Help! What should my next guitar be?

[GJudd21]

Hi guys,

I've had a Luke for a few years now, and still love it. Just plays so well, love how it looks and the hardware is exactly what I want.

But I love guitars too much and am thinking of buying another (keeping my Luke). I just wondered if anyone could give me advice on either:

1) BFRs. They obviously look incredible, but other than appearance would you say they really are worth the money compared to regular EBMM guitars? Every time I see a Luke BFR I get very tempted (and finding one to try is easier said than done in the UK). Price wise this is starting to compete with Suhr / Anderson etc and wondering how they stack up.

2) Other guitars. Has anyone made the switch from a Luke to another EBMM model and never looked back? Or dare I say it, gone from a Luke to a totally different brand? I've owned Ibanez in the past and they were just a little bit too flat for me.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[Keno]

Just get another Luke
I switch seamlessly between my Lukes and my Albert Lee but I almost always end up playing my L3 HH. Is BFR worth the extra cash? For me the playability and sound is the same, but obviously you get different tops, colors and so on so it's a matter of preference. I own and have owned alot of guitars in my life but the L3 is the perfect match for me, I would love to find a guitar that's even better and when that day comes I'm guessing it's going to be a EBMM

 

[kestrou]

Is there a EBMM dealer near you where you can try several?

I'm a Morse guy - but if you're a shredder there's a lot to be said for the JPs... and the Axis... rumor has it the Valentine and St. Vincent aren't bad either!

Kevin

 

[Manxmusicman]

I started off like that, started with a Luke 2, then got a Luke true gold and then onto an L3, I didn't think I was wanting for anything until I got my hands on a 25th anniversary and then that was it, all the Luke's are gone and the 25th is my only guitar now. It just sounds and feels like the guitar I've always wanted. 25ths are hard to come by in the uk but they do come up every so often.

 

[Dead-Eye]

1) BFRs. They obviously look incredible, but other than appearance would you say they really are worth the money compared to regular EBMM guitars? Every time I see a Luke BFR I get very tempted (and finding one to try is easier said than done in the UK). Price wise this is starting to compete with Suhr / Anderson etc and wondering how they stack up.

My JP7 BFR (that reminds me, I need to update my signature) is a step up in every way from my regular (and still very very very good) JP6. That being said, the BFR is a '14 guitar and the JP6 a '05, which may have something to with it too.

Regarding other models, the Luke does have quite a different neck (which I don't really get along with).

 

[jones4tone]

My first EBMM was also the only BFR currently in the group. That Blueberry Burst JP15 is impeccable in craftsmanship, and just feels incredible. My other two are non-BFR, and I can't say the quality is any lower, just the materials are more standard. But I imagine this is not the only BFR that I'll ever own. I just love fine wood and finishes too much.

A BFR will leave you unable to find satisfaction with a bunch of other brands in your hands - they're just not the equal of what EBMM builds.

I'm waiting for delivery of my Luke3, so I can't give any opinion on moving from the Luke. I'm expecting the Luke's neck to be most similar to my 20th Anniversary out of my other EBMMs.

 

[peterd79]

you could always buy my 20th in the for sale post

*Shameless Plug

 

[JamieCrain]

Majesty.

 

[TripHazard]

Albert Lee HH would be my recommendation -it's the best guitar I've ever played. I haven't played a Luke though. If you need a place that keeps some stock you can try I can direct you but it might be a bitnofnamdrive for you (3 hour plus drive for me)

 

[GJudd21]

My first EBMM was also the only BFR currently in the group. That Blueberry Burst JP15 is impeccable in craftsmanship, and just feels incredible. My other two are non-BFR, and I can't say the quality is any lower, just the materials are more standard. But I imagine this is not the only BFR that I'll ever own. I just love fine wood and finishes too much.

A BFR will leave you unable to find satisfaction with a bunch of other brands in your hands - they're just not the equal of what EBMM builds.

I'm waiting for delivery of my Luke3, so I can't give any opinion on moving from the Luke. I'm expecting the Luke's neck to be most similar to my 20th Anniversary out of my other EBMMs.

Yeah I think you're right in terms of other brands not cutting the mustard. Granted I haven't played too many really high end guitars, but my Luke is just in a totally different league compared to a lot of other brands I have played. And I do love nice finishes, so will probably end up going for a BFR!

Thanks to everyone for your replies btw, much appreciated.

 

[Craiguitar]

I'm saving up for another Luke 2, this time a BFR. (I'm not quite half-way there).
My ideal model would be one of the 2014 PDN Honey Burst models, Roasted neck, Rosewood board. However, they're unlikely to come around again, so that ship has likely sailed... It's such a shame they are limited runs, because you have to be 'ready' to buy at the exact time they're available. So it might come to pass that by the time I'm ready to buy, I won't be able to order the model I'd like. Bummer.... Well there are worse problems in the world right now.

 

[kestrou]

I'm saving up for another Luke 2, this time a BFR. (I'm not quite half-way there).
My ideal model would be one of the 2014 PDN Honey Burst models, Roasted neck, Rosewood board. However, they're unlikely to come around again, so that ship has likely sailed... It's such a shame they are limited runs, because you have to be 'ready' to buy at the exact time they're available. So it might come to pass that by the time I'm ready to buy, I won't be able to order the model I'd like. Bummer.... Well there are worse problems in the world right now.

I'm not sure how dealers work in th U.K., but here I know of at least one dealer that will only accept a $300 deposit (and won't even accept payment in full at that time) - you then have several months to put together the rest if the funds (or buy other guitars ).

Kevin

 

[GJudd21]

I'm saving up for another Luke 2, this time a BFR. (I'm not quite half-way there).
My ideal model would be one of the 2014 PDN Honey Burst models, Roasted neck, Rosewood board. However, they're unlikely to come around again, so that ship has likely sailed... It's such a shame they are limited runs, because you have to be 'ready' to buy at the exact time they're available. So it might come to pass that by the time I'm ready to buy, I won't be able to order the model I'd like. Bummer.... Well there are worse problems in the world right now.

Yeah I know what you mean - but also sort of love how there are so many different models in circulation as a result. Tbh I tend to always buy guitars second hand as they are general in great condition but for up to half the price, but might have to abandon that if something special gets released.

I think this is probably the most tempting Luke BFR I've seen:

 

[jones4tone]

I think this is probably the most tempting Luke BFR I've seen:

View attachment 30947

That is a gorgeous top! Gold hardware is generally not my thing, though, so I'll leave that one alone.