Silhouette Special Trem

[austin]

Hello all. After devoting myself to 2-Humbucker guitars for a few years, I've decided to pickup something that's more st**t-ish. After doing some searching it looks like a Silhouette special would be my best bet. Now, here's where the confusion comes in. I'm looking for something with a trem and it looks like Silhouettes have had at least 2 types of trems over their model life. Does anyone out there know enough about these trems to give me a short history (which models were used which years, comparisons among the trems)? I'm looking to buy used and I don't want to limit my horizons if I don't have to. On the other hand, I do want to get the best Silhouette that I can. Thanks in advance.

-Austin

 

[Jimi D]

Well, I can't give you model years, but I do know that Silhouettes have had at least four different trems since their introduction. The very first models had a Schaller-designed locking trem that looked kind of clunky - you don't see many of those. Then there were models equipped with Floyd Rose trems after that earlier trem was abandonned. More recently - and more traditionally - you have the Wilkinson and Music Man trems. The Wilkinson six-screw was the first "conventional" trem on the Silhouettes, but having owned both I think the contemporary, two post Music Man trem is a much nicer unit - bigger, heavier, with a smoother action. So unless you want a locking trem, you should just look for Silhouettes with the Music Man two post trem.