Silo Spec HSS or 20th

[Mark-NL]

So,

I was sure of it. I'd get a HSS silo spec. Because, as a coverband player, I need the versatility of single coils and humbuckers. That's why I have a Luke and an ASS. A silo would be a good addition.

So, I tracked one down, like new, in True Gold. For a nice price aswell. BUT, and here is my problem, the guy selling it has got a 20th for sale as well. For a reasonable (if not good) price. Rosewood, quilted. Pics here.

I've never played a 20th, held one, seen one 'in real life', and I haven't heard good sound clips of it clean. So, why do I have GAS for it. It does not fit "the profile" of the guitar I "need"...still, can't get her out of my mind.

Which would you buy if you were in my place? I...need.....guidance....!!!

 

[GWDavis28]

Stick with the Silo Special, because you need the versatility. The 20th's are nice and special, but you won't get the single coil sound you need.

There will always be 20th about.

Glenn |B)

 

[ScoobySteve]

I'll say the opposite and go 20th. They'll always be around but will be harder and harder to find. The Silo Spec will alwas be there. The 20th is the biggest departure from what you already have. Tr Luke is HSS on alder. Same with Silo Spec.

 

[paranoid70]

I have both and play them both all the time. Honestly I would grab the 20th, I tend to favor that one a bit more - and I play in a cover band too. It sounds great clean, trust me.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Super duper honky middle position tone clean. Funky stuff!

 

[DrKev]

What a horribly difficult decision!!

The 20th is gorgeous and the neck looks fantastic. It does seem like a good idea to have the HH to compliment the HSS Luke but you already have an ASS so it's kind of a moot point. I would also prefer a trem. That's what would bother me most actually.

The Silo Spec is a standard model but True Gold is a very rare colour. There may be even fewer true gold Silo Specs out there than there are 20ths. 20ths come up for sale somewhere in the world all the time. Silo Specs in a rare colour do not. Trust me on that!

The bottom line here is that there is no bottom line. If you turn your head a little to one side and squint, you can make any of these opinions look like a good idea.

Sp, how about you sell the Luke and the ASS and get both the 20th and the Silo Spec? THAT would be a great combination!

 

[Mark-NL]

how about you sell the Luke and the ASS and get both the 20th and the Silo Spec?

NEVER, they will have to pry them from my cold dead hands.

The ASS was my first ever Ball. I bought it sight unseen, without ever having played a Ball in my life, from eBay, for too much money. Amazing flametop, brilliant birdseye. Only regret I have is that I did not buy it years sooner..

The Luke I bought out of the boot of a car on the parking of a Burger King's. (That sound horribly illegal, but it was an arranged meeting with someone of a Dutch guitar forum, sort of a 'middle location' because there was quite some distance between where we both lived). Only tried it unplugged. Plays like Buttah!

This Silo is going to be the first Ball I buy (I was gonna say "potentially buy", but who am I kidding, right), AFTER having tested it thoroughly...There's a first for everthing.

I was not aware that True Gold was a rarity. I asked in another thread about the color, and AJ of CS told me it was offered for about a year. Collector's value means little to me, I play my guitars.

The only 'flaw' I see with the Special is that is has no birdseye. I'm horrible, I know.

I have made up my mind, for now. It might change within the next minutes...

 

[Jonny Dubai]

20th mate. All the way. You can get a silo any time. I'm currently saving for a 20th.

 

[GWDavis28]

The only 'flaw' I see with the Special is that is has no birdseye. I'm horrible, I know.

You'll find that most Silo Special have what you call plain necks or better know as flamed necks, but they are very stable and feel and play as well as any neck with a lot of birds eye. Remember looks can sometimes be deceiving.

Glenn |B)

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Everybody is going to have a different opinion. For what you already have, the Silo Spec is the more "practical" choice and you have the same view that I do.....that the guitar is to be played.

Look at my group of guitars....SSS, HH, MM90/MM90, HSS. No true overlap....every guitar does something different. And when I need a true single coil sound, I take out the SSS Al, not the Axis with coil split.

There are plenty of "collectors" on the forum, and that is absolutely fine. But I don't sense that you're looking for a guitar to collect, but instead to have it to USE.

there's my 2 cents worth. Now if only I could get Glenn to cut his 20th price in half........

 

[Dante]

hey, i've owned that 20th!

 

[Roubster]

Both great guitars and also completely different. Since you have the LUKE in HSS I would probably vote for the 20th Silo, even though the Silo Special sounds completely different from the LUKE. Plus you will have 2 additional frets on the 20th which non of the others have. Either way its a win win situation.

 

[Mark-NL]

hey, i've owned that 20th!

The one I linked to?

Were there any issues with it?

 

[DrKev]

Around here the only "issues" are that another guitar equally desirable or rare comes up and something has to move to pay for it. Besides, Dante might be referring the the 20th that Glenn has that Jack wants to buy. Some guitars can change hands many times on the forum. It's as great as it is crazy!

 

[Mark-NL]

And he scoooorrrreeesssssssssssssss!

The 20th did not appeal to me at all. Sure it looked great, but the feel just wasn't it. It seemed....too light? I dunno, just didn't feel right, haven't even plugged it in.

The Special, on the other hand. Instant click. Felt familiar and yet different (might because of the .10's where I normally u .09's and the 3 springs on the trem instead of 2 I have on the Luke). Soundwise it was everything I need it to be. Balsy Rocktones on the neck, Funky middle, glassy cleans on the neck. YES! And it is really 'as good as new'. NO scratches, dings, fretwear.

Ow, did I mention that True Gold looks so much better in real life than any picture I've seen?

Pics to come soon...gotto set it up to my liking and play it first!

 

[DrKev]

Hooray!!!