--- product_id: 73900398 title: "Sterling by Music Man Axis AX3S Electric Guitar in Black with White Body Binding" brand: "music man" price: "735.43 DT" currency: TND in_stock: false reviews_count: 6 url: https://www.desertcart.tn/products/73900398-sterling-by-music-man-axis-ax3s-electric-guitar-in-black store_origin: TN region: Tunisia --- # 25.5" scale length Basswood body 5-way toggle switch Sterling by Music Man Axis AX3S Electric Guitar in Black with White Body Binding **Brand:** music man **Price:** 735.43 DT **Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock ## Summary > 🎸 Own the stage with vintage vibes and modern versatility! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Sterling by Music Man Axis AX3S Electric Guitar in Black with White Body Binding by music man - **How much does it cost?** 735.43 DT with free shipping - **Is it available?** Currently out of stock - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.tn](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/73900398-sterling-by-music-man-axis-ax3s-electric-guitar-in-black) ## Best For - music man enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted music man brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - β€’ **Versatile Tone Palette:** Sterling by Music Man humbuckers paired with a 5-way selector deliver rich, dynamic sounds from warm cleans to powerful distortion. - β€’ **Ready for Customization:** Perfect platform for modsβ€”upgrade tuners, bridge, or pickups to craft your signature sound without breaking the bank. - β€’ **USA Final Setup & Inspection:** Each guitar receives expert setup and quality checks in the USA, ensuring reliable playability right out of the box. - β€’ **Fast, Comfortable Playability:** Asymmetrical maple neck with jatoba fretboard offers a smooth, ergonomic feel that outperforms typical Strat-style necks. - β€’ **Classic Axis Design with Modern Edge:** Iconic 90's single cutaway style meets sleek black finish with white binding for standout stage presence. ## Overview The Sterling by Music Man Axis AX3S is a budget-friendly electric guitar featuring a resonant basswood body, fast asymmetrical maple neck with jatoba fretboard, and powerful humbucker pickups controlled via a 5-way toggle switch. Finished with a striking black and white binding aesthetic, it offers professional-grade playability and tone versatility, backed by a final USA setup. Ideal for millennial pros seeking classic style with room to customize and grow their sound. ## Description An original, classic design that is familiar to all fans of great guitars, the AX3 traces its roots to the music Man axis, the venerable single cutaway guitar that took the scene by storm in the early 90’s. The sterling by music Man axis features a 5-way selector, asymmetrical neck, and vintage style tremolo. Review: Great value for the money! - I've long wanted an Axis - I still plan on getting a Music Man Axis Super Sport down the road, but they clock in at north of $2500. I bought my Sterling Axis for $350 as a guitar that I could tweak, add a GK pickup, mod, practice fretwork, etc. It's my cheapest ax, but it's quickly becoming my favorite! Why? Simple - the neck. It feels fantastic. It's wider but thinner than my Strat or my Gretsch, and has an asymmetric cut. After playing my Axis a while, I pick up my Strat and it feels like I'm holding a baseball bat. Sterling didn't cut corners on feel, or, for that matter, on pickups. The humbucker pickups are hot and have a nice, full tone. The five-way switch serves up a nice pallet of tones from the two humbuckers. So, to sum: The good: - Resonant basswood body, same as it's more expensive EBMM cousin. Almost as loud on its own as my semi-hollow Gretsch. - Great pickups, hot, useful selection of tones from the five way switch. - Truss rod adjustment at the heel of the neck, no wrench needed. - Sculpted neck joint, held on with five bolts. - Light weight and compact, but it's a full 25.5" scale length. - Nice finish and a matching headstock (I'm partial to those). - Action is set nice and low out of the box (but see below). - That neck! Plays great, it's fast. That's really why you want it. Of course, at $350, there are compromises to reach the price point, as you'd expect. The not-so-good: - Tuning machines feel cheap, are notchy to turn, small, and fiddly. They're by no means unusable, but you can tell they're cheap. I may replace with a set of ratios down the road. - Tremolo bridge is so-so. It's a 2-point vintage style (like a Strat), which I like, but feels cheap. The arm always has some play, unless it's nearly cranked down. Out of the box, it's decked (only down bends, no up), and the springs are cranked pretty tight. Because of this, it takes a little effort to bend; much more than my Strat, which I have configured as a floating trem. I think it's setup this way because it makes tuning easier - it acts like a hardtail when not bending. That also means you could do a drop-D tuning without having to completely retune the instrument. However, I don't see any reason why you couldn't set it up to float. I haven't done that, though, so I don't know how stable it would tune if setup to float. If the spacing fits, I may eventually replace the bridge with a Gotoh. - Fretwork is mostly OK, but there's a buzz in my low E string at the 6th and 7th frets. I'm 90% sure that's because the frets aren't completely level. That could probably be dialed out by raising the action, but I plan on doing a level and crown job to fix it properly. - Out of the box, it needed intonation. Honestly though, I don't consider that a minus. Most guitars need a proper setup after shipping, unless you buy from a local dealer that has already done a setup. In short, it's a fantastic budget guitar - just don't expect precision finishing like you'd find buying a higher end model from a dealer. It's certainly playable out of the box, but will play better with a proper setup. Plan on spending $70-100 unless you know how to do a setup and fret level yourself. Beyond that, it could be absolutely killer with another $200-300 spent to put in better tuning machines and a better trem. At that point, you'd have a $500-$600 guitar that I'd put up against any MIM Strat, any day. Play on! Review: Great Gruitar at an affordable price! - The tremolo is useless, it is so loose there is no real tonal control. I never really use it to begin with but I do wished it weren't so loose. The guitar tone is Fantastic. The neck action is superb, the body is brilliantly designed. This guitar was based on Edward Van Halen Wolfgang model back in the 90s when he had a line of models exclusively with Ernie Ball. This is prettyclose to that model without the high price. Great guitar at an affordable price. ## Features - Axis AX3S-BK-R1 Guitar in black finish with White Body Binding and matching headstock - Basswood Body with Maple neck and jatoba Fretboard - Equipped with Sterling by music Man designed humbuckers (HH), volume & tone controls and a 5-way toggle switch - All Sterling by Music Man instruments receive final set-up and inspection in the USA ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B079GPGX7C | | Back Material | Basswood | | Battery type | Alkaline | | Best Sellers Rank | #170,361 in Musical Instruments ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments ) #1,633 in Solid Body Electric Guitars | | Body Material | Basswood | | Color Name | Black with White Binding | | Customer Reviews | 3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars (43) | | Date First Available | January 30, 2018 | | Fretboard Material | Jatoba Wood | | Guitar Bridge System | Tremolo | | Guitar Pickup Configuration | H-H | | Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No | | Item Weight | 7 pounds | | Item model number | AX3S-BK-R1 | | Material Type | Stainless Steel | | Neck Material Type | Maple | | Number of Strings | 6 | | Product Dimensions | 36.25 x 1.75 x 12.5 inches | | Scale Length | 25.5 Inches | | String Material | Nickel | | Top Material | Linden Wood | | Voltage | 240 Volts | ## Product Details - **Back Material Type:** Basswood - **Body Material:** Basswood - **Brand:** Sterling by Music Man - **Color:** Black with White Binding - **Fretboard Material Type:** Jatoba Wood - **Guitar Pickup Configuration:** H-H - **Hand Orientation:** Right - **Neck Material Type:** Maple - **String Material Type:** Nickel - **Top Material Type:** Linden Wood ## Images ![Sterling by Music Man Axis AX3S Electric Guitar in Black with White Body Binding - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pZhgtIQkL.jpg) ![Sterling by Music Man Axis AX3S Electric Guitar in Black with White Body Binding - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51V8rwGXqPL.jpg) ![Sterling by Music Man Axis AX3S Electric Guitar in Black with White Body Binding - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51DYSUgVMZL.jpg) ![Sterling by Music Man Axis AX3S Electric Guitar in Black with White Body Binding - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51c8O+ZvxbL.jpg) ![Sterling by Music Man Axis AX3S Electric Guitar in Black with White Body Binding - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mB24yG0BL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Color** options. ## Questions & Answers **Q: is this a good guitar for metal?** A: Simply put, yes. First off the build is excellent. The cheapest guitar in my collection is $1500 and the Axis at sub $400 is a steal. I have played on it's big brother from Music Man and they feel the same! The pickups are solid and it has great play-ability. I'm not crazy about the tremolo but I don't really use the bar that extensively so it's not a big deal. It's sounds great cranked up through my MXR 5150 Overdrive and Mesa Boogie Mark V. I tend to play hard rock, metal and prog. It's pretty versatile. **Q: Is it a electric adult guitar ?** A: It is a full scale guitar, so yes it would be considered an adult guitar. The body size is small so it looks like a parlor (small scale guitar) but it's definitely a full size instrument. **Q: Can this guitar do dive bombs?** A: The tremolo is not a floating variety, it's similar to the type on a standard Stratocaster. You can bend down pretty steep but can only pull up a little since it makes contact with the body. That said, I'm thinking of replacing mine with an after market Floyd Rose. I have Floyd's on all my other guitars so this one feels strange. It's a solid guitar and worth more than it's price. Music Man/Sterling make great guitars, no matter which brand label it's on. **Q: Why is it long time to ship??** A: I got mine in less than a week. Make sure your ordering under Amazon Prime. Third party vendors tend to take longer to ship. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great value for the money! *by A***R on November 11, 2020* I've long wanted an Axis - I still plan on getting a Music Man Axis Super Sport down the road, but they clock in at north of $2500. I bought my Sterling Axis for $350 as a guitar that I could tweak, add a GK pickup, mod, practice fretwork, etc. It's my cheapest ax, but it's quickly becoming my favorite! Why? Simple - the neck. It feels fantastic. It's wider but thinner than my Strat or my Gretsch, and has an asymmetric cut. After playing my Axis a while, I pick up my Strat and it feels like I'm holding a baseball bat. Sterling didn't cut corners on feel, or, for that matter, on pickups. The humbucker pickups are hot and have a nice, full tone. The five-way switch serves up a nice pallet of tones from the two humbuckers. So, to sum: The good: - Resonant basswood body, same as it's more expensive EBMM cousin. Almost as loud on its own as my semi-hollow Gretsch. - Great pickups, hot, useful selection of tones from the five way switch. - Truss rod adjustment at the heel of the neck, no wrench needed. - Sculpted neck joint, held on with five bolts. - Light weight and compact, but it's a full 25.5" scale length. - Nice finish and a matching headstock (I'm partial to those). - Action is set nice and low out of the box (but see below). - That neck! Plays great, it's fast. That's really why you want it. Of course, at $350, there are compromises to reach the price point, as you'd expect. The not-so-good: - Tuning machines feel cheap, are notchy to turn, small, and fiddly. They're by no means unusable, but you can tell they're cheap. I may replace with a set of ratios down the road. - Tremolo bridge is so-so. It's a 2-point vintage style (like a Strat), which I like, but feels cheap. The arm always has some play, unless it's nearly cranked down. Out of the box, it's decked (only down bends, no up), and the springs are cranked pretty tight. Because of this, it takes a little effort to bend; much more than my Strat, which I have configured as a floating trem. I think it's setup this way because it makes tuning easier - it acts like a hardtail when not bending. That also means you could do a drop-D tuning without having to completely retune the instrument. However, I don't see any reason why you couldn't set it up to float. I haven't done that, though, so I don't know how stable it would tune if setup to float. If the spacing fits, I may eventually replace the bridge with a Gotoh. - Fretwork is mostly OK, but there's a buzz in my low E string at the 6th and 7th frets. I'm 90% sure that's because the frets aren't completely level. That could probably be dialed out by raising the action, but I plan on doing a level and crown job to fix it properly. - Out of the box, it needed intonation. Honestly though, I don't consider that a minus. Most guitars need a proper setup after shipping, unless you buy from a local dealer that has already done a setup. In short, it's a fantastic budget guitar - just don't expect precision finishing like you'd find buying a higher end model from a dealer. It's certainly playable out of the box, but will play better with a proper setup. Plan on spending $70-100 unless you know how to do a setup and fret level yourself. Beyond that, it could be absolutely killer with another $200-300 spent to put in better tuning machines and a better trem. At that point, you'd have a $500-$600 guitar that I'd put up against any MIM Strat, any day. Play on! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great Gruitar at an affordable price! *by A***R on May 31, 2021* The tremolo is useless, it is so loose there is no real tonal control. I never really use it to begin with but I do wished it weren't so loose. The guitar tone is Fantastic. The neck action is superb, the body is brilliantly designed. This guitar was based on Edward Van Halen Wolfgang model back in the 90s when he had a line of models exclusively with Ernie Ball. This is prettyclose to that model without the high price. Great guitar at an affordable price. ### ⭐ These are probably hit and miss like a lot of guitars these days *by S***T on April 30, 2025* Sent back the first e string ran to close to edge of neck. fret ends were a little Sharp feeling. Otherwise it would've been a five star guitar. ## Frequently Bought Together - Sterling By MusicMan 6 String Sterling by Music Man Axis AX3S Electric Guitar Body, Right, Black with White Binding (AX3S-BK-R1) - New bee Guitar Cable 10ft Electric Instrument Bass AMP Cord for Electric Mandolin, Pro Audio (Right Angle to Straight, Black) - Guitar Wall Mount 2 Pack, Black Walnut Wood Guitar Hanger, U-Shaped Guitar Wall Hanger Mount, Guitar Holder Hook Stand Wall for Acoustic, Electric Guitar, Banjo, Bass, for Guitar Player Men Boy --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - πŸ›’ **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** β€” Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** β€” Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - πŸ’° **No Hidden Fees** β€” All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - πŸ”„ **15-Day Free Returns** β€” Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - πŸ”’ **Secure Payments** β€” Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** β€” Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.tn/products/73900398-sterling-by-music-man-axis-ax3s-electric-guitar-in-black](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/73900398-sterling-by-music-man-axis-ax3s-electric-guitar-in-black) --- *Product available on Desertcart Tunisia* *Store origin: TN* *Last updated: 2026-09-10*