Do you own a Silo and a 20th Silo? I need your help.

[Norrin Radd]

I've never played a Silhouette before. I love my 20th Silo. I've been drooling over the Rootbeer Sparkle teasers. I am assuming the 20th body shape isn't making a return. I have some questions for you guys - the first is obvious (and, fortunately, all encompassing). And keep in mind, when I say Silo - I mean the 24 fret version - not the SS - thanks:

1. How do these two different guitars compare? Strengths & weaknesses?

2. I'm very comfy with my 20th - will the contoured Silo body be much different?

3. Any BIG difference in tone between the RW & Maple boards?

4. The piezo - just as good on Silo as other EBMMs?

5. Anything else I should know?

Thank you for your time!

 

[fsmith]

When it comes to Silo's and 20th's, you need NorM to weigh in on this one, he's gotcha covered on this topic...

 

[NorM]

1. How do these two different guitars compare? Strengths & weaknesses?
A really cool thing that I am thankful for was the opportunity to try the original 20th proto types. From the first non beveled proto I tried on I instantly bonded with that guitar. The first thing I really loved about that guitar was the weight. It was so light. These were the FIRST prototypes mind you. I recall Dargin saying that he wanted the bodies to be mahogany at that point. I remember thinking that would certainly make the guitars heavier. I think the compromise of the mahog tone block was wonderful. Also, with the protos there was a beveled top maple capped and a non beveled top maple capped. I thought the beveled top maple capped just looked funny. Luke liked the look and I recall Sterling saying something along the lines of, The Silhouette has bevel cuts and that is what the 20th's should be. I also remember telling Sterling things I did/didn't like and Sterling’s response being on the order of, Let us build the guitar. I think that was appropriate cause after all I'm not the professional. I'm just some snot nosed punk who happens to like the guitars and owns more of them then I deserve. Now with SiLOs I just think they meet my needs better when I replace the pups with EMGs. That's just me and what I do. However, I recall hearing somewhere that the SiLO was originally built to be a "modern" guitar. So it was a little weird when I heard that the 20th's were going to get pups designed to create a "vintage" sound. It's important to me (and they are my guitars so I can do what I want) to keep my 20th as original as possible so there will be no pup replacing in my 20ths. That being said the tone from the 20th's (to me) sounds deliciously open and airy. When I have played out with them everyone else’s guitar sounds flat and plain.
I should do an a B comparison and put it on the cool Humbucker and MM90 thread.
I think I finally get what Steve Morse is saying about mid range control with the 20ths.


2. I'm very comfy with my 20th - will the contoured Silo body be much different?
So the bevels didn't happen on the 20ths but I still think they are beautiful. The bevels are there where the wood meets the belly so there are no issues there. The 20ths are a tad heavier but I haven't spent 8 hours a day with one yet to see if there is any consequence.
I really like the piezo switching option of the original SiLO as compared to the 20th. So much so that I am looking for a quilt maple neck non piezo trem 20th.

3. Any BIG difference in tone between the RW & Maple boards?
I tried both and honestly I couldn't taste a difference.
That being said, I perfer Maple. Maybe I think the response is faster from a maple board but that's just what I think. Maybe I think the maple sounds a bit brighter but again that's what I think. I also think everyone should try both and determine what they think.

4. The piezo - just as good on Silo as other EBMMs?
Everlasting issue with the piezo. (BP's not gonna like this)
If you run the piezo through a PA and the mags through a high gain setting (on my amp anyway) there is this 60 Hz hum that is unbearable. A DI box with a ground lift for the piezo eliminates a lot of the noise and makes it tolerable. This effect is less pronounced on the regular SiLOs than the 20th's and even less pronounced on EMG equipped SiLOs. Even with all that baggage I need to be very clear on this point.
You Want the Piezo Option on your Silhouette!
If you only use it once you are making money.

5. Anything else I should know?
I think that about does it. Thank you for letting me share.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Thanks NorM. That was an awesome response! Much appreciated. I'm starting to rap my head around an 08 LE Silo with maple neck & piezo...........

 

[NorM]

Thanks NorM. That was an awesome response! Much appreciated. I'm starting to rap my head around an 08 LE Silo with maple neck & piezo...........

That would be an awsome and beautiful instrument. FYI, For the 06 LE the piezo option was only available on the petrucci model. I hope piezo will be available for all instruments. Also keep in mind that this could be a function of the metalurgists / vender(s) outside the control of ... well you know. Then all you can do is understand.

 

[Norrin Radd]

FYI, For the 06 LE the piezo option was only available on the petrucci model. I hope piezo will be available for all instruments. Also keep in mind that this could be a function of the metalurgists / vender(s) outside the control of ... well you know. Then all you can do is understand.

Well, I'm good at understanding and would pull the trigger w/o piezo anyways!

One more Q - is the neck profile the same?

 

[fogman]

Well, I'm good at understanding and would pull the trigger w/o piezo anyways!

One more Q - is the neck profile the same?

I believe they are the same necks.

 

[NorM]

Well, I'm good at understanding and would pull the trigger w/o piezo anyways!

One more Q - is the neck profile the same?

I believe they are the same too.

 

[paranoid70]

To my hands the profile of the 20th neck feels the same as the Silo Special as well.