EBMM Luke neck highly uncomfortable

[s.4]

Hi all

I have an EBMM Luke although its obvious that the setup was changed somewhere along the line as it's not very comfortable to play

When bending it's almost like there is no grip between the fretboard and strings, and they slip out from underneath your fingers

This happens especially on the high E and B string. Also when bending your fingers seem to come in contact with the string above resulting in it being very uncomfortable, and it's almost as if you have to struggle to get the pitch you want

I have tried adjusting the neck, string saddles and bridge but I can't seem to fix the problem, whether the action is high or low

Surely this is not the way an EBMM Luke plays?

Any help would be appreciated

 

[Norrin Radd]

Take it to a professional tech and tell them what your issues are. Only someone hands on with the guitar - and you there with it - can really sort out your issues well. "Proper" setups are as individual as fingerprints. Work with the pro - then watch and ask him what he's doing so you have some idea what and why he is doing what he is doing. No one online will be of very much help, I'm afraid.

 

[Jonny Dubai]

HHHHHHhhmmmmmmmmmm. Does not sound like a factory set up. Why not have a tech look at it? Also contact Customer services if you have any probs....They are ledgends.

Cheers,

J

 

[s.4]

The problem is I live in South Africa and the tech's here don't seem very clued up on the EBMM guitars

Initially I tried giving the guitar to 1 or 2 techs and spent a lot of money only to find it just as uncomfortable

So I guess I need to sort it out myself

 

[Spudmurphy]

Some people don't get on with floating bridges, the height of the string can change slightly when you really start bending and adding /reducing tension on the strings

 

[s.4]

Some people don't get on with floating bridges, the height of the string can change slightly when you really start bending and adding /reducing tension on the strings

I doubt that is the problem, I have other guitars with floating bridges and they bend perfectly, but I know what you are referring to

Edit: my Luke doesn't have a floyd rose system but the standard bridge setup

 

[Spudmurphy]

Ok so the requested help you wanted hasn't hit the spot?
The Luke uses a MM bridge not a floyd, as you know. I set up one of my guitars to float and I didn't like it.
But hell that's me.

The EB necks are just built for bending. The frets are perfect, the neck should feel like the best neck you've ever played - when they come from the factory the necks have a "raw" appearance - no sheen no slick. So maybe someone has done something to the neck that contributes to your problem? Maybe it needs a rub down and re application of Birchwood Casey Tru oil. I just think it's the general set up of the guitar if yours fingers are slipping under the strings?

It's gonna be hell to diagnose this on the net and maybe you should contact Customer Support for their advise?

 

[Slingy]

I like my Luke set up down only, so it feels like a hardtail with the option to dive.

 

[douglasspears]

sounds like the string action is very low, and when bending the high E, you're getting caught on the B (not able to get under it) and that's causing the E to slip out from under your fingers.

Question - is the string action very low?

 

[s.4]

Ok so the requested help you wanted hasn't hit the spot?
The Luke uses a MM bridge not a floyd, as you know. I set up one of my guitars to float and I didn't like it.
But hell that's me.

The EB necks are just built for bending. The frets are perfect, the neck should feel like the best neck you've ever played - when they come from the factory the necks have a "raw" appearance - no sheen no slick. So maybe someone has done something to the neck that contributes to your problem? Maybe it needs a rub down and re application of Birchwood Casey Tru oil. I just think it's the general set up of the guitar if yours fingers are slipping under the strings?

It's gonna be hell to diagnose this on the net and maybe you should contact Customer Support for their advise?

I bought the guitar new, but I don't think it was ever set up properly, or the setup changed when shipping the guitar here

I contacted support and their response is that there are no EBMM factories/technicians in SA

I have honestly spent hours on this guitar and I think its time to get rid of it and never touch an EBMM ever again

 

[beej]

s.4- there's nothing specific about this guitar that would confuse a good tech. It's just like any other guitar with a 2-point floating trem (of which there are tons). The only thing that's different is the location of the truss rod (at the heel of the guitar, exposed).

If you've taken it to techs and still aren't comfortable with it, then it's possible that this guitar just isn't for you. But it's not reflective of all MM guitars, most of them have different necks and feels.

 

[Lou]

There are many things that can be done to make the guitar playable for you. It almost sounds like to me you need to find a string gauge you prefer first. On 25.5 scale guitars I prefer .010s. I suggest you youtube or find some guitar set up sites - there are tons that walk you thru setups. But this is what you need to do at a high level:

Restring guitar
Set trem angle properly
set neck relief (truss rod)
set action
set intonation
rinse and repeat these steos tuning along the way.

Find another guitarist/bassist who might be able to help. Certainly there is a music store that has a tech that can teach you how to do this.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Have you played other V neck guitars? If not, you may simply not be comfortable with a V neck. Solution would be to buy any EBMM besides the Luke.

 

[Slater]

Seems like you may be struggling with the "low wide" frets. Guitars with bigger frets may be more comfortable for you...

 

[Eilif]

Don't give up on EBMM. The Luke neck is different from anything else they produce. If it's true that the Luke neck just isn't for you, it could very well be that another EBMM neck would be perfect.

 

[djlynch]

Prolly the V neck, low frets, and overall neck feel. I love the Luke but the neck didn't jive with me.
Your Luke should almost feel to easy to play. There should not be struggle. Try an Axis you'll love it

 

[BrickGlass]

That is a tough thing to diagnose without seeing and playing the guitar for sure. I've owned 2 Luke's and never had any similar problems. Customer Service time if you don't have a tech that can help you there.

 

[Jamie M]

BrickGlass, everytime i see your avatar it makes me laugh,great stuff brother.

 

[ily]

Luke have a special neck profile
i've own seven Luke and none have really the same (not so different too)
for me a very soft V is good
the only thing to do is playing your neck playing and again playing
none neck have a very good feeling without playing it
it's just standard an needs to be play
only you made it like you want