Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Arthurus on September 18, 2013, 08:36:20 AM
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Hi everyone ! I recently bought this beauty from one of the local shops in a lovely city that's called Bordeaux (that's where I live), and when I saw it, I knew I had to
have it. And, one day later, I had brought it home with me !
I have to confess that I've been looking forward to having a Silhouette for a long time. But this is the most beautiful Silhouette I've ever seen (images below, but wait till the end, do not spoil this).
So, it had that HSH combo with two Paf Pro that I didn't even try: I had them replaced by the Holydiver/VH-II combo and next thing I knew, it sounded amazing.
It sounds different compared to my Ibanez RG 3120 (which I'm selling by the way), a bit more low-mid thump, and less highs, but a bit more attack on the high register (which I like, especially for a solo with the VH-II).
But, the more I played it, the more I was annoyed by that f... I mean freaking middle pickup, so I came to the conclusion that I had to remove it.
But then it would leave an awful hole in the pickguard...
And then I had THE idea: put a birdseye maple top over the pickguard, so it would seem to be a maple one !
I had my luthier do that, and along the way he also refretted the neck with Jumbo 6100 frets and we switched the... switch (no pun intended) for a new one (three positions).
So the luthier had it finished last friday, and I had the week-end to play it freely.
And god is this guitar amazing.
Not only is it super beautiful, but it stays in tune well, and with the strings I put (11-54 for D standard/Drop C tuning), I can still bend the hell out of the strings, and have an amazing tone (I had only played on 10-52 in that tuning before, and I do like heavier gauge strings after all).
The pickups do an AMAZING job on this guitar, the cleans on the neck/middle position are amazing, the lead sound is amazing on every position, the HEAVY AS $%&# rhythm sound is... guess what ? AMAAAAAAZING
I think my amp is a little responsible for the sound quality I suppose (Mesa/Boogie DC-5), but damn, when I feel it resonate against my belly, when I feel it shaking when I pick the hell out of the low strings... DAYUM !!!
Ok, I guess I've kept you waiting long enough. Here are the pictures.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1267238_612506918799920_1177048321_o.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1237310_612506925466586_305348712_o.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1277332_612506868799925_1174527454_o.jpg)
And here is me rocking its Ernie balls out:
(https://scontent-b-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1240572_612506965466582_1779388931_n.jpg)
And finally a little clip which showcases the Rhythm Dirty sound with the Holydiver:
https://soundcloud.com/arthur-laborderie/kiss-my-flower (https://soundcloud.com/arthur-laborderie/kiss-my-flower)
So here it is ! If you think I've forgotten something, just tell me, and feel free to comment about anything ! Cheers !
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I like what you've done there. It's always a good feeling when you tweak a guitar to make it right for you.
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It is more than right at this point hahaha
The first time I saw a Silhouette, I knew it was my destiny (to quote Yes's Steve Howe talking about Gibson ES-175s). I just find them to be perfectly proportioned.
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The birdseye maple on top of the pickguard looks ace. It really gives the guitar a warm and cool look that you don't find on other guitars.
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Congratulations- I really like the look of the guitar and I am pleased that it fits the bill for you.
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Gorgeous, music man are fantastic instruments right up there with PRS in terms of build quality and finishing. Awesome necks on them as well. Loving the pickguard
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Nice guitar! :D
I'd like to get another Music Man some day, they're as well made as any guitar I've ever owned and quite under-appreciated, I think.
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Nice pickguard and wicked battleworn on the bridge...wish mine were like that.
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Gotta love the feedback 8)
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nice :D
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Sweeeet. Owned several Sils and they've all been great - just the skinny necks I have a problem with
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Sweeeet. Owned several Sils and they've all been great - just the skinny necks I have a problem with
Agreed, nice necks, love the finish and the way they roll the fretboard edges, but I do wish they were chunkier. I'd definitely have an Albert Lee model now if the necks were bigger.
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I like it a lot!
I played on once and felt they have some really nice handling.
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Sweeeet. Owned several Sils and they've all been great - just the skinny necks I have a problem with
Well my hands are tiny so no problem for me :lol:
The thing I like also is that the radius is not as high as with the Ibanez. It feels much more comfortable and less tiring for me.
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That looks ace! Music Mans are topnotch guitars. The necks are superb (but not for Philly! :lol:)
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Same T-shirt!!!
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Sweeeet. Owned several Sils and they've all been great - just the skinny necks I have a problem with
Well my hands are tiny so no problem for me :lol:
The thing I like also is that the radius is not as high as with the Ibanez. It feels much more comfortable and less tiring for me.
Now do you find them skinny or narrow? i have an 97 axis, and the neck is palm filling but narrow feeling compared to others guitars. They definitely have a "signature" feel.
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Same T-shirt!!!
Yeah this one does kick some ass !
Now do you find them skinny or narrow? i have an 97 axis, and the neck is palm filling but narrow feeling compared to others guitars. They definitely have a "signature" feel.
I don't know, seems close to a fender to me, but I haven't played much of those. It was odd at the beginning, but now I'm used to it.
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The necks are superb (but not for Philly! :lol:)
Oh no, I agree, they are superb, just not to my taste.
I think they're both narrow (like an old Fender) and quite shallow. Even though I go on about big necks all the time, I don't actually mind if they're fairly narrow, I quite like a Fender 1-5/8" nut. It's very common for necks to be wide and thin, but just to be difficult I'd be happier if they were narrow and fat. :lol: