Silo and Silo Special?

[IFT1989]

Hello All,
First off thanks so much for the positive responses from my first post. Seems like a forum with a lot of genuinely good people.
I just had a quick question in regards to the Silo. Is it true that the Special has a larger body? I know lots of folks mention the overall "compact" size of EBMM guitars, but having never really seen or handled on in person (minus an OLP Axis type thing years ago, if that counts at all) are we talking like, people look at it and think "travel guitar"?
I'm pretty sold on one of these two guitars, but I would prefer to not have to explain constantly why its so small if it were. Right now I'm really stoked on the Candy Red Silo hardtail... again for anyone who didn't see my last post I've always played a Strat, and briefly an EC-1000.
Any feedback (or better yet size photos? ) would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[daneford]

I have both and there is a difference in size, but it's not that tremendous of a difference. They are smaller guitars, but the silo is not "travel size" small. Reading your previous post, I'd say that if you're coming from a strat and you prefer singles in the neck pickup, you should get the special. You can't go wrong with either, though.

I posted pics here: http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...also-i-may-developing-problem.html#post964051

If I get some time, I'll put them both next to a strat for comparison and take a pic.

 

[IFT1989]

Awesome! Thanks so much for the feedback.

 

[lock-ny]

I have 2 silo specials....love em! most comfortable guitar ever, but I like a single coil in the neck and a humbucker in the bridge that splits, so the HSS special is perfect for me, both great though..

 

[DrKev]

A friend/student of mine has a Silhouette and I can't say I noticed any difference in body size switching between that and my Silhouette Special. The bodies are slightly different - the Silo has a 24 fret neck vs the 22 frets for the Special so the neck heel is positioned differently (which is also why the pickguards are not interchangeable - slightly different shapes required), and the horns are different lengths to aid balance but otherwise the bodies are very similar. Both guitars are the same scale length and same overall length.

 

[canuck6string]

Rudimentary comparison

I placed my son's Squier Mini over my Silo Special flush at the butt end. The Silo's width is no greater than the Mini.

Pure playing comfort.

 

[daneford]

The good Dr. gives a better explanation than I do. Here are the silos next to a strat for reference.

 

[ozzyrules]

I would like to put my silo next to my Strat, but as soon as I discovered EBMM, I sold every other guitar I ever owned.

 

[daneford]

Ha! I won't deny that I have thought about it. There are days i'm tempted to sell to fund a purchase of a new ball. I have a handful of "keeper" guitars that I have history with. Years of gigs, recording, garage jam sessions, etc., have formed a bond of sorts.

That said, my first guitar at 14 was a silo. EBMMs have always felt like "home" to me. Aside from a brief couple years after my first one was stolen, I have never been without one.

Back to the OP, no matter which one you go with, I don't think you'll go wrong.

 

[canuck6string]

Agreed, daneford.

OP'er, I'm coming from the American Vintage Strat to a Silo Special. What I noticed almost immediately (besides the neck shape) was the resting position of my fret arm and hand. More relaxed, natural and closer to my torso than a Strat. I cannot confirm it, but it appears that the EBMM neck is set a couple of inches further back into the body compared to the Strat.

I loved my '57 RI. Up until I tried an EBMM, the Strat was the most comfortable guitar I owned. This includes San Dimas styles, SGs, Teles, LP copies and a Samick.

 

[IFT1989]

Thanks so much for all your awesome feedback

 

[DrKev]

I cannot confirm it, but it appears that the EBMM neck is set a couple of inches further back into the body compared to the Strat.

Not quite. The necks of both guitars join the bodies at similar position (i.e. the cut-aways are at similar frets), but the body of the Silo/Silo Special is a little smaller and noticeably shorter between the bridge and the strap button. That, and the shorter headstock, is what makes the difference in total length.

 

[Stratty316]

The silo spec is just pure comfort any playability. It's a wonder I didn't pick one up years ago.