Greetings... Long time guitarist and modifier... first time EBMM owner.

[baimun]

Greetings folks. I found my way over here after following some links regarding the Steve Morse Y2D that I've been lusting over for a while now.

I've been playing and customizing guitars since the mid 80's and all the crazy Charvels. I've been primarily a Charvel player most of my life because I have this sickness where I can't leave anything stock for more than 24 hours before going all "Dr. Frankenstein" on it.

I recently acquired this 2005 Music Man Silhouette...

Within the first 24 hours, it became....

The slanted bridge pickup was placed well enough, but the neck pickup was centered where the neck humbucker used to be and sounds more like a middle pickup than a neck. If I had it to do over again, I probably would have done the Special with the 22 fret neck... but in the mean time, I'll likely make a new pickguard and move the neck pickup as close to the neck pocket as the inner route will allow.

Extremely lightweight and versatile guitar though. I thought the case was empty when I picked it up.

Because of my customizing-mentality, I'm constantly modifying guitars to improve apon the weaknesses in design (that so many people are reluctant to let go of)

My main guitar has been this US Charvel SanDimas II (Koa wood body)

I loved the 24 fret design with the neck bolting so much deeper into the body than a traditional strat.... hence the jump to the music man.

I also oil finish all of my guitar's necks (and many of the bodies) which gives another tip to the EB hat.

Recently I acquired a chambered solid body blank that is shaped more like the Wolfgang than the Axis (I prefer the Axis shape) but the Spalted maple on the top was too sweet to pass up.

I also aquired an Ernie Ball 24 fret neck that I will route the appropriate neck pocket and use on the spalted body, but I haven't been able to find a 5 bolt neck plate, so I'll probably have to make one.

Anyways... hope to share some cool info with you guys!

 

[beej]

Welcome! That's a great collection.

I have the same affliction, my friend ... can't seem to leave anything stock for long. (Recently put a piezo system into my '91 Morse.)

 

[GWDavis28]

Dude, welcome, nice EBMM, again. You'll love this place it's as good as http://www.guitaristworks.com/forum/.

Glenn |B)

 

[baimun]

I still don't know whether to thank you, or plant my size 12 shoe in yer ass for showing me those Y2D video clips.

Must... contain.... GAS.....

 

[NorM]

I have some questions about the beautiful stuff you did to the silo. I'll ask later.

 

[baimun]

This may answer your questions before you ask them....

I took out a set of Dimarzio Vintage Noiseless (Vintage Solo/54 neck/54 neck) which I will be selling because I prefer the Seymour Duncan Alnico IIs.

The switching is currently a super-switch with the mini-toggle allowing Neck/Bridge, and all three pickups when the 5 way is in position #1.

I put pearl tuner knobs on both sets of locking tuners (the one on the Silhouette and the one for the Spalted)

All of my guitars use my "Super Secret Strap Buttons" (that I tell everyone about)

I was digging through my parts drawer and wondered "where did I get these PRS strap buttons from???" then I realized they were FENDER BASS STRING RETAINERS!!! Available for $3 while PRS charges $20.

I hate the way traditional strap locks squeak and rattle.... these oversized buttons fit close to the body, and I've never had a strap just slip off like smaller ones do.

Ummm... what else...

Oh... I don't tune in standard tunings or use normal strings.

I tune in 5ths like a violin or cello... with my Charvels being set for FCGDAE and my Silhouette and Charvel accoustic tuned CGDAEA (the highest string won't do a "B" so I drop it a whole step.)

 

[GWDavis28]

I still don't know whether to thank you, or plant my size 12 shoe in yer ass for showing me those Y2D video clips.

Must... contain.... GAS.....

I'll take the Thank you, it works better for me.

Glenn |B)

 

[baimun]

That's cool.

Just be aware that when I go ahead and buy a Y2D and my wife questions it, I'm going to point her your way.

 

[jaxadam]

Here's my Charvel I recently did last year:

 

[dan desy]

Welcome to this great place!

I looooooove that spalted maple HB body! That will make a killer axe!

 

[kbaim]

Oh... I don't tune in standard tunings or use normal strings.

I tune in 5ths like a violin or cello... with my Charvels being set for FCGDAE and my Silhouette and Charvel accoustic tuned CGDAEA (the highest string won't do a "B" so I drop it a whole step.)

Don't stick players also use a similar tuning? Guessing you have a really interesting playing style.

 

[mcvinyl]

Welcome to our home. I think I saw your pics on the Harmony Central or Guitar Gear forums. Nice collection. One thing you'll find here... we all love quality guitars. We have a special place in our hearts for EBMM's but we appreciate anything of quality.

Simon

 

[Colin]

Welcome to our home. I think I saw your pics on the Harmony Central or Guitar Gear forums. Nice collection. One thing you'll find here... we all love quality guitars. We have a special place in our hearts for EBMM's but we appreciate anything of quality.

Simon

Simon, after seeing your new avatar I've decided we can't be friends anymore.

Colin

 

[baimun]

Don't stick players also use a similar tuning? Guessing you have a really interesting playing style.

I'm familair with the look and playing style of the stick, but not the tuning.

I simply went with the 5ths tuning to give my instrument a wider range of notes and tones (standard tuning has so many redundant notes on the neck) without having to resort to an 8 or 10 stringed monstrosity.

It does require a wider reach (my pinky is as strong as my ring finger) and I slide up and down the neck a lot, but I'm very comfortable with this tuning and haven't used standard tuning in years.

 

[brentrocks]

welcome to the forums!!! that is a nice collection you have there!!!

 

[mcvinyl]

Simon, after seeing your new avatar I've decided we can't be friends anymore.

Colin

Sorry Col, I know I promised that I would never let people see that photograph of you that was taken in 1986 but I just couldn't help myself.

 

[lameduck]

Welcome to this great place!

I looooooove that spalted maple HB body! That will make a killer axe!

+1 on that. Be sure to post pics of the finished product.

 

[GWDavis28]

Baimun, don't forget to post a DOB for your AL, EB will check it out for you.

Also, post your pictures to the Picture Post Sticky and your seial number to the Serial Number Sticky.

Glenn |B)

 

[baimun]

Forgive me for being cynical and paranoid.... but why do I want to post the serial number of my guitar???

Actually, I did contact EB via email before I bought the guitar... it was made in April of 2005 and shipped with a Hum/Single/Hum configuration. I assume the original owner purchased the custom pickguard with the S/S/S configuration.

I'm going to make a new pickguard so I can move the neck pickup closer to the neck pocket as well as put a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge.

 

[GWDavis28]

Forgive me for being cynical and paranoid.... but why do I want to post the serial number of my guitar???

You want to post the serial number is case it's stolen. This just happened to a friend of NorM's. NorM, sold/gave him a Silo, his place was broken into and the Silo stolen. NorM referred to the serial number thread and viola, he's got the number and can distribute it accordingly.

No need to be paranoid or anything. This place is like a family with a whole lot of trust. You missed the Open House, it was great to meet the members here, meet the EBMM family, employees and see how they do things in the factory.

Do a search on "Open House" and you'll see what I mean. Hell BP (Sterling Ball) posts here daily. Vinny Moore, Steve Lukather and a few others of the artists post here as well.

You found a very different type of forum, though I have to say that I find Guitarist to be much like this place.

Glenn |B)