w-42w (RPS 9 Slinkys #2239)
Additional Notes Nitrocellulose Lacquer, or simply “Nitro,” is a coveted paint finish in the guitar world due to its beautiful aging qualities, its effect on the tone of the instrument, and its period-correct properties for the golden age of guitars. In many ways, Nitro is a more organic substance than modern Polyester and Urethane paints, and the lacquer drying process results in a thinner coating. For these reasons, it is therefore believed by the vintage guitar community that the inherent resonance of the wood is allowed to shine through best with Nitro. The distinct properties of this finish are important to understand as a Nitro instrument owner for maintenance and care purposes.

Every material used on a guitar will expand and contract with temperature and humidity fluctuations, but the wood will have the most drastic rate of movement. When the change in temperature happens quickly, the Nitro paint can crack or “check” because it will not expand or contract as quickly as the wood. Over time wood loses its moisture and shrinks, which can also cause the Nitro to sink into the wood grain or glue seams.

Similar to every piece of wood, every Nitrocellulose Lacquer paint job has its own unique characteristics. The environment in which these instruments live and the attention by the owner will determine how they age.

Chemical reactions will occur if the Nitro is brought in contact with certain Silicone, Vinyl, Plastic, or Rubber products. Be very careful to use the correct type of wall hangers, guitar stands, and guitar polishes to avoid degradation of the finish. Nitro disclaimers will usually be attached to guitar products/accessories for this very reason.