Silhouette Special Pickups

[johanguitarist]

Hello all!

Newbee here...

I have a sunburst Silhouette Special SSS, with the bridge pickup changed for a Duncan JB Jnr, but the original Dimarzio Single coils in mid and neck position. When I use the singles on a clean sound, I always feel there is quite a harsch treble, like "the nail in your ear" kind of thing.. It is very trebly indeed.

I have just bought a Fender Super-Sonic head, and I was trying different cabs the other day, and tried an Engl 2x12 with celestion vintage 30s and also a Laney Lionheart with Celestion heritage speakers in. The vintage 30s were just so harsh it was painful, but the Lionheart was ok.

So question: How are the stock Dimarzio singles on a silhouette special compared to say standard Fender singles? Are the Dimarzios hotter? More really upper register treble? Or are they supposed to be fairly similar to stock Fenders?

Any input on this would be much appreciated! I used to have a DrZ Carmen Ghia 2x10 combo and I found the same thing there.

Sorry about the rubbish explanations...kinda difficult to describe especially since its so personal as well...

 

[Jason2112]

IMO the stock Dimarzio pickups are on par with the Strat Am Std single coils. I don't hear harsh sounds from the stock pickups at all.... especially @ the neck, I get a nice full sound with a decent amount of low-end. You should experiment with the volume and tone controls on the guitar before changing out speaker cabs and amps, and adjust the EQ on your amp. You can also try lowering your pickups further away from the strings.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Would it happen to look something like this??

I owned one in a similar setup, and the original owner actually switched out all three pickups. The bridge pickup was a JB Jr, the neck and middle pickups are DiMarzio Virtual Vintage 54's.

The only way to really know what yours is loaded with is to take the pickguard off.

But, I'd definitely agree with Jason's recommendations before any drastic measures are taken. try a few adjustments in pickup height, or tone knob.

 

[johanguitarist]

Thanks guys. I took some pictures of the pickup-heights and the back of the original bridge PU, and I have had the pickguard off to check the other two pups and they have matching codes on the back of them. I am very sure its the stock pickups, what ya think? Sorry about the bad quality, dont have a camera at the mo so t had to be on my laptop...

What I dont understand is that it sounds overly harshly bright on all amps I have tried. It is not so much that it is lacking bottom it just seems to bring out the really nasty frequencies in the top end, especially when i tried it with the celestion vintage 30s. I am no alien to adjusting amps to get the tone I want, and I have been through a lot of gear over the years...

Any other ideas?

Jason2112 - What amp are you using with yours, and what speaker(s) is in that?

 

[candid_x]

Hi John,

If they are indeed the stock pickups I think something else is amiss, such as a loose ground in your input jack or such. Or have the pots been switched out to 500k? Something along those lines is what I'd look for.

I can't tell just by looking at the picture, but the baseplate does resemble the one on a Silo Special sc bridge pickup.

The stock Silo Special single coils that I've had (4 different sets) were all warm and even, and kinda thick and velvety sounding, even when in a Strat. In fact Di Marzio claims they're close to their True Velvet pickups.

Bruce

edit: Looking at the baseplate again, it may not be a stock pickup. I remember mine being a yellowish color, maybe zinc? Plus I don't think it's that wide. I just changed strings on my SSS Silo so I don't want to yank it apart to look just now.

Also, is the Silent Circuit still intact? It's the cylindrical thing, blue, I think, with a slot adjustment on top. I'd check that too.

 

[johanguitarist]

Thanks guys, some good ideas there!

Well, yes it is not for sure its the stock pups, now I started getting a bit suspicious...since I bought it used. I will email support to see if the recognise the number on the bottom of the bridge pup..

It was a while ago since I had the pickguard off but I am 99% sure its a 250 pot in there.



candid_x - You mentioned a loose ground on the input-jack, could you elaborate a bit please? Wouldnt that just give me no signal?
The silent circuit is there, and seems intact as far as I can tell...how can u tell except diconnecting the battery?



The guitar is wicked otherwise! I really like the compact format as I am not huge myself, and the overall quality, feel, and playability is awesome!

Any other ideas anyone?

 

[Jason2112]

Jason2112 - What amp are you using with yours, and what speaker(s) is in that?

Here's what I'm using:
- Marshall DSL50 with an Avatar 2x12 cab (1 V30 and 1 G12H30)
- Vox Tonelab LE through headphones and into my pc
- Guitar Rig 3 software on my pc

I'm generally not a fan of stock single coil pickups that most manufacturers use, but the stock single coils in the Silo are pretty nice. The problem you're describing doesn't sound like an issue with your pickups, but rather with something else in the signal chain between the pickups and the output jack... though anything is possible since none of us can hear what you're hearing.

Start here:
http://www.seymourduncan.com/images/products/electric/stratocaster/501015-100.pdf
That's the wiring diagram for the JB Jr, compare it to what you've got going on with your guitar and see if there's any issues with your wiring. Good luck.

 

[johanguitarist]

Well to be sure about the wiring on the Singles on it, I requested the wiring diagram from support, and the Singles are hooked up correctly according to that including the silent circuit.

The question is if the JB Jnr can have altered the sound of the Singles?

I am not sure exactly how to incorporate these two wiring diagrams (original and the one for the JB Jnr) and some advice would be much appreciated. Also, there is the version with the stock Fullsize Bucker in the bridge with 2 Singles, and the wiring on that is different from the SSS. Should I use that wiring with the JB Jnr and 2 singles?

Thanks a bunch for all the ideas guys!

 

[candid_x]

Couple things, John. One, if you'd like an SSS set of stock Silo Specials, IM me, as I've a newish set which was replaced. Second, isn't the JB and actual humbucker (not full sized but)? And if so, is it wired according to the SSS or the HSS schematic? Or is that what you're asking? Both schematics are downloadable from the website.

Anyway, be patient. You'll get it sorted out and it'll be worth it. CS should be able to help you also, though I don't know what their policy is about rewiring non-stock p'ups. I can say that new complete pickguard assemblies can be purchased directly. Good luck, man.

 

[johanguitarist]

Couple things, John. One, if you'd like an SSS set of stock Silo Specials, IM me, as I've a newish set which was replaced. Second, isn't the JB and actual humbucker (not full sized but)? And if so, is it wired according to the SSS or the HSS schematic? Or is that what you're asking? Both schematics are downloadable from the website.

Anyway, be patient. You'll get it sorted out and it'll be worth it. CS should be able to help you also, though I don't know what their policy is about rewiring non-stock p'ups. I can say that new complete pickguard assemblies can be purchased directly. Good luck, man.

I know I know... Im not too good at explaining!

Now it is wired as the schematics from CS with the HSS configuration. The JB Jnr is a humbucker in Single-format.

 

[johanguitarist]

Ok I just got a reply from CS, and they confirm the number on the back of my Bridge pickup as being a S/N from the stock Dimarzios. Good to know!

As I am very sure its a 250 Pot in there, it must be something else, and I am still very curious about what candid_x said about a loose cable on the input jack.

Could anyone explain please?

Also, since I am using a singlecoil-sized bucker, should I hook everything up according to the HSS schematics for a silhouette special that would come like that from the factory? What Im trying to say is, shall I treat the JB Jnr as a full-sized bucker when I hook it up?

 

[whitestrat]

As I am very sure its a 250 Pot in there, it must be something else, and I am still very curious about what candid_x said about a loose cable on the input jack.

You measured it?

Actually, might be better if you could take a pic of the wiring and post it online?

 

[candid_x]

Johan, I only meant to make sure the wiring/guitar is grounded.

But now I'm confused. You said the CS confirmed that the bridge pickup is a stock single coil, but then you say it is a SD JB. Did you mean to say the neck single coil?

I don't know about wiring the JB but I know at least one other member here uses them. Maybe they'll chime in.

 

[johanguitarist]

Johan, I only meant to make sure the wiring/guitar is grounded.

But now I'm confused. You said the CS confirmed that the bridge pickup is a stock single coil, but then you say it is a SD JB. Did you mean to say the neck single coil?

I don't know about wiring the JB but I know at least one other member here uses them. Maybe they'll chime in.

Sorry I understand if you got confused. As the stock bridge single is out of the guitar I could send that number to CS, without takin the pickguard off. My guitar has got JB Jnr in bridge, and the two stock singles in mid and neck position.

 

[candid_x]

Ah, ok, now I gotcha.

I wish I could be of more help but I'm so not a tech type.

But let me just say again, that the stock silo special singles are not the "nail in the ear" type at all. Personally, if it were mine I'd reinstall the stock bridge single coil, and then see if it's still spikey sounding. Definitely shouldn't be if the rest of the ax is stock.

Do all pickups and switch positions sound too bright, or is it just one or two positions? Which ones?

I have just bought a Fender Super-Sonic head, and I was trying different cabs the other day, and tried an Engl 2x12 with celestion vintage 30s and also a Laney Lionheart with Celestion heritage speakers in. The vintage 30s were just so harsh it was painful, but the Lionheart was ok.

Ok, this may be another area to consider. I've found a certain guitar rig can sound killer in one amp, but weak or off sounding in another. Each component changes the rest. So, I'm wondering if the Super Sonic, combined with a V30 (which can be piercing or strident sounding speakers with some rigs, especially before their broken in, as with all speakers), are not mating well with stock Special pickups. Entirely possible.

Just some possibilities to consider.

I don't think the stock silo special pickups are "all that", but I think they're good, and are warmer than any stock strat p'up I've heard. But some owners, like myself, like to experiment with others. My #1 is an SSS maple board with fralin blues specials. My other one has stock singles with a Breed hb.

When my kid was out visiting this summer, I couldn't get over how unfocused his SG sounded, but after playing it a bit, you forget. but then when I picked up one of my Silo, it suddenly sounded very focused and direct. It's relative.

Hang in with it. Curious how it works out for you.

 

[whitestrat]

I don't think the stock silo special pickups are "all that", but I think they're good, and are warmer than any stock strat p'up I've heard.

You find them warm??? Clean? or dirty?

 

[Nigel]

I concur with the original post.
Having owned 2 SSs , a Fender US Strat & a Deluxe Strat I have had the opportunity to A/B them.
First of all, bear in mind that with the standard EBMM HSS wiring the only true single coil position is #5 (counting from the bridge)...all the rest are combinations of coils.
Without using evocative words....I found the clean settings on the Fenders to be warmer, more "liquid" and more to my taste especially for rhythm work. The SS is not designed to be a Strat and I suspect it would probably have many advantages for modern rock styles and higher gain settings. I am not trying to criticise either brand of guitar....what they are is different and it's a matter of taste and probably musical style which you happen to prefer.
If you really want your SS to be more Fenderish. I recommend Gold Lace Sensors or Fender Samarium Cobalt pickups.
Don't bother welcoming me to the forum.....this is a new ID since I don't want abuse on my main ID for being positive about Fender!!!

 

[johanguitarist]

I concur with the original post.
Having owned 2 SSs , a Fender US Strat & a Deluxe Strat I have had the opportunity to A/B them.
First of all, bear in mind that with the standard EBMM HSS wiring the only true single coil position is #5 (counting from the bridge)...all the rest are combinations of coils.
Without using evocative words....I found the clean settings on the Fenders to be warmer, more "liquid" and more to my taste especially for rhythm work. The SS is not designed to be a Strat and I suspect it would probably have many advantages for modern rock styles and higher gain settings. I am not trying to criticise either brand of guitar....what they are is different and it's a matter of taste and probably musical style which you happen to prefer.
If you really want your SS to be more Fenderish. I recommend Gold Lace Sensors or Fender Samarium Cobalt pickups.
Don't bother welcoming me to the forum.....this is a new ID since I don't want abuse on my main ID for being positive about Fender!!!

That last bit was funny!

Yeah, well I agree that they are different animals all together...but I still think there is something not right with my honey... find it very challenging to get an acceptible clean sound on all the amps I have tried, and I dont think those pups were voiced to be like that.

 

[candid_x]

You find them warm??? Clean? or dirty?

Either. But I take it you don't.

 

[johanguitarist]

Smelly...?