Now Available at Northeast Music Center!
Limited to Only 100 Translucent Black Guitars Worldwide
Build Code: 303-30A-11A-00-TB-CR
Manufactured: May 15, 2026
Includes Certificate of Authenticity & Deluxe Music Man Hardshell Case
Thirty years after the Axis made its debut, Ernie Ball Music Man has returned to the translucent finishes and original design elements that helped establish this guitar in 1996.
This 30th Anniversary Axis in Translucent Black combines a hand-stained quilt maple top with a black lightly sparkled back, matching headstock, figured maple neck and fretboard, original asymmetrical neck carve, custom-wound DiMarzio humbuckers and Music Man double-locking tremolo.
And with only 100 Translucent Black examples being produced worldwide, this is a genuinely limited anniversary guitar.
This individual example, serial number H10405, was manufactured May 15, 2026 and is available now at Northeast Music Center with its Certificate of Authenticity and deluxe Music Man hardshell case.
Of the six 30th Anniversary finishes, Translucent Black may be the most understated—and one of the most striking.
Rather than covering the maple, the translucent finish allows the natural movement and depth of the hand-stained quilt maple top to remain clearly visible beneath the darker color.
Turn the guitar over and Music Man continues the theme with a black lightly sparkled back, creating a subtle visual transition from the dramatic quilted front.
Cream binding provides just enough contrast to define the compact Axis body, while the color-matched headstock and commemorative 30th Anniversary logo complete the limited-edition presentation.
It's dark, sophisticated and unmistakably Axis.
Music Man has made the 30th Anniversary collection genuinely limited.
Worldwide production consists of:
That puts H10405 among only 100 Translucent Black 30th Anniversary Axis guitars produced worldwide.
For longtime Axis players and collectors, that gives this guitar significance beyond simply being another limited finish.
The neck has always been one of the defining features of the Axis.
Music Man uses a figured maple neck and figured maple fretboard with its signature gunstock oil and hand-rubbed wax finish, creating the smooth, natural feel that has become synonymous with Music Man guitars.
The original asymmetrical neck carve places more thickness toward the bass side while gradually thinning toward the treble side. The result is a neck that naturally supports the fretting hand while still feeling fast and exceptionally comfortable.
A 1 5/8" nut width, 10" radius and 25.5" scale complete the familiar Axis geometry.
The neck is attached with Music Man's sculpted 5-bolt joint, providing secure attachment while maintaining excellent access to all 22 frets.
The anniversary model features 22 high-profile, medium-width stainless steel frets, providing an exceptionally smooth surface for bends and vibrato along with excellent resistance to fret wear.
Music Man also adds glow-in-the-dark side dots, a small but genuinely useful feature when playing on a dark stage.
The electronics remain wonderfully straightforward.
Two custom-wound DiMarzio humbuckers were designed specifically for the Axis and deliver the power, clarity, articulation and harmonic character that have long been part of the model's identity.
Control is deliberately simple:
No unnecessary switching.
No complicated control layout.
Just direct access to the two custom DiMarzio humbuckers and the sounds that helped make the Axis famous.
The Music Man double-locking tremolo features fine tuners and is configured for downward pitch movement.
Combined with the locking nut, it provides the tuning stability needed for aggressive tremolo work while retaining the clean, compact design of the original Axis.
Schaller M6LA tuners with pearl buttons complete the hardware package.
Body
Neck
Hardware
Electronics
Additional
What makes the 30th Anniversary Axis particularly appealing is that Music Man didn't reinvent the guitar simply for the sake of creating an anniversary model.
Instead, it returned to what made the Axis special: a compact single-cutaway body, beautiful quilt maple, the original asymmetrical figured maple neck, straightforward electronics, custom DiMarzio humbuckers and double-locking tremolo.
The Translucent Black finish gives those familiar ingredients a darker, sophisticated appearance—and Music Man is building only 100 of them worldwide.
At Northeast Music Center, we love limited guitars that remain first and foremost exceptional instruments to play. H10405 checks both boxes: it has genuine 30th Anniversary collectibility while retaining the fast feel, powerful tone and simplicity that made the Axis legendary.
This individual Ernie Ball Music Man Axis 30th Anniversary Translucent Black, serial number H10405, is available now at Northeast Music Center with its Certificate of Authenticity and deluxe Music Man hardshell case.
