Bringing back Rosewood Neck LIII's

[blake100blake]

Hello all,

So as Luke confirmed in his rig rundown, he and Sterling are indeed "working on something new" and I think I may have an idea. Earlier today I was scrolling through the pages of guitar center's website and stumbled upon this:

Ernie Ball Music Man Luke Signature LIII HSS Electric Guitar with All Rosewood Neck Bodhi Blue | Guitar Center

It's a link to the rosewood neck version of the LIII. Saying they will be back in stock 10-10-2016. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the RW neck removed from the LIII by the request of Lukather himself? And as such was removed from the production models? I believe this was the case, last I had heard. But could this be just one of several things in the works with Luke and EBMM?

PS If you're going to bring back the RW necks, PLEASE BRING BACK OLIVE GOLD. It's such a cool color, and I would definitely buy AT LEAST 1 LIII if I could get it in olive gold with a rosewood neck.

 

[DrewH]

If memory serves me correctly, the first year colors were OG and black. Next years were BB and Black and the maple neck was introduced. At first I thought this was just one of GC's items they never take down and tease you with. But, as far as I know, the rosewood neck/BB combo was never made.

This could, of course, be a a special GC run too.

 

[jzeijen]

There was a limited run where you could order a rosewood neck on (almost) all models. That included the bodhi Blue LIII.

 

[Magic Jason]

I' m selling my Luke iii olive gold HSS. Rosewoodneck. Mint.

 

[Keno]

I think the issue with RW necks is the density, it's not as hard as a maple neck and therefore it doesn't handle weather changes as good. With that being said, I do love my L3 RW and would love to buy another - the feel of all rosewood is really something else. I would love to try a roasted RW neck, maybe roasting it would make it harder when water is removed. Can't wait to get the L4. Guessing floating trem, active pickups, slightly bigger body, maybe big head and some awesome colors.

 

[DrKev]

Guitar Centre often gets limited runs of instruments that nobody else does. That BB and RW neck are offered together by GC should be no shock.

 

[blake100blake]

Well here's something new, spotted in an instagram video:

Instagram

Looks like some kind of Stealth LIII? Bound fingerboard as well + Lacquered neck?

 

[blake100blake]

Guitar Centre often gets limited runs of instruments that nobody else does. That BB and RW neck are offered together by GC should be no shock.

Ahh okay, I was not aware of this!

 

[blake100blake]

I' m selling my Luke iii olive gold HSS. Rosewoodneck. Mint.

Yea I saw it in the facebook group, I was the guy who offered you my DarkLord as trade. Maybe someday!

 

[DrKev]

I think the issue with RW necks is the density, it's not as hard as a maple neck and therefore it doesn't handle weather changes as good. With that being said, I do love my L3 RW and would love to buy another - the feel of all rosewood is really something else. I would love to try a roasted RW neck, maybe roasting it would make it harder when water is removed. Can't wait to get the L4. Guessing floating trem, active pickups, slightly bigger body, maybe big head and some awesome colors.

1) There is no "issue" with rosewood necks (Music Man still make the Albert Lee HH with rosewood necks). After some years gigging the all rosewood neck, then back to maple, then a tour with a maple, roasted maple, and rosewood in the same gigs, Lukather settled on the roasted maple, which is the most stable of all necks. That's all. It might just be all in my head, but I'd swear the roasted maple feels different too. Much as I loved the feel of the rosewood neck, roasted maple is special! It seems Luke thought so too...



2) A quick google search suggests that rosewood is both harder (Janke hardness test) and denser than maple.

 

[Alistair Taylor]

They and Pro Music Tools in Germany get some lovely combinations. Only Neptune Blue PDN BFR Luke I've seen was sold at PMT.

 

[JVinson]

I absolutely love my Luke III with all Rosewood neck, best guitar I've ever played; not only in play ability but sound wise as well. If they are bringing back the Rosewood neck, I'll have to buy another one..

Here's a video of me playing it.

 

[jones4tone]

I absolutely love my Luke III with all Rosewood neck, best guitar I've ever played; not only in play ability but sound wise as well. If they are bringing back the Rosewood neck, I'll have to buy another one..

Here's a video of me playing it.

Nice! The body color of your LIII looks incredible. Truly sorry I missed that run, whenever it was...

 

[JVinson]

Nice! The body color of your LIII looks incredible. Truly sorry I missed that run, whenever it was...

It's just the Black HHS model with all rosewood neck. Hopefully if they do bring it back, I can get it in other colors as well. Love the Luke III models!

 

[jones4tone]

I have a starry night LIII on order - can't wait for it to arrive.

 

[Fro]

I have a starry night LIII on order - can't wait for it to arrive.

Me too!

 

[JVinson]

I have a starry night LIII on order - can't wait for it to arrive.

That's awesome!!