Silo #86004

[vig]

Hey guys,

Long time stalker here, especially ever since I got my first EBMM back in 2022, which happens to be a Luke III BFR (below) which I've wanted for the longest time.
Can't praise this guitar enough, the neck feel and playability is just great for me. I've logged on many times to find useful advice, tips and tricks for this baby and I'm thankful for all the knowledge sharing over here.


I have this habit of searching the local area marketplaces during travels just in case there happens to be good deals for guitar effects and such. Recently, something came up that i could not pass up on. It seemed to be a very old Silo from 1986(based on the serial number). And from what i gather from reading the threads, it seems to be the 4th one made in 1986, serial #86004. I decided to jump on it and it's now safe in my possession.



Previous owner(s) seemed to have taken good care of it, as i did not notice really major issues with it and the playability is good. Few things I've noticed though,
- fine tuners are missing
- bridge saddles had been replaced, however to an incorrect spacing
- original trem arm replaced
- volume knob has been replaced

I've since replaced the saddles with roller types with correct spacing, and bought replacement fine tuners for it. Will be taking my time to set it up properly in the coming days. In the meantime, I just thought I'd share this with all you amazing folks out here.

I've uploaded more pictures over here, in case anyone is interested:
Silo Pics

Cheers!

 

[DrKev]

Vig, congratulations and welcome to the forum family!

That is a VERY cool guitar and looks to be completely original! Schaller bridge, pickups, and tuners. Interesting that it there is six months between the neck date and the body, and yet a very early 86 serial number. Note that they had not named it the Silhouette yet, it was still simply the "Ernie Ball Music Man guitar".

 

[MikIsOnline]

Wow, what a nice catch! Congratulations, that is a beautiful MusicMan. And of course I like the Luke too!

 

[DrKev]

I've sent an email to EBMM to see if they can tell us anymore about this guitar. It's too early for the serial number database to give us any info (and there is similar 086004 number that comes up instead).

 

[vig]

I've sent an email to EBMM to see if they can tell us anymore about this guitar. It's too early for the serial number database to give us any info (and there is similar 086004 number that comes up instead).

Thanks DrKev for the warm welcome! Yep, everything seems original, but would most definitely try to get my hands on a correct replacement trem arm and saddles just to complete the look. Appreciate your help on the email to EBMM, hopefully they have more info to share on this guitar

 

[vig]

Wow, what a nice catch! Congratulations, that is a beautiful MusicMan. And of course I like the Luke too!

Thank you for the kind comments. Was just lucky to be at the right place at the right time i guess. It was a rushed purchase as i was flying home on the same day and could not arrange for proper logistics. In the end, i decided to remove the neck from body - wrapped both the body and neck with some thick padded clothing and transported it inside my checked in luggage which was marked as fragile

 

[MikIsOnline]

In the end, i decided to remove the neck from body - wrapped both the body and neck with some thick padded clothing and transported it inside my checked in luggage which was marked as fragile

Brave man!!!!

 

[GWDavis28]

Great collection there!! Welcome!!

Glenn |B)

 

[Sweat]

Very nice vintage EBMM, congrats

 

[morsecode]

What an awesome find!

 

[dibart77]

Very cool. BTW, I do not think that 86004 = 4th guitar in 1986. EBMM have never done anything like that AFAIK. Their serial plates are all in a box and the assembly guys reach in and grab one and the number is random.

 

[vig]

Very cool. BTW, I do not think that 86004 = 4th guitar in 1986. EBMM have never done anything like that AFAIK. Their serial plates are all in a box and the assembly guys reach in and grab one and the number is random.

Owh man, I was wondering if it really could have been the 4th one in the production line as i had been reading up some old threads on dating older EBMM's, and these threads in particular caught my attention Help: 1986 Music Man Silhouette, Musicman Silhouette, and Another fake EB/MM on Ebay???

 

[dibart77]

I mean, perhaps I am wrong about "the early EBMM ones" but I always understood that they didn't do things in order.

 

[beej]

That was my understanding as well.

 

[DrKev]

I did a deep dive. I've added the info to the serial number sticky thread. Here ya go...

Important! - Serial Number Search Tool and Info

For all your serial number enquiries, please us the all new and amazing Serial Number Database Search Tool... Serial Number Database | Ernie Ball Music Man Please note that here are still some older Ernie Ball Music Man serial numbers that are not coming up in the database. EBMM are...

forums.ernieball.com

 

[beej]

Holy smokes. Nice addition Kev!

 

[vig]

Thanks guys for all the insights, especially to Kev for updating the info on the serial number thread!
Learning something new everyday

On a separate note, if anyone comes across parts for the trem unit and locking nut - I would love to accurately restore this as close as possible. Especially since i just realized that the locking nut on this guitar is not the original one that came with the unit.

 

[DrKev]

Thanks guys for all the insights, especially to Kev for updating the info on the serial number thread!
Learning something new everyday

And thank you, Vig! Your new guitar gave me the impetus to do it. Jeff DiBart77 gave me extra info which I added this morning.