Changing String Guage on a Silo Special

[gitapik]

I recently bought a 2009 Silo Special. It came with the 9s on it and the action a little raised. My go to has always been 10s. I liked the feel of these 9s a lot, but was thinking of giving the 10s a go to see what was what.

I used to have a Silo Standard with a Floyd. My tech told me I'd have to adjust the guitar if I wanted to change to 10s on that one, so I was wondering if this would be the case with the Special (with the tremolo). I wrote to the EB website before making the switch. Here's what they said:

That model is setup in factory with 9s. The setup will definitely need to be adjusted to switch to 10s, the nut slots would be of most concern. You'll need to make sure they are widened to fit the heavier string gauge to avoid cracking the nut. Everything else will just be minor adjustments to achieve the best setup with 10s, if the last owner had 2 tremolo claw springs for 9's, we'd recommend adding the 3rd for 10s.

I'm glad I asked. I could get a new nut made, but think the 9s will be the string of choice on this guitar, for now. The slight raise in action gives them a very nice feel with that little bit more resistance.

Just a heads up in case you're thinking of going to a heavier gauge string on a Silo Special.

 

[Stratty316]

I recently bought a 2009 Silo Special. It came with the 9s on it and the action a little raised. My go to has always been 10s. I liked the feel of these 9s a lot, but was thinking of giving the 10s a go to see what was what.

I used to have a Silo Standard with a Floyd. My tech told me I'd have to adjust the guitar if I wanted to change to 10s on that one, so I was wondering if this would be the case with the Special (with the tremolo). I wrote to the EB website before making the switch. Here's what they said:

That model is setup in factory with 9s. The setup will definitely need to be adjusted to switch to 10s, the nut slots would be of most concern. You'll need to make sure they are widened to fit the heavier string gauge to avoid cracking the nut. Everything else will just be minor adjustments to achieve the best setup with 10s, if the last owner had 2 tremolo claw springs for 9's, we'd recommend adding the 3rd for 10s.

I'm glad I asked. I could get a new nut made, but think the 9s will be the string of choice on this guitar, for now. The slight raise in action gives them a very nice feel with that little bit more resistance.

Just a heads up in case you're thinking of going to a heavier gauge string on a Silo Special.

I bumped my Silo Spec up to Hybrid Slinkys and had no issues. I've been playing mine that way for 2 years now.

 

[gitapik]

I bumped my Silo Spec up to Hybrid Slinkys and had no issues. I've been playing mine that way for 2 years now.

Good to know. Maybe they're just covering their bases.

 

[DrKev]

Good to know. Maybe they're just covering their bases.

Yes. Most guitars handle 9s and 10s without modification. Many forum members have gone to 11s without issue.

Also remember, if you need a new nut, you'll have to order the compensated nut from EB. A good tech can fit it and if necessary file the slots for larger strings.

 

[gitapik]

Yes. Most guitars handle 9s and 10s without modification. Many forum members have gone to 11s without issue.

Also remember, if you need a new nut, you'll have to order the compensated nut from EB. A good tech can fit it and if necessary file the slots for larger strings.

Good heads up on that. Thanks, Kev.

I don't know that I'll change gauges. It's got such a great tone as is and it's just ridiculously easy to play. 9s are fun.

 

[Stratty316]

I use the hybrid slinkys on all my guitars. I like the little extra bottom end I get from 10s but I love how easy 9s are to play on the top end, even guitars that don't need it like the HHAL.

 

[ozzyrules]

I use the hybrid slinkys on all my guitars. I like the little extra bottom end I get from 10s but I love how easy 9s are to play on the top end, even guitars that don't need it like the HHAL.

+ !.
They're 9 1/2's. Great for the bottom end tone, but "bend-a-bility" of 9's. You got a better guitar color than my plain Jane mint blue!Good job, and thanks for inquiring.

 

[lock-ny]

OP Im a 9.5 guy but ive used 10s tuned down half step with NO nut mods, if 10s are too stiff try 9.5s theyre great!

 

[gitapik]

OP Im a 9.5 guy but ive used 10s tuned down half step with NO nut mods, if 10s are too stiff try 9.5s theyre great!

Thanks, lock-ny

 

[Stratty316]

+ !.
They're 9 1/2's. Great for the bottom end tone, but "bend-a-bility" of 9's. You got a better guitar color than my plain Jane mint blue!Good job, and thanks for inquiring.

Never thought of them as 9.5's... It's the perfect string IMHO. And plain Jane Silo Specs are always appreciated! Mine is white with a maple neck... Talk about plane Jane!

 

[jones4tone]

Huh, now I have to ask about going to a lighter string. My JP15 came with 10s, which I promptly changed to 9s. (This was my first ever electric, and so my first experience with a tremolo bridge, and spending that weekend changing setup in the aftermath was unexpected, but enlightening!)

Are there downsides to keeping 9s on this guitar since the nut was originally fit for 10s? Or is the difference so slight that it should really be no problem?

 

[gitapik]

Huh, now I have to ask about going to a lighter string. My JP15 came with 10s, which I promptly changed to 9s. (This was my first ever electric, and so my first experience with a tremolo bridge, and spending that weekend changing setup in the aftermath was unexpected, but enlightening!)

Are there downsides to keeping 9s on this guitar since the nut was originally fit for 10s? Or is the difference so slight that it should really be no problem?

I had a Floyd on a Silo Standard. My tech said I should always have the guitar setup changed whenever I changed string gauge with that bridge. Don't know about the nut though.

 

[jones4tone]

I had a Floyd on a Silo Standard. My tech said I should always have the guitar setup changed whenever I changed string gauge with that bridge. Don't know about the nut though.

Yeah, as soon as I got the 9s on it, it was obvious I was going to have to do some work. (Or have someone do it, and I was too impatient for that.) The bridge was sunken into the tremolo cutout, so I went from 3 to 2 springs on the claw. I seriously learned a lot that weekend about a tremolo bridge. And I bought a hardtail after that!

 

[gitapik]

Did you mean this was your first electric guitar from years ago or that you recently started playing?

Having come from a solo fingerstyle acoustic background, I can "feel your pain" if it's the latter. Electric is a totally different animal. There was definitely a learning curve for me.

I'll be interested to hear about the nut.

You could send an email to EB while you're at it.

 

[jones4tone]

Did you mean this was your first electric guitar from years ago or that you recently started playing?

Having come from a solo fingerstyle acoustic background, I can "feel your pain" if it's the latter. Electric is a totally different animal. There was definitely a learning curve for me.

Brand new to electrics. Been playing acoustic (lots of fingerstyle and rhythm kinds of things - never really played a scale) for many years, but seldom break one out these days. EBMMs are pretty much the only guitar I have any interest in playing right now.

It is a completely different animal from acoustic. I'm such a beginner with electric, but it's just too much fun. The range of tones possible between different instruments is just amazing. I sat down last night to noodle for a bit, and had NO idea I'd been sitting there playing my Axis for two hours when I looked at the time.

 

[gitapik]

I've been playing both since my teens but acoustic was the primary focus from the gitgo as a classical and fingerstyle guitarist. The electric was my playground and I'd just plug it in and play (I even let my thumb hang over the fingerboard!!!)

My fingering wrist blew out a couple of years ago from slide and classical technique. All those stretches and the thumb under that neck all the time took their toll. So I put myself more seriously into the electric and it's been an eye opener. So many different ways to achieve different tones. I ended up changing from a medium to a hard jazz size pick. Combined the pick and fingerstyle. Changed strings more often. Swapped pickups. New lighter amps. Swapped tubes. Cable lengths. New pedals with a reliable power supply. Etc.

I miss the acoustic a lot...but electric guitar is more than just filling the void. It's wonderful. So much easier to play with so many options.

 

[jones4tone]

I'm glad that you've found a satisfying outlet post-injury. Completely agree that it's a wonderful field to explore and enjoy.

 

[gitapik]

Brand new to electrics. Been playing acoustic (lots of fingerstyle and rhythm kinds of things - never really played a scale) for many years, but seldom break one out these days. EBMMs are pretty much the only guitar I have any interest in playing right now.

It is a completely different animal from acoustic. I'm such a beginner with electric, but it's just too much fun. The range of tones possible between different instruments is just amazing. I sat down last night to noodle for a bit, and had NO idea I'd been sitting there playing my Axis for two hours when I looked at the time.

I'm curious about that Axis Super Sport. Are you using it with your fingerstyle technique?

 

[jones4tone]

I'm curious about that Axis Super Sport. Are you using it with your fingerstyle technique?

I haven't fingerpicked either MM very much at all. I've been focused more on learning the full fretboard much more than I knew it before, learning some scales, and trying to figure out a good option for systematic learning. And just having fun.