Silo/Morse?

[sandman@midlife]

So, first off, I'm primarily a bass player, but had a guitar gig last weekend, and had a blast. So, I'm thinking I need a MM guitar. I've narrowed it down to the above. Will play rock, blues, country. I like the fact that the Silo has a trem, and I like all the options with the Morse. Plus, I'm not interested in a Floyd, I don't think. So, what can you tell me about the differences?

I'll probably but one unseen, as I don't think you can go wrong with MM.

Thanks in advance.
Tony

 

[paranoid70]

I recommend Silhouette Special w/ Vintage trem. It's an incredible guitar that can really nail rock and blues. I don't play country, but I can't believe you couldn't pull it off.

One difference is the body shape. If you are the type that needs a fore-arm contour the Silhouette is preferred. The Morse is a great guitar, but it has a flat body (so does the Axis). If it doesn't matter to you, I guess pick the one that sounds the best!

 

[mb99zz]

I'll echo Paranoid70 -- the Silhouette body and the Morse body are way different. I tried both before buying my Silhouette Secial. To me the Morse was uncomfortable. The lack of the forearm contour was a deal breaker for me.

I have the S-S-S config and I think you can satisfy your rock, blues, and country sounds with that setup. The H-S-S config may be better for heavier rock. Just guessing there.

Have you considered the Albert Lee? If a RW FB had been an option, I would have most likely purchased an AL over my Silhouette Special S-S-S. I'd highly recommend trying one. Check out some of Rob's videos. He has lots of Silhouette and AL postings.

 

[agt]

Will play rock, blues, country.

You didn't specify Silo or Silo Special. The Silo has 24 frets and a humbucker in the neck position; the Silo Special has 22 frets and a single coil in the neck position. The pickup configuration of the Silo can be modified with a replacement pickguard; I don't believe this is the case with the Special (at least my Specials are not routed to allow this, but mine are over 10 years old).

If you love neck humbuckers like me, both are excellent choices. Personally I would take the Silo for its versatility of sounds and more traditional sounds given those two choices, but your tastes and needs might dictate otherwise. You really should try each first.

However your mention of country as a musical style makes me think you might prefer a neck single coil which would suggest the Silo Special or the Albert Lee as mentioned above.

Also, the necks will be different with the Morse having a thinner (front to back) profile and a flatter radius.

Some things for you to consider.

Whatever you choose, you will have a fine guitar.

 

[sandman@midlife]

I appreciate the replies.

So, I thought I could just get one without trying one because the quality will be inquestioned, but it sounds like I'm gonna have to break down, and ride to Orlando and see.

I do like the traditional sounds, but I like the idea of all the pickup combinations of the Morse.

Right now I'm using a Nashville Tele with a HB out of a Firebird in the neck.

It's OK, but I really would like an EBMM.

I had an Axis for a while, GREAT guitar, it just wasn't what I needed at the time. The playability made me want to throw rocks at my Tele.

So, if you have any more suggestions, I'd love to hear it.

 

[threeminutesboy]

if you play rock blues country style an Albert MM90 might be a very choice being a bongo owner you will not mind a weird shap guitar

The Albert is to the Guitar what the Bongo is to the Bass : A timeless masterpiece

 

[sandman@midlife]

I thought about the Albert. No, I wouldn't mind the shape at all. MAma says, "Pretty is as pretty does."

But I need a HB on it. I've got a guitar with P 90's and like it. But I want something with a HB and S. Maybe I need a Silo and an Albert.

 

[mb99zz]

Axis Super Sport can get some pretty nice single coil tones with the 5-way switching. Lots of choices!!!

 

[sandman@midlife]

So, if I got an Axis, could I mod it so that in position 2&4 it would use only one of the split HB's? that would make it right for me, plus I really liked the Axis neck.

 

[agt]

So, if I got an Axis, could I mod it so that in position 2&4 it would use only one of the split HB's? that would make it right for me, plus I really liked the Axis neck.

How about a DPDT push/pull pot as a replacement for the volume or tone pot? In the up position, switch 1 position would be just one of the bridge HB coils, and in the switch 5 position would be just one of the neck HB coils. In the down position you could still get all the ASS sounds including the stock switch 2 and 4 sounds.

Personally, I have modded Balls with pickguards (I buy a new pickguard and molex connector and save the stock pickguard in case I ever want to revert to stock) but I would be hesitant to mod an Axis, Petrucci etc. without a very compelling reason.

 

[sandman@midlife]

that's exactly what I need!

 

[mb99zz]

Of course, you can't discount the 25th!