Silo Special HOT?

[candid_x]

Lionel's new Silo Special acquisition got me thinking: what would motivate me to buy a new Silo Special?

Ever since I dropped a Di Marzio Breed into the bridge, my enthusiasm level has shot way up, for just what that guitar is capable of in the rock department. For me, a humbucker has only one function: to rock.

It's true, that the hot PAF type pup is significantly huger than the stock single coils, and it does take a little getting used to, making adjustments on the fly. But it's no big deal. Still (and this is the point of this thread), I couldn't help but to imagine a HOT version of the HSS Silo Special. Maybe a couple of seriously over-wound Texas heat style single coils would match the deep snarl of the Breed.

And if not that specifically, just the idea of a HOT output (preferably passive) Silo Special is interesting to me.

 

[candid_x]

But then, there's also an interest in a vintage Special, as well. Something with either Alnico II and/or under-wound pickups. So going with "there is no dumb ideas when brainstorming", how about a:

Silo Special
Silo Special Vintage
Silo Special Hot

Of course this may be entirely mute, since it's so easy to mod a Special any which way. In which case, never mind and carry on.

 

[RocketRalf]

What are DiMarzio's hottest traditional single coils? (not Areas or small S size humbuckers) Are those not hot enough for the Breed?

EDIT: I just checked, it's the SDS-1, which they say is more like a P90.

I was just checking the sound clips that DiMarzio has for the Breed and every single one sounds to me like Steve Vai! Is it really the case with this pickup or is it simply that anyone that uses Vai's pickups wants to sound like him and uses similar gear?

BTW Candid, last question :rollseyes: have you (or anyone else) tried Fralin's PAF on a Silhouette?

 

[candid_x]

What are DiMarzio's hottest traditional single coils? (not Areas or small S size humbuckers) Are those not hot enough for the Breed?

EDIT: I just checked, it's the SDS-1, which they say is more like a P90.

I was just checking the sound clips that DiMarzio has for the Breed and every single one sounds to me like Steve Vai! Is it really the case with this pickup or is it simply that anyone that uses Vai's pickups wants to sound like him and uses similar gear?

BTW Candid, last question :rollseyes: have you (or anyone else) tried Fralin's PAF on a Silhouette?

Hi RR,

I know that Vai has one guitar set up with a Breed(s), but it doesn't sound at all like typical Vai to me. It's definitely PAF sounding, but to the hot side. Lots of low end chunk without any hint of flab, plenty of high and mid too. Nice balance, imo.

The Breed is the only after market HB I've tried on a Silo. However, I do have a set of Fralin blues specials on an SSS S Special, which I like a lot. I don't know about Fralin's PAF. I imagine it's as good as the rest of his stuff, though.

Actually, I'm happy with the stock sc's along with the Breed, and have no problem managing the volume jump. I was just dreamin' aloud is all.

 

[andynpeters]

But then, there's also an interest in a vintage Special, as well. Something with either Alnico II and/or under-wound pickups. So going with "there is no dumb ideas when brainstorming", how about a:

Silo Special
Silo Special Vintage
Silo Special Hot

Of course this may be entirely mute, since it's so easy to mod a Special any which way. In which case, never mind and carry on.

I love the idea of a Vintage Voiced SS......but I seem to hear a voice from EBMM pointing out there there are already 33,406 options ( or whatever the current figure is), so I think it won't be happening. Anyway, suppose a SS isn't designed to replicate a vintage strat sound

 

[TonyEVH5150]

It think the best design feature on the Silo/Silo Special is the ability to quick-change the pickguard. If the stock pickups don't ring your bell, it's easy to swap them out, or load another pickguard with your choice of pickups.

Mine has EMG's in it - and they don't get much hotter. I've had other Silo Specials that had Tone Zones, JB jr's, Virtual vintage 54's. The guitar actually is open to any sound you want.

 

[whitestrat]

I couldn't help but to imagine a HOT version of the HSS Silo Special. Maybe a couple of seriously over-wound Texas heat style single coils would match the deep snarl of the Breed.

I hear you man... That's why I'm REALLY tampted to eventually get one, strip out the silent circuit, dump in Kinman's Woodstock set for the neck and mid, and probably a Tonezone or X2N for the bridge. Hahahaha... Now THAT is HOT.

Or actually, just an SSS with a Kinman Woodstock Plus set would be hot enough.

 

[candid_x]

Heck, yeah! I think the Silo Special is such a great platform for this sort of foolery.

 

[whitestrat]

You know, after the Silo Spec and the 20th Silo, I was totally underwhelmed when I tried the normal Silo at the stores. I don't know why... Just didn't cut it for me... I always wanted a Silo like Dizzy's... but when I found it in Tokyo, and played it, I was more captivated by my red SS... Odd... I felt me inclined to buy an Axis than I did the Silo. Maybe the 20th spoilt me.

 

[wolf5150]

I went thru this with my own Silo special

I've just had it refretted with 6105 stainless fret wire and
stripped out all the electrics and converted to passive...

Then I had it fitted with a Dimarzio Andy Timmonds humbucker and a mid Cruiser and neck Fast Track 1

It's now my main live use guitar..its awesome, but it took a lot of effort and money to get it that way, luckily I got it cheap in the 1st place.

I've never used Dimarzio's but being a huge Andy Timmonds fan, I followed his lead and got perfection.

 

[candid_x]

Wolf, got pics?

I think Di Marzio still gets an undeserved bad rep from their 80's sounds.

 

[whitestrat]

I think Di Marzio still gets an undeserved bad rep from their 80's sounds.

Hey! I like those 80s sounds!

 

[wolf5150]

Here it is, after a lot of work.. it's perfect.

 

[whitestrat]

nice......................................

 

[Dizzy]

You know, after the Silo Spec and the 20th Silo, I was totally underwhelmed when I tried the normal Silo at the stores. I don't know why... Just didn't cut it for me... I always wanted a Silo like Dizzy's... but when I found it in Tokyo, and played it, I was more captivated by my red SS...

You just need to toughen up a bit Lionel........
One day you'll be man enough for an original Silo.

 

[Roubster]

I also did some moding to my Silo Special. I slapped two Fast Track 1s in there, as I was inspired by Vinnie Moore at the time. I really love the thick single coil tones and no hum. I want to replace the bridge pup, as it is is really too thin sounding for me. I want something nice and fat and woody sounding on the higher strings. I think an Air Zone will be very good for this. Similar to Tone Zone, but a tad less power and more versatility along with the Fast Tracks.

I am very curious about the Timmons bridge pup though. Wolf, how does that one sound? I know his tone of course, but what is your opinion/review?

 

[whitestrat]

You just need to toughen up a bit Lionel........
One day you'll be man enough for an original Silo.

I think after owning and playing 3 20ths, the original Silo sort of sounded dull to me. The inbetweens are not as nice as a Silo Spec (becuase I prefer singles), and the entire vibe of the 20ths is just too nice.

Don't you feel that too? Now that you have a 20th?

The minute EBMM launches a BFR Silo Spec, I think my Silo Specs will be in trouble.

 

[Dizzy]

I think after owning and playing 3 20ths, the original Silo sort of sounded dull to me. The inbetweens are not as nice as a Silo Spec (becuase I prefer singles), and the entire vibe of the 20ths is just too nice.

Don't you feel that too? Now that you have a 20th? .

Nope.
Different ? Yes.
Dull ? Definitely not.

Besides, as awesome as the 20th's are. the original is far more versatile than the 20th.

 

[whitestrat]

Besides, as awesome as the 20th's are. the original is far more versatile than the 20th.

In that sense, I would agree. But when I tried the Silos, I felt that they couldn't deliver anything my current mix of 20ths and Silo Specs could deliver. I wanted a single coil in the 24th fret position, which only the Silo Spec and the Luke have. I wanted that harmonically rich focused tone from a humbucker that the 20th could provide. There was nothing the standard Silo could offer me that I didn't already have, or want.

That's not to say the Silo isn't a good guitar. Just that I think I've got all the bases I need covered already well done by what I already had.

And yes, the Silo to me sounded dull compared to the 20th. Maybe if I had a standard silo in the beginning, then I'd get used to it, and would have found it indispensable.

But I can't deny that a HSH 24 fret guitar with trem is one heck of a versatile machine.

 

[RocketRalf]

I have a hardtail HSH and I've got all the harmonics I'd ever want. I might just want a more singing neck humbucker that won't overpower the VIntage PAF on the neck. Any suggestions?

Also, what would you think of putting a D-Activator X set on it?