Help! Looking to get a MM silhouette, just a few questions

[Gaton]

So I've recently purchased a Peavey Hp special, solid black, floyd rose, its basically a take on the EVH wolfgang. ive had this guitar for several months now and i dont find myself using the floyd rose as often as i thought i would. keep in mind i love the sound of this guitar, its just the bridge has become a real pain to tune every week or two, especially since i keep a d tuna on it, and the lock block in the back is giving me trouble.

so i started to look for something with a fixed bridge, or at least a tremelo flushed to the body, and im trying for about $1400 budget wise. i decided to check out the Silouettes and they seem like very good guitars, especially for the price, and sounds amazing on most of the tones ive heard, but soundwise how would the silouette stack up, mainly in the overdriven/high distortion department? i imagine the Pups arent as high output as they are on the Special, but im new to these forums and to EBMM guitars in general so i figured id get an opinion from some experience EBMM players out there. any answers or feedback is much appreciated. ​

 

[metalmarty]

You might like the Axis, basically the original EVH with a few small tweaks. The Floyd on the Axis is dive only. The Silo, to me, is the most comfy guitar I know of and mine does virtually everything, from spanking SC sounds to full on modern metal.

 

[JimmyGeo]

Hello Gaton ,

If you don`t use your floyd rose any more you can try something like the video below.

Setup your guitar and just block the floyd rose.

I used that way on my other guitar and i didn`t have to tune it all the time.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNNAVzS3cS4]YouTube - How to adjust the spring tension on a Tremolo[/ame]

I believe that is better to take a look at the Axis !!

 

[RocketRalf]

The Silhouette has what DiMarzio classifies as vintage output pickups, but don't be fooled, with the right amp/pedal it can play all the modern metal you want. Now, if you like the sound of the EVH guitars but prefer a hardtail (or even a more stable and easy to use vintage trem), you should check out an Axis Super Sport. Maybe you can find one used that fits your budget.

 

[paranoid70]

My Opinion is that the Silhouette guitars are the best you will find in that price range. Very comfortable to play, awesome neck/fretboard, and incredible tone with lots of options. You will love it.

 

[peterd79]

I've had a few Silos-

they are incredible guitars and you can actually find them in the For Sale section of this thread from time to time at a great price and in good shape (unless otherwise mentioned) and they can cover just about every style you can think of...

I consider the Silo the "swiss army knife" of the EBMM fleet... they just seem to have the capability of doing whatever you need it to do.

 

[Hendog]

The Silo is great for high gain stuff.

Not sure what you mean by "i imagine the Pups arent as high output as they are on the Special".

The trem on a Silo are very stable. I am really happy with the ones I have owned.

 

[John C]

The Silo is great for high gain stuff.

Not sure what you mean by "i imagine the Pups arent as high output as they are on the Special".

The trem on a Silo are very stable. I am really happy with the ones I have owned.

I think the OP meant that the HP Special pickups are hotter than the pickups on a Silo - which is correct. I'm pretty sure the HP Special pickups are the same as their old Wolfgang pickups, which were hotter than Axis (originally EVH) pickups. In turn, Axis pickups (particularly the bridge) are hotter than the PAF-ish pickups in a Silo.

While I've not had a Silo, I have to agree that the EBMM vintage trem is increadibly stable across the 5 different EBMMs I've had with that bridge.

 

[Gaton]

awesome guys thanks. you've all been very helpful. im really digging the axis for the flushed bridge, or even the super sport. assuming i could find one for about $1400 id definately jump on that. the silos seem like an awesome choice too and are even more affordable so i may end up going for that if i can't get the hp special to cooperate on the whole tuning deal lol. and thanks for the video as well ill definately try something like that out. one last question though, do all the trem models of silos come with bent steel saddles or is there an option for one with solid steel block saddles like on a fixed bridge? they just seem more sturdy in the long run. thanks again.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

The Silos come with bent saddles (unless you get the piezo, then they are different solid saddles), but your EB dealer can get you a set of the chromed solid saddles for around $50-60

 

[Sosomething]

I don't know about the rest of you folks, but I found the bridge pickup on my Silo to be markedly underpowered for my tastes. Specs list it as a DiMarzio Virtual PAF. I replaced it with a Duncan JB model a few days ago but I think it's too bright for the guitar..

...I have a DiMarzio AT-1 (Andy Timmons model) on its way to me now which I think will warm things up a bit.

I will say this - the Silo is quite comfortable, has a great neck and great trem, and is extremely easy to set up with nice low action...

 

[Roubster]

I agree Sosomething. That's what I said in your thread when you got the Silo. The Virtual PAF is a great vintage pickup, but not great for heavier rock/metal. I think the AT-1 will definitely improve your sound a lot, but I would suggest to put 500K pots in there with that pickup. The one thing about the Silos is that they are so easy to modify and make it into your own guitar. I love my Silo Special with the Air Zone, Fast Track 1 and Cruiser. Very thick and articulate sounding tone especially from the bridge pickup.

 

[Hendog]

I think the OP meant that the HP Special pickups are hotter than the pickups on a Silo - which is correct. I'm pretty sure the HP Special pickups are the same as their old Wolfgang pickups, which were hotter than Axis (originally EVH) pickups. In turn, Axis pickups (particularly the bridge) are hotter than the PAF-ish pickups in a Silo.

While I've not had a Silo, I have to agree that the EBMM vintage trem is increadibly stable across the 5 different EBMMs I've had with that bridge.

Your telling me that the Silo Spec has hotter pickups than the Silo???

The single coils? I thought the humbuckers are the same???



Pickups:HSH - 1 DiMarzio custom single coil; 2 DiMarzio virtual PAF humbucking

Pickups:HSS - 1 DiMarzio virtual PAF; 2 DiMarzio custom single coil; SSS - 3 DiMarzio custom wound single coil

 

[Hendog]

I agree Sosomething. That's what I said in your thread when you got the Silo. The Virtual PAF is a great vintage pickup, but not great for heavier rock/metal. I think the AT-1 will definitely improve your sound a lot, but I would suggest to put 500K pots in there with that pickup. The one thing about the Silos is that they are so easy to modify and make it into your own guitar. I love my Silo Special with the Air Zone, Fast Track 1 and Cruiser. Very thick and articulate sounding tone especially from the bridge pickup.

I guess I like the medium output pickups like PAF (think Van Halen) for Hard Rock.

Now for straight metal, you may want high output although I still like my Silo too.

 

[paranoid70]

Your telling me that the Silo Spec has hotter pickups than the Silo???

The single coils? I thought the humbuckers are the same???



Pickups:HSH - 1 DiMarzio custom single coil; 2 DiMarzio virtual PAF humbucking

Pickups:HSS - 1 DiMarzio virtual PAF; 2 DiMarzio custom single coil; SSS - 3 DiMarzio custom wound single coil

No one was saying the Silo Special pups are hotter than the Silhouette. They were comparing the Silo to a different brand guitar.

 

[Roubster]

It also depends on the amp one is using of course and everyone has their own preference for pickups. The Virtual PAFs might work for someone for whatever style, but for some it just doesn't...so it really is just a matter of preference. There is definitely nothing wrong with the stock Silo pups. But for my style and the tone I hear in my head, I like thicker ballsier tone from the bridge...which the Air Zone delivers very nicely. I am actually a fan of medium output pups, other than the Steve Morse model in the Y2D...that's a special case though. That pickup is amazing in that guitar.

 

[Sosomething]

It also depends on the amp one is using of course and everyone has their own preference for pickups. The Virtual PAFs might work for someone for whatever style, but for some it just doesn't...so it really is just a matter of preference. There is definitely nothing wrong with the stock Silo pups. But for my style and the tone I hear in my head, I like thicker ballsier tone from the bridge...which the Air Zone delivers very nicely. I am actually a fan of medium output pups, other than the Steve Morse model in the Y2D...that's a special case though. That pickup is amazing in that guitar.

It sure is... It's an amazing bridge pickup in my original Morse as well. I came this >< close to ordering one for my Silo, but my love of Andy Timmons' tone on Resolution swayed me in favor of the AT-1.

 

[Sosomething]

Sorry to post twice - I didn't see this at first.

I agree Sosomething. That's what I said in your thread when you got the Silo. The Virtual PAF is a great vintage pickup, but not great for heavier rock/metal. I think the AT-1 will definitely improve your sound a lot, but I would suggest to put 500K pots in there with that pickup. The one thing about the Silos is that they are so easy to modify and make it into your own guitar. I love my Silo Special with the Air Zone, Fast Track 1 and Cruiser. Very thick and articulate sounding tone especially from the bridge pickup.

I have a DiMarzio custom taper 500k volume pot that I'll install when I put in the AT-1. I'm thinking that for now I'll keep the 250k volume pot since I feel the guitar is already a bit bright, but we'll see I suppose.

Sorry for the thread derail! Don't mind me....

 

[John C]

Your telling me that the Silo Spec has hotter pickups than the Silo???

The single coils? I thought the humbuckers are the same???



Pickups:HSH - 1 DiMarzio custom single coil; 2 DiMarzio virtual PAF humbucking

Pickups:HSS - 1 DiMarzio virtual PAF; 2 DiMarzio custom single coil; SSS - 3 DiMarzio custom wound single coil

Sorry - "what we have here is a failure to communicate"

I was referring to the OP's guitar, a Peavey HP Special, which is the replacement for the Peavey Wolfgang. The Peavey does use a hotter pickup that either the Axis or the Silo.

 

[Gaton]

awesome. one the biggest things i value in a guitar is versatility and it sounds like a fixed bridge silo or axis has that. ive always been big on having a more natural tone come out of my guitars, but at the same time im big on distortion so i tend to try for passive pickups that are a bit more punchy. its kind of the reason ive never owned a guitar with emgs for example. they are wickedly powerful and whatnot but after a certain point the distortion just seemed...sort of digital. dont get me wrong they are great pups i just could never get the sound i liked out of em. i also like the point that roubster made in that the silo looks like a very customizable guitar so ill definately keep that in mind.
like i said the main issue is the floyd rose, its just a pain to keep up with since the lock block keeps slipping. that and i constantly have to steel wool the neck for constant smoothness, especially because of the humidity down here, and i get the feeling that constantly sanding down a neck isnt good for it lol. that being said how do the gunstock oil and wax finishes hold up on EBMMs? it seems to be the standard finish for most of their high end guitars.