Is Silhouette special right for me?

[bugbus]

I bought a MM axis recently and love it. Love the round neck as opposed to the petrucci which isn't for me. It's been 25 years since I bought a new guitar so I don't mess around and I've finally met my soul mate.

Now I'm looking to add another guitar for playing more clean tones and a hendrix strat sound. I'm thinking of getting a silhouette special with piezo. Trouble is I can't find one anywhere to try out. Does the neck feel like the axis? If it does, I'm ready to put out an order.

Am I barking up the right tree?

Music man enthusiasts please advise!

 

[phatduckk]

the necks are different but I like them both a lot.

the axis has an asymmetrical shape to it whereas the silo has a traditional C shape going on.

I have 2 Axis' and they're my fav but I also have 2 silos and they both feel great too (just a bit different).

The silo neck is not flat and thin like the JP. if u like the Axis neck you'll be way more comfortable on a silo than a JP.

 

[Slingy]

C shaped necks are so comfortable to me but I havn't been able to demo one yet they aren't as common as JP's and Axis around here.

Here's a nice demo of the pickup scheme though, I think with the right effects Hendrixy tones could be pretty good.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-0e4M1DPI8]YouTube - Musicman Silhouette Special[/ame]

 

[whitestrat]

Hendrix? From a Silhouette Special? Sure... It'll do the job.

But the neck is a very different feel compared to the Axis. In the sense that it's not assymentrical. It is C shaped, and no where as thin as the Petrucci. So it's got a bit more comfort. But it lacks the thicker upper shoulder that the Axis neck has. If you're used to the Axis, the Silo Spec will feel different. That doesn't mean you wouldn't adapt fast to it. I think with the neck profile, your adjustment to the SS neck would definately be easier than that to the JP.

 

[candid_x]

If a compact and refined version of Strat is what you're interested in, a Silo Special can fill that bill in a lovely way. If Hendrix is your benchmark, the SSS is what I'd suggest. I wouldn't be timid about eventually swapping your own pickup choices either. The entire pickguard assembly is modular, meaning you can drop them in with a single Molex connector. Awesome guitar at any price, even more awesome at its competitive price.

I personally prefer the Silo neck shape over the Axis. In fact, I prefer the Silo neck over any I've tried, far and away.

 

[DJ.]

I found myself in the same situation a while back and I bought both. Great sounds from both.

 

[whitestrat]

i personally prefer the silo neck shape over the axis. In fact, i prefer the silo neck over any i've tried, far and away.

+1,000!!!

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Keep your eyes open for them in used instrument stores. I always look around ours locally, where the chain of stores has an on-line site to see what they've got. Of course, I'm on the right coast and about an hour from DuBaldo's.....

I guess if you really can't find one, you could order from one of the big guys (Musician's Friend or Guitar Center) and if it's really not for you, return it within the tryout period.

jack

 

[mbgreene]

Although the asymmetric shoulder will make the Axis neck unique, this is true of all the MM neck profiles. They are all individual to the instruments they are designed around.

The neck with the most similarity to the Axis to my hands is the AL. Although also basically a C, it is a tad chunkier than the silo special and more in line with the girth of the Axis.

Three single coils and piezo - all the clean you need.

The Albert Lee - try it, you'll like it

 

[Shadowbox]

The Silo Special is a very special guitar indeed. I bonded immediately with the Axis. The Silo Special is that way too. It has a fantastic neck in it's own right, and I would recommend it highly. I picked up a Silo Special, and found it very difficult to put down.

The AL is also worth a look.

 

[Axilla]

I got both models in multiple versions and I'm lovin' 'em all.
Silo SPecial indeed has sort of a thick, narrow C-shaped neck that's a hand charmer in a class of it's own.

Tones are awesome from stock PUs & setup (I can only comment on the SSS version here) and I also got myself lotsa custom pickguards with different other PUs. One of the most versatile guitars EVER !
...and juts sooooo underrated...
...and easy and rather inexpensive to obtain

Silo was my first love,
and it will be my laaaast,
Silos in the future,
and Silos from the ...... Wait, I'm losing it...

Go get a Silo Special, pal - you just can't go wrong with it.

 

[jamminjim]

I have an Al and a Sub1 converted to a Silo Spec with an original Silhouette Special HSS loaded pickguard. This makes my Sub almost identical to a Silo Spec, except for body wood. I've also played a Silo Spec or two in local stores. I'd say the Silo Spec is one of the most versatile guitars on the planet. There is very little you can't do on it. If it had a piezo it would even be more versatile. Full tilt shredding to Albert Lee chickin pickin to jazz is easy on the Silo Spec.

I would say the Albert Lee is also a versatile guitar, just not as versatile as the Silo Spec due to lack of the humbucker. But you have a double hummer already, right?

I also have a Sub1 converted to a SSS Silo Spec and it is a beast, and I'd say it's every bit as good as an Al. The pups in it are; neck and middle - original Silo Spec DiMarzios; bridge is a DiMarzio Blue Velvet bridge pup with a Fralin bassplate. Position 4 with the bridge and middle combo is a real different type of quack, but it's a neat kind of boingy sound. That being said, and someone else alluded to it, you could get a Silo Special in HSS configuration, then get ahold of Customer Service and get a complete SSS guard. Or make one yourself like I did with EBMM components. Then you'd have alot of bases covered with one guitar. Of course, you couldn't use the HSS and SSS at the same time.

My two centavos amigos.

 

[bugbus]

Thanks for all the great responses!

I'm already sold and I'd buy a Silo Special sight unseen right now if I could. I talked to someone about ordering one from the factory and I got a January 09 timeframe. Say it isn't so! What kind of world do we live in anyway?

***starts deep breathing exercises***

 

[grumpyoldman]

As tough as the wait may be, some things are just worth waiting for.....

 

[RocketRalf]

Thanks for all the great responses!

I'm already sold and I'd buy a Silo Special sight unseen right now if I could. I talked to someone about ordering one from the factory and I got a January 09 timeframe. Say it isn't so! What kind of world do we live in anyway?

***starts deep breathing exercises***

You should keep an eye for a used one, here and/or in ebay

 

[candid_x]

Seems to be a lot more HSS around, new and used, than there are SSS Silo Specials. Musician's Friend has HSS in stock, but it looks to be only in one color and only with maple neck, and no piezo. I don't know if you're in the US though.

Buy Music Man Silhouette Special HSS with Tremolo online at Musician's Friend

 

[whitestrat]

Seems to be a lot more HSS around, new and used, than there are SSS Silo Specials.

Honestly, I can understand why. As much as I enjoy the SSS, considering I play top 40s music with my band, the HSS is far more suitable for generic playing. Simply because of the bridge humbucker. For SSS, mainly blues and country people use it, or Hendrix fans. The HSS is more suitable as most people use humbucker tones in the bridge, and single coil tones in the neck.

 

[jamminjim]

Pete Dubaldo has a black one that I'm sure he'd make you a deal on. Rosewood with white pearloid guard.

Dubaldo Music Black SS HSS

 

[Music Man]

Silo Specials Rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Specialy the ones with piezo they Double Rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very versatile guitar, great ergonomics great playing comfort!
I love them can you tell

 

[paranoid70]

I bought my Silhouette Special on line without ever playing one before. Best musical purchase I ever made. The guitar sounds awesome and plays even better. You really won't be sorry.

I don't think you should have to wait 3 or 4 months. There are plenty of on-line dealers that carry Silo Specs in stock. EB Customer Service helped me track down the color and version I wanted, I didn't have to wait at all.