Please help me compare Silo SSS & AL

[banjoplayer]

As you might know, I´m owner of a Silo SSS for a few weeks now.

I like it but have questions to you ALiens, because i´ve never played an AL (strat-style PUPs), but am thinking about getting one, because:

The neck PUP on the Silo is not in a perfect position (24 frets!). Will the neck PUP on the AL give me what I want? A real warm, bluesy - sometimes meaty sound? I mean AL is often compared to Tele, which I think refers mainly to the metal-plated bridge PUP. Will the AL neck PUP give me the tone a Strat neck PUP would give? The Silo SSS neck PUP does not

I watched Rob´s AL videos (thanks), but couldn´t find a crunchy/dirstorted AL strat-style neck PUP. Can you really dig into an overdriven AL? Is it able to sing like a silo does?

The bridge/middle quack on the silo is perfect. I assume it will be also on the AL, right?

Thanks a lot for opinions.

Btw. Silo Spec. SSS is not an option at the moment, because I´m concretely spotting onto an AL.

 

[beej]

Aside from the bridge p'up with the baseplate, they're comparable.

The AL is more of a vintage vibe, the Silo Special (I know, you didn't exactly ask) is more modern.

Personally I love the AL's neck pickup. Get the amp nice 'n greasy, hit the neck pickup and just chew into the strings. Really think it's great for just that.

 

[candid_x]

Fwiw, my Silo Special bridge p'up also uses a base plate.

I'm also interested in the answer to Banjo's question as I've been thinking of trying to swap one of my SS for an AL, but most stock AL clips I've heard sound more (to me) like a Tele than a Strat.

 

[robelinda2]

The Al and Silo Spec neck pups are somewhat similar to me. Both do what I want.

 

[JMB27]

Have only recently tried an AL. And, it was good. It was scary good.
Have also tried the Silo Spec with 3 single coils. And I like it. Alot.
And, last but not least, I just had the opportunity to try out a Silhouette h-s-h.

All are very versatile. Found the tones with the AL most to my liking. 'specially using the neck pickup thru a nice tube amp and 210 cab. Just seemed to respond perfectly and give a nice big, full-on kinda tone. Totally blew away any of the strat-style guitars I have ever owned ... course I don't own any now ... and may have to go shopping soon for a new Ball

Take your time. Try 'em all thru the same amp/set-up. You'll know when you've found the right one for you.

cheers always, eh

Joel
p.s. pickups aside, I also felt there were some strong differences between the wood types - AL being made of ash and the Silos being alder (iirc)

 

[beej]

I was playing as I typed the last response ... got a little excito.

As Rob says, they're pretty similar. I find the AL's neck pickup (and overall) to be a tad brighter than the Silo Spec.

 

[whitestrat]

Can you really dig into an overdriven AL? Is it able to sing like a silo does?

As much as I HATE to admit it, the AL sings better. Primarily because of the Ash body, 22 frets, and maple neck. I know mine kills in every which way.

Both my AL and Silo Specs are on the same set of pups. The AL still sings better. Makes me was to buy a maple necked Silo Spec.

Will the AL neck PUP give me the tone a Strat neck PUP would give?

This is PUP dependent. Not guitar dependent. But my AL? You betcha!

 

[robelinda2]

Also, AL with hardtail or trem does make a difference too. Much more of a stratty vibe with trem. The tone is without doubt more tight and twangy with a hardtail AL.

 

[banjoplayer]

Hey thanks so far, good answers. Very Helpful especially regarding the overall differences/similarities.

I may have the oportunity to ebay a hardtail AL which I can not try out before :-( So I will bid and if it doesn´t fit I have to sell again. Otherwise the silo will go probably. Wait and see...

One thing wasn´t asked clearly enough maybe: Do you think (or know) if the position (24 frets vs. 22 frets) of the neck pickup makes the big difference in sound I´d wish? Because that would be the main reason for changing guitars (and of yourse the great great style of the AL).

Problem maybe, that most of you play HSH silos and very few only SSS silos.

I´ll keep you updated if I buy.

 

[whitestrat]

Do you think (or know) if the position (24 frets vs. 22 frets) of the neck pickup makes the big difference in sound I´d wish?

Considering you want that strat neck tone, then yes, the 22 fret position is CRUCIAL. Without it, you won't get that belltone chime. This applies across the board. Not only to Single Coils, but also Humbuckers and P90s.

 

[banjoplayer]

Considering you want that strat neck tone, then yes, the 22 fret position is CRUCIAL. Without it, you won't get that belltone chime.

That´s what I want, Thankyou

 

[robelinda2]

22 frets for sure.

 

[banjoplayer]

Also, AL with hardtail or trem does make a difference too. Much more of a stratty vibe with trem. The tone is without doubt more tight and twangy with a hardtail AL.

sounds great - Tele towards bridge and Strat towards neck? Ok I know it has it´s own sound. I want one

 

[fogman]

i want both

 

[dannymusic]

Also, AL with hardtail or trem does make a difference too. Much more of a stratty vibe with trem. The tone is without doubt more tight and twangy with a hardtail AL.

hmmmmmm, that is interesting.

 

[robelinda2]

I prefer the AL with trem with SSS, but really I would just hate to have to choose between them, just buy both over time, its the only way to know.

 

[John C]

banjoplayer - unless you find an old Silo with the SSS pickups, don't forget a Silo Special is a 22-fret guitar and has that nice hollow Strat neck pickup tone.

The others have sized up the differences pretty well; it's all what you want out of your "Strat".

If you want the early-50s bell-like tone, the AL is the way to go (and as Rob says go with the trem model to be more "Stratty", with the fixed tail to be more "Tele-Twangy"). I find the Silo Special hits more of a mid-late 60s Strat vibe - more Hendrix or Gilmour (think "Shine On . . .").

The pickups are more modern on the Silo Special, but they fall somewhere in-between say Fender's '57/62 reissues and their current American Standard pickups - but to my ears (as a former Fender '62 RI owner) they are closer to that 60s vintage than they are to the modern.

 

[banjoplayer]

banjoplayer - unless you find an old Silo with the SSS pickups, don't forget a Silo Special is a 22-fret guitar and has that nice hollow Strat neck pickup tone.

The others have sized up the differences pretty well; it's all what you want out of your "Strat".

If you want the early-50s bell-like tone, the AL is the way to go (and as Rob says go with the trem model to be more "Stratty", with the fixed tail to be more "Tele-Twangy"). I find the Silo Special hits more of a mid-late 60s Strat vibe - more Hendrix or Gilmour (think "Shine On . . .").

The pickups are more modern on the Silo Special, but they fall somewhere in-between say Fender's '57/62 reissues and their current American Standard pickups - but to my ears (as a former Fender '62 RI owner) they are closer to that 60s vintage than they are to the modern.

Thanks John, your explanation is very concrete and helpful. I already own a Silo with SSS config and thinking about buying a used hardtail AL. So, no Silo spec or Trem AL around...

 

[fogman]

banjoplayer - unless you find an old Silo with the SSS pickups, don't forget a Silo Special is a 22-fret guitar and has that nice hollow Strat neck pickup tone.

The others have sized up the differences pretty well; it's all what you want out of your "Strat".

If you want the early-50s bell-like tone, the AL is the way to go (and as Rob says go with the trem model to be more "Stratty", with the fixed tail to be more "Tele-Twangy"). I find the Silo Special hits more of a mid-late 60s Strat vibe - more Hendrix or Gilmour (think "Shine On . . .").

The pickups are more modern on the Silo Special, but they fall somewhere in-between say Fender's '57/62 reissues and their current American Standard pickups - but to my ears (as a former Fender '62 RI owner) they are closer to that 60s vintage than they are to the modern.

Very interesting.
Hmmm..... now which era of guitar would be better suited for electric blues?

 

[candid_x]

Very interesting.
Hmmm..... now which era of guitar would be better suited for electric blues?

If Morse was playing blues, a Morse.
If Al Lee was playing blues, an AL.
If JP was playing blues, a JP.
If Luscious was playing blues, a Luke.

I'm being facetious . But not entirely.