Question HSS too versatile. Need to 'adjust'.

[canuck6string]

Hello forumites.

I have a couple of Silo Special HSS's, one with tremolo, the other a hardtail. I pretty much get all the tones I need with one guitar so the other is just eye candy. What I am requesting are some suggestions for pickup configurations to cover oldies, various genres of country, classic rock, surf. Lots of clean and some slightly overdriven sounds. I don't often get into high distortion or gain except when I flashback to the late '80s.

Here are the stipulations:

1) I don't want to deface/deform/mutilate the body, but the pickguard is wide open.
2) Not looking for pickup brands, just the configurations for now.
e.g. x/x/mini-humbucker or twin-blade single/x/HB-sized P90.

I play at home and for family gatherings through a Mustang III.

Thanks for any advice/input/suggestions/crazy ramblings/insight

 

[xjbebop]

Tele

....and/or cabronita style...

 

[Stratty316]

I know you aren't looking for pickups... BUT, I'm considering swapping to the Luke 3 HSS electronics in my HSS silo spec. No mods to anything but the pickguard and the tone will get you where you want to be. My point is that configuration wise you have a lot of options remaining HSS. There are a ton of options when it comes to pickup selection or you can just rewire your 5 way switch to a standard "fender" configuration and see how the different positions alter the tone of the guitar. Dr Kev resided his silo spec and it changed things up... It's something to consider.

 

[canuck6string]

Tele

....and/or cabronita style...

Tele bridge with stock single coil in the neck is one of my favourites. As for a CabroSpecialita, it would have to be a single 'filtertron' type in the bridge. I had a peek under the guard and the bodies are routed HSS.

To Stratty, I discovered I use position 1 and 5 almost exclusively. I played a Esquire-parts guitar for a few years and just adjusted the volume and tone to taste. I have put traditional 5-way switch wiring on the list, though, if I went with a single pickup guitar for the other one.

 

[canuck6string]

Oooooooooooooo.....Stock HB in the hardtail and a 'something-tron' in the tremolo. 3-way switching, no-load tone.

A tip of the hat to the Benji Madden

 

[Spudmurphy]

Just turn it into an "Albert Lee" clone - game over!

 

[DrKev]

I rewired my SS to get the full humbucker in positions 2 and 3, which made all pickup positions more equal in volume, (the volume drop in position 2 and 3 bothered me when I spend so much time with clean tones). Doing so also changed those two tones. Position 2 (bridge/middle) became a little thicker and warmer. Luke and Morse owners already know this sound. Position 3 (neck/bridge) became thicker and quacky-ier, like the perfect cross between the middle positions on a Tele and a LP. Very cool.

For something totally different, I'd put a PAF humbucker in the neck (single-sized if you don't want to rout the body) and a Tele bridge pickup or a P-90 type in the bridge. Chrome covers, and a simple three-way switch.

 

[canuck6string]

For something totally different, I'd put a PAF humbucker in the neck (single-sized if you don't want to rout the body) and a Tele bridge pickup or a P-90 type in the bridge. Chrome covers, and a simple three-way switch.

I like the p90 bridge/PAF style neck idea. Definite growl and fatter sound for classic rock. Not only that, I would not have to get a new pickguard made. With exchange and shipping it's over $100 Canadian...for a pickguard.

The SSS idea was one of my first thoughts, Spud. That was until I looked into a replacement pickguard.

Much appreciated, folks. The P90 x rails/SC-sized humbucker will work for the hardtail. For the tremolo, I may go with a single bridge Filtertron for the sparkly spank of the 50s/60s. Volume/tone/3-way switch.

 

[Steve Nukather]

I say leave it stock

 

[canuck6string]

I say leave it stock

This is likely based on the current strength of our dollar.

Truth be told, I didn't purchase the guitars for the tone/pickups. I chose the Silo Special because the body shape provided the most ergonomic and comfortable playing position of any guitar I've tried. Hands down.

After some reflection, I'm trying to re-create my Esquire build and '57 Reissue Strat using the current pick guards.

 

[DrKev]

After some reflection, I'm trying to re-create my Esquire build and '57 Reissue Strat using the current pick guards.

Hmmm. I wonder...

You could get a tele bridge pickup in the humbucker spot without routing, yes? If so, then you could get a luthier to make a custom tele bridge assembly to get the holes to line up with the existing Silhouette hardtail bridge mounting holes and string holes. Then get a blank matt black pickguard, and cut it to fit around the tele bridge plate? Would be very cool!

 

[Steve Nukather]

Nothing to do with money. The Silhouette Special stands on its own as a great guitar. It has a unique tone due to the materials used in its construction, and I think the stock pickup configuration works best with the overall design. Let the Silhouette Special be itself. Even with different pickups, it's never really going to sound like an Esquire or Strat anyway.

 

[canuck6string]

Just my personal preference, I.T. Love the bodies and the necks and the HSS is good for all I play. But an SSS would be better. And the allure of a single bridge pickup. Simplicity.

For me the Silhouette Special is a ridiculously comfortable body and neck that is well built and high quality. Can't make my own so I'll works with what I gots. Then mod it.

Oh, Dr. Kev. I viewed a thread from a few years ago. Someone did that to a Silhouette, but I didn't hear any sound bytes. Would be interesting to know how that turned out.

 

[ozzyrules]

Just turn it into an "Albert Lee" clone - game over!

+ 100000000000000

Al SSS!!!!

 

[canuck6string]

Just turn it into an "Albert Lee" clone - game over!

I suppose I should adjust my terminology on this here forum.

Instead of a Reissue, I like the sound of an SSS configured guitar...not unlike the AL.
Instead of that other guitar that was introduced in 1950 with 2 pickups, I could say I really like the tone of an Axis MM90, but want it in an HB / SC configuration.

There we go. I've attempted to right an injustice. My apologies