Silo special "strat" tone problem

[candid_x]

But I think removing the silent circuit would help also, how?

I don't think removing the Silent Circuit will do any more than removing the battery would. I A/B'd mine to death, with and without the battery, and my conclusion was that there did seem to be a barely negligible buffer with the battery in, which I actually preferred the sound of. But it was so slight as to no longer even be a factor for me.

Pickups are where the big differences will be most easily heard, and that is purely a matter of personal preference.

 

[Colex]

I'm a bit suspicious that just removing the battery would bypass the whole silent circuit. nhf.

Can someone provide me the wiring of a HSS silo special?

 

[emanon]

Also, the Silo Special isnt a strat, its a single coil guitar but not designed to be a strat rip off. Its has its own thang.

If I remember correctly the point of the Silo Special was to put the neck pickup in the right spot for classic Strat tones as compared to the regular Silo. I think the purpose of the Silo Special is very much to be a "strat rip off" although not in such vulgar terms.

 

[Astrofreq]

I don't think the goal of EB guitars is to get a strat or Les Paul sound. I think they are going for their own thing. When I want a Strat sound, I use my Strat, because that sound is unique (just like a Silo). For everything else, I have my Axis. I understand the 'sound' you are going for, but buying one brand and hoping it will sound like another is an odd request. You can get a Line 6 guitar for that.

 

[whitestrat]

I don't think the goal of EB guitars is to get a strat or Les Paul sound. I think they are going for their own thing. When I want a Strat sound, I use my Strat, because that sound is unique (just like a Silo). For everything else, I have my Axis. I understand the 'sound' you are going for, but buying one brand and hoping it will sound like another is an odd request. You can get a Line 6 guitar for that.

Can you shed some light on why you think a Silhouette Special will not sound like a strat? What is so different about a Silo Spec from a Stratocaster that makes it into it's own instrument? They both share the same scale length, the same styled neck carve/radius, similar body outlines (double horns), uses the same tremolo system, bent steel saddles, and 3 single coils. Both also use 250k pot values for their knobs, and 5 ways switches. They are also generally made of the same woods.

So, WHAT is it about a Silo Spec that shouldn't sound like a strat? Or rather, what SSS config, alder body, bolt on, 25.5" scale, maple necked guitar wouldn't sound like a strat? Jonny Dubai's clip in the "Silo Live" thread sounded very strat like to me... Blindfolded, I probably couldn't tell.

Likewise, EB has no guitar that sounds like a Les Paul. Simply because they don't make anything with a set neck, 17 deg headstock angle, tilted neck, carve top body, 24.75" scale, full mahog with maple top.

 

[whitestrat]

I don't think removing the Silent Circuit will do any more than removing the battery would. I A/B'd mine to death, with and without the battery, and my conclusion was that there did seem to be a barely negligible buffer with the battery in, which I actually preferred the sound of. But it was so slight as to no longer even be a factor for me.

Pickups are where the big differences will be most easily heard, and that is purely a matter of personal preference.

Actually, I couldn't even tell the difference with the battery in or out... That's with the non-stock pickups, that is...

And yes, pickups (as we've both discovered) are the key...

 

[whitestrat]

I want the neck pickup to sound more like a 60s strat, frusciante, mayer... know whatta mean.

What you want... is simple... And easy to achieve...

I've gone through at least almost 10 different sets of single coils for my guitars, and all from various brands. I've learnt one key thing. If you want that "Fender" vibe tone coming from the neck single, you have to use a Fender pickup... Anything form their Custom Shop range would be fine. Fat 50s, CS54s, Texas Specials, CS69s. Just get any one that you take a fancy to. Any other brands, Lollars, Fralins, DiMarzios, Toneriders, Duncans will get you CLOSE to that tone, but something will always be missing. They're all great pups in their own right, and have their own sound. But only a Fender pickup will give you an Fender tone. A Lollar, no matter how formidable, will still sound like a Lollar.

You want that 60s tone? Then honestly, a set of CS69s is in order...

 

[Astrofreq]

But only a Fender pickup will give you an Fender tone.

You said it best.

 

[candid_x]

Can you shed some light on why you think a Silhouette Special will not sound like a strat? What is so different about a Silo Spec from a Stratocaster that makes it into it's own instrument?

The size, shape, and schematics.

But only a Fender pickup will give you an Fender tone. A Lollar, no matter how formidable, will still sound like a Lollar.

So then, all those strats with aftermarket pickups no longer sound like strats?

 

[D.K.]

I think the main problem is that there are so many different sounding strats, and each of us has a certain sound in mind. Are we talking Ritchie Blackmore/Eric Clapton/Jeff Beck/David Gilmour (my personal favourite)/ Mark Knopfler/ SRV/ Jimmi Hendrix/Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)/Eric Johnson (another favourite)/ Jimmy Page (On "In the Evening") - or thousands more?

With all due respect - the size, shape and schematics do not differ very much from the strat's, the key components are very similar. What is different is the quality, playability, mojo and value for the money. That's why buying a SS and putting a set of great vintage single coils in it will most likely get You into the state of sonic extasy - if You are after that type of sound, that is. But of course, Silo Special can be A LOT more .

And yes, some strats have pickups that sound radically different from classical "3 single coil - 21/22 fret - alder body with rosewood/maple neck - vintage trem" - combo. I have had quarter pounds in my 79' strat that I have sold ten years ago. They sounded very Blackmore like (what I wanted), but with very little to no strat twang at all.

 

[whitestrat]

The size, shape, and schematics.

So then, all those strats with aftermarket pickups no longer sound like strats?

Strats with aftermarket pickups still sound like single coiled guitars, which is essentially what a strat is... But the "Fender-ish" tone would not be the same.

The Silhouette Special might be a little smaller in terms of size and dimension, but honestly, blindfolded, would you be able to tell the difference just by listening to the tone and not touching? I would be able to tell whether or not this pickup tone was a "Fender-ish" tone or not if heard live, I think, but I would not be able to determine if it's a strat, or a Silo Spec.

That's why buying a SS and putting a set of great vintage single coils in it will most likely get You into the state of sonic extasy - if You are after that type of sound, that is.

Yep... you said it. Everytime I change something on my strat, and I happen to like it, I immediately think of doing the same thing to my SS... But strangely, not vice-versa.

 

[Jason2112]

Funny the direction this thread went in....

 

[candid_x]

Funny the direction this thread went in....

Think so? I think it’s redeemed a thread with a crappy title.

I don’t think it’s strange to compare SSS Silo Specials or AL’s to Strats. I mean let’s face it, Strat is what all single coil guitars wind up being compared to. We may have different opinions and conclusions, but that’s what discussion forums are about, right?

Anyway, Lyle, ya got me wanting to try CS 69’s now!

 

[spkirby]

CS69's or Fat 50's (as now fitted to the neck position in the gilmour strat)

 

[whitestrat]

I don’t think it’s strange to compare SSS Silo Specials or AL’s to Strats. I mean let’s face it, Strat is what all single coil guitars wind up being compared to. We may have different opinions and conclusions, but that’s what discussion forums are about, right?

Anyway, Lyle, ya got me wanting to try CS 69’s now!

My Little Wing clip is done with the CS69s. The John Mayer clip was Toneriders, I think...

Anyways, the strat is an industry standard because it's the original format. I like how EBMM modified that format and produced an upgraded variation instead of simply offering a direct copy like so many other makers.

What I AM curious about is the pickup orientation. Is there a reason why even the Silo Spec uses the SS then a slanted S like a strat? Why not a different slant angle. Is there a physical reason for this?

 

[whitestrat]

CS69's or Fat 50's (as now fitted to the neck position in the gilmour strat)

Fat 50s rule man... I have them in my strat... Wanted to plonk them into my Silo Spec, then I realised I don't have another Silo spec I can do that on. YET.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

My Little Wing clip is done with the CS69s. The John Mayer clip was Toneriders, I think...

Anyways, the strat is an industry standard because it's the original format. I like how EBMM modified that format and produced an upgraded variation instead of simply offering a direct copy like so many other makers.

What I AM curious about is the pickup orientation. Is there a reason why even the Silo Spec uses the SS then a slanted S like a strat? Why not a different slant angle. Is there a physical reason for this?

The slant on the bridge pickup is to compensate for string spacing. The spacing is widest at the bridge, and I've yet to hear about a single coil pickup being made for F-/trem spacing. So, the easiest way to adjust for this is to slant the bridge pickup to better align the pole pieces with the strings.

 

[whitestrat]

The slant on the bridge pickup is to compensate for string spacing. The spacing is widest at the bridge, and I've yet to hear about a single coil pickup being made for F-/trem spacing. So, the easiest way to adjust for this is to slant the bridge pickup to better align the pole pieces with the strings.

I see... Then doesn't it make sense to slant the neck pickup as well?

 

[mikeller]

I have had plenty of Strat's over the years, still have one that I purchased new in 1987, but I gotta say, the front pickup on my two Silo Spec's sound more "stratty" than most of the strat's I have ever owned.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Maybe my geometry is off, but that doesn't make sense to me. If you slant a pickup, you're effectively reducing its overall width. Or am I missing something?

I had read once that the reason the pickup was slanted was that when Leo created the Strat, the amps of the time tended to be overly dark and bass-heavy. He angled the bridge pickup so the unwound strings would have more clarity and high-end.

Does anyone know THE definitive answer?

I don't think there is one. I've heard the string-spacing explanation. I've also read about the slant being there to better pick up lower frequencies. i've also read about the amps of the day having poor treble response. Though setting the bridge pickup straight apparently amplifies the treble frequencies. The single coil picks up bass frequencies better being slightly further away from the bridge.