PinkPanther
Well-known member
Great NGD!
Finally! After nearly 20 years of searching, I actually managed to get my hands on a Silhouette Special 30th MIAC Anniversary Edition about two weeks ago. It had almost worked out a few times before, but always fell through due to some unfavorable circumstances (shipping, customs, taxes, etc.). Only a few guitars from this series made it to Europe (I live in Germany). I’ve been able to track the whereabouts and history of about 10 of these 30 guitars over the years (there were even a few threads about the MIAC series here at the forum). Most of these guitars are probably still found in Canada and the U.S., although a few have also made their way to South America and Europe. A few years ago, I was just a few hours too late regarding an offer in the UK.
I just love this Butterscotch Blonde finish with a white pickguard and white plastic, paired with the light maple fretboard. Unfortunately, this exact combination (sometimes with slight color variations) is only available (as far as I know - correct me, if I am wrong with this) on the 24-fret HSH Silhouette (without "Special"). Alternatively, there’s the 2005 limited edition (now revived as the 2025 RoyZiv Edition) or the 2012 Musik Meyer (German distributor) dealer edition. But those come with black or tortoise pickguards and black plastic, as well as rosewood (and matching headstock also) or roasted maple fingerboards. Just not that deliciously light all-blonde look (if my dark-haired wife reads this, we're probably done
).
About 3 weeks ago, I came across an ad for the MIAC #2 at a dealer in the Netherlands. It was in good to very good condition (just a small crack in the pickguard near the lower switch screw), but unfortunately it didn’t come with a COA and had been slightly modified. The original white pot knobs had been replaced with Chrome Dome Speed knobs, and the bridge pickup had apparently been replaced or, at the very least, fitted with a cream-colored pickup cover. Because of this, the the very pleasant and nice sales negotiations went back and forth a few times. Unfortunately, even the dealer’s inquiry with the previous owner didn’t shed any light on the matter. The previous owner had purchased the guitar a few years ago from another dealer in the Netherlands, already in this condition and without the COA. After agreeing on a price based on these details, I received the guitar a few days later.
I took the guitar apart and inspected it over the weekend. Fortunately, only the pickup cover had been replaced - not the bridge pickup itself - and the pickups are all original DiMarzio EBMM OEM versions. And, as luck would have it, I found some matching, weathered-looking pot knobs and another pickup cover in my junk box. During reassembly, I also found a torn-off ground wire, which I soldered back on. After inspecting the frets, I decided to give them a makeover after all. The overall condition was okay - there was a bit of fret wear and some nicks, which I would have left as is. But a few frets were sticking up. So I pressed those frets back down, then re-leveled the entire fretboard and dressed, rounded, and polished all the frets, etc. Then I oiled it and, finally, cleaned the entire guitar. Now it looks like the original again and plays very well.
If anyone reading this has more information specifically about this No. 2, or can comment on it, or - if applicable - knows or is the previous owner and might be able to say something about the whereabouts of the COA, I would really appreciate it.
Since I'm aware that nothing counts here on the forum unless there are photos
, here you go:
Before:
After:
Rolf
Finally! After nearly 20 years of searching, I actually managed to get my hands on a Silhouette Special 30th MIAC Anniversary Edition about two weeks ago. It had almost worked out a few times before, but always fell through due to some unfavorable circumstances (shipping, customs, taxes, etc.). Only a few guitars from this series made it to Europe (I live in Germany). I’ve been able to track the whereabouts and history of about 10 of these 30 guitars over the years (there were even a few threads about the MIAC series here at the forum). Most of these guitars are probably still found in Canada and the U.S., although a few have also made their way to South America and Europe. A few years ago, I was just a few hours too late regarding an offer in the UK.
I just love this Butterscotch Blonde finish with a white pickguard and white plastic, paired with the light maple fretboard. Unfortunately, this exact combination (sometimes with slight color variations) is only available (as far as I know - correct me, if I am wrong with this) on the 24-fret HSH Silhouette (without "Special"). Alternatively, there’s the 2005 limited edition (now revived as the 2025 RoyZiv Edition) or the 2012 Musik Meyer (German distributor) dealer edition. But those come with black or tortoise pickguards and black plastic, as well as rosewood (and matching headstock also) or roasted maple fingerboards. Just not that deliciously light all-blonde look (if my dark-haired wife reads this, we're probably done
).About 3 weeks ago, I came across an ad for the MIAC #2 at a dealer in the Netherlands. It was in good to very good condition (just a small crack in the pickguard near the lower switch screw), but unfortunately it didn’t come with a COA and had been slightly modified. The original white pot knobs had been replaced with Chrome Dome Speed knobs, and the bridge pickup had apparently been replaced or, at the very least, fitted with a cream-colored pickup cover. Because of this, the the very pleasant and nice sales negotiations went back and forth a few times. Unfortunately, even the dealer’s inquiry with the previous owner didn’t shed any light on the matter. The previous owner had purchased the guitar a few years ago from another dealer in the Netherlands, already in this condition and without the COA. After agreeing on a price based on these details, I received the guitar a few days later.
I took the guitar apart and inspected it over the weekend. Fortunately, only the pickup cover had been replaced - not the bridge pickup itself - and the pickups are all original DiMarzio EBMM OEM versions. And, as luck would have it, I found some matching, weathered-looking pot knobs and another pickup cover in my junk box. During reassembly, I also found a torn-off ground wire, which I soldered back on. After inspecting the frets, I decided to give them a makeover after all. The overall condition was okay - there was a bit of fret wear and some nicks, which I would have left as is. But a few frets were sticking up. So I pressed those frets back down, then re-leveled the entire fretboard and dressed, rounded, and polished all the frets, etc. Then I oiled it and, finally, cleaned the entire guitar. Now it looks like the original again and plays very well.
If anyone reading this has more information specifically about this No. 2, or can comment on it, or - if applicable - knows or is the previous owner and might be able to say something about the whereabouts of the COA, I would really appreciate it.
Since I'm aware that nothing counts here on the forum unless there are photos
, here you go:Before:
After:
Rolf
