For versatility, the Silhouette or the axis sport?

[jptortor]

I have a luke that I Love but am looking for something really versatile for live playing. I really like both the Silhouette and the Axis sport. It seems that they are both really versatile, but each has pickup combinations that the other doesn't... On the Axis I realy like the two outside coils like a tele... But on the Silo you can do the typical strat with the neck single and middle or the bridge single and middle.

I'm just looking for the maximum in versatility. Thoughts?

Jason

 

[Spudmurphy]

^
you can split a humbuckers twin coils but it won't sound exactly like a true single coil because of magnetic field variances/ dynamics.

There again a single coil will never act like a humbucker although gain /boost can be added for example by using the Seymour Duncan pickup booster.

Maybe one of the early Axis that had three pickups would suit you best, because without the middle pickup option you wont get the Cluck/quack.

 

[robelinda2]

Silo Special, HSS, cant get any more versatile than that, unless you add piezo.

 

[fogman]

get a 25th Anniversary guitar!

it's both guitars built into one!

 

[jptortor]

I'm definitely OK with the split coils. I love the middle position on the Petrucci. I am just wondering if the silo, with the bridge/middle and neck/middle or the ASS with the stratlike (middle coils) and tele like (outside coils) will be more versatile.

As for the Silo special, its a no go because it lacks the neck humbucker sound. I am more concerned with strong humbucker sounds and passable single coil sounds than vice versa...

 

[NorM]

Not the special just the strait SiLhOuette!
HSH baby

 

[GuitarHack]

Silo Special, HSS, cant get any more versatile than that, unless you add piezo.

Absolutely.

 

[Astrofreq]

What kind of music are you playing?

 

[Jason2112]

You could always get both (like I did)

The Silo and the Axis SS both serve a purpose and both offer unique tones. As others have mentioned, it depends on what sounds you're looking for? It also depends on which guitar is more comfortable for you to play.

 

[azazael]

I have both... well Supersport not Sport.
I prefer the Supersport, it is a very versatile guitar and I find it packs a bit more resonance and power than the Silhouette. No matter what I play on my Silhouette it sounds like a strat, even with humbuckers.

 

[whitestrat]

I have a luke that I Love but am looking for something really versatile for live playing.

What about your Luke isn't as versatile as you'd need? I was about to agree on the Silo Spec idea that Rob started, then I realised you already had a Luke.

To answer your question, between the Silo and Axis, it'll have to be the Silo for sure.

 

[Jonny Dubai]

I got both (ass and silo spec SSS ) and they are both great guitars. What it may come down to is neck profile and a sc in the middle.

J

 

[threeminutesboy]

Ok I had a Silo Spec and I let it go it's now replaced with a Axis Sport SSS that I absolutly love.

Main guitars for playing live is the ASS HH with Piezo and the AS SSS.

As Lionel said if you already have a Luke I don't understand why you need something more versatile unless you really need a Neck Humbucker pickup.

So in your case the ASS would be a very good complementary GTR to your Luke

 

[jptortor]

I play in a lot of pit bands (broadway musical style) and also top 40/party bands and jazz combos. I really like the neck humbucker for the jazz stuff, which is where the luke cannot compete, but I also like the neck single coil sound or the neck single/middle for a clear, bell like, funky sound, and the tele style outside coils would be good too.

I think that the more I thinka bout my needs the ASS makes the most sense. bridge and neck humbucker sounds, a pseudo tele sound, and a pseudo strat sound.

 

[Astrofreq]

ASS for sure if you are playing jazz. The neck hb is perfect for that IMO.

 

[paranoid70]

I guess you could consider the Morse as well. He is known to play some fusiony stuff.

 

[RocketRalf]

Both guitars will do what you want IMHO. Go for the one you feel is the most comfortable. Consider the neck shapes and the body cutaway on the Axis SS. Or you could get a 25th, With all those different parallel sounds and the bigger chambered body, I'm sure It'll do what you want and much more!