Albert Lee or Silhouette Special?

[memofromturner]

Hey all,

Long time MusicMan player. I currently have a beautiful transparent red flame Axis Super Sport, and can honestly say it's one of the most impressive guitars I've ever played.

I'm GASing for a new guitar and can't decide between an Albert Lee or Silhouette Special. I suppose one could describe my style as Mark Knopfleresque. The Super Sport really shines for the type of finger picking I do... but now I want a single coil guitar to compliment this style.

Since the Albert Lee and Silhouette Special share many of the same specs (i.e. neck, scale length, body wood), I suppose it's a matter of taste about the body shape. -Sans the different pickups between the two models. I've never played an Albert Lee or Silhouette Special, so maybe I can get some helpful information here... which hopefully will help me decide.

I know they will both play like my Axis SS, but since I've never heard the pickups in both guitars (AL and SSpecial), I have the attitude of possibly installing new PUs if I don't care for the sound. I'm looking for Strat "quack". Does either the Albert Lee or Silhouette Special (both with 3 single coils) possess this quality?

Also, I really dig the vintage sunburst finish on the Albert Lee. Does the back of the guitar sunburst as well? Or is it solid black?

Can I order a replacement pickguard from EBMM if I buy a guitar from a dealer and don't care for the pickguard color?

Thanks!

Memofromturner

 

[Jimi D]

Well, I am a devoted Axis player, and I used to own both an Albert Lee and a Silhouette Special. Now I just own the Albert Lee (had to trade the Sil. Spec. for another Axis). As Jon is fond of saying, the Albert Lee sounds like a Strat would sound if it could - it's a stellar single-coil guitar. I recommend them without hesitation.

However, it's ultimately got to be your choice, so if I were you, I'd try to find one of each to play, and let your hands decide...

...and the AL burst is both sides of the body...

 

[memofromturner]

Well, I am a devoted Axis player, and I used to own both an Albert Lee and a Silhouette Special. Now I just own the Albert Lee (had to trade the Sil. Spec. for another Axis). As Jon is fond of saying, the Albert Lee sounds like a Strat would sound if it could - it's a stellar single-coil guitar. I recommend them without hesitation.

However, it's ultimately got to be your choice, so if I were you, I'd try to find one of each to play, and let your hands decide...

...and the AL burst is both sides of the body...

I appreciate the help. Thanks.

-Memo

 

[edcat]

One way to hear the sound of the AL is to listen to Albert play on one of his videos where you can hear only the guitar(the best one's for this are Virtuoso Techniques and Advanced Country Guitar IMHO). That's what I did although my playing is kindergarten by comparison, the tone is exactly the same. It is the ultimate finger picking guitar. It was made for that style of playing and its hard to describe the feel of this guitar and sound that you get from your fingers but it's better than the best Tele you've ever played. To my ears its a bright sounding guitar more so that a Stat but not as much as a Tele. I just bought a Silo Special myself (am waiting for it to be shipped) Have never heard or played one but I played a Sub and flipped out over it so I know I won't be disappointed. Its a HSS configuration. From what I've read, the three single coil Silo gives you the best Strat sound but don't quote me on that. I'm sure some of the other members can shed better light on that.

 

[John C]

Silo Special or Albert Lee - there's a decision where there really isn't a wrong choice! Do they both quack? Yes!!

I went with the Silo Special primarily because I prefer a rosewood fingerboard and the Albert Lee only comes with maple. I've also owned both alder and ash bodied guitars in the past, and I tend to prefer alder. Another check for the Silo Special.

Here is a shot of mine - a Silo Special in Vintage Burst with s/s/s pickups:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/45309108/251439519CZPKTS

 

[kbaim]

I'm in the ALBERT camp, but a good point was that it doesn't come with rosewood fingerboard. Excellent quack tones on it though.

Mines honeyburst.

Comes with your choice of p90's or regular single coils.

And if you're anywhere in So Cal, GC in fountain valley has a cool blue one and for a really good price.