Silo Spec Wiring Rationale

[whitestrat]

Why was the HSS Silo Spec configuration done as such without access to the single coil middle position? That's a very usable tone. Is there a reason why this was omitted in place of what's currently available? Was there a demand for more of the series/parallel single coil tones more than the middle single itself?

Anyone?

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Interesting, I hadn't noticed that before. Maybe that's why I like that position so much!

 

[paranoid70]

I don't know. I always skip over postion 3 on my HSS.

 

[candid_x]

My guess is that the objective was a Tele vibe with a single on each end.

After playing my SSS quite a bit, I have to agree, that the middle by itself is more usable than the single bridge/neck combo, at least for me.

Shouldn't be a big problem to wire the HSS however you prefer.

 

[whitestrat]

My guess is that the objective was a Tele vibe with a single on each end.

After playing my SSS quite a bit, I have to agree, that the middle by itself is more usable than the single bridge/neck combo, at least for me.

Shouldn't be a big problem to wire the HSS however you prefer.

Yes, I know. It should be easy. But honestly, i haven't really played that tele vibe configuration much before So I don't know if I'll like it. But that middle single, once you're used to it, is really sweet.

P.S. If I rewire it, how do I make sure the middle single goes thru the Silent Circuit?

 

[beej]

If I rewire it, how do I make sure the middle single goes thru the Silent Circuit?

It's wired to the Silent Circuit already. Shouldn't be too difficult to wire up the middle only in pos 3, you just have to shift a few things around.

 

[candid_x]

It's wired to the Silent Circuit already. Shouldn't be too difficult to wire up the middle only in pos 3, you just have to shift a few things around.

Um, are ya sure? I thought that only the neck pup is wired to the Silent Circuit on the HSS.

 

[DrKev]

Um, are ya sure? I thought that only the neck pup is wired to the Silent Circuit on the HSS.

Correct, on the HSS, where middle position is Neck PU and coil 2 of the HB. On the SSS, middle position is middle PU only + silent circuit. Wiring and schematics available HERE.

FWIW, I played a HSS Silo special a little while ago. Middle position on the HSS is very nice and I didn't miss the middle pickup only at all.

 

[beej]

Though it's not wired to on the switch on it's own, the middle pickup on the HSS Silo Spec is actually wired to the Silent Circuit. (If you take off the pickguard you'll see the ground of the middle p'up wired up to the violet lead on the SC.)

 

[candid_x]

Ah! So.

 

[emanon]

I can't ever remember using the middle pickup on a Strat style guitar by itself for anything. Personally, I wish that my SSS Silo was wired so I had the bridge/neck combo in the 3 position.

 

[roburado]

I only have HSS. I don't miss that either. My favorite positions are 1, 4, and 5. I don't really use 2 and 3. I'd probably say the same thing if I had SSS.

 

[Ripper]

You always have the SSS assembly, or the AL, if the middle position is needed.

 

[whitestrat]

I like the middle very much. I use it a lot for Clapton's stuff. It's the only position that has that bordering on harmonics sound... really nice. If you're not used to it, and only rely on neck and bridge, then you won't use the middle much. I tend to use the bridge much less when I'm playing with singles, so the neck and middle singles are very important to me.

 

[whitestrat]

You always have the SSS assembly, or the AL, if the middle position is needed.

I can't get an SSS assembly for the LE08 I ordered.

Will probably have to look for another Silo Spec to fit the SSS slot... OR I could stick to my Strat... (the one and only one left...)

 

[whitestrat]

How come?

Well, I didn't want to mention this here, but after ordering a HSS for me LE08, I wanted to order an extra pickup assembly in SSS (y'know, them gold bobbins aren't exactly easy to find). So I contacted my local dealer, and they asked me to ask CS for a product code so they could order it. But when I contacted CS, they answered every question I had about my order, and my 1 problem with one of my balls now except this.

And I never got a response on this, so I assumed it's just not available for order due to the gold bobbins.

 

[Ripper]

I may get a SSS one. If you dont mind not having a gold bobbins one, I can get another set for you too. PM me.

 

[whitestrat]

I may get a SSS one. If you dont mind not having a gold bobbins one, I can get another set for you too. PM me.

Nah... I've decided to leave the LE08 as is, and just buy anoter SSS Silo Spec...

 

[candid_x]

I recall reading that Hendrix used the middle position a fair amount. In fact, Hey Joe sounds kinda middle-ish?

Gold bobbins, was just noticing these on the DiMarzio site the other day. I think they're more expensive.

 

[whitestrat]

Though it's not wired to on the switch on it's own, the middle pickup on the HSS Silo Spec is actually wired to the Silent Circuit. (If you take off the pickguard you'll see the ground of the middle p'up wired up to the violet lead on the SC.)

So it's just a matter of rewiring??? What if I change pups? How do I ensure that the singles are connected to the SS correctly?