Convince me to buy a Luke

[guertzi]

Now, I really like the body on the Luke. Not crazy about EMG's, but I haven't used them in over 10 years, so I may like them now. How is the neck compared to what I know?

The neck on the Luke is a V-shape, not as intense as on a 50's Vintage Strat, but it takes some getting used to if you're coming from more C-, D- or U- shaped necks.
As for me, I had to get used to the frets rather than the neck. But as of today, I really dig the neck and think it's much more comfortable than those on my other guitars.

I had not been playing EMG pickups for almost ten years as well, so at first it was a bit strange after such a long time.

To me, EMGs do not not sound cold or sterile, but they have more of a HiFi, balanced kinda sound. They don't seem to overemphasize certain frequencies like some vintage-type pickups do, so the sound gets very even and the characteristics of the instrument seem to become more audible.

I have noticed a lot of people have the Luke's (and seem to sell them as much). Am I missing out? Do I need one? Convince me one way or the other.

All I can say is that I was looking for a great gigging guitar that would also suit my needs for recording situations, and with the Luke II I really hit the spot.

I am mainly a strat-type player, so my main guitar must have that sort of shape and feel. I could have gone for the Silo as well, but actually I wanted to go for that EMG thing, because I remembered that I never had any issues with interferences from stagelights or the likes when I was using them in the past.
Also, when you're recording in front of a computer surrounded by zillions of power supplies, those pickups can really be helpful.

Tonewise, the Luke is a very versatile guitar that can cover a lot of ground when it comes to guitar sounds. All the popular Strat tones are possible to a certain extent and you can even enter Les Paul terrain when turning down the tone control a little bit... though the sounds always tend to have a somewhat polished high end, which I like very much

So, I don't know if you NEED one, but it would be a great addition to your arsenal, that's for sure!!!

 

[Ricman]

Red - you are getting opinions that are probably worth alot more than mine - I'm very much a home player who has sooo much to learn. I'm gonna bow out of this one now....I think we're agreed that the Luke...in the right hands..is awesome. I just wanna make sure you are sure before you spend your cash. Happy huntin!!

 

[Sweat]

Red,

Do you want a Luke, well from a personel stand point yes you do, Love the Luke, but guitars are so subjective what floats one persons boat may not the other, my suggestion is go try one out at GC or some other dealer close by, if you like it then get one, to me the Luke neck is great I love EMG PUPS, the Luke was the first EBMM I bought and I will have another very soon somehow, and before any says WTF I know I am the fool who sold a Dargie but life takes precedence over guitars

 

[robelinda2]

I have a love/hate thang goin on with the Luke. I hate it, then i love it. Drives me nuts. Maybe a BFR Luke will settle it once and for all. I keep playing my AL's too much, but who can blame me! Bahama Blue BFR Luke sure sounds nice......

 

[Red Scare]

This is all very good advice. I have owned just about every guitar out there and I have fallen in love with many of them, from Les Pauls to Strats to Teles,... they all sounded and felt different. I totally loved my Sub 1 and sold it in order to trade up.

That middle pickup thing has given me trouble in the past (most recently with my AL), but somehow I adapt quickly.

As for the EMG's, the thing that turned me off was the fact that they are used by metal players (which I haven't been since 1988). Even way back when the arguement was always that they sound sterile and cold. I have nice gear and tend to use a lot of pedals so I'm not sure it would be an issue (plus I plan on keeping the AL if I need tone).

My biggest concern is the neck. I had a 50's Strat with the V neck and really liked it. Some people mentioned something about the frets. What is the problem with the frets? Too big, too small? My big thing has always been feel over everything else. With my tiny elf hands and my tendency to grip too hard, I need something easy to play.

So I'm almost convinced, just give me info on the frets.

And again, EVERYONE'S advice has been great, both positive and negative. Keep it coming.

 

[Sweat]

I like the frets on the Luke low profile easy to play, clean and dirty, forget the EMG is just for metal, a bunch of BS just listen to Luke and Tyler play, as far as the neck beats the hell out of any strat and I am a tall person with large feet and not so large hands, not elf like LOL, but not large and the Luke is like butter to me, again just go play one it is real easy to decide at that point, so go for it, Damn must go buy a Luke now

 

[Red Scare]

you would think in a city as big as Detroit someone would have one, but NO ONE carries EBMM except for Elderly in Lansing, and they only have a couple. Detroit is all Gibson and Fender. Oh, and a lot of guns...

 

[pjc812]

I love Lukes. They are the only guitars w/EMG's that sound good. They have exceptional necks. I'm a dork. I dreamed of Dargie Lukes all last night. *sigh* Obsession can be a painful thing.

 

[pjc812]

Oh, and a lot of guns...

Brief Hi-jack here...

Any Flintlock rifles? I've been looking for one, can't find any.

Okay I'm done hi jacking.

 

[gerry d]

my issue with the frets was purely because I like heavier strings.... with the lower profile fretwire bending notes was not as easy as I would have liked... had I been using 9's then I'd have left the frets as they were... it's really not a big deal... many of my friends thought the guitar was just great as it was... this was just my little quirk which I sorted out easily...

 

[Sweat]

I love Lukes. They are the only guitars w/EMG's that sound good. They have exceptional necks. I'm a dork. I dreamed of Dargie Lukes all last night. *sigh* Obsession can be a painful thing.

My hijack, well you had a chance for Mr Dargie, as many did, OK done hi jacking go back to dreaming now and have a good nights sleep LOL

And Red just buy a Luke

 

[Red Scare]

OK, you guys convinced me! I bought JP's radiance red on ebay (of course it's red!). Hope to have it within a few days as he's just across the border.

 

[dwells]

Lukes Are The Greatest Go Get 1
Serious

 

[martyhk0]

It took me years to finally try and buy a Luke. Why?

1. I hate EMG pickups. That is until I tried the Luke. Totally different story then any EMG I ever tried or heard, so just forget it has EMG pu's. You won't even know they are there.

2. The neck is so sweet! The geetar is super comfortable to play.

3. Very versatile soundwise.

 

[Ricman]

Nice Score Red!! Looks great - you've gone into eyes wide open, so I'm sure it'll be your dream axe.

 

[leftyguitarblue]

buy a luke.

was that convincing?

maybe not....

BUY A LUKE!!!!!!!

 

[Red Scare]

I hope so. I'm really excited about what everyone has said will feel like a smaller neck. And those smooth edges look comfy. I also have to say that the color is really turning me on. I may have to make a hammer and sickle vinyl stick-on for it.

 

[starsky]

Nice Score Red!! Looks great - you've gone into eyes wide open, so I'm sure it'll be your dream axe.

I concur!

Back in 1998 I was in a shop about to buy a 'high end' guitar and saw a Luke on the wall, the first time I had actually seen one in the flesh so to speak, although I was aware of them from photos in music magazines and the like. I had my mind made up about the 'high end' guitar I was buying, and although I briefly thought about trying the Luke out, I decided to go ahead with my purchase and didn't try the Luke.

Roll on to 2006 and I eventually got my first Luke. That same 'high end' guitar I bought in 1998 was gone on the 'Bay. If I'd only tried the Luke out that time in '98 I would have had 8 years more Luke playing time instead of wandering around in the guitar wilderness!

Everyone is different, of course, but the Luke just feels so comfortable to me, plays like butter and has a great sound from the EMG's.

Recently I picked up my second Luke, strung with slightly heavier strings and with the trem set flat against the body instead of floating, contrasts nicely with my first Luke.

And in time I'm planning to get a BFR Luke...

Just great guitars.

 

[JeffreyB]

I finally got to play around with a Luke and my axis together....i take back any reservations I may have had about the EMGs...these pickups are perfect....this guitar would be able to pull off ANY kind of music, and do it well.

If you have a chance to get one, and you like the way it plays....it should be a no-brainer!

 

[kbaim]

I'm late to the party and it sounds like you went with the JP.

But all of us here have our favorite MM. Mine's the Luke. Was from the beginning. But i've read plenty of opinions where it certainly isn't the guitar for everyone. I just know it really helped my playing and continues to inspire after 5 years.

...of course if I still had only 1 luke, I don't know if i'd be quite as happy as I am now.