Silhouette Special Questions

[acewood]

It looks like there's a battery compartment cover on all of the pictures that I've seen of the back of the Silhouette Special . Is that only for the models with a piezo system or are there active electronics on the models without the piezo too?

Also, based on my internet search there doesn't seem to be many of them available for purchase. Are there any dealers out there that have a better stock of Silhouettes to choose from?

Thanks!

 

[A.J.]

Acewood, that battery comparment houses a 9 volt battery that powers our silent circuit (which helps eliminate the 60 cycle hum associated with single coil pickups. The compartment appears on both piezo and non piezo models. The magnetic pickups in these guitars are not active. If you want to shoot me an email [email protected] or give me a call toll free @ 866-823-2255 I can help direct you to a Silhouette or Silhouette Special.

 

[NorM]

Greetings acewood and welcome to the forum.

The SiLhOuette Special has a silent circut feature when the pickup selector is in the neck pickup only position. This is to quiet the hum that is prominate when single coil pickups are run by themselves.

Finding Silhouettes is quite the challange for me. Out of all of the ones I have ever owned I only played 1 before I bought it. They can be tough to find but you might try the Dealer locater on the Ernie Ball website to see if there is one close to you. If your near southern Arizona you could drop by the house.

Edit: AJ is just cool

 

[candid_x]

The SiLhOuette Special has a silent circut feature when the pickup selector is in the neck pickup only position.

That's for the HSS. In the SSS, the SC effects positions 1, 3 and 5.

 

[NorM]

That's for the HSS. In the SSS, the SC effects positions 1, 3 and 5.

I did not know that. I got my edumacashion on that by looking at the drawings.

 

[acewood]

Thanks for the replies!

One more question. Does the output on the guitar get distorted or stop working when the battery dies or does it only affect the silent circuit?

 

[GuitarHack]

It doesn't stop working. Some folks say they can hear a difference (more bite), and actually leave the battery out.

 

[John C]

I can echo GuitarHack and say the battery doesn't impact the output, just a bit of the sound.

However, each guitar is different. I've had 2 Silo Specials. I had a 2004 model (in vintage sunburst) that seemed to gain a bit of "sparkle" when I experimented with pulling the battery out. I liked that better so I just left the battery out all the time and didn't put one in until I sold it.

Since selling it was stupid on my part - and after trying a couple of other things out during most of 2006 and 2007, I just took delivery of another Silo Special (a 2007 Blue Dawn LE). This one appears to have the level of "sparkle" I'm looking for with the battery installed, so for the time being I'm leaving it in.

 

[paranoid70]

acewood, maybe it is just the crummy wiring at my place, but I personally don't notice a big difference at all without the battery.

All that being said, the Silo Spec is an awesome instrument and I highly recommend getting one. I ordered mine without ever even playing one and couldn't have been happier with it!

 

[candid_x]

I did not know that. I got my edumacashion on that by looking at the drawings.

Hi, Norm. This diagram is for a Silo, not a SSS Silo Special.

 

[robelinda2]

I really love my silo specials, cant wait to get a maple one next year, just gotta decide on colour! Love the tones, either SSS or HSS, very versatile.

 

[candid_x]

Yeah, I don't know if it's just superstition/imagination or if the SC battery actually effects the tone, other than reducing single coil hum. In my head it takes a slight edge off, but you know how these things are. I leave the battery out of mine unless there's actually a hum problem, and I always carry batteries just in case. Only takes a sec to pop one in so it's really no biggie. The SC can be a really great feaure when the power supply is dirty or the amp location is too close to the guitar, or you have the amp cranked up and running effects, etc. I think it's a great feature when needed.

 

[5Stringer]

I did not know that. I got my edumacashion on that by looking at the drawings.

Norm, this Control Function Diagram (CFD, as we call it) is for a Silhouette, NOT a Silhouette Special. The Silhouette in the SSS configuration was being produced (1987-1997) before the Silent Circuit was invented, thus the noise was prevelent. In 1997 or so, we stopped offering the Silhouette in any configuration except for the HSH, which is the same as today.

Here is the CFD for the Silhouette Special with SSS configuration: http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_silhouette_special_sss.gif

Hopefully this will clear things up a bit!

Dan

 

[NorM]

That's the ticket!

I just saw SSS on the diagram list and thought that would be the one. A closer inspection of the list (without haste) showed the answer that answer that concurs.
Thank You!

[Goofy Voice] I kinda wondered about that. [/Goofy Voice]

I learnt sumpin nu today.