EBMM Silhouette Special, SSS or SSH?

y2stevo

y2stevo

New member
Hi Guys,
Sorry for the long post,

Question for the Ernie Ball Musicman experts, looking at making my first EBMM purchase.
I currently have the choice of 2 used Silo specials,
One is a 2005 hardtail SSS model the other a 1997 SSH with Trem
The SSS is €860 the SSH €1000.
I really dig the feel and look of this particular SSS, Tobacco burst with Tortoise pickguard, but playing in cover bands I'd really need a more paf-ish pickup in the bridge for versatility so I'd probably swap in a Dimarzio Pro Track or something into the bridge.
The SSH doesn't look near as good, it's blue with perloid pickguard, I know looks don't make it sound as good but the instruments got to inspire you to play too, right? Although On paper it already does everything I'd need it to do, But,
The SSH happens to be about a 2 hour drive away so won't get to play it or see in person anytime soon.
The SSS adding in the Dimarzio ProTrack will cost me about €920 while the SSH €1060 including travel.

I'm undecided if I even want a trem, I've been using a tele for the last 6 months and on any of my trem guitars I don't bother putting the arm on for gigs.
What do I need to do to Decide!!! :o

Is the Pickup selector used in both models the same? I would like to wire the SSS the same as the SSH if I went with a Pro Track in the Bridge to give me:
Position 1: Bridge both coils
Position 2: Middle Pup & One Bridge Coil
Position 3: Neck Pup & Other Bridge Coil
Position 4: Middle & Neck
Position 5: Neck + Silent Circuit.

Would this be possible? Am I correct that the above is the pickup selection for an SSH Silo Special?

In Summary:
If I'm not an avid trem user will I be happier with the Hard Tail, am I benefiting in sustain and tone?
My Tele has a Hotrails in the Bridge lowered a good bit away from the strings which I Really like the sound of for rock rhythm, Would a Dimarzio Pro Track in the Bridge of the Silo SSS Come somewhat close and would it be similar to the SSH Silo, is there a better choice of S sized pickup to do that?
Is the Pickup Selector used in both models the same, is it some sort of superswitch?
If I Decided to go SSH are the SSS models routed to take a full sized Humbucker in the bridge?



Many Thanks for the Help,
Much Appreciated.


Someone please decide for me :banghead: :laughing:
 
Re: EBMM Silhouette Special, SSS or SSH?

I'd say go with the SSS, and maybe a JB Jr, Li'l 59, or HotRails for the bridge.
 
Re: EBMM Silhouette Special, SSS or SSH?

The Silo Specials have a molex connector, allowing a very quick pickguard swap. So you can always get one of them, eventually buy another pickguard, wire it up and snap it together in 5 minutes. I like the HSS, and the stock 'Silent Circuit' which uses a dummy coil, is amazing. The pickups in mine are already Dimarzios, and very good. It cancels hum in all positions. As far as the correct pickup selection, it is in the diagram below.
SiloSpHSS.jpg
 
Re: EBMM Silhouette Special, SSS or SSH?

Hold on.

The trem is actually a huge difference sound-wise, even if you block it. And keep in mind MM doesn't use steel blocks and they have 2-point trems.

On the other hand, a Strat class pickup in the bridge can sound a little off in a hardtail.
 
Re: EBMM Silhouette Special, SSS or SSH?

That's what I was thinking about the trem, my aim would be to go for something like a pro track or hotrail or similar for the bridge as I'd need something a bit more paf-ish for the covers gigs, would they suit the hard tail on the ebmm?


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Re: EBMM Silhouette Special, SSS or SSH?

y2stevo said:
That's what I was thinking about the trem, my aim would be to go for something like a pro track or hotrail or similar for the bridge as I'd need something a bit more paf-ish for the covers gigs, would they suit the hard tail on the ebmm?
Click to expand...

I honestly dunno. Hardtail long scale can often come out boomy but hey it worked for Jake E Lee.
 
Re: EBMM Silhouette Special, SSS or SSH?

uOpt said:
I honestly dunno. Hardtail long scale can often come out boomy but hey it worked for Jake E Lee.
Click to expand...

Thanks,
I have a hard tail tele with hot rails in the bridge that I'm very happy with for rock rhythm, I figure the musicman would be a tad brighter for what I'll be using it for, I guess there's only one way to know for sure :)


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Re: EBMM Silhouette Special, SSS or SSH?

I've been using a 2003 Silhouette Special as my main guitar since '05. It started life as an SSH and is currently HH (I needed to route out the front pickup slot to do this). It's highly customized, but having owned an SSS model and one with a Floyd as well, I know a thing or two about these.

I'm not an avid trem user, and I prefer the hardtail for the sustain but the feel as well. The bodies are alder and somewhat smaller and thinner than your average strat, so they will benefit tonally from having the strings anchored down.

They seem to like DiMarzio pickups as well, though I used Duncans in the SSS one I had and it worked out just fine. Just make sure all three singles (if you choose to use all singles) in the SSS model are the same polarity... the silent circuit will not work otherwise. As far as DiMarzios go, their tonal characteristics go well with those guitars and they help fill out the sound. They aren't big chunks of mahogany like a Les Paul, they're light and aerodynamic so you may need to beef up the tone depending on your needs.

A common thing amongs Silo users is to have multiple pickguard/pickup assemblies built up, as Mincer described. EBMM will sell you the molex connectors you need, and of you wire it up right, you can go between setups in about the time it takes to change strings.

Side note... have you tried an Albert Lee HH model? If not, you owe it to yourself to do so. Those are amazing instruments... rosewood neck and mahogany body. I'd take one with or without trem. You could cover a LOT of ground with one of those.
 
Re: EBMM Silhouette Special, SSS or SSH?

Thanks guys! Haven't seen any ALs around Ireland, at least not to my knowledge, ill keep an eye out for them too ! Thanks,
 
Re: EBMM Silhouette Special, SSS or SSH?

B2D said:
I've been using a 2003 Silhouette Special as my main guitar since '05. It started life as an SSH and is currently HH (I needed to route out the front pickup slot to do this). It's highly customized, but having owned an SSS model and one with a Floyd as well, I know a thing or two about these.

I'm not an avid trem user, and I prefer the hardtail for the sustain but the feel as well. The bodies are alder and somewhat smaller and thinner than your average strat, so they will benefit tonally from having the strings anchored down.

They seem to like DiMarzio pickups as well, though I used Duncans in the SSS one I had and it worked out just fine. Just make sure all three singles (if you choose to use all singles) in the SSS model are the same polarity... the silent circuit will not work otherwise. As far as DiMarzios go, their tonal characteristics go well with those guitars and they help fill out the sound. They aren't big chunks of mahogany like a Les Paul, they're light and aerodynamic so you may need to beef up the tone depending on your needs.

A common thing amongs Silo users is to have multiple pickguard/pickup assemblies built up, as Mincer described. EBMM will sell you the molex connectors you need, and of you wire it up right, you can go between setups in about the time it takes to change strings.

Side note... have you tried an Albert Lee HH model? If not, you owe it to yourself to do so. Those are amazing instruments... rosewood neck and mahogany body. I'd take one with or without trem. You could cover a LOT of ground with one of those.
Click to expand...

Thanks B2D
That's been a great help,
I think what I really want is both the trem and hard tail models :)

Very hard to decide all these things! :)
I'm going to try out the SSS hard tail and a trem model tomorrow hopefully that will give me a better idea what I want


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