Swapping Pickups on a Silo Special

[gitapik]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a Silhouette Special and have read that the stock pups are often a better match for the guitar than the "upgrades" that some people add on.

I saw one for sale which says the pups were upgraded to "Dimarzio Area 61 neck, 58 middle and an AT 1 bridge".

Anybody have experience with these pickups on a Silo Special?

 

[steevo]

Ive not got any experience with changing the pickups on the silo but having owned my silo special for 5 months i have found them to be quite low output pickups but because the guitar sustains so well it kind of compensates for the lack of overdrive from my amp. I am tempted to try other pickups but they sound so nice and balanced i dont think i can bring myself to do it.
Here is mine, full rosewood neck, absolutely love it.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[gitapik]

Thanks, Steevo. I'm looking at one just like that, now. Sweet.

 

[coolhandluc]

I have to agree that the balance of the stock pickups really blew be away. I expected to be ready to swap them for my trusty Area 67s, but there has been ZERO desire on my end to swap. If they one you are looking at is stock I'd say play it a lot before swapping. If you go with something with Areas I can't imagine those sounding bad either.

 

[gitapik]

I ended up pulling the trigger. Picture's a little out of focus but give it a click anyway. I'll post more shots when I get it delivered:



It's the one with the pups I mentioned in the original post. I'll give 'em a shot. The guy I'm buying from is a player, so I'm sure they've got a sound.

Can someone tell me what the actual stock pups are, in case I decide to go that route? Got a feeling these ones are gonna be good, though.

BTW: I sold my original Silo Standard (with the Floyd) a couple of years ago and, so, haven't been around since. I played a Special at Sam Ash last weekend, loved it (but it didn't have a trem), and am VERY happy to be getting this one. Looking forward to hanging out here, again, too.

 

[agt]

My 2 Silo Specials are from the late 90s. The stock pickups at that time (I believe that the HB is different now, possibly the SCs) sound great, especially the single coils.

Having said that, I love tinkering and I have put numerous Dimarzios in one of them. That one currently has an AT-1 in the bridge, an Area 58 in the middle , and a Cruiser Bridge in the neck, all with 500k Ohm vol and tone pots. Yes, I am an Andy Timmons fan. It sounds great! My experience is that the Area pickups sound best with 250 k Ohm pots and, of course the AT-1 sounds best with 500 k Ohm pots. IME, the Areas, especially the 58, are very bright with 500k Ohm pots; some may prefer that sound. The Cruiser is a nice humbucking single coil-sized and singlecoil-sounding pickup to balance with the AT-1. YMMV.

 

[gitapik]

Should be interesting. I'm very psyched. I'm a big fan of Andy Timmons, too. I also really dig Johnny Hiland and his sounds. I'll have to check his site for humbuckers preferences, if any. I know he's into singles on these Silos.

 

[gitapik]

I chose a rosewood fingerboard as my Strat and ASAT Classic are maple. The LP is my only electric with a rosewood board, but getting heavier every year. This Silo will be a nice option for that warm, fuller sound on the bridge pup.