Silhouette Special Questions

[gitapik]

Hi,

I'm looking at used Silo Specials. Floating bridge. Fingerboard doesn't matter.

I sold a standard with the Floyd a while back. Miss the guitar. Don't miss the Floyd.

I'm wondering:

1) Are there benefits to different years of production in terms of hardware/pups that came standard? I've heard that the compensated nut was an improvement. If so, can you tell me when EB started installing those?

2) Is the pickup config/toggle switch the same from year to year?

Thanks for your time.

 

[DrKev]

1) Are there benefits to different years of production in terms of hardware/pups that came standard? I've heard that the compensated nut was an improvement. If so, can you tell me when EB started installing those?

The compensated nut was standard on all production guitars during 2006, first appeared in 2005. Personally, I love it. for many people, it's just another nut.

2) Is the pickup config/toggle switch the same from year to year?

Yes, the switch itself is a 5-way super switch. They changed to a different brand or model switch at one point which changed the internal wiring slightly but the pickup switching has been the same for 20 (?) years. Incidentally, note that the middle pickup position is not the middle single coil but the neck and one bridge coil (which is exceptionally cool).

 

[lock-ny]

DrKev dont forget the older ones from the 90s have a 6 point trem, not sure when they started using the MM vintage trem but OP I would def look for one with the MM vintage trem 2 point...

 

[DrKev]

Indeed!

 

[John C]

DrKev dont forget the older ones from the 90s have a 6 point trem, not sure when they started using the MM vintage trem but OP I would def look for one with the MM vintage trem 2 point...

Indeed!

I think it was only the first year or maybe two that had the Wilkinson VSVG 6-point trem. Those also had Grover locking tuners instead of Schallers. I'm pretty sure that they had the EBMM Vintage trem and the Schaller locking tuners by 1998, but it might have been 1997 when that changed.

 

[Steve Nukather]

Early '00s had DiMarzio PAF humbucker, then they introduced the Virtual PAF. At some point in the mid '00s the trem block was changed from steel to brass. Also the bridge saddles changed from the deep V Gotoh S108 to the current style with shallow string notches.

Most recent ones have a bit more wood removed behind the nut, so the strings have a little more clearance as they head from the nut to the tuners.

 

[gitapik]

Thanks for the info, guys. I've been waiting to get notifications of replies and guess I didn't set it up right.

Kev: does that mean that the compensated nut was only in the 2005 and 2006 years?

I'm in an interesting place as far as this search goes. The Silo Standard I had in the '90s and early to mid 2000s played beautifully but, as I said, I didn't like the Floyd. I ended up selling it and went back to my combo of Strat and Les Paul.

Lately, however, the LP seems to be getting heavier, for some strange reason confused. I've tried MANY different straps and they've helped, but the fact is that it's a heavy guitar. Period.

So I'm looking at Silo Specials and boutiques with the accent on light, playability, and sounds great. The boutiques cost a lot more and the question is whether the extra $$$ mean better guitar or not. There's a really nice Special listed on this site and I'm waiting to hear back.

And dat's da scoop. Thanks, again, for the info, guys.

 

[DrKev]

Kev: does that mean that the compensated nut was only in the 2005 and 2006 years?

No, it meant that it became standard on all production guitars from 2006 on. Sorrry for the confusion.

 

[gitapik]

No problem. Thanks for your time, Kev.