H-S-H Silhouette, how is she?

[zzomer]

Hi guys.
So I was offered this nice Silhouette as a trade for another guitar I don’t use, overall I'm not familiar with this mode at all, how much these Silhouettes are going as 2nd hand in the market?
Guitar is clean and comes as is , no case no gig bag, It's made around early 2000, got H-S-H Dimarzio pickups, what kind of sound should I expect?
How is the neck profile compared to the JP and Look? I'm asking prior to driving and meeting the other guy, don’t want to drive for nothing.
Thanks.

 

[tbd]

Silhouette is a great guitar, I have a 97' that I have been playing since I picked it up new and is my main gigging guitar. Was originally an HSS, but you back then they had the connector to swap a loaded pickguard and is running HSH now. It has held up great, I just had it re-fretted with SS frets and has made it better than ever. I also have an 05' Silhouette (HSH) a 2011 JP6 and a PDN HSH Silhouette on order (yeah I am a fan of the Silo's) Depending on what you are trading, could be a good deal, but can never go wrong with a music man.

As far as value, they are all over the place, though the newer ones with the compensated nut go for a bit more it seems. Also depends on if it is fixed bridge or trem, but 700-900 is usually where I see them at for early 2000's or late 90's. That is usually pristine with a case though. I've seen some road worn ones sell below 6-700 if you can find them.

As for comparing them to a jp6, they are pretty different. Yeah they both have 24 frets (unless you are looking at the special) but the silhouette is going to have a thicker neck and more of a D shape to it and a rounder radius. The Silhouette is 10" and the jp is 15" I think. The body on the jp is a bit smaller as well it seems. In my case all my silhouette's are fixed bridges and the jp only comes with a trem. The pickups in the silhouette are Dimarzio paf pro's and have a much lower output and paf voicing compared to what comes in the jp. I am a big fan of the paf pro's, very articulate pickup, cuts through when it needs to and just really versatile IMHO. Though if you play heavier music or are used to a higher output pickup you may not like them very much.

Hope that helps.

 

[DrKev]

Silhouette has a medium-thin C-shaped neck, a little thinner than most strats but not as thin the JP. For the last 15(?) years the humbuckers are DiMarzio Virtual PAF (were PAF Pro for a tie in the 90's). Lower output but fantastic versatile pickups. Very comfortable guitar. You may love it.

 

[zzomer]

Thanks guys.

 

[DrKev]

Correction to my above post - NOT as thin as JPs. Sorry for the typo.

 

[edstorer]

I have a '91 HSH Silo that I bought about 8 years ago for about $850 with the factory case. I think I could sell it for that today.

Mine is white/white, stock pickups, maple neck and fretboard. I have it strung with D'Addario 11's.

If you want to feel like a "guitar slinger" this is one axe that will give you that feeling. Very versatile! I really like the middle pickup on it's own - very close to middle pickup on a Strat. The bridge pickup will give you a nice twang if you ask for it (Vol & Tone @ 10). I have the neck pickup set low and it gives me near "acoustic" tones, especially in the notch position with the middle pup.

You didn't say what make of guitar you were thinking of trading for the Silhouette. Anything that looks like a Strat and doesn't say "Suhr" or "Anderson" on it is a fair deal IMO. I had a Warmoth strat with Lindy Fralin's and the trade in value was regrettable.