This Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Special HSS Piezo in Sunburst is a particularly versatile USA-made electric, combining a traditional HSS magnetic pickup layout with Music Man's factory piezo bridge system.

Its contoured alder body is paired with a select maple neck, compact Music Man headstock, 25.5" scale and 22-fret layout, while the HSS configuration combines a DiMarzio bridge humbucker with two custom-wound DiMarzio single coils.

Music Man's Silent Circuit reduces the characteristic hum of the single-coil pickups without turning them into conventional active pickups, while the piezo system adds an entirely different range of acoustic-inspired tones that can be used independently or blended with the magnetic pickups.

This pre-owned example is presented in Very Good Condition, weighs just 7.04 lbs, and is sold without a case or gigbag.

At A Glance

Detail	Specification
Brand	Ernie Ball Music Man
Model	Silhouette Special HSS Piezo
Finish	Sunburst
Country of Manufacture	USA
Body	Alder
Neck	Select Maple
Neck Joint	5-Bolt Sculpted
Scale Length	25.5"
Fingerboard Radius	10"
Frets	22 High-Profile, Medium Width
Magnetic Pickups	HSS DiMarzio Configuration
Bridge Pickup	DiMarzio Humbucker
Middle Pickup	Custom DiMarzio Single Coil
Neck Pickup	Custom DiMarzio Single Coil
Noise Reduction	Music Man Silent Circuit
Additional Pickup System	Factory Piezo
Magnetic Switching	5-Way Lever
Tuners	Schaller M6-IND Locking
Weight	7.04 lbs
Condition	Very Good
Included	Guitar Only – No Case

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Music Man Silhouette Special HSS Piezo is presented in Very Good Condition.

Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Very Good means the guitar shows some cosmetic signs of previous use consistent with careful ownership while remaining fully functional and ready to play.

At an actual measured weight of 7.04 lbs, this is also a very manageable example for rehearsals, recording sessions and longer live performances.

What's Included?

✔ Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Special HSS Piezo Sunburst

✘ No Case Included
✘ No Gigbag Included

No additional accessories are included unless pictured or stated.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Music Man has been checked for general operation and playability.

Assessment includes:

• Bridge humbucker operation
• Middle single-coil operation
• Neck single-coil operation
• 5-way selector
• Magnetic volume control
• Magnetic tone control
• Piezo system
• Piezo level control
• Music Man Silent Circuit
• Output connections
• Battery-powered circuitry
• Neck condition
• Fingerboard
• Frets
• Nut
• Schaller locking tuners
• Bridge hardware
• General electronics
• Structural condition
• Overall setup
• General playability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for general setup and playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Magnetic pickups
• Piezo system
• Electronics
• Battery circuit
• Bridge adjustment
• General hardware
• Playing feel

What Makes The Music Man Silhouette Special HSS Piezo Special?

The Silhouette Special was designed as a more traditional 22-fret counterpart to the original 24-fret Music Man Silhouette.

Moving to 22 frets allowed the neck pickup to sit further towards the neck, while the HSS configuration and Silent Circuit created a versatile platform capable of moving from clear single-coil sounds to considerably more powerful bridge humbucker tones.

The factory piezo option takes that versatility much further, allowing acoustic-inspired sounds to be blended with the magnetic system or used independently.

USA-Made Construction

The Silhouette Special is manufactured by Ernie Ball Music Man in San Luis Obispo, California, USA.

Music Man instruments are particularly known for:

• Precise neck construction
• Excellent fretwork
• Compact ergonomic bodies
• High-quality hardware
• Stable tuning
• Player-focused neck profiles

Alder Body

The contoured body is constructed from alder.

Alder provides:

• Balanced frequency response
• Defined bass
• Present midrange
• Clear treble
• Excellent compatibility with HSS pickup layouts

It also helps keep the compact Silhouette body comfortable and well balanced.

Sunburst Finish

This example features a traditional Sunburst finish.

The burst treatment gives the modern Silhouette body a more classic visual character while allowing the shape and contours of the instrument to remain prominent.

Select Maple Neck

The neck is constructed from select maple.

Music Man uses a distinctive finish consisting of:

Gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax

rather than a thick traditional gloss coating.

This gives the back of the neck the smooth, natural feel for which Music Man instruments have become particularly well known.

5-Bolt Sculpted Neck Joint

The neck attaches to the body using Music Man's 5-bolt system.

The joint is sculpted to provide smoother access to the upper register while maintaining a rigid neck-to-body connection.

Compact 4+2 Headstock

The distinctive Music Man headstock uses a compact:

4+2 tuner layout

This keeps the headstock particularly short and reduces unnecessary string length beyond the nut.

25.5" Scale Length

The Silhouette Special uses a:

25.5" / 648mm scale length

This provides the familiar response associated with many classic bolt-on electric guitars, including:

• Clear attack
• Firm string tension
• Defined low notes
• Strong clean tones

10" Fingerboard Radius

The guitar uses a 10" fingerboard radius.

This sits comfortably between more traditional curved radii and flatter modern designs, making it suitable for:

• Chord playing
• String bending
• Rhythm work
• Lead playing

22-Fret Configuration

The Silhouette Special uses 22 high-profile, medium-width frets.

The 22-fret layout is an important distinction from the original 24-fret Silhouette and places the neck pickup in a more traditional position.

HSS DiMarzio Pickup Configuration

The magnetic pickup system uses:

• Bridge Humbucker
• Middle Single Coil
• Neck Single Coil

The pickups were developed with DiMarzio specifically for Music Man.

Period specifications identify the bridge pickup as a DiMarzio Virtual PAF on many Silhouette Specials, alongside two custom-wound DiMarzio single coils.

Because exact pickup specification can vary with production period, this listing does not assign a specific bridge DiMarzio model without the production date of this individual guitar.

Bridge Humbucker

The bridge humbucker provides:

• Higher output
• Stronger midrange
• Rock rhythm tones
• Smooth sustain
• Greater gain capability

It allows the Silhouette Special to move comfortably beyond conventional S-style sounds.

Middle & Neck Single Coils

The custom DiMarzio single coils provide:

• Clear clean tones
• Crisp attack
• Funk rhythm sounds
• Blues tones
• Traditional intermediate-position character

Music Man Silent Circuit

The Silhouette Special features Music Man's patented Silent Circuit.

This system is designed to reduce the normal 50/60-cycle hum associated with single-coil pickups while preserving their basic tonal character.

It is battery powered, but the magnetic guitar pickups themselves remain fundamentally passive.

5-Way Pickup Selector

The magnetic pickups are controlled using a familiar 5-way lever selector, providing a broad selection of humbucker and single-coil sounds.

This gives the guitar considerable flexibility before the piezo system is even introduced.

Factory Piezo System

The factory Music Man piezo system dramatically expands the tonal range of the Silhouette Special.

Piezo elements built into the bridge sense string vibration differently from conventional magnetic pickups.

The result is a brighter, more acoustic-inspired response.

Piezo Volume Control

A dedicated control allows the piezo level to be adjusted independently.

This makes it possible to use:

• Magnetic pickups only
• Piezo only
• Magnetic and piezo sounds blended together

Subtle piezo blending can add additional attack and clarity to the magnetic sound, while higher piezo levels produce a much more acoustic-style character.

Acoustic-Style Tones

Although the piezo system does not turn the Silhouette Special into a genuine acoustic guitar, it provides an extremely useful acoustic-style sound for:

• Live performances
• Studio layering
• Clean passages
• Acoustic/electric transitions
• Cover-band work

For the most natural result, the piezo output can be used with an acoustic amplifier, PA system or suitable full-range signal chain.

Separate Signal Possibilities

Piezo-equipped Music Man guitars were designed to provide flexible routing possibilities.

Depending on the connection method, the magnetic and piezo sounds can be combined or routed to different amplification systems.

This makes the guitar particularly useful for professional live setups where electric and acoustic-style tones are both required.

Schaller Locking Tuners

The guitar uses Schaller M6-IND locking tuning machines.

These provide:

• Fast string changes
• Secure string anchoring
• Minimal excess winding
• Excellent tuning stability

Adjustable Truss Rod Wheel

Music Man's familiar truss rod adjustment wheel is positioned at the heel of the neck.

It allows neck relief adjustments without needing to:

• Remove the neck
• Remove the strings
• Remove a truss rod cover

Weight

7.04 lbs

This is the actual measured weight of this individual guitar rather than a generic manufacturer's figure.

At just over seven pounds, it is a particularly manageable electric guitar for extended live or studio use.

Silhouette Special vs Standard Silhouette

The two models share Music Man's compact body philosophy but differ significantly.

Silhouette Special

• 22 frets
• HSS layout
• Silent Circuit
• More traditional neck pickup location
• Vintage-style playing concept

Original Silhouette

• 24 frets
• Traditionally HSH configuration
• Different pickup placement
• More overtly modern layout

The Special is consequently closer to a traditional S-style concept while retaining Music Man's distinctive construction and ergonomics.

Why The Piezo Version Is Different

A standard Silhouette Special already offers considerable tonal range from its HSS system.

The factory piezo version adds another complete tonal source.

This allows one instrument to cover:

• Single-coil clean sounds
• Humbucker rock tones
• Intermediate HSS sounds
• Acoustic-inspired piezo tones
• Blended magnetic/piezo textures

That makes the piezo-equipped Silhouette Special especially useful for players who need several different sounds from one guitar.

Who Is It For?

Working guitarists – The combination of electric and acoustic-style sounds is extremely useful on stage.

Cover-band players – One guitar can handle a wide variety of material.

Session guitarists – HSS and piezo systems provide broad tonal flexibility.

Rock players – The bridge humbucker provides plenty of power.

Blues players – Single coils and 25.5" scale give excellent articulation.

Pop and funk players – Neck, middle and intermediate pickup sounds provide plenty of clean clarity.

Players who appreciate premium necks – Music Man's oil-and-wax neck treatment is a major attraction.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Rock
• Classic rock
• Blues
• Pop
• Funk
• Country
• Indie
• Alternative
• Fusion
• Progressive music
• Worship
• Covers
• Session work
• Studio recording
• Professional live performance

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Ernie Ball Music Man
Model	Silhouette Special HSS Piezo
Finish	Sunburst
Country of Manufacture	USA
Body Material	Alder
Body Finish	High-Gloss Polyester
Neck Material	Select Maple
Neck Construction	5-Bolt
Neck Joint	Sculpted
Neck Finish	Gunstock Oil & Hand-Rubbed Wax
Fingerboard	Not Specified
Fingerboard Radius	10" / 254mm
Scale Length	25.5" / 648mm
Frets	22
Fret Type	High Profile, Medium Width
Nut Width	1.625" / 41.3mm
Headstock	Compact 4+2
Magnetic Pickup Configuration	HSS
Bridge Pickup	DiMarzio Humbucker
Middle Pickup	Custom-Wound DiMarzio Single Coil
Neck Pickup	Custom-Wound DiMarzio Single Coil
Noise Reduction	Music Man Silent Circuit
Additional Pickup System	Music Man Piezo
Magnetic Switching	5-Way Lever
Magnetic Electronics	Passive
Piezo Electronics	Active
Tuning Machines	Schaller M6-IND Locking
Electronic Shielding	Graphite Resin Cavity / Aluminium-Lined Pickguard
Weight	7.04 lbs
Included	No Case or Gigbag
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good

Fingerboard Specification Note

Silhouette Specials were produced with both:

• Maple fingerboards
• Rosewood fingerboards

The fingerboard material of this individual guitar has not been specified, so this listing deliberately does not assign one.

Production-Year Note

No production year or serial number has been supplied for this individual guitar.

Silhouette Special specifications evolved over its long production life, particularly around pickup details, bridge options and available finishes.

The listing therefore uses established Silhouette Special HSS and factory piezo specifications without assigning an unsupported manufacture date.

Bridge Specification Note

Music Man offered the Silhouette Special across different periods with several factory bridge configurations, including piezo-equipped versions.

The presence of the factory piezo system is confirmed on this guitar, but the precise bridge configuration should be identified from the individual instrument rather than inferred solely from general catalogue specification.

Power Requirements

The guitar uses battery-powered electronics for its piezo system and Music Man Silent Circuit.

A suitable onboard battery is required for full piezo and noise-reduction functionality.

The conventional magnetic pickups themselves remain usable as passive pickups.

No external power supply is required.

Case Note

No case or gigbag is included.

Suitable protection is recommended for regular transport.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

The Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Special HSS Piezo in Sunburst is an unusually versatile professional-grade electric guitar.

Its USA-made alder body, oil-and-wax finished maple neck, 22-fret layout and HSS DiMarzio system provide an excellent foundation for everything from clean single-coil tones to more powerful humbucker-driven rock sounds.

The factory piezo system is what really separates this example from the standard Silhouette Special, adding convincing acoustic-inspired textures and the ability to blend piezo and magnetic sounds from one instrument.

At just 7.04 lbs, it is also particularly comfortable.

Presented in Very Good Condition and sold without a case or gigbag, this is a highly capable Music Man for session players, working guitarists and anyone looking for substantial tonal flexibility without carrying multiple instruments.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so its condition, measured weight, electronics and included accessories are represented clearly.

On this Music Man:

• Very Good condition
• Factory piezo system
• HSS DiMarzio pickup configuration
• Music Man Silent Circuit
• 7.04 lbs actual measured weight
• No case or gigbag included

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with premium pre-owned guitars
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Clear condition grading
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing guitar could help towards the cost of this Music Man.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current equipment could be worth towards this Music Man Silhouette Special HSS Piezo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Music Man Silhouette Special in?

It is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic evidence of careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional.

Where was the Silhouette Special made?

It was manufactured by Ernie Ball Music Man in the USA.

What is the body made from?

It has an alder body.

What is the neck made from?

It uses a select maple neck.

What fingerboard does it have?

The individual fingerboard material has not been specified. Silhouette Specials were available with both maple and rosewood fingerboards.

What is the scale length?

It uses a 25.5" scale length.

What is the fingerboard radius?

It uses a 10" radius.

How many frets does it have?

It has 22 high-profile, medium-width frets.

What pickups does it have?

It uses an HSS DiMarzio configuration with a bridge humbucker and custom single coils in the middle and neck positions.

What is the Silent Circuit?

Music Man's Silent Circuit is designed to reduce the normal hum associated with single-coil pickups while retaining their basic tone.

Does it have piezo pickups?

Yes. It has a factory Music Man piezo system.

What does the piezo system do?

It provides brighter, acoustic-inspired tones that can be used independently or blended with the magnetic pickups.

Can the piezo replace an acoustic guitar?

It provides a useful acoustic-style amplified sound, particularly for live use, although it does not physically turn the instrument into an acoustic guitar.

Can I blend the piezo and normal pickups?

Yes. The piezo level can be blended with the magnetic pickup sound.

Does the piezo require a battery?

Yes. The piezo electronics require onboard battery power.

Does the Silent Circuit require a battery?

Yes. The Silent Circuit is also battery powered.

Will the normal magnetic pickups work without a battery?

Yes. The magnetic pickups themselves are fundamentally passive.

Does it have locking tuners?

Yes. It uses Schaller M6-IND locking tuners.

How much does it weigh?

This individual guitar weighs 7.04 lbs.

Does it come with a case?

No. No case or gigbag is included.

Is the exact production year known?

No production year has been supplied, so the listing does not assign one.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is particularly useful for this model if you would like to hear the magnetic pickups, piezo system and blended sounds before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of guitars and other musical equipment.