Silo and Silo Special owners: passive / active guard assemblies question

[somesmerized]

One of the main features of the Silo and Silo Special guitars is its exceptional ease of use when it comes to changing pickups configurations: unscrew the old guard - unclip - clip the new guard - screw the new guard - rock your socks off

Some of you Silo and Silo Special owners have leveraged that great feature to come up with really cool alternate configurations. However, although I spent some time using the search function, I didn't come across any information on passive / active swaps. So here are my newbie questions:

Is a passive / active configuration swap difficult to achieve? I’m especially interested in what you have to say about the battery connections: are the power connections part of the clip, or is there any additional rewiring involved? Also, will an EMG SA/SA/85 configuration fit in a stock HSS guard for Silo Special?

I’d like to read / see any advice, pictures, thoughts that you may have on the idea.

Thanks all and Happy New Year!

 

[candid_x]

Howdy. Since you'd no longer need the Silent Circuit with the EMG's, the battery compartment should provide easy battery access. Dunno for sure but I think EMG's should fit the pickguard and body. Would like to see the results if you do it!

 

[beej]

The molex connectors have three connections- battery +, ground and output. So that's all you'll need to connect a new guard loaded with EMGs, a switch, and the right pots.

I think you'd have no problems.

 

[somesmerized]

Thank you guys for your input. I feared that power would be an issue. For me it really needs to be as simple as clip - unclip as I want to be able to change pickup configurations often.

Candid, I will definitely post some picks of the result when it's done, but it's going to be in a while as I need to order my Silo Special first

 

[NorM]

I put in the EMG's and never considered changing back. On the SiLOs I have the batteries (multiple guitars not batteries) under the pots

 

[somesmerized]

I put in the EMG's and never considered changing back. On the SiLOs I have the batteries (multiple guitars not batteries) under the pots

Interesting, thanks for the battery under the pots tip. Good to know, even though I'm lefty and mine is going to be a Silo Special. I really like the concept of no-hassle, interchangeable guards.

 

[candid_x]

Candid, I will definitely post some picks of the result when it's done, but it's going to be in a while as I need to order my Silo Special first

Just curious whether you've considered a Luke rather than the Silo Special? Granted, the neck radius and shape are different, but it's already loaded with EMG's and the body shape is very close.

But I guess the interchangeable pickguard assembly is part of your attraction to the SS's design. I agree, it's a cool feature. I've just changed out one of mine from HSS to SSS (see avatar).

 

[somesmerized]

Just curious whether you've considered a Luke rather than the Silo Special? Granted, the neck radius and shape are different, but it's already loaded with EMG's and the body shape is very close.

I did actually, and I know that one of these days I'll have a Luke - and an Axis Super Sport for that matter. My wife doesn't know that just yet, but anyways...

I love the Luke and its V neck profile (although I only got to try righty Lukes - I'm a lefty.) But I think it makes more sense for me to buy a Silo Special first. I love how that guitar is modern, yet in some kind of way already a classic. I'm really really really attracted to it. I'm still debating whether it's going to be Candy Red, Lava Pearl, Radiance Red or LE08. All in know is it will be SSS and rosewood, non matching head.

But I guess the interchangeable pickguard assembly is part of your attraction to the SS's design. I agree, it's a cool feature. I've just changed out one of mine from HSS to SSS (see avatar).

I've seen that when I used the search function. It does look like a lot of fun. Swapping guards is an excellent way not to get tired of your guitar. Although I think it's difficult to get tired of such wonderful instruments

 

[candid_x]

I couldn't agree more with all you've said. A modern classic - perfect description of a Silo Special.