Luke, slightly tweaked

[crg]

I picked up my first MM in Jan, Luke BFR trans blk. awesome guitar but sounded kinda thin. Today I put some 10's on, made some bridge adjustments and it sounded better but what I found interesting is the EMG's dont have any springs for adjusting the pick up height, it has plastic spacers. I took the plastic spacers out, put some springs on the screws, raised the EMG's and wow what a difference, it's much fatter/fuller sounding, tons of gain, etc. Just perfect run straight into an amp, no effects at all.

The funny thing is I bought this guitar from a big music center in MD, I didnt know it at the time but it was made on 07..I just bought new it this past Jan. I think the reason no one had purchased it was because of the thin sound, maybe the price had something to do with it but IF it would have had 10's on it and the PU's rasied like they are now, it would have never sat on in the store for a week much less for 5 flippin years!

Anywho's, are all Luke EMG's non adjustable? If so, why is that?

Craig

 

[LilSteve]

They are made to Luke's specs. He uses 9's. The EMG's are non adjustable for that reason.

 

[DrKev]

Welcome to the forum, Craig!

Yep, the guitar that leaves the factory for the stores is the to artist's original specifications. Luke liked it that way so that's how it's made. And it has to be said, a lot of folks think it sounds great like that but of course it's not gonna be to everyone's taste. I'm glad you found what works best for you!

Now, let's see some pictures!

 

[ily]

some players said that the maple top add bright sound to the BFR Luke
i've played one and it's right more bright but thin sound
and like Lilsteve said it's a signature guitar made for Luke's specs

 

[BartB]

Hi, welcome to the forum! My Luke sounds a lot brighter then my Sub1 but i like it! When i want fatter sound i pick up my sub1.
Like the others said it was made according to Luke's wishes, but it maybe to bright and thin to your taste!
Have fun with it and yes we woud like to see pics of your Luke

 

[fumanii]

I also raised my humbucker a bit in the bridge and threw on 10's. It works great for me. Congrats on the new guitar!

 

[Craiguitar]

I was always under the impression (and do feel free to correct my assumptions) that EMG's, by design do not sound any different regardless of the difference in pickup height, but will be merely get louder if you put them closer to the strings. What I'm trying to say, is that they won't behave like regular passive pickups, which have a 'sweet spot'. EMGs seem not to have one, it's just plain louder or quieter.

 

[beej]

I was always under the impression (and do feel free to correct my assumptions) that EMG's, by design do not sound any different regardless of the difference in pickup height

I don't see why- EMGs may have a little flatter response, but they still use regular sensing coils like any other pickup. It's just that they're buffered by an internal (to the pickup) preamp and wired in parallel for noise reduction.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Welcome on board
FWIW, and I base the following comment on the fact that you have discussed pickup height adjustment, I raised the bridge pickup on my JP6using a spacer and liked the adjustment. It's all down to ones preference I guess.

 

[crg]

have a quick questions WRT string height- what is the best way to adjust the height if you do not have a MM ruler? I'm in Afghanistan and there is a serious shortage of good guitar techs in town.. :0) So what field expedient method can I use to ensure my string height isnt all over the map?
I believe they should be 3/64, is that right?

 

[JDouglee]

I had the EMGs raised on my Lukes years ago, I found the exact same thing. It was louder sure, but also bigger sounding. The neck pickup has alot more punch when it's raised. But through the wrong amp, the 'big' could end up being harsh. YMMV.

 

[dwells]

I'm replacing all my Luke's with passive pickups this week, I loved the Emg but I want more character, so passives all the way, even into my bfr. Can't wait.

 

[yellowv03]

I was always under the impression (and do feel free to correct my assumptions) that EMG's, by design do not sound any different regardless of the difference in pickup height, but will be merely get louder if you put them closer to the strings. What I'm trying to say, is that they won't behave like regular passive pickups, which have a 'sweet spot'. EMGs seem not to have one, it's just plain louder or quieter.

That's not true. Sure the output will be effected, but typically EMG's sound better closer to the strings.

 

[franne500]

So ... how close should the EMG's be to the strings then ? any good advise before i go ahead ?

 

[DrKev]

Lukather's ears like it as it is. A lot of other folks like it that way too. Others like 'em set higher. Only your ears can decide what sounds good. There is no right or wrong.

 

[franne500]

Great - I'll be in the shed

 

[BrickGlass]

I raised the height of the pups on my koa Luke a few months ago. It was a good call imo.