Silhouette Special Neck vs Axis/SS/OLP

[GetTheFunkOut]

Hi everyone,

First time posting, long time reader. As a massive EVH fan, and an OLP MM1 (Axis) user of 5 years now it looks like I'm finally able to get my first Musicman. Since the MM guitars are fairly rare here in the UK it looks as though I'll be ordering in my Axis in colour and set up of choice (with a 5-6 month wait!) but I am also in the market for a Silhouette special to fill the Strat void left when I sell of my current Fender John Mayer (too much of a chunky neck for me amongst other things).

I am able to get the Silhouette (in 3 tone sunburst, rosewood neck) right now as they are here in stock read to go. My question is (since I can't try, mail order is only option for me), what is the Silhouette neck like?! I know it won't be chunky like my Fender in the slightest, I love the neck size and shape etc on my OLP which I can imagine would be better still on the real Axis. Anyone able to say if the Silhouette neck is similar in size, shape and general feel under the hands to an Axis type neck? Seamless transition between my Axis (when I get it) and the Silhouette would be ideal - I'm not really a fan, but would the Albert Lee guitar be a bit fit for what I want?

Thanks everyone!

Also, anyone with some nice pics of Cherry Burst Axis Super Sports or Silhouette Specials in 3T sunburst/rosewood necks would be most welcome here.

 

[Rufedges]

Silo Special neck is thinner and flatter than the Axis SS neck,....Axis SS is more baseball bat like, Silo Special feels a little more like an Ibanez neck, except not ridiculously wide. I actually thought it couldn't get any better than the Axis SS neck, but I actually prefer the Silo Special neck now. Radius' is actually the same on both necks as per EBMM specs, but the Axis SS neck feels like it is thicker and should have a bigger diameter, but they are the same. Fretboard width feels the same too.

 

[guitvai1]

I have a Silo Special and a Warmoth Wolfgang neck ( which feels identical to an axis) and I have no trouble going back and forth between the two. As Rufedges says the Axis is a bit more baseball bat like but certainly not chunky or clumsy under the hand in anyway. Both are great necks and certainly built for speed and comfort.

 

[guitarp77]

If it helps, I say it is awesome!

 

[GetTheFunkOut]

Thanks for your reply's everyone...

I was secretly hoping to hear the necks between the Silhouette Special and Axis were identical haha! But to be fair, I'd rather it be a bit 'smaller' than chunkier than an Axis (not that I've ever considered an Axis neck chunky in the slightest), but I could agree if someone called it round, at least when compared to modern C shaped necks.

Any thoughts on comparing a Silhouette Special to a traditional, 'real' strat? Pickups much hotter than most? I've come to realise I dislike lower output single coils (my current strat has VERY low output pickups). I can't imagine the Silhouette being considered a vintage sounding guitar. I'm really just after the single coil flavour/sound in a modern (Musicman) package, yet not so far removed from a traditional Strat. ie. a something like a Luke.

Edit: And by Silhouette Special, I mean the SSS config.

 

[ozzyrules]

My silo special is very similar to my Axis'. Very easy transition between 2 guitars. Hardly notice a difference.

 

[Neil J Ricaud]

Hmmm all I can say is which Axis?
Because Ive noticed a huge difference between my 2 Axis guitars.

First one I purchased about 10 years ago and my last BCB in 2013. My latest BCB Axis neck is thinner at the top than my original Axis from 10 years ago, which is chunkier up near the nut and down to about the 6th fret. I prefer the older chunkier necks....

 

[mikeller]

I have a Silo Special and Axis Supersport. Yes, the necks are indeed different, however I don't find the difference to be dramatic and have zero problem switching between the two.

 

[Siddius]

I have a Silhouette and a USACG neck with a profile spec'd after an axis. They feel, to me, significantly different due to the asymmetrical neck profile, but I find no problem switching between the two, and they both swap as my #1 every other week. (currently the Silhouette).

 

[ozzyrules]

Hmmm all I can say is which Axis?
Because Ive noticed a huge difference between my 2 Axis guitars.

First one I purchased about 10 years ago and my last BCB in 2013. My latest BCB Axis neck is thinner at the top than my original Axis from 10 years ago, which is chunkier up near the nut and down to about the 6th fret. I prefer the older chunkier necks....

I've got 2 Tributes, 2 EVH's, 1 25th(Reflex), and 3 Supersports. I notice a difference among them when compared to my Silo special, but it is negligible. My 25th, however, feels much different. It's still an easy transition to that neck. Maybe I've just adapted well, thanks to the superb playability of Music Man.