Silhouette Special Pickup Advice

[GuitarHack]

I've decided to get a Silo Special, and I need some input please from the Silo Special players out there before placing my order...

Simply put, SSS versus HSS configuration? Pros, cons, opinions, jokes, short stories, gymnastics routines, any input is welcome. I've owned Strats before, and I have Axis Super Sports with HBs and MM90s, but I've never played an HSS guitar for more than a few minutes. Is the HB in the bridge position more useful than a single coil? Again, I'm looking for any opinions out there.

I have my heart set on getting one, but there are none in the stores around here to try out, so I'll be ordering it w/o ever playing one. The only requirements I have settled on is a hardtail, non-piezo bridge...everything else (neck wood, color, matching headstock, pickguard) is still being decided, so I welcome inputs on any of that as well.

Apologies if this has been covered already, I did do a search, but nothing suitable came up.

Thanks,
GuitarHack

 

[GuitarHack]

Also, I forgot, I notice from the wiring diagram for the Silo Special HSS that only position 5 offers a single coil by itelf, the neck pickup. Position 3, which is usually the middle single coil on a Str*t, is actually the neck pup in parallel with a split coil from the HB.

I'm looking for a guitar to fill the Str*t niche...is similar quack available on the Silo Special HSS?

To further complicate things, any thoughts on a Silo non-Special HSH?

Thanks again.

 

[Jimmyb]

Why not look out for an AXIS Sport on E-bay? You can get them in SSS configuration and they beat the pants off F3nd3r (imho).

Failing that, I hear nothing but good things about the Albert Lee model as well.

 

[threeminutesboy]

your choice will really depends on what you are looking for

My HSS guitar is equiped with a EMG SL20 kit that is basically the Luke sound system. this was my main Axe for gig as it's the most versatile and my Axis was the second one.

For recording or simply playing home, I was missing the SSS sound so I decided to go for a Silo Special with SSS configuration . I can't tell about the HSS silo cause I don't own one. But the Silo SSS is an amazing guitar and my main axe since a week. if you love the clean and cristal sound this guitar is for you !

I am always switching between my EBMM one week with the Axis, onother week with the Axis SS and so on ...

regarding your current setup the Silo SSS could be a very nice add on. Also to consider in that SSS configuration is the Albert Lee model

if you want to hear a Silo Special in action, I recommend to check also one of Tristan video on YouTube with the HSS and you will hear the full palet of sound (from clear to crunch to Lead)


Hope this will helps

 

[tristan]

your avatar looks gorgeous...could you pleas post a pic of your axis ?

 

[SteveB]

One thing to consider is that the Silhouette is 24 frets, and the Sil Special is 22 frets.

I'd say it probably depends what you want to do with your bridge pickup. For a more 'vintage' sound, you'll probably want a single coil in there. If you need a hotter sound sometimes, maybe go with a humbucker in the bridge.

And of course, if you need a full two-octave set of frets, you have to get the regular Silhouette which only comes in HSH.

 

[robelinda2]

Also, I forgot, I notice from the wiring diagram for the Silo Special HSS that only position 5 offers a single coil by itelf, the neck pickup. Position 3, which is usually the middle single coil on a Str*t, is actually the neck pup in parallel with a split coil from the HB.

I'm looking for a guitar to fill the Str*t niche...is similar quack available on the Silo Special HSS?

To further complicate things, any thoughts on a Silo non-Special HSH?

Thanks again.

holy crap are you serious about that? position 3 is not middle alone? sounds like it to me, but if it aint thats surprising!!!!!

i REALLY wanted a silo special SSS, so i ordered a dargie, cant wait for it!!!! My silo special HSS is an amazing guitar, out strats my strats by MILES. but the one sound it cant do obviously is bridge/middle, cos of the humbucker, its not the same sound in that position, its not a bad sound, but not that nice Knopfler-ish tone a SSS gives you in that position.

if i were you i would run to wherever has a silo special and GET IT!!! You will never play a strat EVER again!!! well maybe one time just to see how the silo special KILLS it!

neck single coil and neck/middle sound on my silo special is just superb, and all my strats cant get near the tone, its truly amazing. silo special rules not only as as a strat replacement, but as a strat KILLER.

oh yeah i like silo specials

 

[Larry]

I thought the AL was the Strat killer.

 

[threeminutesboy]

holy crap are you serious about that? position 3 is not middle alone? sounds like it to me, but if it aint thats surprising!!!!!

check this :

But I was pretty sure that GuitarHack was right

 

[threeminutesboy]

Ooops sorry, my mistake First is Silo, this one is Silo Special

 

[GuitarHack]

Why not look out for an AXIS Sport on E-bay? You can get them in SSS configuration and they beat the pants off F3nd3r (imho).

Failing that, I hear nothing but good things about the Albert Lee model as well.

Jimmy, thanks, both the Axis (pre-Super) Sport and Albert Lee seem like nice guitars from nice families, and with great personalities...in other words, I don't care much for their looks. That's just my opinion, YMMV, but I love the Axis Super Sport and the Silo, so I'd like to get something in that vein.

 

[GuitarHack]

your choice will really depends on what you are looking for

My HSS guitar is equiped with a EMG SL20 kit that is basically the Luke sound system. this was my main Axe for gig as it's the most versatile and my Axis was the second one.

For recording or simply playing home, I was missing the SSS sound so I decided to go for a Silo Special with SSS configuration . I can't tell about the HSS silo cause I don't own one. But the Silo SSS is an amazing guitar and my main axe since a week. if you love the clean and cristal sound this guitar is for you !

I am always switching between my EBMM one week with the Axis, onother week with the Axis SS and so on ...

regarding your current setup the Silo SSS could be a very nice add on. Also to consider in that SSS configuration is the Albert Lee model

if you want to hear a Silo Special in action, I recommend to check also one of Tristan video on YouTube with the HSS and you will hear the full palet of sound (from clear to crunch to Lead)


Hope this will helps

Thanks, it does...looks like two votes for SSS so far...

 

[GuitarHack]

your avatar looks gorgeous...could you pleas post a pic of your axis ?

The good folks at EBMM outdid even themselves on this one.

 

[robelinda2]

Ooops sorry, my mistake First is Silo, this one is Silo Special

well spank me silly!!!! thanks for that! That is odd. how is the silo special SSS wired?

 

[robelinda2]

so the silent circuit only works on the neck pickup? I didnt know that. not that i ever have the battery in anyway.

 

[GuitarHack]

holy crap are you serious about that? position 3 is not middle alone? sounds like it to me, but if it aint thats surprising!!!!!

i REALLY wanted a silo special SSS, so i ordered a dargie, cant wait for it!!!! My silo special HSS is an amazing guitar, out strats my strats by MILES. but the one sound it cant do obviously is bridge/middle, cos of the humbucker, its not the same sound in that position, its not a bad sound, but not that nice Knopfler-ish tone a SSS gives you in that position.

if i were you i would run to wherever has a silo special and GET IT!!! You will never play a strat EVER again!!! well maybe one time just to see how the silo special KILLS it!

neck single coil and neck/middle sound on my silo special is just superb, and all my strats cant get near the tone, its truly amazing. silo special rules not only as as a strat replacement, but as a strat KILLER.

oh yeah i like silo specials

I'm Stratless now, and I'm less than impressed with F**der quality these days, so no convincing is required on that front. I miss the sound, but not the guitar, hence this quest. Another SSS fan...thanks!

 

[robelinda2]

The good folks at EBMM outdid even themselves on this one.

yes yes you have a magnificent axis, thanks for the torture once again.

now stop showing it off!

 

[threeminutesboy]

well spank me silly!!!! thanks for that! That is odd. how is the silo special SSS wired?

some way as a Strat :

 

[robelinda2]

cool, thats a relief. whats the reasoning behind the wiring on the HSS silo special i wonder......

 

[GuitarHack]

One thing to consider is that the Silhouette is 24 frets, and the Sil Special is 22 frets.

I'd say it probably depends what you want to do with your bridge pickup. For a more 'vintage' sound, you'll probably want a single coil in there. If you need a hotter sound sometimes, maybe go with a humbucker in the bridge.

And of course, if you need a full two-octave set of frets, you have to get the regular Silhouette which only comes in HSH.

Thanks, Steve. Fret count is way down the list for me, I have trouble enough managing 22, I don't need 9% more frets to deal with.

I do like the idea of a hum in the bridge spot, I'm just wondering if I'm then sacrificing that Strat-vibe. Actually, I guess you've helped me arrive at what my real question is: Is the HSS more of a different animal, or more like a Strat plus something else*.


* I acknowledge that my expectations are that any Silo will blow the doors off a Strat...the term "Strat-like" is used for convenience only.