Opinions on Silos vs. Silo Specials

[darchirnoj]

I know the main difference is in pickup configs. For those that own, owned, or played both, I'd like to hear some opinions on the two.
Thanks,
darchirnoj

 

[paranoid70]

Pickup configs and the # of frets are different: (Silo=24, SS=22).

They feel very similar. If you like playing Blues, I would favor the SS.

 

[GWDavis28]

I personally find the Silo Special to more Strat'ish. But the Silo is a power house that can used to play almost anything.

Glenn |B)

 

[robelinda2]

i prefer the SS, more versatile, the neck pickup single coil is more usable to me than a humbucker in the neck.

 

[darchirnoj]

Cool. I'm not used to having anything other than a humbucker in the neck until recently with my OLP. It's pretty cool. I just wanted some feedback re: the two.
Thanks.

 

[mikeller]

I own both and think they are both incredible guitars. That being said, if I had to choose one over the other, I'd go with the Silo Special - that single coil pickup in the neck position is one the finest I have heard...

 

[meenahga]

The bodies are different also. The Silos horns are a tad longer. Luv em both!

 

[fogman]

You can't go wrong with either one!
Silos rule!

 

[candid_x]

Could/would anyone make the same comparison but with same pickup configuration, i.e. both SSS or HSS? Is the SS still more "stratty"?

Btw, big ^5 on the SS neck p'up tone! It's my #1 used position.

 

[RocketRalf]

The standard silhouette only comes in HSH configuration. The Special comes either as HSS or SSS. The neck humbucker on the HSS and on the HSH are different, the first has less gain and more of a vintage sound to better match the single coils. Also the single coils on the Special are noise cancelling, while the one on the standard silhouette is not. I can't give you more details because I only own the standard silhouette. I considered both when choosing a guitar, I liked the sound of the single coils more in general, but the humbuckers on the Silhouette kicked so much butt when I tried it that I was completely sold out. Plus the extra frets were a deciding factor for me. Now I cannot imagine myself playing without a bridge humbucker, the thing sings like nothing else. Also I've found much more uses to the neck humbucker than I've done with the middle single coil, although what it does is incredibly nice too. If you favor strats over LPs or G*bsons, get the special. If youlike humbuckers, get the standard. That's pretty much it. Also you can get both with either tremolo or hardtail, or even piezo if you wanted.

 

[candid_x]

Rocket, older versions of the Silo included SSS and HSS. Hence my question.

 

[RocketRalf]

Ohhh I though you were considering talking about new ones (Also I should have looked at your post count, silly me). Sorry, never mind my post then . Those were dropped with the introduction of the special, right?

 

[whitestrat]

Could/would anyone make the same comparison but with same pickup configuration, i.e. both SSS or HSS? Is the SS still more "stratty"?

Btw, big ^5 on the SS neck p'up tone! It's my #1 used position.

I think the SS would still be more straty. Part of the make up of the strat tone is the fact that strats originally had only 21 frets, and the neck pick up sat under the 24th fret position. This gave rise to a fat belltone sound, which is mainly due to position rather than pickup type or orientation (polarity) The Strats today with 22 frets make use of a fretboard extension to keep the same position, but allows the pickup to remain where it is on the body, without compromising structural integrity on the slot between pup and neck. (Actually, I think it' to cut down manufacturing costs for Fender, but they claim otherwise...) The SS sort of takes that bit away, with the easy truss rod adjustor, meaning the neck pup needs to shift slightly off the mark.

But in comparison, 24 vs 22, I think the positions allow the SS to be more strat like. The humbucker position gives a more position 4 sort of inbetween tone. That's why the neck hum on the silos gives a less than LP sort of fat tone, yet exhibits some plinky tone much like the middle pup on strats...

If a LP like tone is wanted, then a HH config on a special would be more accurate.

The Silo, is an animal on it's own. Totally different set of tones, and not to be compared. That's why I think the Silo is the one that stands out more than the SS... to me, anyways...

 

[Sub1 Zero]

I wouldn't say that either is better, or more versatile, than the other. They are both killer guitars that will cover a whole lot of ground, and cover it beyond anyone's expectations. I say get both

 

[robelinda2]

What advantage does the neck humbucker get you over a single coil? I've never quite got it.

 

[candid_x]

I don't really know when they were dropped, but it would make sense upon the intro of the Special.

Silos have grown on me since joining this group, even though the "extra" two frets would be wasted on me. But, I've also wondered if some 12th fret magic wouldn't get lost on a 24 fretter, when on the S neck position. I recall BP explaining the real need for the 22 fret Special, having to do (I believe) with harmonics due to the single coil neck p'up being at the 24th fret.

 

[fogman]

What advantage does the neck humbucker get you over a single coil? I've never quite got it.

The neck bucker by itself isn't that great. I would say that for most guitars. It's just not for me.
However, I think the answer to your question is actually more about position 4 on the switch. The combination of that and the middle single pickup is pure bliss!
Quack as they say! That and position 2 are my favourites. 4 is what sold me on the guitar when I first heard it. The Silo special just didn't have that beautiful sound when I tried it.

 

[robelinda2]

Foggy, now dont you make me start thinking about a Silhouette now buddy, i'm warning you! Seriously, much wrath will occur. Doom even.

 

[whitestrat]

What advantage does the neck humbucker get you over a single coil? I've never quite got it.

neither did I. but technically speaking? How does EBMM get it to work? Singles should be using a 250k pot, while humbuckers should be using 500k pots. How does that work on a SSH Silo Spec?

 

[RocketRalf]

What advantage does the neck humbucker get you over a single coil? I've never quite got it.

I guess it's just a matter of tastes. Eric Johnson's violin tone vs Petrucci's ultra clear alternate picking shred.

That argument about harmonics being different depending on the position of the pickup makes a lot of sense, and would be a deciding factor between an older single coiled Silo with 24 frets and a current Special. Props to MM for making a 22 fret model, if I were to get a strat like instrument I'd certainly prefer the same pickup placements.

Next in line would be a 22 fret H(S)H short scale model with mahogany tone block and a bridge plate mounted single coil model and you'd have all the vintage guitar sounds covered in the silhouette range .