Luke is hurting my fingers

[djlynch]

Been lurking around since I bought a used luke a month ago. I love this thing and it makes me want more balls. No other guitar has made me want more of the same brand like this. GAS is killin' me Now I have been playing on it for a month a my fingers seem real tired and sore. I have been playing more than normal. I think it might be the V shaped neck. It feel so good but I feel like it is making my fingers do more work. It is so smallish that I may be over stressing my fingers to stay in control. I have pretty large hands by the way(can palm a basketball). I had a Morse a couple years ago and like an idiot sold it. I liked that neck.

How does the JP neck feel in comparison. I am thinking about switching to one. Also I am not sold on the emg's.

By the way this is a really great forum!

 

[slukather]

Been lurking around since I bought a used luke a month ago. I love this thing and it makes me want more balls. No other guitar has made me want more of the same brand like this. GAS is killin' me Now I have been playing on it for a month a my fingers seem real tired and sore. I have been playing more than normal. I think it might be the V shaped neck. It feel so good but I feel like it is making my fingers do more work. It is so smallish that I may be over stressing my fingers to stay in control. I have pretty large hands by the way(can palm a basketball). I had a Morse a couple years ago and like an idiot sold it. I liked that neck.

How does the JP neck feel in comparison. I am thinking about switching to one. Also I am not sold on the emg's.

By the way this is a really great forum!

If you used to love your Morse, maybe get one of the Y2D's.

The Petrucci neck is very flat neck, it's different than the Luke's neck, the Luke is a V and the Petrucci is more a D like neck.

I have both guitars, and l'm not too fond of the Petrucci neck, l love the Luke neck though, and l have pretty big hands too, and l don't get pains in my hands.

But as l said, if you loved the morse get one of those.

I hope this helps,

Scott.

 

[robelinda2]

the Luke neck is great, that V is lovely. I find it awesome comapred to the Petrucci, which doesnt sit well with me at all.

 

[KungFu Grip]

From what I understand, the Luke has a pretty small neck compared to most other models.

 

[tristan]

maybe the problem is not the V shaped neck, but the low profile frets...sometimes, for a specific type of hands & playing, it can hurt...I have the same problem sometimes, try an other MM with jumbo frets, I'm almost sure you won't feel no pain anymore...so you'll just have to change the frets on your luke!

 

[tommyindelaware]

i have a luke too.
luke uses smaller FRETWIRE than what the rest of us are use to ..........& what the rest of the ebmm geetars are using. the frets on a luke are not as tall as on all the other models. while this leads to making bending notes a little more difficult , & is what your feeling.......shallow frets help intonation problems (especially in the studio where playing perfectly in tune w/ keyboards is more criticle ) . & being that luke is close to one of the most recorded geetar players alive.....i imagine he is fairly sensitive to intonation issues in the recording studio. & live for that matter. taller frets are easier to bend notes on.....but more difficult to play in tune with.
i know luke does prefer smaller wire.....but i'm guessing as to his reasons why. also....ya never know when he might chime in & set ya straight.
i dig the stew mac #155 fret wire. it's alot like traditional old fender wire.....narrow.....but a (little) taller....kind a the best of both worlds.

 

[djlynch]

Thanx for the replies. Last night I played a while and lightened my touch wich seemed to feel better. I had been playing a bit fatter necked guitars before this. The Luke has made my technique better in just 1 month. I'd still love a J6 and I'am starting to see why you guys talk about the AL so much. It sounds like the AL neck is right up my street.

 

[Big Poppa]

As jane Fonda said " No Pain , no gain"

I think that you are solving your problem. First off you are playing more than ever. Secondly a neck shape rarely makes fingers sore, usually the hand. thirdly All of our guitars are like real sharp knives or high performance sportscars very little effort should be needed....

 

[fogman]

Last night I played a while and lightened my touch wich seemed to feel better. I had been playing a bit fatter necked guitars before this.

I think this is a common issue with people switching to EBMMs.
They are use to pounding the fretboards to get the sounds they want, and this is just not required on Music Man guitars! It's what makes them easier to play. No need to be agressive. A lighter touch is all that's needed.

 

[djlynch]

As jane Fonda said " No Pain , no gain"

I think that you are solving your problem. First off you are playing more than ever. Secondly a neck shape rarely makes fingers sore, usually the hand. thirdly All of our guitars are like real sharp knives or high performance sportscars very little effort should be needed....

Wow right from the Man! With a Jane Fonda quote no less.
This thing is making me better. Now to decide wich ball I want next. Thanx for making a wonderfull guitar

 

[GHWelles]

When I got my JP, my hand pain was solved. I like the shape of that neck. It supports your hand and allows you to build strength without stress on the hand. That is a key to avoiding hand pain and carpal tunnel, which can get serious.

 

[koogie2k]

Nice posts on this. I think "playing more" might be the reason more so than the actual guitar. The guitar itself, LUKE, makes you want to play more. Not a bad thing, but keep in mind, it is not the guitar. Put it on it's stand and see if the pain is in your hands just by looking at it. Not being sarcastic here....just making a point. Have you ever tried warm up exercies and hand/arm stretches before playing? John Petrucci's "Rock Discipline" is a great instructional video on this as well as some great warm up and picking techniques. You might want to check it out....it did wonders not only for my playing, but for easing the pain if you will.

 

[brentrocks]

From what I understand, the Luke has a pretty small neck compared to most other models.

i agree 100%...very comfortable to play!!

 

[LilSteve]

My Luke is my most comfortable guitar to play that I own. No hand pain here. My harem has vintage pieces from the 60's and 70's... and its hard to pick them up after playing THAT neck. I'll most likley be headed for another Luke soon...

 

[slukather]

As jane Fonda said " No Pain , no gain"

I think that you are solving your problem. First off you are playing more than ever. Secondly a neck shape rarely makes fingers sore, usually the hand. thirdly All of our guitars are like real sharp knives or high performance sportscars very little effort should be needed....

Nothing but truth here.

But if you are getting pains in your hand(s), stop playing, might be the way you are playing the guitar.

Scott.