Questions for EBMM Connoisseurs!

[Progdude]

Hey guys,

1. What are the size of the frets on the Silos? And are they different on any other EBMM models? And by sizes I don't just mean "jumbo" or "medium" I mean like Dunlop 6105, 6100, 6000. Or at least what do they compair to? What are they made of? Stainless?

2. And Ive only really played a JP 6er and I had a used silo that needed way too much work and sold it. And an Axis but dont remember much about it. (too long ago )

3. And is EBMM still using Birdseye?

4. Why do they use a 250kohm volume and tone instead of a 500K and what's the reason for the - .047µF tone capacitor?

5. Im super close to ordering a white Silo with pearl oid guard and with maple board and natural head stock from Mr. Dubaldo! I just want to check out all the details b4 I order.

Thanks guys!!!!!!

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I'm not sure what actual size it is. The website describes it as high profile, medium width. I think that's the 6105 wire. They're brass/nickel frets, not stainless.

THey do use birdseye maple, but I think its saved for the artist models, limited editions, and BFR's. The Silo Special neck is Maple, not BEM.

The 250K pot I think is a compromise. Since the pickup config is either HSS or SSS, the 250K works best with single coils, but still works with a humbucker. Since the 250k pot bleeds off more treble to ground, I think the 0.047 uf capacitor compensates for that.

 

[Progdude]

Thanks! Anyone else wanna chime in and confirm some of the ?s

 

[jamminjim]

Tony summed it up pretty nicely.

Go ahead and order the Silo.... you won't be disappointed, unless you want to consider a Silo Special, which is a workhorse of an axe. Or a rosewood board, which alot of folks prefer the sound of. Many will tell you that a HSS Silo Spec is one of the best all around guitars to be had. And you would have the option of getting an additional SSS loaded pickguard, or it could be modified to go double hummer too, pretty easily.

Just throwing some ideas out there.....

 

[Progdude]

how much different would the rosewood board sound than maple?

 

[jamminjim]

here's a thread from our own forum
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/4778-maple-vs-rosewood.html

I think it's mostly personal preference, however maple can be brighter and snappier sounding and rosewood is mellower, so I've read. I like both, but prefer rosewood as it is easier to keep clean, or should I say, it hides dirt better... Rosewood does require maintenance though, it needs to be oiled periodically. Mine do anyway. I use lemon oil, then wipe it down.

About Tonewoods

here's an excerpt from the above referenced webpage
"Fretboards and Bridges

Players of electric guitars with bolt-on necks have long been hip to the fact that neck and fretboard materials can have a significant bearing on tone. Maple necks can impart a bright, poppy tone that can do much to reinforce the top end of a large-bodied guitar, while mahogany necks help push the overall palette into a warmer, more woody tonal range.

Fretboard materials also exert an influence on overall tone, although they probably act more as icing on the cake than as a layer of the cake itself. Brazilian rosewood fretboards and their denser rainforrest counterparts add sparkle and ring, and Indian rosewood fretboards can help fatten up the midrange. Wenge, a dense, dark-colored African hardwood unrelated to the rosewoods, has tonal properties remarkably similar to those of Brazilian rosewood.

Ebony, the traditional fingerboard material found on violins, classical guitars, and high-end steel strings, has the lowest velocity of sound of all the woods commonly used in lutherie and has definite damping characteristics. This may not prove to be much of a problem for large-bodied guitars made out of red spruce or Brazilian rosewood, but it may be something to consider when designing smaller guitars, particularly those using some of the less resonant woods for tops and backs.

It is important to remember that wood, when considered generically, can be responsible only for certain aspects of the tone of any guitar. Equally important are the design of the guitar, the skill of the maker, and the quality of the individual pieces of wood from which the guitar is made. Species selection can, however, be a determining factor in the creation of a very special guitar or a guitar designed for a specific purpose. " ref: About Tonewoods

 

[jamminjim]

Jamminjim says

also some good info on Suhr's site

Suhr Guitars Information on Wood - Expanding the Experience of Tone!

plus vids like this

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7ZfvpH9xcE&feature=related]YouTube - Rosewood versus Maple[/ame]

 

[Progdude]

Wow thanks guys!

 

[candid_x]

I most definitely prefer maple, unless I'm playing rosewood. And v.v.

I had to laugh reading what Steve said in the linked thread, about playing faster on whichever one he hasn't played in awhile.

I'm more reticent to generalize than I used to be. Just when you get all the tone-woods, pickups, effects etc all figured out, then you plug into a differently voiced amp, and all those tidy rules change. Huh? I thought a rosewood board was warmer and fatter... so how come all of a sudden it's got sharp edge to it? D'oh - different amp! I still think there's some generalizations, but they each come with an "it depends" sticker attached.

 

[paranoid70]

I noticed that the newer Silos don't tend to have birdseye. I did find a brand new AL that had some though. However, don't let that stop you, it plays just the same with or without it.

White Silo with pearl pickguard sounds like an excellent choice to me.