Silhouette: Why 24 Frets?

[Eilif]

A while back, BP invited us to ask questions, so here's one for BP, Dudley, or someone in the know:

Why does the Silhouette have 24 frets? What was the design philosophy, reason, thinking, history, etc. that it has 24 instead of 22?

 

[beej]

... 'Cause 22 was the top one, and they wanted that extra push "over the cliff", so they cranked 'em up to 24 ...

 

[Jimi D]

I can't say for sure, but I'd wager this was a product of the time it was produced - Dudley was designing it in the early '80s, at the height of the shred era; a modern update on vintage values, a compact, 24-fret, working guitarist's dream guitar... Hey, he did eventually revisit the design in a 22-fret package with the Silhouette Special.

 

[fogman]

Here's an additional question!

Is the neck simply longer for the additional 2 frets or are the fret sizes compressed???

 

[beej]

The neck is longer. The overall scale of the guitar is the same: 25-1/2".

 

[Big Poppa]

two full octaves are cool. we came up with the special so we could get the front single coil pickup closer for a more strat sound

 

[doubleR]

The neck is longer. The overall scale of the guitar is the same: 25-1/2".

But you have to remember, it's not the length, it's how you use it.

 

[NorM]

...and they wanted that extra push "over the cliff", so they cranked 'em ...

Oh that's just funny to me on a personal level

24 frets to me just makes the math easier. When I switch from 24 to 22 and back sometimes I have to re-orient myself. But that's OK cause I can do that. Personally I like the 24 fret models.

 

[CudBucket]

I'll take 24 frets over 22 every time.

 

[Silhouette]

I'll take 24 frets over 22 every time.

Word to that!

 

[scottie]

... 'Cause 22 was the top one, and they wanted that extra push "over the cliff", so they cranked 'em up to 24 ...

Spinal Tap reference? (Nigel Tufnel's, "...but these goto 11.") I actually have a guitar volume knob that goes to 11.

 

[jongitarz]

Spinal Tap reference? (Nigel Tufnel's, "...but these goto 11.") I actually have a guitar volume knob that goes to 11.

I have a few guitars with knobs that go to 11...Saw them in a music store and bought all the guy had.

 

[Jonny Dubai]

No way man.....22 for me every time. Love that push bend on the 22-24 for that Santana, head back, eyes shut, split stride moment.


Jonny

 

[beej]

I have a few guitars with knobs that go to 11...Saw them in a music store and bought all the guy had.

That's killer. I've never seen any but would buy a boatload if I ran across them.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

That's killer. I've never seen any but would buy a boatload if I ran across them.

I have a couple of cream knobs that go to 11. I wasn't planning on using them.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I have a few guitars with knobs that go to 11...Saw them in a music store and bought all the guy had.

I would love one of those!

And it must be said, I am a 22 fret person all the way. 24 frets makes the neck pickup sound funny.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I'll post some pics of the knobs I have when I get home.

I might be willing to let one or both of them go, since I don't plan on using them. I actually need some cream knobs that go to 10 anyways.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I'll post some pics of the knobs I have when I get home.

I might be willing to let one or both of them go, since I don't plan on using them. I actually need some cream knobs that go to 10 anyways.

Well count me first in the Queue!!

BTW, I was driving towards Salem yesterday, on my way to Roanoke from Cleveland. I was supposed to be there Saturday night, but the closure of the Interstate 77 South and all the snow in West Virginia meant I did not quite make it until yesterday morning.

Sadly I am back home in the UK now!

 

[TonyEVH5150]

This one goes to 11

These are pretty cool. Same size as a standard vol/tone knob. I do have two.