G&L Legacy vs. EBMM Silhouette

[ebb soul]

I run into a G&l rep that gigs the same places I do regularly, and get to check out first hand at whatever G&L offers. Their build quality does not impress me over Fender at all. [they're 'O-K']
You know with my Silhouette I know if it were broke or stolen I could grab another 'off the rack' and quality is consistant enough that I'd be fine, I cannot say that of G&L, Fender, or anyone else for that matter.
One out of ten maybe, suitable, but is that 'one-out-of-ten' even in the store?

Well, it's a bit apples and oranges, you're asking about a Legacy, it's vintage vibe, Silhouette is not so much, more of a modern take.
For the money, I can usually find one out of ten mexican vintage strats that feels, looks, plays about as good as a Legacy, for much less moo-lah.
That being said, and what's important to me, is I play a Silo and it makes me stand out from all the Strat/Strat clone lemmings.
And no, I don't say anything here MM positive because it's a MM board, I'm no shill.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

If you have an Al MM90 now, you don't have an Al SSS. I do and use it whenever a strat sound is called for (by my band leader). I suppose if you need a rosewood neck....you could buy an HH and an SSS and swap necks and you'd have exactly what you need.

 

[RobertJFortner]

I'm a big strat guy. I have an American from 2004 with EMG-David Gilmour Pickup set that is my go to guitar. I've been real happy using my Luke live the past year, instead of my strat. Even though it has a humbucker and is a lot fatter. Its a killer guitar. I love the 4th postion. I've owned and played a few G&L's, too me they are a lot like gibsons ( don't freak out let me explain). I love when other people play them but I never get the tone or am happy when I own one. I've never own a Silhouette Special BTW

 

[ozzyrules]

I sold my G&L Asat & G&L Legacy after nearly 20 years when I bought my EBMM 25th. The rest is history and I'll never look back.

 

[musikarero]

If you want something a little more traditional then G&L, but if you want something a tad off the beaten path yet keeps that familiar vibe, then a Silo is the answer. I've had a few Legacy guitars and just didn't like their bridge at all.

 

[Music Man]

I'd say Silhouette Special all the way.
I am glad to own three of them in quite different configs concerning PUs, fretboards, trems, non-trems, ...
I have access to some older as well as newer Strats at my rehearsal space and though I cannot comment on any G&L, the Silos are far lighter than the average Strat, much easier to handle, the necks are unparalleled in playability, and these guitars have become my ultimate weapon for practically all tasks from blues to funk to rock to metal - you name it.

Give the Silhouette Special a good try if you have the chance - I doubt you will want to let go of it.

Cheers

Axel

++++++++++++++++++++++++++1
(Not only do I favor EBMM but Silo Specials in Particular)

 

[brokenvail]

The way the SS is routed you can make it an SSS. The pups are voiced on the modern side but go ahead and drop in your preferred strat set and bam!

 

[paranoid70]

Lot of 'old timers' in the early part of this thread. Where'd they all go?

 

[wooozor]

Ive owned alot of strats, Both G&L Legacy 30th anniversary model plus customshop strats.

the G&L I found very modern feeling and sounding-uninspiring. It was a nice guitar to play however didn't give me that raw classic strat vibe I wanted.

Onto a customshop strat 62 that just blew every strat Ive ever played. Amazing playability with pure vintage tone. Killed me having to sell that one.

Ive never tried a musicman Silhouette.

 

[guitarp77]

I don´t know...after playing MM you really are hooked with them...these babes are just too hot to let them go

 

[guertzi]

Holy thread resurrection!!!!!!

 

[Assumer]

I have had both. I currently play G&L basses but guitar wise, I think MM plays so much better. G&L makes a great product and very lefty friendly but.....

 

[straycat113]

I was a bit baffled at first when I saw azzazal and then realized this post is almost 4 years old. I have only played one G&L guitar ever, a Tele that was owned by a friends son I was teaching. I thought it was nice, but nothing life changing.

 

[Spudmurphy]

I was a bit baffled at first when I saw azzazal ... ... ...

Yeah - there's a few "blasts from the past".

 

[brokenvail]

LOL I didn't even notice this was a resurrection thread. I should have known when I saw Axilla.

 

[ozzyrules]

LOL I didn't even notice this was a resurrection thread. I should have known when I saw Axilla.

Didn't notice either.

 

[DrKev]

A lot of thread resurrections this week. Must be something in the water.

 

[Mpcoluv]

G&L is a fine company, but the only advantage they have is that G&L offer several neck profiles.
In general, Music Man is tough to beat. A silhouette special is a great value.
To me, my AL MM-90 is an awesome "strat" type guitar.
I do lust for a silhouette special however.

 

[glockaxis]

I have a G&L Legacy and a Legacy HB and I love them both. I love My Luke as well and am looking forward to the Luke III being revealed and made available. I think it's all good as each does something a bit different and when it comes down to it, it's all about what makes you pick up the guitar and inspire you to make music.

 

[gitapik]

The only Silo I've ever spent any time on is my '95 HSH with a Floyd Rose. As a rock and metal guitar, it's sooo serious. For funk and blues it's real nice. Country is ok. But I played a '95 SSS with a standard bridge when I was shopping MusicMan and still regret not getting it. Wish I could've gotten both. That SSS was very, very fine. Very Strat like, but with its own personality. Beautiful, crystal clear tone. But I had a '77 Strat at the time, and i needed that Floyd, so I went with the HSH.

Now I've got a '57 AVRI Strat which is wonderful. And I recently picked up a G&L ASAT Classic which, imho, is a GREAT Tele. I like everything about it.

I played a Legacy when I was looking at ASATs. I liked it a lot...but it didn't have anywhere near the impact on me that the SSS I played 17 years ago did. I can still remember that guitar like it was yesterday. It was one of the nicest axes I've ever played. As nice as my current Strat (they did this one right).

So, based on my experience, I'd recommend the G&L ASAT Classic if it was a Tele you wanted. For a Strat, though, I'd say the Silo. They're fantastic guitars.