2nd hand Silhouette?

[Gordie]

Hi
I'm looking to find myself an MM to give me some strat tones. They are pretty difficult to find where I live so I have to buy online.
I've got a chance at a 2nd hand Silhouette circa 1992. Its 24 frets with a locking nut trem. The price is pretty good (£650). The locking nut does put me off slightly and the trem is a Floyd style. The other option would be to go for an Albert Lee which is about double the price.
Any views would be greatly appreciated.

 

[coldsummer]

Where are you, presume UK?

 

[Spudmurphy]

Well I have seen second hand Albert Lee's at around the £800 quite recently.
The silo would be a great choice tho

 

[Gordie]

Hi man,
Yeah, I'm in Glasgow so there aren't many dealers and they are a bit pricier.

 

[Gordie]

Hi m8
Where did you see the 2nd hand Albert?

 

[Spudmurphy]

Not so long ago an early black Albert Lee was for sale Cranes Cardiff for £750. Not mint - a player.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Here's one for 900 second hand
ernie ball music man guitar albert lee model in Manchester | Guitars, Guitar Amplifiers for Sale | Gumtree.com

I have one exactly the same (but not for sale!!)

 

[Jack FFR1846]

How is importing from the US? I know (because I'm always looking) that there are great deals used on Guitar Center's site. They can ship outside the US if the guitar is used. Plenty of choice for SSS both with a trem and without if you are patient. The Albert Lee is another wonderful guitar, which GC also has used. Maybe look into that option.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Trouble is Jack, what with VAT at 20% + customs duty + postage + handlers fee, it really adds up to lot.
About 2 - 3 years ago, postage from the USA was relatively cheap, not so now.

 

[DrKev]

When I got my Silo Special two years ago, I shipped UPS, whic was not cheap. The import duties and taxes were almost 25% of the total of the declared value PLUS the shipping charges. I still came out ahead of what I would have paid for the same instrument in the same condition bought 2nd hand in Europe. Just be aware of the import duty and taxes and try to factor that in when making your decision.

 

[straycat113]

That AL that Spud found for 900 pounds would be the way I would go. You do not sound to thrilled about Floyds so I think the AL would be the better choice and by looking at how clean the fretboard is it looks like the original owner kept it under a bed. What is that in US currency about $1,500? For the prices you poor guys have to pay for new ones that's an excellent deal.

 

[coldsummer]

I was quoted £2400 for a new AL HH, which is about $3600? I'm sure you can pick them up for less but even so..........

 

[Tollywood]

Welcome to the forum, Gordie...

Regarding the Silo at a great price...Don't be turned off by the locking nut and Floyd Rose. Once you get used to it, you may prefer it to other trems/bridges. But, you'll never know until you have one. I love Floyds for the fine tuners.

Good Luck on your quest for your ebmm...

Bryan

 

[Gordie]

Thanks to everyone for their input and suggestions. I'm following up a few of the leads with Spuds suggestion of the Gumtree Albert in Manchester most likely if the owner will ship to Glasgow.
Cheers
Gordie

 

[coldsummer]

Be very, very, careful with Gumtree ads.

 

[Gordie]

Thanks for the welcome and advice Tollie.
There's another fixed bridge silo on Ebay at £600 just now so I'm keeping an eye on that. A few places are doing 0% finance just now so I may yet go for a brand new Albert Lee. I've been buying and selling for 20 years now but since I got a Luke 3 HH I find I don't want to play any other neck than MM's so I've sold my Les Paul, strat and a Suhr and bought a Luke 2 but I'm still looking for an out and out SSS for my SRV etc. I've been getting into Johnny Hiland recently which has attracted me to the Silhuoette also but I'm not sure if there have been any major changes to that model since the early 90's which appears to be the vintage of most that I see at decent prices.
Cheers
Gordie

 

[Gordie]

Thanks for the offers mate. I'll have a think about things and come back to you.
Cheers
Gordie

 

[skerwo]

It also would be a good idea to look at the EBAY lists from other EU-countrys. Normally in Germany you´ll get a used Silo for 800-900 Euros. Within the EU no other taxes except the shipping costs. Meantime I buyed two EBMM by EBAY, I made good experiences.

The normal Silo is not so close to the strat tones I think, 24 frets and actual HSH pups. The Silo Special and the AL SSS would be more close to that classic strat sound.

Rainer

 

[Gordie]

Hi
Thanks to everyone for your advice.
I've just taken delivery of an Albert Lee SSS from Andertons. Deep red with a mother of pearl plate - well chuffed with it! Its probably the most versatile axe I've had to date and the bridge pickup is surprisingly hot which I really like.
Cheers
Gordie

 

[ErnieJohn]

sounds nice , enjoy,