Discovered and immediately purchased a Luke

[samplesize]

Well, after a long line of crappy guitars, I finally bought a real one.

Had no plans to actually buy a guitar today -- just wanted to try out a few, get a feel for what's out there. I recently read about the Silhouette and the Axis, so I wanted to try those. Couldn't find a Silhouette, but the Axis (and Sub 1) were real nice.

Then I noticed the Luke. "Never heard of that one," I said. But, what the heck, lemme give it a try.

Whoa.

Couldn't put it down.

Got it for $750 at Scam Ash (closeout, talked him down from $1,050 on the tag). Luke Blue. My impression is that that was a pretty good price, yes?

A few questions:
About how often do you have to change the battery?
Any special care for the unfinished neck (was there supposed to be a manual?)

Okay...gotta go play now!

-SampleSize

Please check out my music (free) at
http://www.jordanyaruss.com

 

[samplesize]

Oh, also, the battery compartment is really hard to open. Is that common? Any tips on opening it?

 

[GWDavis28]

Samplesize, I've had my Silhouette Special 2 years now and never had to change the battery.

Nice snag on the Luke, $750 is a great deal. That was with the case too right?? Because EBMM's all come with the hardshell case, except the Sub1's.

Welcome. Later, Glenn |B)

P.S. Post of pics to the picture thread.

 

[Jimi D]

Great score, samplesize! That's a terrific price on a Luke... You can find info about neck care in the FAQ - there's a link to it in the EBMM Guitar Forum Rules of the Road thread. The battery in the Luke doesn't last as long as the battery in other EBMM guitars because you're running EMG pickups in it, but you should still get somewhere around 3-500 hours of plugged in time on a battery, I believe.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[samplesize]

Yep, case too. Thanks for checking.

And thanks for the link to the FAQ. That's helpful.

...Been playing it for a few hours now. It definitely has a very different sound than my el-cheapo Fender Squier II. Less bark and twang, more juicy, somehow more "real" sounding. I actually still like the Fender's sound too.

For playability, (and intonation and quality) though, the Luke blows the Fender out of the water.

And it's just so pretty.

...anyway, one great thing is that I have until 30 days after Christmas to return it if I want, or, I think I could even make money on Ebay -- gives me a chance to still try out the Silhouette and Silhouette Special before making a final decision.

 

[kbaim]

Great Price

Don't sell it to make a couple hundred bucks. Better to keep it and watch all the music that pours out of it.

Keith
proud owner of 3 lukes.

 

[samplesize]

kbaim: Wouldn't sell it just to make a few bucks -- only if I found that I liked the Silhouette or Silhouette Special better.

...Don't quite have the funds for both at the moment.

 

[beej]

Congrats! Sounds like a great deal.

If, for some reason, you decide you want a sil or axis instead I'd be happy to take the Luke off your hands!

 

[PurpleSport]

Great deal indeed - congrats on the score!

I got mine (Luke Blue also) used with a few dings here and there for just a hundred clams less - the neck, hardware, and electronics were intact and still set up well, which is all that mattered to me. Sure beats the $1400 or so some pay for a new one, huh?

Your observations about the electronics are what we other Luke owners see too. The EMGs do knock a bit of the juicyness out of the high end (my biggest peeve about them), but that's par for the course with active pickups. The difference is less noticeable the more distortion/overdrive you use, and more so the cleaner you get. I recommend trying an EQ pedal with a treble boost in the 3-6k range if you find yourself wanting to get some of the zing back.

Your mileage will vary on the battery life - just remember to unplug when you're done playing, or it will die faster (sticking the cable in the input jack is what turns the circuit on/off).

BTW, yes, the battery box can be a bit tough to open, so don't force it. There's a latch on the top you press in with the tip of your finger which helps keep it locked down - mine was broken off when I got my Luke, apparently the previous owner didn't know or was a bit too heavy-handed. Luckily, still stays closed and pretty firm on it's own without it, though...

 

[kbaim]

One of my batt compartments was sticking so tight it hurt my wittle thumb. I needed a screw driver to open it. Finally decided to just have it replaced for about $15.
KEITH

 

[NorM]

One of my butt compartments was sticking so tight it hurt my wittle thumb. I needed a screw driver to open it. Finally decided to just have it replaced for about $15.
KEITH

 

[OrangeChannel]

One of my batt compartments was sticking so tight it hurt my wittle thumb. I needed a screw driver to open it. Finally decided to just have it replaced for about $15.
KEITH

KEI...I mean WUSSY....

 

[kbaim]

 

[dwf1004]

Well, you cats have officially p*ssed off the Baim-ster...I'm outta here. There's gonna be blood everywhere.

 

[Bassplyr]

I'm dyin' over here! Sorry Keith.

 

[samplesize]

One of my batt compartments was sticking so tight it hurt my wittle thumb. I needed a screw driver to open it. Finally decided to just have it replaced for about $15.
KEITH

Yeah, that's what's going on with mine. Did you have to send it to Ernie Ball to get it replaced, or just a local tech?

On another note, I found a place not too far away that has the Silhouette and Silhouette Special in stock, so I'm gonna go try those out sometime this month. I have a feeling that sound might work with what I'm doing even better than the Luke.

Also have a feeling that finding one with a tobacco sunburst finish may be tough.

...Been playing this thing so much that my fingers hurt!

 

[kbaim]

The batt (batt, not butt...ok? Batt!) compartment should be examined by your local tech.

They'll usually spend a little time seeing how difficult it is to open and close it with their fingers. Mine stuck real bad whether there was something in there or not.

Their professional assessment was, "WOW! That's tight."

So after laying face down, they just took whatever was there out, and put a brand new one in.

I'm much happier now, though I really hate paying for that kind of stuff.

(Go ahead and top this!)

KEITH

PS The part is sometimes available at the shop or they can order one and it takes a couple days.

 

[Ali]

$750?

That's the equivalent of £375. Even the $1400 new price is only £700. I'm paying £1200 (ie $2400) for mine How I love being in the UK

And before Keith butts in about piezos and sunbursts, would you pay $3400 for such a Luke? That's how much the equivalent is over here. Scandalous bloomin' country this

 

[NorM]

Keith will be OK as soon as jonguitars puts the burrito in my pet case. Back to the thread: I'm happy you picked up a Luke at such a great price. Enjoy!

I wonder what EB is coming out with at this years NAMM show?

 

[JDouglee]

And before Keith butts
in about piezos and sunbursts

How quickly it turns huh?? Sorry Keith!!

Anything new from EB this year at NAMM? Anyone know?