Luke or Reflex...help me out!

[Whammy_Abuser]

I've decided to invest in a new EBMM next month (just gotta get some funds worked out first) and I'm stuck in between a Luke and a Reflex, they are both killer guitars that I have spent a lot of time playing already and I will be happy with either one, it's basically up to a coin toss as I love them both so much, I figured I would turn to you all to help me make my decision.

Ideally, what I want is a standard Silhouette with 22 frets...however that doesn't exist, so these are the next best thing.

Aesthetically I like the Luke better, and the neck is slightly more comfortable (the necks are very similar and the Luke is only marginally better, it just seems to fit in my hand a bit better). The pickups sound great and really sing through my Boogie, however in a perfect world I would have a neck humbucker.

The Reflex sounds absolutely unreal, I love the way this guitar sounds...I really, really love it. The switching is awesome and the variety of tones is mind boggling, if it had a middle single coil it would be my choice in a heartbeat, but the inside/outside split coils are very good. Getting around this guitar is not quite as comfy as a Luke. I don't want to sound crazy because from a playing perspective the guitars are similar, for whatever reason I can play just a little faster with a little more confidence on the Luke. Also, I'm not a huge fan of it visually, the body is a little plain and I think the pickup rings are rather ugly (I don't know why EBMM doesn't use "standard" pickup rings, the 3 screw ones have always looked out of place to me).

So visually, the Luke takes the cake, I also can play just a bit better on the Luke, it feels really natural in my hands. However the lack of a neck humbucker is a slight drawback. The Reflex's tones blow my mind, playing it is just slightly tougher (even though I would probably get used to it in time) and I would miss a middle single coil.

Can you guys talk me through this decision? I've been driving myself crazy trying to decide for a couple weeks now. One day I'm sure I want the Luke, the next the Reflex is the obvious choice. I am hoping that some input will help me solidify my purchase.

*All the criticisms I made (of both models) are basically nit picks, I love them both and I know I won't regret my decision whichever way I go

 

[M.A.K.S]

Well, if you think the Luke plays better and looks better I'd say go for the Luke.
You could always swap out the pickups and put a single-sized humbucker in there if that's what you really want.
Or you could install an EMG SPC controll if you want to "humbuckerize" the neck singlecoil.

OR... you could sit on the fence a little longer and wait for the Luke 3

 

[robelinda2]

I am SOOOOO considering getting a Luke and chucking in passive pickups, like Suhr Landau's and a SSV humbucker. I really love that particular Suhr setup, but am not a fan of the Luke's EMG's. BIG fan of everything else about the Luke. Am I dreaming or is it possible to get rid of the EMG's?

 

[ScoobySteve]

Blues Saraceno tossed passive pups into his SSS Luke.

 

[agt]

I've put passive Dimarzios in my Luke BFR.

 

[straycat113]

Well from the way you desribed playing both guitars the Luke sounds like a no brainer for you. Now if you are not in such a rush the new Luke III will be coming out, and there was talk of an HH model as well as another configuration which may be just what you are looking for. Nothing is set in stone as Sterling is showing us some pics as they are happening, but I think by next month everyone will have a good idea of the guitar so keep a watch on the board. If you cant wait then just get a Luke and do like agt did.

 

[LilSteve]

Wait for the Luke III, as this sounds very promising. No bias from me...

 

[robelinda2]

I've put passive Dimarzios in my Luke BFR.

Ok that is AWESOME man!!!! Think ive decided my next ball. If ONLY i'd jumped on the tru gold RW Luke.

 

[agt]

Rob, if you go that route, make sure the single coils you want to use can be made without the flange (the triangular part of the base plate).

 

[Luc]

I'll be going to Toto's first gig this year, and Luke said he'll bring some protos to the tour. If so, i'll post the 22nd what it's gonna be.

 

[nathanhny]

Being a bit biased I'd say the Luke lol. But from what you say the Luke sounds right up your alley, even if you do change the pickups.

 

[Eilif]

I hear where you're coming from. The Luke's neck is slightly narrower than the Reflex's, which makes it slightly more comfortable for me as well. (I also like the Axis neck for the same reason.)

It seems that your choice is between slightly better playability (Luke) and neck humbucker (Reflex). (I'm tossing out any aesthetic considerations. I've fallen in love with guitars before just purely on looks, but that's probably not the best rationale for choosing an instrument.)

So I guess you need to decide what's more important for you: the humbucking pickup or the better neck.

In any case, you should wait for the Luke III and see what it's like--it may just end up being the perfect guitar for you.

 

[ScoobySteve]

I'm going to be biased and say Reflex. I've endorsed the "player adapts to the instrument" mentality. The most important thing to me personally is the tone. If the neck humbucker is crucial to your tone needs then there really isn't a choice IMO. I can totally live with an instrument that is slightly to mOderately uncomfortable if it gets me the tone I'm looking for. I cannot say the same for the inverse.

 

[dannymusic]

I am SOOOOO considering getting a Luke and chucking in passive pickups, like Suhr Landau's and a SSV humbucker. I really love that particular Suhr setup, but am not a fan of the Luke's EMG's. BIG fan of everything else about the Luke. Am I dreaming or is it possible to get rid of the EMG's?

maybe the EMG-X will change your minds. Is it June yet?

 

[dhalif]

man i really dont mind a luke bfr it looks tasty

 

[paranoid70]

Ideally, what I want is a standard Silhouette with 22 frets...however that doesn't exist.

I have two Silhouettes, one with 22 frets and the other with 24. Honestly, it's not that big of a difference. I would go with your first choice and get the Silhouette.

 

[Whammy_Abuser]

I have two Silhouettes, one with 22 frets and the other with 24. Honestly, it's not that big of a difference. I would go with your first choice and get the Silhouette.

Even though it isn't a huge difference, I can hear enough of a difference in the way the neck pickup sounds to turn me off of it. I'd much rather have a single coil w/ 22 frets than a HB with 24.

 

[paranoid70]

Then it's decided... Silhouette Special.

 

[fogman]

get the Reflex with Game Changer.
then you can have your humbucker and the center single coil, and there's no pup covers that don't appeal to you.

 

[ScoobySteve]

I'd also wait for the gamechanger.

HSH Piezo too if ya want..... and Reflex tone and 22 frets! Coming soon!