General Questions on Luke II

[zyx345]

I am considering picking up an EBMM Luke II to go w. my Petrucci. I like the Petrucci but I want an EBMM with a strat style body & thicker neck. None of my local music stores carry the Luke.

1. Is the middle pickup in the Luke II level w. the body or is it raised close to the strings? In all of the strats I had I lowered the middle pickup because it got in the way of my picking.

2. Has anyone compared the Luke II neck to any of the Fender V necks, i.e. Clapton, Jimmy Vaughan, 50's Reissue? I've played all 3 of those models.

Thanks.

 

[mesavox]

I think the neck is narrower than those models. There is a definate v, but it's not obtrusive.

Very different than the petrucci, but I like it a lot too. Not sure on the pickups though... it is a nice sounding guitar.

 

[AVH]

I feel that the neck is a thicker V. It feels more like a Jeff Beck strat than EC strat (but I haven't spent a lot of time on EC).

You can adjust the height of pickups but you are supposed to keep the EMGs pretty high up close to the strings. You're probably better off with a 2 pup guitar like the JP if it is an issue for you.

 

[Ali]

I don't find the middle p/up that high to be honest but I do tend to use small plectrums, mainly 2mm Dunlop Stubbies and do very little "digging" into the strings.

I hear a lot about the V on a Luke neck but you don't really notice it to be honest. It's just fantastically comfortable.

Always try before buying, even if it means taking a trip to the next town, but I'd certainly highly, HIGHLY recommend them

 

[Owen]

I have an EC Strat as well as a Luke, the Luke 'v' is a sharper shape, overall it is the better of the two, great feel also with the oiled finish. The middle pickup may be a problem for you as there is no adjustment on the Luke. I also use short JD jazz picks now so this is not a problem.

 

[JDouglee]

The pickups are all pretty low on the Luke. You shouldn't have any problem.

 

[jimmyp]

In my experience, the Luke neck is amazing, but tiny. If you go from a nice c shape strat neck to the Luke, you feel as if your hand is going to go round it twice. My brother has a luke - he has no problem with the middle pick up, but has a love/hate thing with how small the neck is

 

[JDouglee]

Something I've noticed...older Lukes seem to have slightly fatter necks than
the ones made in the last couple years or so.

 

[kbaim]

Of my 3 Lukes 2001,2002,2003...the 2003 with piezo has a beefier neck than the other 2 for some reason. I find the other 2 with the smaller neck more comfortable. Much less wood to negotiate when gripping.

I also find that some of my best tone is when I pick the strings between the neck pick up and 21st fret. Even sometimes at the 1/2 fret at the end of the neck. Just a smooth warm sound there.

Jon (at eb) was good enough to lower my action on one at my request, and I've noticed that the guitar's tone now has a slightly more compressed sound to it now as the pickup height remains constant. I can play this thing for hours without hand fatigue with how it's set up now. But may end up futzing with the amp a bit.

If you're worried about the neck, which we here feel is the best part of these guitars, you can always fit a strat with Luke emg's. It's a way cheaper alternative if you already own a strat, but I have one with emg's which sounds fantastic, and I don't ever take it out of the case.

But then, I got the Lukes.
KEITH

 

[JDouglee]

Weird Keith. Well, no rhyme or reason there....