New to me Silhouette Special day

[jamminjim]

Just picked up a used *mint* condition Silo Spec, has the original strings on it and the old style hard case, like a G&G with black interior. From the late 90's I think. Has the Schaller M6 locking tuners and it IS a hardtail. YAY!!
Pearl Blue with rosewood board and a nice birdy neck. The frets are so tarnished it's unbelievable. I don't think she's ever really been played. White pearl pickguard. Just a beaut. I don't have pics yet as it is very dirty and needs the body and neck cleaned, frets cleaned, board oiled, neck oiled and waxed, and the switch needs to be cleaned and lubed. Since the tuners have sat for so long they really are stiff. Has anyone ever lubed Schaller M6 locking tuners. Maybe through use they will become less stiff.

Will post pics when I get her cleaned up for the camera.

 

[Cordarino]

Nice score, too bad that Silo got no care!
Silos deserve!
Congrats for returning her to playing life, waiting for pics.

 

[DrKev]

The tuners are sealed internally so no need to lubricate. If the tuning action is stiff, try adjusting the tension screw on the top of the button, and perhaps some lube there, (but very little and don't make a mess). The buttons are interchangeable so that should be easy to take apart and have a look. And I'd grab a string winder and do a few hundred turns to try and loosen up the internals.

 

[jamminjim]

Thanks yeah I unstrung it this morning and placed those rusted tarnished wires in the circular file. LOL . After turning the tuning machines each for a bit they seem fine now. I temp forgot about the button screws that add or subtract tension.. thanks for the reminder. The frets cleaned up nicely with 0000 steel wool and tape... it's a process though.
The board was pretty thirsty.. back is gun oiled and waxed now.. there was tarnish on the saddles... taken care of..
Still need to put a new set of strings on it..
the date on the tone pot was June 4 1997 so it must be a 1997 manufacture date. Cool, must be an early one with the M6 machines on it ..

 

[jamminjim]

sneak peek

 

[jamminjim]

sneak peak #2

 

[DrKev]

Nice!

 

[jones4tone]

Pretty - you "field stripped" that one!

 

[jamminjim]

Pretty - you "field stripped" that one!

I find it easier to take the loaded pickguard off rather than tape it off to avoid metal particles from the 0000 steel wool from getting on the pickups....and elsewhere.. This is another reason to really like the molex connectors..

 

[jamminjim]

this color is SOOO hard to photograph,, shows up best in the sunshine outside.. but any way,, here's some pics in a couple you can see the birdseye figuring on the maple neck.. not many of the SS get this kind of wood these days...

 

[Steve Nukather]

Very nice. I especially like the hardtails. Sad that EBMM has discontinued them.

 

[dustytrail]

that fretboard looks absolutely delicious

 

[beej]

That is a great colour. I had an Albert Lee ages ago in that colour ... never should have let it go.

 

[jamminjim]

Wow - I just learned that this one was originally shipped to EBMM's Artist Relations Department. Wonder what artist owned this Silo special. I got her strung up and she plays like a dream, and sounds great!

 

[jamminjim]

Very nice. I especially like the hardtails. Sad that EBMM has discontinued them.

L.T. thank you , I too wonder why no hardtails.

 

[jamminjim]

That is a great colour. I had an Albert Lee ages ago in that colour ... never should have let it go.

Thank you Beej - I too had a blue AL that I wish I still had. It was trans blue though.. still....