Benji Mods, Looking for Suggestions

[macdaddy]

I bought my first EB last week!!! I got a great deal on a new Benji Madden Sig. with the intentions of adding a neck PU and a 3 way switch. (I have a Dimarzio, Hum from Hell for it) Love the guitar, awesome neck.

I'm looking for suggestions and/or cautions before I start. This guitar is like a blank canvas and I'd like to know what you think the ultimate PU configuration would be. I mentioned HH, 3 way, 1 Vol and 1 Tone, but I'm really wide open and would appreciate input from the membership. I'd like her to have a good blues / rock tone when finished.

Thanks, MacDaddy

 

[beej]

I think the Benji is routed for a single hum. So you'd actually need to route the body if you want to put in a neck p'up. But that's not too bad a job.

 

[Sub1 Zero]

I actually think the benji is a sweet looking axe, and it's a MM so it will be right up there with the rest. Do it man, and show us pics

 

[Astrofreq]

sand off the name off the headstock

 

[paranoid70]

The body and neck of the Benji feel just like a Silhouette Special, so I love it from that aspect. However, I can see why one would want to add a neck pickup, the one pickup configuration is rather limiting in my opinion. Good luck and definitely post pics!

 

[banjoplayer]

I heard about Benji and Paris Hilton today for the first time. Didn´t know that they are together

Show us pics! I´m shure the guitar is sweet!
Congratulations

 

[macdaddy]

Thanks for the reply's.
What I'm really asking is your opinions concerning the various PU configurations available for the Silo's and Specials. EBMM offers allot of Pick-Ups, switching and splitting options and I would like to hear from you guys who have played these guitars for a while. What is the "Hot ticket" for a Silo?

 

[paranoid70]

The 20th anniversary Silhouette as well as my SUB1 has two humbuckers with a simple 3 way switch. Personally, I really like them. I don't know exactly what kind of after market pickup to recommend for the neck, but I really like the options the HH config provides. I would go that way.

 

[DrBob]

As a man who's currently teetering on the edge of buying a single HB Sub to modify I've been giving some thought to this kind of thing.

I'm currently thinking Seymour Duncan P-Rails Pickup in the Bridge and a Sustainer Pickup in the neck. The P-Rails is mega flexible and the Sustainer would give me something that none of my other guitars currently can.

Or, alternatively, stick a set of straplocks on it, put it on a long strap turn it up and jump around whilst having the time of your life.

Either way works for me.

 

[mbgreene]

I heard about Benji and Paris Hilton today for the first time. Didn´t know that they are together

I was guessing that's the reason the Benji model isn't listed on the new website. Sales and profitability are one thing, but associating with Paris is the last straw

 

[Sub1 Zero]

As a man who's currently teetering on the edge of buying a single HB Sub to modify I've been giving some thought to this kind of thing.

I'm currently thinking Seymour Duncan P-Rails Pickup in the Bridge and a Sustainer Pickup in the neck. The P-Rails is mega flexible and the Sustainer would give me something that none of my other guitars currently can.

Or, alternatively, stick a set of straplocks on it, put it on a long strap turn it up and jump around whilst having the time of your life.

Either way works for me.

Do it

 

[MikeVt]

So guys, is this the first Benji owner to join our forum? I can't remember seeing one in any other sigs. If so, shouldn't we have balloons or fireworks or something?

Welcome!

Mike

 

[wolfbone07]

I'd go with a DiMarzio chopper in neck and mid, 5-way blade and a coil tap push-pull for the bridge. That's just me. Show pics of the work in progress!

 

[Sub1 Zero]

I heard about Benji and Paris Hilton today for the first time.
Congratulations

Maybe he will add a new endorsement to his roster

 

[macdaddy]

So guys, is this the first Benji owner to join our forum? I can't remember seeing one in any other sigs. If so, shouldn't we have balloons or fireworks or something?

Welcome!

Mike

Thanks for the warm welcome Mike

What do you guys think of the Steve Morse Y2D set up with the middle single coil right next to the bridge hum? I know some of you own this guitar, can you please describe the tone with that config?

Thanks, Mike

 

[ba2m]

I bought my first EB last week!!! I got a great deal on a new Benji Madden Sig. with the intentions of adding a neck PU and a 3 way switch. (I have a Dimarzio, Hum from Hell for it) Love the guitar, awesome neck.

I'm looking for suggestions and/or cautions before I start. This guitar is like a blank canvas and I'd like to know what you think the ultimate PU configuration would be. I mentioned HH, 3 way, 1 Vol and 1 Tone, but I'm really wide open and would appreciate input from the membership. I'd like her to have a good blues / rock tone when finished.

Thanks, MacDaddy

I think you should consider to put two EMG 89 on your guitar, it has the split coil so you will get neck and bridge neck sounds(the famous emg SA sound).. and also get neck and bridge humbucker sounds(the famous emg 85 sound)

Good Luck!!

 

[beej]

What do you guys think of the Steve Morse Y2D set up with the middle single coil right next to the bridge hum? I know some of you own this guitar, can you please describe the tone with that config?

Hey Mike,

In the Morse that single is basically a tele neck p'up. It sounds quite "hollow" on it's own and has a unique sound. Mixed with the bridge it works very well.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

How about the 'classic' Tone Zone / Air Norton combo?

 

[candid_x]

Thanks for the reply's.
What I'm really asking is your opinions concerning the various PU configurations available for the Silo's and Specials. EBMM offers allot of Pick-Ups, switching and splitting options and I would like to hear from you guys who have played these guitars for a while. What is the "Hot ticket" for a Silo?

The good EBMM folks will send a completely loaded pickup assembly, if you own a Silo Special for it to drop into. I don't know if they'd also sell one to a modified Benji, but it might be worth calling and asking them. Then all you'd have to do is route the body and drop it in. The options would be either a SSS or HSS, and for the most part it would become a Silo Special. The stock singles are Di Marzio custom wound, and the HB is a Di Marzio Virtual PAF.

 

[banjoplayer]

I heard about Benji and Paris Hilton today for the first time. Didn´t know that they are together

maybe a new video soon? one night in paris pt. II ?

ups, back to topic

What do you guys think of the Steve Morse Y2D set up with the middle single coil right next to the bridge hum? I know some of you own this guitar, can you please describe the tone with that config?

The Morse SC sounds not as snappy as you know a SC from a strat for example. This is because of it´s position I belive and because of it´s natural voicing. Some forumites have changed the Morse-SC. It has a nice tone, but I personally think it´s a bit lame (It becomes better with a compressor). Nice to have, but for real SC-sounds, another guitar (AL, Silo, Tele, Strat) maybe a better choice. I think the combination of SC and bridge hummer does not sound like a SC anymore. it´s more than a cleaned up hummer