My question is....is there any difference in tone between the two models, assuming they have the same pups in them, I mean one has 22 frets and one has 24 and a slightly smaller body but with the same pups do they sound the same assuming they are both alder, a dealer told me today that the silo is chunkier sounding and I was like "how" - russ
- Thread starter lock-ny
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SteveB
Well-known member
this was touched upon in another thread just a few weeks back.
For one, the neck pickup placement is different on a 24 fret versus a 22 fret, so that will impact the 'tone' when using that pickup.
For one, the neck pickup placement is different on a 24 fret versus a 22 fret, so that will impact the 'tone' when using that pickup.
John C
Well-known member
lock-ny - unfortunately you can't assume they have the same pickups, as the Silo only comes in H-S-H these days; frankly even when other configurations were available all I would ever see besides H-S-H was the occasional H-H model. Silo Specials are either S-S-H or S-S-S. Please take my comments with a grain of salt as I'm much more of a single-coil fan; my go-to configuration is S-S-S.
That being said, the dealer you're talking to is likely referring to the Silo as being "chunkier" in the neck postion because of the Humbucker versus the single coil. The bridge Humbucker is in the same position on both, and I believe EBMM is using OEM versions of the DiMarzio Virtual PAF in both guitars.
My only experience with 24-fret versus 22-fret has been with some PRSi - and they put quite different pickups CE-24 than in the CU-22 or McCarty. I don't know if it was the pickup itself or the placement, but the neck pickup on the 22-fret models sounds more "hollow" than on the 24-fret models. I think the source of this difference was anywhere from 75% 90% pickup voicing and the remainder from the pickup placement. Not an "apples-to-apples" comparison in any way.
That being said, the dealer you're talking to is likely referring to the Silo as being "chunkier" in the neck postion because of the Humbucker versus the single coil. The bridge Humbucker is in the same position on both, and I believe EBMM is using OEM versions of the DiMarzio Virtual PAF in both guitars.
My only experience with 24-fret versus 22-fret has been with some PRSi - and they put quite different pickups CE-24 than in the CU-22 or McCarty. I don't know if it was the pickup itself or the placement, but the neck pickup on the 22-fret models sounds more "hollow" than on the 24-fret models. I think the source of this difference was anywhere from 75% 90% pickup voicing and the remainder from the pickup placement. Not an "apples-to-apples" comparison in any way.
lock-ny,
Here's a link to a thread I started a while ago. It should have additional information that you may be looking for. I had the same questions!
22 or 24 Frets?
Here's a link to a thread I started a while ago. It should have additional information that you may be looking for. I had the same questions!
22 or 24 Frets?
WEll, first of all, these models DO NOT have the same pickups. The Silhouette has PAF Pros and a custom wound single coil, and the Sil. Special has a custom wound H/S/S set. In my experience, having owned and played both, and speaking in "broad strokes", I think the Silhouette is more modern sounding, like a contemporary rock guitar (Jem, Soloist) where the the Sil. Special is a more vintage flavored instrument. You should really play both to decide which is for you...
Jimi,
I would agree with that.
All along I thought I was getting the special with the SSH. Then I tried a Silo with HSH. I loved the sounds. It just had this extra dimension.
Someone in another thread (maybe from EB) was saying it was called "special" probably because they didn't want to call it "vintage". It's more stratty if I can say that.
I would agree with that.
All along I thought I was getting the special with the SSH. Then I tried a Silo with HSH. I loved the sounds. It just had this extra dimension.
Someone in another thread (maybe from EB) was saying it was called "special" probably because they didn't want to call it "vintage". It's more stratty if I can say that.
Raz
Well-known member
I can back up part of what Jimi is saying cause my Silo Spec has a real vintage tone...it's very difficult for me to get a hard rock tone out of it...my other Silo Spec with S-S-S is a completely different story
In an interview with Guitarist Magazine [UK - May, 2001] Dudley stated that his goal from the outset with the Silhouette Special design was to create something with a more "vintage" character:
Also, as much as they appear to resemble one another with a casual glance, if you put a Silhouette side-by-side with a Silhouette Special, you can see that they really are quite different in shape; the Sil. Spec. looks bulkier and more vintage, with less severe cut-aways and shorter horns. All-in-all, I think it's clear that the two instruments - however closely related in terms of overall visual style - were designed with different goals in mind.
Also, as much as they appear to resemble one another with a casual glance, if you put a Silhouette side-by-side with a Silhouette Special, you can see that they really are quite different in shape; the Sil. Spec. looks bulkier and more vintage, with less severe cut-aways and shorter horns. All-in-all, I think it's clear that the two instruments - however closely related in terms of overall visual style - were designed with different goals in mind.
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John C
Well-known member
fogman said:
No, that was just me making a speculation since I had read earlier that Dudley's goal was to make a more vintage-sounding guitar than the original Silhouette.
Jimi D - I thought I saw in another thread from someone at EBMM that they had switched from PAF Pros to the OEM version of the Virtual PAF on both the Silo and the S-S-H Silo Special fairly recently. If that is not the case then I stand corrected.
John C
Well-known member
Jimi D said:
Jimi D - I agree with you there; the Silo and Silo Special are two unique guitars that resemble each other.
I've raised this issue with people new to PRS guitars as I believe the CU-24 and CU-22 (or Standard 24/Standard 22 for that matter) are also two distinct instruments that are closely related. I'm glad EBMM continues to list the Silo and Silo Special as separate models; as PRS has added new models over the years they now list the CU-24 and CU-22 on one web page as the "Custom" (with the option of a 24- or 22-fret neck) which I think is a disservice to those new to the brand.
jimmyp
Well-known member
I'm with John C on this issue - they are very different guitars, not just because of the extra 2 frets and longer/shorter horns. I prefer the Special, but that's because I like strats over 80s guitars - the Sil reminds me a lot of the pointy guitars of the 80s - it plays and sounds great, but I prefer the vintage vibe. Also, I prefer 22 frets for some unknown reason - same with my PRSs 
OrangeChannel
Well-known member
The new 24 fret Silo DOES have Virtual PAFs (they never updated the site)in it...I'm unsure of the Silo Spec...I have a 24 fretter which is on the way to its birthplace (get it yet Jon?) to get a level...love it.
Well first of all, I don't think the Silhouette Special has a Virtual PAF in the bridge (perhaps Jon could clear that up?), but even if it does, you still have a single-coil neck pickup in the neck position. I owned both at the same time, and I stand by my earlier assessment - these guitars do not sound the same, imho.lock-ny said:
when I had a silo spec I thought it was very straty, so what I'm gathering from this, I think is that the silo (non spec) is more modern sounding? but can you still get a nice strat quack out of it with a HSS? ...I'm sure you can ...dumb question
...I'm sure you can ...dumb questionrrhea
Well-known member
I've always loved the Silos (both models) ever since I picked one up and played it.
Can anyone tell me how well the tremolo stays in tune?
Despite having been skeptical before buying, I must say I am very impressed with my JP trem and how it works as well as any double locking!
Do the silos work that well?
RR
Can anyone tell me how well the tremolo stays in tune?
Despite having been skeptical before buying, I must say I am very impressed with my JP trem and how it works as well as any double locking!
Do the silos work that well?
RR
I'm starting to think that the silo is more for me if its geared more towards a rock guitar sound rather than vintage... I still need that vintage 2nd position quack for SRV but for the first position I wouldnt mind a more modern sound.....I'm torn....
