Silhouette vs. SM-Y2D, Axis vs. Reflex?

[gypsyblues73]

Hi all! I'm still fairly new to EBMM guitars, but out of the 30 or so guitars I've owned over the years, my Silhouette Special is one of my favorites ever. So I'm looking at another EBMM addition to my collection, and was curious if the SM-Y2D is similar in feel? On the official site, the neck specs are identical, but it doesn't mention neck shape. I'm a Morse fan to begin with, and the SM-Y2D looks like a ridiculously versatile axe. Then again, I've always wanted an EVH-type guitar, but I understand the neck on the Axis is much fatter, although still narrow. Is the Reflex pretty much identical to the Axis except for the switching options?

 

[Barny]

The reflex has a bigger body than an Axis, it has the same neck as a silo special but with a slightly flatter radius (12" instead of 10"), it is chambered and is made with a cocktail of basswood, mahogony tone block and maple cap.

 

[gypsyblues73]

The reflex has a bigger body than an Axis, it has the same neck as a silo special but with a slightly flatter radius (12" instead of 10"), it is chambered and is made with a cocktail of basswood, mahogony tone block and maple cap.

Hmmmm...maybe the Reflex may be more up my alley than the Axis, since I love the neck on my Silo Special. The Axis has a much fatter neck (i.e., more wood on the backside), right? How do you like your Reflexes compared to your Axis?

 

[Barny]

If the fact I have 4 of them doesn't make it clear, I love the reflex, easy to play, hugely versatile, perfect guitar to me. To my ears you get the regular 5 Axis Super Sport sounds which I love, but when you switch them over to parrallell you get a much more "stratty" type variation of those tones. The reflex tone has something extra from the tone block and chambering as well that I really miss when I play my Axis, just seems to sing and resonate a bit more than the Axis.

The reason I also have one Axis is that the back contour on the Axis is my absolute favourite, it is definitely "fatter" feeling than the reflex, which IMO makes the reflex neck feel "easier" to play, I just happen to love chunky necks. on the other hand I also prefer the flatter radius of the reflex neck, again adds to the ease of playing IMO.

 

[jzeijen]

I have a Axis sport and a Reflex. For me the Reflex neck is more comfortable, I'm still getting used to that a-symmetrical Axis neck. If you want an easy transition from your Silo, I think the Reflex will be best. But you really have to try them both! I also have a Y2D and that neck seems to be a tiny bit flatter than the Reflex, but equally comfortable. The body has no contours, so you will have to adjust to that. You see, there's no choosing, get them all!

 

[gypsyblues73]

I have a Axis sport and a Reflex. For me the Reflex neck is more comfortable, I'm still getting used to that a-symmetrical Axis neck. If you want an easy transition from your Silo, I think the Reflex will be best. But you really have to try them both! I also have a Y2D and that neck seems to be a tiny bit flatter than the Reflex, but equally comfortable. The body has no contours, so you will have to adjust to that. You see, there's no choosing, get them all!

Yeah, that's the problem...very cool but very different models. I'm definitely leaning more towards the Reflex now though. I think the only guitar I've ever had with a fairly beefy asymmetrical neck is a Les Paul Standard Plus. I like it okay, but I like my LP with a '60's slim-taper neck more, so I'd probably prefer the Reflex neck over the Axis. And then maybe add the Y2D down the road, to have a FR option in addition to all of the tones it has

 

[Tollywood]

Welcome to the Forum...decisions, decisions...

 

[DrKev]

I played a Game Changer equipped Reflex a few weeks back. My impression was that the neck was definitely fatter than the silhouette/silo special, though still a fabulous, comfortable neck. LP players will be more immediately at home on the Reflex than the Axis, IMO.

 

[Barny]

I played a Game Changer equipped Reflex a few weeks back. My impression was that the neck was definitely fatter than the silhouette/silo special, though still a fabulous, comfortable neck. LP players will be more immediately at home on the Reflex than the Axis, IMO.

That would pretty much be the opposite of my experience with the 7 or 8 Axis guitars I have owned and the reflex guitars I have. Perhaps the Gamechanger has a different neck to the reflex??

 

[gypsyblues73]

I also have a Y2D and that neck seems to be a tiny bit flatter than the Reflex, but equally comfortable. The body has no contours, so you will have to adjust to that.

What do you mean by the Y2D having a flatter neck, do you mean on the backside or the fretboard radius? And no contours, as in no belly cut or anything? I've got a few Teles and the LPs I mentioned so I'm used to that, if that's the case.

 

[mikeller]

In my experience the Y2D feels closer to the Silo Spec than either the Axis or Reflex/25th Ann. I own one of each. But the necks are all hand sanded which can make a difference. My 25th neck feels the largest of all my EBMM guitars.

 

[jzeijen]

What do you mean by the Y2D having a flatter neck, do you mean on the backside or the fretboard radius? And no contours, as in no belly cut or anything? I've got a few Teles and the LPs I mentioned so I'm used to that, if that's the case.

I mean the back of the back is somewhat slimmer. And yeah, no belly cut or fore-arm contour. I mostly play my AL's so that was really different for me. Al's are comfortable to the extreme. Hey, have you considered an AL HH?

 

[joe web]

have played the Silo Special from our singer a few times and it felt very similar to my y2d neck.
Not the same but close, but the guitars sound totally different.
i would go with a y2d.

 

[DrKev]

That would pretty much be the opposite of my experience with the 7 or 8 Axis guitars I have owned and the reflex guitars I have. Perhaps the Gamechanger has a different neck to the reflex??

Same neck. But, I was thinking of the guitar as a whole, not just the neck, and just my own opinion. Sorry for the confusion. You have more experience of these two than I do.

In my experience the Y2D feels closer to the Silo Spec than either the Axis or Reflex/25th Ann. I own one of each. But the necks are all hand sanded which can make a difference. My 25th neck feels the largest of all my EBMM guitars.

Reflex and 25th are the same guitar.

Total confusing mess now, and I'm glad to have been a part of it!

Does this help? --> http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/48311-neck-shape-reflex.html

 

[Barny]

I love the way we are all MM pushers for our guitars of choice, "buy a reflex" "no no, buy a Y2D" "how about an AL HH".

Lets face it, you are going to need one of each.

If I had the money I would have a AL HH, Silo Special and a original Steve Morse all back in my collection.

 

[Barny]

Same neck. But, I was thinking of the guitar as a whole, not just the neck, and just my own opinion. Sorry for the confusion. You have more experience of these two than I do.

I agree with that, definitely a more LP ish vibe overall (when compared to a Silo Special), but with more tones, I thought you were talking specifically about the neck, Sorry!

 

[Gio_Force_One]

I absolutely love my y2d and since I changed the pickups love it even more , very comfortable great tone neck is the perfect shape for me and its a beautiful looking g guitar as well .
And since I have push pull pots and spli the coils it makes it extremely versatile.
I haven't touch any other guitar in a long time.

 

[jzeijen]

I love the way we are all MM pushers for our guitars of choice, "buy a reflex" "no no, buy a Y2D" "how about an AL HH".

That's what we're here for isn't it?
Can't help (AL HH) it....

 

[Tollywood]

I love the way we are all MM pushers for our guitars of choice, "buy a reflex" "no no, buy a Y2D" "how about an AL HH".

haha - we are not much help at all...

 

[gypsyblues73]

That's what we're here for isn't it?
Can't help (AL HH) it....

Don't do that to me!!