What model Dimarzio humbucker is used in the Silhouette Special?

[dojo]

On another note, I like the humbucker better in my rosewood board SS than in my maple board SS, which is another reason why I've chosen to convert my maple board one to SSS.

I am interested in trading my SSS for an HSS.

 

[dojo]

Just pickguards

 

[candid_x]

I am interested in trading my SSS for an HSS.

I'm pretty sure I'll be selling my HSS when my SSS comes in, it's already on it way to me. It's black perloid with black p'ups, trem model with back plate, so it should look great on your red one, I think. You can see it in my avatar, and I'll be happy to send pictures if you're interested. The price will be reasonable, under $200. IM me if you're interested.

 

[dojo]

Are you interested in trading that for another SSS pickguard?

 

[mikeller]

Just to clear up a little about pickups in the Silhouette Special - When the guitar was first introduced in 1995, we used all custom-wound DiMarzios with an emphasis on vintage, which was the vibe we were going for on the whole guitar. Later, in the latter part of 2003, we switched the humbucker to a Virtual PAF, which is still in use today. The single-coils remain the same as the originals.

Dan

Is there a way to visually distinquish the custom-wound from the Virtual PAF? One way or the other it sounds killer, I am just curious though.

 

[candid_x]

Are you interested in trading that for another SSS pickguard?

Thanks but no. Want to keep one as HSS.

 

[jeppet]

Splitting the humbucker - Silhouette Special

Hi guys

I was wondering of any of you have any experience with splitting the humbucker of a silhouette special. Is it cool or a no go?

My Silhouette Special has serial number G19659. Don't know the type of the humbucker for that production year. Is that the Virtual paf?

Thank you and best regards

Jeppe

 

[brokenvail]

I put the Dimarzio AT-1 and could not be happer with it. I liked the Duncan Pearly Gates in a few strats I have played

 

[Richiesos]

I've been considering doing the same thing. I already swapped out the Sil Spec neck pickup with a DiMarzio cruiser with fantastic results. The problem I'm having is that when I go back and forth between the axis and sil spec at gigs, the gain drop is so significant, that I have to tweak the amp every time I switch. Norton sounds like a good replacement. The only thing stopping me is that every time I record with the sil spec, it blows everything else away. That bridge pickup just has a nice character that sits in a mix very well. Even when working on other people's music, they always prefer the sound of that sil special. Especially for rhythm guitar parts.

 

[DrKev]

I'm not a big fan of the Virtual PAF for clean work, (I'd like more treble to balance better with the single coils). Splitting the coils or putting it in parallel mode is something I'll look into at some point in the future. So, to answer Jeppet's question, yes, it's possible, only your ears can decide if you'll like it or not. If ever I try it out, I'll record some samples but it may not be for a week or two yet (if I decide to do it at all).

Having said that, the more distortion you give that humbucker, the more it SINGS! It's an astonishing, beautiful thing!

BTW, Jeppe, you should post your serial number to the serial number thread and ask them when it left the factory and what the stock humbucker was.

 

[Roubster]

It's really a matter of preference, but I personally did not like the Virtual PAF all that much for what I like to play. It sounds kind of thin and weak to my ears. I changed it to an Air Zone and the two singles to Fast Track 1s. Basically more of a rock machine, but it is very versatile. I never use the bridge pickup for clean work...sounds better either split with a middle single, or sounds pretty nice with the humbucker in parallel with the middle stacked single (FT1) the way I have it now. Either way, the Silo Special is a great guitar all around and it is very mod friendly.

 

[lukeuser78]

I thought it was just a reg paf pro

 

[Lon]

Looks like I'm 14 years late to the party! I just yesterday picked up an Indonesian made Sterling Sub Series Silhouette that's had Dimarzio pickups installed (Tone Zone, Air Norton and Fast Track). Did this model come with some sort of proprietary Dimarzios? Any way to tell how old it may be? It seems pretty new to me.

 

[GWDavis28]

Holy Thread Resurrections!!!!

For the Sterling By Music Man line, they do not track serial numbers. As for the pickup type I don't believe they were proprietary, but you could email they for more info.

Welcome, Glenn |B)

 

[kingdoublecut]

Virtual PAFs are amazing pups...just put a set in an SbMM Axis. The comment on "singing" lead tone...YES SIR...truly amazing!