What pickups came stock in a 1997 Silhouette HSS FR?

[Derek B]

I'm looking at a 1997 Silhouette Floyd Rose HSS which has had the Lukather EMGs fitted, I'm assuming it didn't come with these.

What pickups did it originally come with, and are these still recommended, or are there generally accepted 'better' options?

 

[daneford]

I'm looking at a 1997 Silhouette Floyd Rose HSS which has had the Lukather EMGs fitted, I'm assuming it didn't come with these.

What pickups did it originally come with, and are these still recommended, or are there generally accepted 'better' options?

I think the older ones had a paf pro bridge and two dimarzio singles (blue velvets?). At some point, they switched to a virtual paf bridge and "custom wound" singles. I like the singles, and think they are probably not far off from the true velvets Dimarzio currently makes.

I don't know when they switched from the paf pro to virtual paf. I like the former and don't really care for the latter. I've replaced it in both my silos that had it.

As for "better" options, that's all relative and depends on what you're looking for. My hss silo special has a jb and two antiquity texas hots. The JB is a bit much, but it's been in there so long that I've gotten used to it. The texas hots are great pickups. My hsh silo has an air norton bridge, true velvet mid, and 36th anni neck. I'm swapping the norton for a fortitude (slightly tweaked 36th anniversary paf).

If I had an hss silo, I'd probably go with a fortitude in the bridge. Singles would be either virtual vintage blues in the middle and virtual heavy blues for the neck, or area 61 mid and injector neck. Those are all noiseless.

Also, the guitar doesn't exist without pics. Those are the rules.

 

[Derek B]

Thanks for the quick and detailed response! Not my guitar yet but if i decide to go for it I'll return with pics, don't worry!

The Lukather EMGs actually sound pretty good from the demos I've been listening to. Haven't played active pups for years but might be a useful addition to my tone 'arsenal'?

 

[jlf599]

I just swapped in a BK Abraxas HB and 2 Mother's Milk singles on my Silo Special. I kinda like the change.

Someone else had already swapped the DiMarzio humbucker for a Seymour Duncan that I wasn't terribly fond of, so it seemed like a good idea.

 

[beej]

I liked the EMGs in the Luke II. Personally if it sounds good, don't change it.