Question Help LawDaddy pick a single coil EBMM

[LawDaddy]

So I got the single coil bug, been playing my '92 SRV out lately and have a recording project coming up where I want some single-coil goodness. I totally lack a single coil EBMM in my arsenal and that needs to be rectified. Looks like I'll be moving one of my Axii to a fellow forum member and will have funds to add one to the herd.

I'm looking for fairly straight-forward vintage-y '50s/early '60s Stratty tones, but I want the quality and set-up ease of my EBMMs. I'll (in all likelyhood) put some vintage-wound pups in myself, so that's not really a concern. I actually have some D. Allen TrueVintage '54s in my SRV based on Johnny Hiland's spectacular demo on his Silo, and would probably do the same for whatever I bought. (Yes, they are indeed that good.)

I'm torn between the Al and a Silo. So here are some questions: 1) Which has the fatter neck? I know EBMM does not do '50s necks, but the bigger, the better for me; 2) Anyone compare the relative weights of the two? One of the beauties of Leo's original design was that it hangs real well, the Silo looks similar, is that a correct assumption? (My Morse Y2D hangs great, BTW); and 3) Does the Silo come in a natural finish? I didn't see that option on the website, and I've been jonesing for a natty Silo for some time.

Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

-Tim

 

[Gio_Force_One]

i liked the neck on the AL myself it was fatter then the silo to me.

 

[guitfiddle]

The AL is the way to go. I love my Silo Special, don't get me wrong, but the AL is more str@tty and it's the one I go to for SRV, Colin James, Gilmourish stuff. You know the stuff you really dig in deep for. It hangs like a dream and the neck is nice and meaty.

 

[Sweat]

Albert Lee SSS is the way to go, better neck better pups better guitar, look here for something really sexy!!!

Guitar Center: Platinum : Music Man Albert Lee SSS White Pearl

 

[guitfiddle]

Albert Lee SSS is the way to go, better neck better pups better guitar, look here for something really sexy!!!

Guitar Center: Platinum : Music Man Albert Lee SSS White Pearl

That is a real beauty indeed! My next AL will have a trem like that one, for those tunes that need it. Can't beat the tone and sustain of a hardtail, but sometimes you've gotta have a trem. Ah well, a good excuse to pick up another AL. What's not to like?

 

[LawDaddy]

Wow, that was a quick consensus, thanks guys. I was leaning towards something translucent, like this one:

In Store Platinum Music Man Albert Lee SSS Trans Blue | GuitarCenter

 

[ozzyrules]

Tim,
Have you considered a 25th? Parallel/series switch creates a great single coil tone. The guitar weighs noticeably less that my ASS'. Great tone,great guitar.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

The AL has the fatter neck. I'm not a single-coil guy but the singles in the AL BFR really made me go "Wow"

 

[LawDaddy]

Tim,
Have you considered a 25th? Parallel/series switch creates a great single coil tone. The guitar weighs noticeably less that my ASS'. Great tone,great guitar.

Yes, I've got those tones for years with my Axis SS's, but I need some authentic quack for this project. And a real single neck pup. Time for a no-bucker EBMM.

I do eye those 25ths every time I go into my local GC, though...

 

[LawDaddy]

The AL has the fatter neck. I'm not a single-coil guy but the singles in the AL BFR really made me go "Wow"

Thanks, feel free to PM me if you have anything interesting.

 

[guitarp77]

I bought a Silho SSS and it is killer. Simply amazing instrument.

 

[kimonostereo]

If you're looking for something similar to a strat, your best bet would be the AL for sure. Also, it's perfectly balanced.

Had an original Pinky Al, but never bonded with it since I like guitars with trems.

Currently I too don't have a SSS EBMM in my collection. Gonna have to remedy that soon. I'm probably going to put my AL HH up for trade for a SSS AL since my EBMM stable of guitars already has a bunch of HH setups...

 

[fogman]

Yes, get an AL.
Amazing sound, and my favourite neck.

I have a 25th which I love like crazy, but it's not the same for that single coil sound.

 

[Norrin Radd]

I may be biased - but get an AL!

I'll be dropping in an Area '67 in the bridge of my AL soon to complete the SSS set. I love that guitar and the "Strat" like tones it gets. You won't be disappointed.

And that white pearl is gorgeous! Nice. Put a torty guard on one of those........

 

[peterd79]

i've got a silo special if you're wanting to get your hands on one to test drive... and i'm right down the hill

 

[Spudmurphy]

I don't have huge hands and really notice when a neck is fat.

To me there isn't that much difference between the Al and the Silo necks. - neither are large - certainly nothing like my Les Paul.

We all know about how good the Al is - stock pickups are fine, but you will be swopping them out.

The silo is a fine guitar too and I am really wanting one (waiting for a gamechanger version to possibly come out) just imagine a HsH Silo with all the GC options !!!
Either guitar will cut it for you.

 

[spkirby]

As others have said, the Albert has the biggest neck, not huge as in 50's Gibson size, more in line with modern Fenders. To me it is the most comfortable EBMM neck next to the Axis which isn't all that dissimilar. Albert's Seymour Duncan pickups are crazy good, it hangs nicely, very comfy. Looks a little whacky but works really well with a more vintage inspired tobacco burst and black pickguard combo

 

[ily]

Tim,
Have you considered a 25th? Parallel/series switch creates a great single coil tone. The guitar weighs noticeably less that my ASS'. Great tone,great guitar.

it's right 25TH have great tones in parallel but for me if you want a real single coil tone you need a single coil
the others solutions are close to single coil tone but not the same .
in the future if i want single coil sour i'll go to a AL SSS

 

[A.J.]

Just personal preference as all the guitar we make are fabulous... but I gotta go with an AL. Its my favorite.

 

[beej]

Yep. I've got two with different singles in there as my gigging guitars these days. Killer.