Baseplate (bass-plate?) on SSS Silo Special

[candid_x]

A little while back I ordered an SSS pickguard assembly for a Silo Special, and was pleasantly surprised to see a baseplate (bass-plate) attached to the bridge pickup. I've never found much use for a single coil bridge p'up by itself, but as I experiment with this rig, I'm finding all kinds of uses for it, particularly when running through a TS808 and an Eminence Red White and Blues speaker.

Question: Was this base plate a new addition to Silo Special SSS assemblies, or has it always been there?

 

[robelinda2]

I noticed it on my DD Silo Special too, i found that taking it off changed the tone of the bridge/middle selection, interesting.

 

[candid_x]

Wow, Rob, you're getting adventurous! It usually adds some bass response to the pickup. If it changes the bridge pup tone it will effect position 2 as well, of course. Prior to this I've only known them to be used on Fralins. I'm diggin' it. I don't recall a mid 90's SSS Silo Special having them, when I changed the pups out once, but I may have overlooked it.

 

[beej]

Interesting guys ... I've never seen it. A metal baseplate, akin to what you have on the Albert bridge p'up (or tele bridge p'ups)?

 

[robelinda2]

yep its the same as on the AL.

 

[beej]

So how is that pickup different from an older model? Twangier? I've had a few older SSS's and don't ever recall seeing it.

 

[candid_x]

Jay, hard to say how it's different or even if it's different. I don't recall seeing the plate on an older set of SSS Silo Special p'ups, I installed into another guitar. Theoretically, the plate adds more bass response. Since the last set I tried wasn't actually in a MM guitar, I can't compare apples with apples. That said, I never used the bridge pup by itself on that guitar, but I can, do and will definitely be using it on this one.

Still curious if someone with an older model SSS Special can verify whether it has the plate or not.

 

[whitestrat]

Bassplate? Like the John Suhr bass plate???

 

[beej]

No ... that's a backplate. It's more like the Silent Circuit, but in the form of a trem cavity plate.

The bassplate is a small metal strip on the bottom of a pickup. (Or the place you put your fish. Take your pick.)

 

[candid_x]

No ... that's a backplate. It's more like the Silent Circuit, but in the form of a trem cavity plate.

The bassplate is a small metal strip on the bottom of a pickup. (Or the place you put your fish. Take your pick.)

Or the place you put your fish? Huh?

I didn't know that about Suhr's bassplate. I thought it was the same as this and Fralins.

 

[beej]

(Remembering the old Dan Akroyd "Super Bass-o-matic" sketch ... "mmm that's good bass ...")

I haven't used the Suhr Backplate, but it's a replacement cover for your trem cavity that is wired with a big coil. Essentially a large sized dummy coil which, when wired up with regular single coils pickups, will subtract the noise from the signal. It gets very good reviews. The Silent Circuit is the same sort of thing in a very small form factor and, of course, works like a charm. Both are intended for true single coils and not ones of the noiseless variety.

 

[candid_x]

Oooh, THAT bass. *doink!*

Most everything I've read about the noiseless pickups have been less than stellar. Suhr's system sounds good, but I'm becoming a real fan of Silent Circuit as of late. Wish there was an easy way to check the battery, though.

 

[beej]

Most everything I've read about the noiseless pickups have been less than stellar. Suhr's system sounds good, but I'm becoming a real fan of Silent Circuit as of late. Wish there was an easy way to check the battery, though.

Some noiseless ones get good reviews ... though most seem to agree they're not as good as true single coils. I've always like the Bill Lawrence onces. The Dimarzio Areas are getting excellent reviews these days. I picked up a second hand set and am thinking about putting two in my Morse, just for fun.

On the battery ... other than the noise ... there's no easy way to tell. On my piezo'd Morse, the battery dies quite regularly. I'm thinking about wiring in a little LED to indicate battery status.

 

[whitestrat]

No ... that's a backplate. It's more like the Silent Circuit, but in the form of a trem cavity plate.

The bassplate is a small metal strip on the bottom of a pickup. (Or the place you put your fish. Take your pick.)

ahh... got it. Thanks!

 

[whitestrat]

Oooh, THAT bass. *doink!*

Most everything I've read about the noiseless pickups have been less than stellar. Suhr's system sounds good, but I'm becoming a real fan of Silent Circuit as of late. Wish there was an easy way to check the battery, though.

The best noiseless pickups I've ever used are from Kinman. Really quiet. But the tone is kinda strong, and lacks the suppleness of some vintage single coils.

 

[candid_x]

I'm thinking about wiring in a little LED to indicate battery status.

That has always seemed logical to me, whether for active pickups, piezo or silent circuit. Located on the pickguard, perhaps? Sure would beat the ole tongue test . Also, I'd want one which dims as power goes down. If you do one, I hope you share it here.

 

[beej]

It will draw power when you're playing, that's the real downside. But would be neat. I'll definitely share if I do it. Should be somewhere visible to the player, but not to the audience.

Could put in on the pickguard, but would have to be very subtle. Come to think of it ... best place would be in the battery box itself- you just flip the guitar over to look at it. Hmmm.

 

[candid_x]

It would only draw power from the battery, right? Not from the guitar's output. Like on a pedal, for example?

I thought of battery compartment lid also. Close proximity is good.

 

[beej]

It would only draw power from the battery, right? Not from the guitar's output. Like on a pedal, for example?

Exactly.