Question Help LawDaddy pick a single coil EBMM

[ScoobySteve]

Honestly, I feel the tonal difference from the Silo and AL come from the Seymour D's and the Dimarzios. My buddy let me borrow his Lollar blondes as his strat was in the shop at the time (a set that I'm going to get now) and I dropped em in my Silo and holy smokes. It's vintage strat tone all the way.

 

[LawDaddy]

Quick peek from the office on this thread - thanks everyone. I didn't expect such a consensus. Really appreciate the input. Mrs. LawDaddy has already been shoppin' around the interwebz.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

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

Oh I've got lots of interesting stuff here but none that fits with what you are looking for.

We _are_ in the process of moving so everything must go! If it sells then we don't have to move it hahaha

 

[agt]

Albert. Lee.

 

[Coffeemug]

From my point of view, deciding between the Silhouette Special and Albert Lee boils down to what body wood you prefer and what neck shape you like better. The AL's neck is slightly meatier but it really isn't a huge chunk of a neck, it's just got a little more meat to it which I generally feel a little more comfortable with. If it's "authentic" 50's Strat tone you're after, the ash body might help getting close as well.

If you prefer a slightly warmer tone and less quack you should probably go with a (rosewood board?) Silhouette Special...otherwise the AL will be just the ticket.

I know you will eventually be swapping the pickups...I've tried quite a few pickups in my pearl white AL, too but in the end the stock pickups are pretty awesome. So, even if you find your dream pickups and put them in you'll always have these great stock ones to come back to!

The AL's shape (as long as you like it's visual appearance) is really nothing to worry about in terms of balance and comfort. It might not look like it at first but it's the most comfortable guitar you could ask for!

All that isn't meant to diminish the Silhouette Special, which is a fantastic instrument too! You really can't go wrong with either but my vote is for the AL as far as "vintage" feel and tone are concerned.

 

[threeminutesboy]

Love the AL it's a fantastic guitar, I had a silo spec SSS that was great but finally my only SSS guitar is an Axis Sport

try to grab one if you can, if not AL all the way my friend

 

[straycat113]

Law Daddy I am in the same boat as I own 8 EBMM guitars and they all have humbuckers. I would definitely go with a Pink BFR AL S-S-S. Then again pink might not be up your alley but honestly for me I love the look of a pink EB finish. As far as the neck goes my #1 Strat is a Beck model not the old baseball bat but an 02 that is still nice and chunky compared to most other Strats (kind of in line with a SRV model) and my AL HH feels just as comfortable in my hands. I don't get why so many guys get a hang up with the size of their hands as you either have long fingers or not and that only helps out in the stretch department. Randy Rhoades had the hands of a 10 year old and it did not hinder him. There are pro's and cons both ways as guys with smaller hands have an easier time flying around in the higher register. But I am almost certain you will love the AL neck profile and that is what your new ax will be.

 

[mtrejo]

The AL is just killing it on this thread. It's nice to see that after such a long time the AL has become quite the swan.

Personally, it took a little time to get used to in the looks department and never thought I'd own one but I have to admit, It tops out as my absolute favorite of all EBMM guitars.

I know lawdaddy is looking for a sweet single coil guitar and the AL fits the bill but it's worth looking at the mm90 model as well. Now That's pure Rock-n-roll baby!

 

[Spudmurphy]

I don't get why so many guys get a hang up with the size of their hands as you either have long fingers or not and that only helps out in the stretch department. Randy Rhoades had the hands of a 10 year old and it did not hinder him. There are pro's and cons both ways as guys with smaller hands have an easier time flying around in the higher register.

The span between my thumb and first finger is not good - not just down to the handsize but because of the "web". - as a result I cannot bring my thumb over the top of the fretboard at all well. It is a big factor in how the profile feels im my palm too. You are right about the size of the fingers though - my mate has hands like shovels and his fingers just get in the way.
but anyways I don't find the necks of Als, Silos, EVH/Axis to be particularly chunky - not compared to my Les Paul.

 

[spkirby]

Love the AL it's a fantastic guitar, I had a silo spec SSS that was great but finally my only SSS guitar is an Axis Sport

try to grab one if you can, if not AL all the way my friend

I know we both feel the same way about the Axis Sport SSS and I prefer it to my Albert simply for feel, but they are very rare birds and I've probably only come across 6 or 7 in all my years on this forum and on ebay... of which I've owned 2 of those! I was amazed that no-one snagged JimmyB's red one that sat in the FS thread for ages, I assume he still has it.

So go for an Albert!

 

[threeminutesboy]

Beautiful AL Steve!

 

[NoUse121]

An Al for sure. You can not go wrong with excellence!

 

[LawDaddy]

Wow, guys, three pages of food for thought!

 

[LawDaddy]

Update: I'm taking my daughter to her orientation at USC and am stopping by the Sherman Oaks store that has an Albert Lee SSS in stock.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Post pics when you get it !!

 

[dannymusic]

ALBERT LEE...

See my Avatar. I have 3. Amazing single coil tones.