Music Man "LUKE" EMG pickup configuration

[Fender75]

Hi all,

I'm real new to this forum although not new to guitars etc... I recently bought a "Luke" and its a beautiful instrument I'm very happy with it. I have noticed that there is a huge jump in volume when switching from the single coils to the bridge humbucker.

I've tried lowering the humbucker but it seems to be at the end of its adjustment, I also tried to higher the single coils but they seem to be stuck on the mounting holes within the pickups, I had this once before with EMG's and I found that I had to open out the holes so that the height was more adjustable, so I'm hoping that this may solve the volume jump or maybe help make it less of a jump, when I get around to doing the mounting holes!

Has anyone else come across this with the "Luke" EMG pickup configuration? maybe its just meant to be that way after all its said to be set up as Steve uses it himself? I know that Steve Uses a Fernades Sustainer pickup on the 25th Anniversary concert as I work for the UK distributer of Fernandes.

I just remembered to mention, I have changed the battery too, and that made no difference, I'm thinking that when I gig the guitar I might find the jump in volume handy for lead breaks etc... maybe thats what Steve does?


Thanks for taking the time to read my post, I'd be gratefull to hear from anyone.

Cheers

[jongitarz]

The Luke pickups are hard mounted to the body. There are shims under the neck, and middle p/ups, and the bridge p/up is mounted directly to the body. The only way to adjust the height is to add/remove shims. Pretty simple job to do.

[Fender75]

Thanks for your reply, so I need to remove the pickups and add some shims to lift the single coils up and I guess remove whats under the rear humbucker?

Cheers

[jongitarz]

There are no shims under the bridge pickup. To lower it you would have to remove wood, but yes, you would need to add shims under the s/c's

[Fender75]

Thanks for the help, I just took the strings off and had a look I managed to lower the humbucker slightly and raise the single coils by putting some high density foam under them, I'm going to try the volume out tomorow I'm hopful that the volume will be a little less of a jump.

I noticed that your from the ernie ball/MM workshop, would you happen to know if the "Luke" guitar was originally set up so that the rear humbucker was that much greater in volume? I kinda thought that maybe it was that way on purpose so as to be like Steve Lukathers own guitar?

Anyway thanks for your help,

Cheers

[deanmm]

Don't know about the Luke but I do have my friends Valley Arts Custom Pro (EMG-s plus Floyd) which is what Steve Lukather used to play before MM, and there is a jump in volume on bridge HB too. I guess it is the same on the Luke. You can allways work your volume knob on guitar - thats what the little finger on your right hand is for .
And if you play with a good tube amp - you'll see more of a drive increase than a real volume jump - and that's what HB is expected to do anyway (not that it have to).

I must say that I'm not the fan of EMG's, if I get me a Luke I guess I'll be switching pup's to something else.

btw. Although Valley Arts is a great guitar I prefer MM guitars (my AxisSS or the other friend's Luke) mucho better.
If I'm not mistaking mr. Dudley Gimpel had his hands in both guitar designs - and to my joy his later work is something I really like. (and thanks to mr. Morse for grinding off that 6th screw on the neck backplate - that's how the great designs are made )
Cheers
Dean

[Fender75]

Thanks for the reply DeanMM , I do know how to use the volume control! funny that isn't it after only 21 years of playing. All my amps are Valve and I do know how to play and how to obtain a different sound and feel by constantly adjusting both the settings on the guitar and also in my feel and approach I like to call that experience.

My question was purley to find out if anyone else had the same type of jump in volume on thier Luke. I realise that a humbucker by its sheer design is always going to be louder and have more drive than a single coil, but I'm talking a big jump in volume.

granny & eggs spring to mind!

[deanmm]

Fender75,
sorry for missing the point, hope you get your answer, there are lot's of Luke players around here !
Dean