20th Silhouette VS. JP6

[DJ.]

I get that, but I don't get that. I'm someone who would prefer to beat the tar out of it, although I take extraordinary care of my JP6 for some reason.

No problem, I understand and don't disagree. Don't think that I haven't wanted to bang on it... I just figured if I might be letting it go I would try to keep it pristine for the next person. I may be putting it the for sale section soon.

 

[colinboy]

Id love a 20th with the piezo included but passed one up twice in the past 12months.

 

[Octavarius]

I own both; a 20th Anniversary Silhouette, non-piezo and a newly aquired fully loaded JP6 in white (pics to come soon). The guitars are completely different, and I personally find their most suitable use in completely different areas. The two biggies for me is the neck and body. The JP body is a little more "expanded"; wider, flatter and more slim in general (at least so it seems with all the cutaways and scoop, etc.), unlike the more "compact" body shape of the Silhouette, which also appears a bit more chunky in comparison. The necks are drastically different, and suited for completely different styles, and as already noted in the various other posts; the JP has a flat, wide "D"-shaped (I think) neck, while the Silo has a very even, round-profiled C-neck, and a much narrower fretboard. The JP also has very large frets compared to the Silhouette.

As for tone, as already mentioned here, the JP has modern, high-output pickups, which are, well, mostly centered towards the style of music that John plays. Of course, they'll do a lot of other styles fine as well, but they're really different compared to the PAF's on the Silhouette; low-output, vintage sounding. The split position is something I'd really like on the 20th, though. Something which also could be easily done with a 4-pole switch, like on the JP.

To me, the JP is more like a really versatile, multi-functional, "guitar machine", sort of. It has really many features; the piezo, single-coil split position, not to mention the magnificent, rather exclusive floating tremolo and really comfortable ergonomic body shape. It can pretty much do everything, whereas the magic of the 20th Silo lies more in the subtle tonal response produced by its unique body wood combination along with very responsive and clear pickups, which no longer is that exclusive; indeed, you can get the full package with the JP BFR, but you'll still have those more subjective factors, like neck, fretboard and body to concider.

I haven't picked a favourite among those two yet, but I'm starting to feel that the 20th is more "me" concidering the neck and the body shape. But the JP still has a lot of the features mentioned previously that I need. I guess the perfect thing for me would be a 20th w/ the JP trem, somewhat similar control/switch setup and piezo.

 

[whitestrat]

I've got one.

Yeah... but you're not selling are you?

 

[whitestrat]

To me, the JP is more like a really versatile, multi-functional, "guitar machine", sort of. It has really many features; the piezo, single-coil split position, not to mention the magnificent, rather exclusive floating tremolo and really comfortable ergonomic body shape. It can pretty much do everything,

Acutally, that's the 20th piezo for me right there. Everything fits. I much prefer the neck carve and fretboard radius of the Silos. I just with there was a HSH version of the 20th...

 

[Colin]

Id love a 20th with the piezo included but passed one up twice in the past 12months.

yep that sounds like something a Colin would do

 

[GWDavis28]

Yeah... but you're not selling are you?

NOPE, sorry man.

Glenn |B)

 

[colinboy]

yep that sounds like something a Colin would do

Unfortunately buying '20th' pieces of furniture for my new apartment takes priority this year

 

[paranoid70]

Good information on the 20th here. I bought mine new and it was never displayed or played at the dealer. It is still that way because I have not decided whether to keep it or sell it. It still has the original strings from 2006 when it shipped and it has never been played or plugged into an amp. Just sitting in it's 20th case full of desiccant bags that get changed routinely. I'll decide one of these days.

"This one can never be played. See it still has the old tagger on it. ...Don't touch it"

"I was just pointing..."

"Don't point. It can never be played... ever. I think you have had enough of that one."

 

[GHWelles]

I have them both and like them both.

The JP6 has a killer trem and a very loud and articulate sound. The neck is very comfortable.

The 20th has killer tone and a very resonant sound. The frets are a bit smaller, making it seem a little faster. It has the compensated nut and intonates better than any guitar I have ever played.

I generally use the 20th for rythm work, and the JP6 for leads with lots of trem work.

Both great, both different.

Oh, and the Luke BFR I have is just great tonally, looks incredible, and has low frets for sliding notes. And a single coil neck pickup, no hum.

 

[ruso]

Not particualrly on-topic...

But can sombody tell me the differeces between the Silhouette and the Silhouette Special? Other than the number of frets?

 

[Octavarius]

Not particualrly on-topic...

But can sombody tell me the differeces between the Silhouette and the Silhouette Special? Other than the number of frets?

Other than the frets, the Silhouette Special comes in either S-S-S or S-S-H pickup configurations, while the Silhouette comes in H-S-H only (H being humbucker and S being single-coil).

 

[Dizzy]

The Body Shape is quite different too, with the lower horn offset more to allow for the 24 frets.

 

[ruso]

Other than the frets, the Silhouette Special comes in either S-S-S or S-S-H pickup configurations, while the Silhouette comes in H-S-H only (H being humbucker and S being single-coil).

The Body Shape is quite different too, with the lower horn offset more to allow for the 24 frets.

I noticed that when I was comparing the pictures of the two. Now I just need to figure out if I want a 22 or 24 fret and what pickup configuration I want. Maple or Rosewood fretboard? Decisions, decisions. Any suggestions?

 

[Dizzy]

Go the Original - 24 fret H-S-H masterpiece

 

[ruso]

Go the Original - 24 fret H-S-H masterpiece

What if I was wanting some single coil tones? Does the original have any coil splitting features?

 

[Dizzy]

What if I was wanting some single coil tones? Does the original have any coil splitting features?

Position 3 gives the centre single coil alone.
Positions 2 & 4 split the buckers with the single coil.
There are swtiching mods that can be applied to tap positions 1 & 5 to give single tones, but with no silent circuit you're going to get the single hum.

Make no mistake, the HSH Silo can give some lovely clean quack and spank :

[ame=http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CPBAeYxEG-c]YouTube - Sultans of Swing Solo - Dizzy[/ame]

But if pure single tones are what you're after the Special is for you (other than the AL, that is)