Confession time, I have to get this off my chest...

[Norrin Radd]

It's not really a secret that I've been really digging my 20th silo lately. I think it's just an amazing guitar. But I always wanted to get just a tad more juice out of it - more power from the pickups - so it could be more like my Axis output wise. SO, last night I replaced the pickups with another set I had lying around. I have been playing it all morning and I have to say, that this guitar, bar none, is the best sounding guitar I have ever put my hands on!!!

IF, you have the opportunity to buy a 20th Silo and you pass it up, I can no longer look at you as a sane & rational guitar player (not that those all go together very much, anyways. ) GET ONE NOW, why you still can! I don't understand how dealers on the web can still have these in stock on their websites - it's amazing. Honestly, if I won the Powerball, I'd buy every 20th I could get my hands on. Funny thing is, I never wanted to like this guitar. I was opposed (I thought) to the Silos & their ilk, preferring the nice comforts of maple fingerboards and 22 frets (what a narrow minded moron!). Then I played one through a good amp at GC and I was hooked. It was nothing like my others - it had a stop tail, a RW board, 24 frets, no trem. But man, the tone sucked me in!

NOW, the confession part? I got this thing for a steal because it had been in inventory for so long - and I mean a ridiculously good deal! That the 20th is not a BFR is just fine with me (although, I have played the Luke & F1, and they are fantastic), I still believe it is the best sounding guitar, EVER.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Sterling & Dudley & the whole crew at EBMM for making me this guitar - I have never been more pleased with my tone. You guys rule!!!


Knuckles - if you haven't got one of these - GO GET ONE NOW!!!!!! Please. For your own sake.

 

[Ponch]

Congrats bro Norrin Radd!

 

[meenahga]

I would have to agree with you Norrin.

 

[paranoid70]

I have to confess too. Mine was just delivered yesterday and it was also an absolute steal. I mean look at this baby, how could I have let it slip away?

 

[DT1607]

Ok, my next guitar is going to be a 20th...I can't resist anymore once my JP comes in I'm going 20th silo hunting lol

 

[fogman]

IF, you have the opportunity to buy a 20th Silo and you pass it up, I can no longer look at you as a sane & rational guitar player

Well, let's see now. I've passed on 2 Sub 1s, A rosewood Axis, A black Pet, and a drunken loaner from Koogs!
I don't think if I had the opportunity, that I'd pass on a 20th. I'd jump on it for sure. I've seen one once, but was out of town and didn't have time to play it.
Glad you guys are loving them!

 

[Larry]

I wish I had a 20th Silo. Someday.

 

[Big Poppa]

This is a bfr just no logo....it bugs me that so many of these got ignored at retail and beat up....I seriously echo Norrin I ve said it a hundred times it is the best.

 

[JMB27]

20ths just absolutely rock the knot

if'n you see one for sale .... buy it! buy it now!

just my .02 ... and yes, I am very biased

Joel

 

[unclerico]

I've Never heard a 20th before. Are they amazing?

 

[pauldogx]

while we are confessing--I'd have to say that I've been befuddled by my 20th Silo as well. I think I got one of the first ones anywhere--last July from Pete. Now heres the deal--I've never bought a guitar without playin it. Took a chance and bought a Luke--beautiful guit--my fave player--but not for me. Luckily I traded it for something I dig. The problem is there were no other EBMM's of any kind near me to try out. Saw tommyindelaware play my 20th and got to meet and hang out with Pete D. and played the 20th a bit unplugged. So I bought the 20th figuring if I didnt bond with it----theres no way I'm gonna have a problem moving it for something else. Wrong. Bottom line is after playing some Petrucci's and Morses at Jack Gretzs place , I finally discovered the EBMMs that fit me best--perfect fits. So ,bottom line is I bought the wrong guitar for me(my fault)--but when I see all the threads over the last year about the 20th, and I've made some offers on here and privately,and just put an ad in the 4 sale area ------nothin--crickets. So, yeah BP I'm with you on not getin it--sorry if this sounds like a rant--but its honest and hopefully a cautionary tale about buying with GAS and not using your head. I will be gettin a JP and a Morse. I think EBMM's are best bang for the buck out there and the fit and finish is boutique quaility--I'm just frustrated I didnt do my homework better and get the right modelfor me the first time!!!!! The 20th is a boutique quality istrument and people are paying WAY more for the same configuration from other builders--so I really dont get the corksniffing condescention(spelling?) that EBMM seems to get in some circles.

 

[Meedleyx10]

I'm going to step out on a limb and guess you bought the one at the guitar center in Roseville? I live/go to school in downtown St. Paul and go there from time to time for small stuff.

I've played that one a couple times actually. Sounded great, but it had some pretty wicked fret issues going on last time I played it (in may). The Honeyburst ASS they had last time I went there has had me drooling all summer though.

 

[pauldogx]

I'm going to step out on a limb and guess you bought the one at the guitar center in Roseville? I live/go to school in downtown St. Paul and go there from time to time for small stuff.

I've played that one a couple times actually. Sounded great, but it had some pretty wicked fret issues going on last time I played it (in may). The Honeyburst ASS they had last time I went there has had me drooling all summer though.

no---the one I bought I got from Pete D. in 07/06-----and was perfectly set up with no issues whatsoever and remains so to this day--I had to tweak the rod once last month!!! The problem aint the bow its the archer and I simply chose the wrong bow for the job.

 

[Norrin Radd]

I'm going to step out on a limb and guess you bought the one at the guitar center in Roseville? I live/go to school in downtown St. Paul and go there from time to time for small stuff.

I've played that one a couple times actually. Sounded great, but it had some pretty wicked fret issues going on last time I played it (in may). The Honeyburst ASS they had last time I went there has had me drooling all summer though.

Paul - I think this was meant for me!

And yes - I did get this guitar at that store in Roseville. There were minor fret sprout issues with the guitar when I got it - that's because winter is absolutely hell on the guitars in that store (I know because I worked there for many years!). The good news is - with a little patience plus one Minnesota summer (read: humid and sweaty), the frets come back into place perfectly. Maintaining proper humidity at home after that takes care of the problem for good.

This particular 20th has this beautiful kind of wavy swirly pattern on the very light colored (almost caramel like) RW fingerboard. It's really cool looking! And the quilted top is gorgeous too - and 3D like crazy! I love this guitar and I am glad I got it. It is by far my favorite.

Say -

If you want to check it out with the new pickups (and check out how I "cure" fret sprout) PM me and we'll arrange a time to meet at the GC in Roseville. I'll bring the 20th (and any other Balls I have you want to try out), we'll bring a Marshall Vintage Modern half stack & whatever else you like into the Loud Lounge and have at it for a spell. Let me know.

 

[robelinda2]

yep the 20th silo does indeed rock many a knot. Sure is a BFR.

 

[pauldogx]

Good post and you make a good, albeit indirect point: EBMM doesn't crank out a million models that are variations on two or three themes. Each primary model line is distinct from the next so there's bound to be something for any solidbody player looking for a great guitar.

Re: megabuck boutiques...

I don't have much experience with the boutiques (I only played a couple of Suhrs and Tylers at some shows and shops) but quality is quality and workmanship is workmanship. My Axis SS doesn't disappoint in either category so there's no point for me in making the comparison.

Sixtyfour---yeah the point I was making re: boutiques is that the fit and finish and playability of EBMM is on a par with the boutiques---yet the company does not seem to get the respect of "the Corksniffers"----I assume part of that is because they are "production" instruments!!!

 

[pauldogx]

yep the 20th silo does indeed rock many a knot. Sure is a BFR.

You wacky English colonials and your expressions!!!

 

[Jimmyb]

The 20th is THE BFR in my mind.

 

[Meedleyx10]

Paul - I think this was meant for me!

And yes - I did get this guitar at that store in Roseville. There were minor fret sprout issues with the guitar when I got it - that's because winter is absolutely hell on the guitars in that store (I know because I worked there for many years!). The good news is - with a little patience plus one Minnesota summer (read: humid and sweaty), the frets come back into place perfectly. Maintaining proper humidity at home after that takes care of the problem for good.

This particular 20th has this beautiful kind of wavy swirly pattern on the very light colored (almost caramel like) RW fingerboard. It's really cool looking! And the quilted top is gorgeous too - and 3D like crazy! I love this guitar and I am glad I got it. It is by far my favorite.

Say -

If you want to check it out with the new pickups (and check out how I "cure" fret sprout) PM me and we'll arrange a time to meet at the GC in Roseville. I'll bring the 20th (and any other Balls I have you want to try out), we'll bring a Marshall Vintage Modern half stack & whatever else you like into the Loud Lounge and have at it for a spell. Let me know.

That's very kind of you! I don't have a car out here and I'm usually pretty tied up, so when I do get to run to guitar center, it's one of those situations where a friend finds me at school and says "white castle and GC, you in?". I'll definitely keep that in mind though. I'm planning on a trip up there within the next couple weeks to see what kind of trade-in I can get on my old Ibanez S7420...the proceeds will, of course, be going towards my ASS.

 

[paranoid70]

Meedley, I would try selling a guitar on my own (Craigslist or Ebay or whatever) rather than do a trade-in at a store. I think you could get quite a bit more for it.