Question Silhouette Special SSS: Maple or Rosewood?

[Music Man Dan]

Hey folks! I've concluded that my for my next guitar, I'm going to kick things up a notch and treat myself to a Silhouette Special, SSS configuration, with a tremolo bridge and the matching painted headstock. I haven't yet been able to play on, but I know from playing on an Albert Lee model that I like the feel of the 10" radius neck, and I'm a big fan of the Silent Circuit. I also simply love the sounds this guitar produces in all of the YouTube.com videos it's featured in. I can't, however decide on what fingerboard to get. Any opinions in the matter would be greatly appreciated! Also, are the maple fingerboards that come with this guitar plain, or bird's eye maple?

 

[djlynch]

non-birds eye but still awesome

 

[fogman]

First, welcome to the forum my fellow canuck!

the silos seem to come with pretty plain necks, though it's the luck of the draw.

what body colour are you thinking of going with?

 

[Colin]

welcome try and hunt down a roasted maple when they start hitting the stores soon. They only come with an ebony board though

 

[browndog]

Welcome fellow Canuck.

You know the Oshawa L&M carry the most EBMMs in the GTA eh.

The Markham store has a Candy Red Silo SSS when I was there last week.

 

[Roubster]

Welcome and good choice on an excellent guitar once you find what you like. I personally like rosewood best...so I am biased. Its really what you prefer most. Like Foggy, I'm curious to know what color you're thinking...and like Colin said, the Roasted would be a very cool Silo Special.

 

[Music Man Dan]

Hey everyone! Thank you all for the warm welcome! Another thing I want to add, although it doesn't really matter here, but I'll just mention that I don't intend on purchasing a piezo equipped guitar. But anyways, in regards to colours, the only thing I'm really sure about is that I'm going to stay away from plain black or white. I traditionally think of alder as being a wood that's better suited to opaque finishes, therefore, I'll probably stay away from the vintage sunburst also. At this point, I'm leaning heaviest towards Blue Pearl, but I'm indecisive, so at any moment, I may switch to Candy Red, or, maybe even Sterling Silver. I definately think the roasted neck option looks cool, however, I've never played an ebony 'boarded guitar. How are they in comparison to maple or rosewood, both in terms of tone and feel?

 

[Spudmurphy]

H How are they in comparison to maple or rosewood, both in terms of tone and feel?

I have ebony on a Les Paul, ebony on a custom built guitar, rosewood and maple necks on my EB's.

Out of all the necks I personally like the feel of the maple - I like how it looks too.

People will offer the analogy that maple is brighter and rosewood is warmer but, again personally I don't buy into it.

Go with what feels good for you. If I'd have listened to "opinions" 5 years ago, I'd have never bought my first EB guitar.

 

[mb99zz]

I have a rosewood fretboard on my Silo Special and 20th Silhouette. My Axis Super Sport (now sold) also had a rosewood FB. My DDII Albert Lee has an Ebony board. In fact, I bought a DDII not because of the limited finish but because it was a way to get an Albert Lee without a maple FB.

Not sure why, but I have never really liked maple FBs. I think it's mainly a matter of feel. Can I detect a difference in sound when I have the opportunity to play RW and maple back-to-back? Yes, but it's nothing major. RW boards sound warmer to me. So, could I pick out a rosewood Silo Special from a maple Silo Special based on a recording with the same musician playing the same song with the same overall technique? 50/50 shot, but I wouldn't bet money on my answer. My point -- the sound difference is likely in my head and not in my ear. I'd love to say I've got a hyper sensitive ear that can detect those minor things, but there's a reason I have a day job

 

[JMB27]

I have ebony on a Les Paul, ebony on a custom built guitar, rosewood and maple necks on my EB's.

Out of all the necks I personally like the feel of the maple - I like how it looks too.

People will offer the analogy that maple is brighter and rosewood is warmer but, again personally I don't buy into it.

Go with what feels good for you. If I'd have listened to "opinions" 5 years ago, I'd have never bought my first EB guitar.

first, welcome aboard.

and second, I agree with Spud .... very well said .... if you have the opportunity, try a few different EBMM guitars .... lots a good ones to choose from and lotsa great sounds to be made.

cheers always, eh

Joel

 

[Music Man Dan]

Howdy folks! Over the weekend, I was able to get out to a few music stores, and although none of the ones I went to had exactly what I wanted on hand, I was able to conclude all but one decision on the list of options for the Silhouette Special. Here's my decided options, based on my personal auditions with a few different Silhouettes, and Silhouette Special HSS guitars:

-Bridge: vintage tremolo
-Piezo: no
-Fingerboard: rosewood
-Headstock Finish: painted matching body colour
-Pickup Configuration: SSS
-Body Colour: Blue Pearl

The only thing I can't decide upon is the pickguard. I've narrowed my choice down to White Pearloid or Black Pearloid, but I'd really like to see one against the Blue Pearl colour. Pictures anyone?

Thanks!!!

 

[paranoid70]

White Pearloid with black pickups look really cool. I love your choice - Silhouettes are the best.

 

[Roubster]

I agree with paranoid, but I also like black pearloid. White pearloid looks a bit more classic, whereas black pearloid gives you a more modern rock look I think. Check my sig below and my albums with my Silo Special with the white pearl guard. I have a black one now, as I was in the mood for a change.

 

[Mikey]

With rosewood fretbord, matching headstock and the relatively dark colour I would prefer the black pearloid pickguard.
But you should not bother too much because pickguard changes are no biggie and a simple way of changing the looks of a guitar from time to time.

 

[D.K.]

maple

 

[lukeuser78]

Maple Neck all the way, Humbucker in bridge and 2 stacked humbuckers middle and neck, a'la Vinnie Moore's!!!!

 

[lukeuser78]

am looking at a white silhoutte on e bay with a floyd rose, seriously considering it but gonna have to pimp it with pearl s/plate and stacked h/buckers!

 

[Roubster]

I've got something like that lukeuser78 ! This is not blue pearl, but to give you an idea of white pearl on a blue color and rosewood board. The pic with the black guard is current...will probably go for black pearl guard as a final look.

 

[silo special]

Maple! Who needs another piece on the neck that could just fall off anyway?

 

[agt]

Nobody's brought it up yet, but unfinished maple can eventually show finger dirt from playing whereas rosewood will not. Maple can be cleaned, and if you wash your hands and are in the habit of keeping the fingerboard clean after each session, the accumulation of dirt and discoloration can be kept to a minimum. I have a very well-played but also well cared-for 1998 Silo Special w/ maple that still looks great. This may or may not be an issue for you, but it is something to consider.