First time on a 20th Silo - quick

[the24thfret]

On Wednesday this past week I had some time to kill in Manhattan, so after a quick 411 call I was off to Guitar Center on 13th.

I was hoping to find the one BFR JP that I knew had been shipped there weeks ago, but was told by a sales associate it had been snapped up immediately, then returned to another GC

So instead I found myself playing a 20th Silo, hardtail, no piezo, no matching headstock, but great birdseye and a killer sound. I played it clean through some kind of Fender Twin superluxverbrotater. The neck played well above my expectations and the build quality was excellent, with a really solid feel to everything. I've been a bit out of practice recently while traveling around and waiting for my new JP to come in, but the 20th made me feel confident while playing. The action was incredibly low, maybe too low, but there was no cutoff on bends and like I said the neck felt great. The slight bend/scoop for my right arm was also well cut. For some reason (maybe it wasn't locked tight enough) the G string wouldn't stay in tune and wavered slightly. The strings were also a 9 gauge, I believe, which was a bit of an adjustment because I play 10s, and I felt it needed something beefier for tone. I didn't explore the tone too well in terms of amp sounds, I stayed clean and on the same amp, but the range of sounds from the guitar were pretty great. But again, it was a wonderful experience, and after making the mistake of telling the sales guy that it was one of the best guitars I ever played, I had to refuse the GC Credit Card application and wait another week for my JP.

Now there is a 20th on my list, and I can see why so many of you say it is the best guitar ever made (swear I've read that here). Congrats to everyone who has one, especially to EBMM making them and especially especially the guy who eventually buys this guitar from GC .

 

[robelinda2]

they sure are special guitars!

 

[shadymaple]

I've never seen or played one but I'd sure like to.

 

[Sweat]

Well good reveiw and every word is true best guitar ever, just finished a practice with mine, I am a 9-42 person so the strings are perfect I have no problems with clean or crunch and getting a beefy tone from it, should have broke down and bought it especially since no interest for a year right now at GC, anywoo, love mine, and there is one on ebay at a great price as well.

 

[JMB27]

If you got the chance and the cash - then go grab yourself a 20th

They mos' definitely rock the knot

 

[Colin]

The 20th really blew me away sound wise...

 

[Eilif]

Verily, verily I say unto thee, 'tis an awesome instrument.

 

[Zaphoid]

After having a JP BFR in my possession and comparing the two side by side, the 20th was hands down the winner for tone. My bandmates agreed as well. Its just an amazing guitar with allot of magic and soul.... if anything ever happens to my 20th I am quitting guitar.

 

[Big Poppa]

IT breaks my heart to see instruments that we make like the 30thSr and the 20th Silo on ebay for really low prices. Both of these are legacy pieces if you like what we do. I said that when they were available from us and still believe that those are the benchmark for us.

If you guys have the dough or take advantage of the no interest for a year you need to be patient and keep it as I think that someday.........

PS that no interest is paid by me.

 

[the24thfret]

Sorry to hear that, BP. I'm new to the fanclub here so I guess I don't have the background to understand how great of an achievement the anniversary versions are.

Regardless, I don't have the capital right now so I can't make an investment

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I know where there is at least one more brand new 20th available that's in mint condition... it's located in Manchester CT and I'm not talking about the GC down the road from us (although they do have a 30th Ray)

 

[dmullen]

Nice 20th's come out of that shop in Manchester.

 

[philiprst]

Ever the contrarian I have to say that there are only two things sadder than a guitar being sold on ebay for good price

1) to imagine it being kept by someone who doesn't play it because it might be collectable someday.

2) to see it being sold as an expensive "rare" collectors piece.

One of the things I like about EBMM guitars is there is very little of the usual "historic", "vintage", "rare!" stuff going on with them. They are great, honest, working guitars.

ps. I do realize that some of the earlier Stingrays are quite collectable now. I don't know why, the new ones are better!

 

[philiprst]

Now wait just a minute.... that "no" interest in paid by you? I always though the dealer took the hit..... I stand corrected.

 

[lumberjack]

Take Poppa's advice. Don't pass up on the 20th. I don't understand, either, why people are letting these guitars go cheap. I love mine. The feel, playability, and tone from these guitars is awesome. If I found another one I think I'd grab it. These special pieces don't come around too often.

Poppa, could you explain what you meant when you said the no interest deal from these stores is covered by you.

Thanks

 

[Music Man]

It is a phenomenal guitar. I really wish I could have kept both of mine but what can you do I list a have quilty.

 

[whitestrat]

Take Poppa's advice. Don't pass up on the 20th. I don't understand, either, why people are letting these guitars go cheap. I love mine. The feel, playability, and tone from these guitars is awesome. If I found another one I think I'd grab it. These special pieces don't come around too often.

I saw 4 such pieces in this huge guitar shop called Key Music in Shibuya, Tokyo last week when I was there. Truely beautiful guitars. I don't particularly like the metal covers on the pups, but the rest of the guitars was really gorgeous. They had flame, quilt, hardtail, trem, maple, rosewood. pretty much the full variety. Had I not committed to a Mystic Dream JP6 the day before in another shop in Akihabara, I'd be hard pressed not to pass this one up. If I saw these in Singapore (my home country), I'd get one, but since I was on holiday, I really didn't know how I was going to lug 2 guitar cases home.

Sad to say, there is no decent EBMM dealer in my country.

These are really beautiful guitars. I dare say they're better built compared to most other "American Made" guitars these days, and the cost you pay for these is a slight premium above the rest. I actually think EBMM is undercharging for these, especially when you see a Gibson Les Paul selling for twice the price, and is half the quality and beauty...