Help! Grounding Issue with Luke 3 HSS Single Coils!

[Guitarras]

Hello all,

I wondering if there is anyone else who has noticed this issue with their Luke 3 HSS guitars:

First of all, I am new to the forum and just got my brand new L3 last week from Sweetwater. It is a BFR Tobacco Burst with the all maple neck and fretboard. It truly is a beautiful guitar and sounds amazing, HOWEVER, there is one issue that I can't get past. Seems that on the single coils, if I am not touching the strings the guitar will make noise exactly the way a guitar sounds when it is not grounded properly. Of course when I touch the strings the noise stops. It doesn't seem to affect the tone of course and when I'm playing its not an issue...again guitar sounds great and there is no 60 cycle hum when I'm playing as with traditional coils. It is more annoying than anything else at this point and it doesn't seem normal since I was under the impression that they are supposed to be noise-canceling. I did have a Luke II years ago and it was dead quiet at all times although I understand those have EMGS.

Has anyone else had this experience? Is this something that is inherent of the preamp? I forgot to mention a couple things. The noise gets much louder when the boost is engaged and it does not ever happen when the humbucker is engaged by itself. I had also bought a used L3 in the HSS configuration a couple weeks ago but ended up sending it back because it did the same thing - I assumed it was faulty since not even my strat makes that much noise when not touching the strings.

Any help or insight would be helpful because I honestly am debating on whether to send it back at this point since it is such a beauty to play and behold and just pick up the HH model.

Thanks a bunch!!

 

[Magic Jason]

I had two Luke III HSS and the pickups were DEAD silent.

Used with Mesa, Koch, Fender amps, Eleven Rack, Fractal AX8...

From clean to heavy distortion, never had the issue you described!

You should really try to find a solution as the L3 is a truly fantastic guitar.

May I suggest a battery change to start with?

Then try to change the settings on the inner trim pots.

My guitar sound went from ugly to fab when I changed those settings to "minimum" boost on the singles!

Good luck!

 

[Guitarras]

I had two Luke III HSS and the pickups were DEAD silent.

Used with Mesa, Koch, Fender amps, Eleven Rack, Fractal AX8...

From clean to heavy distortion, never had the issue you described!

You should really try to find a solution as the L3 is a truly fantastic guitar.

May I suggest a battery change to start with?

Then try to change the settings on the inner trim pots.

My guitar sound went from ugly to fab when I changed those settings to "minimum" boost on the singles!

Good luck!

Yeah I actually did try experimenting with the internal trim pots and turned the pot for the singles all the way down as well. I have the Boost pot about half way up. Battery is also brand new. There is no noise anytime I'm touching the strings and essentially playing, but if I play an open string or let go of the strings and touching any other metal parts it's pretty audible. I haven't tried turning the Boost all the way down but then that would render that feature useless which would defeat the purpose of having the volume Boost. I'm playing through a Mesa Boogie Mark V 25 which works perfectly and play my strat through it regularly - no issues.

Feeling frustrated...️

 

[Magic Jason]

I feel your frustration!

Grounding wire must be disconected somewhere....

Keep searching for the solution, the axe is worth it!

(Singles to minimum "permanent boost" and "volume pot boost" slightly over 1/2 was the way to go IMHO.)

 

[A.J.]

Email me for a solution: [email protected]. This only affects Luke 3 guitars with the boost on the volume.

I made a mistake. The possible solution is only valid on HH guitars. Not HSS.

 

[Guitarras]

Email me for a solution: [email protected]. This only affects Luke 3 guitars with the boost on the volume.

Email has been sent sir...thanks for reaching out. I failed to mention that when I touch the neck plate the noise gets louder which is pretty strange. I've never seen that in any other guitar in my 25+ years of owning any electric guitars.

 

[luiscesaripad]

Let us know when you get the solution. I am sure the CS will take care of you very well.

 

[Guitarras]

Just an update:

I simply ended up sending the guitar back to Sweetwater and they agreed to exchange it for the same guitar(same finish and PDN specs) but in the HH configuration. Their CS is top-notch btw for anyone who hasn't yet had the opportunity to work with them. I did hear from A.J. from EB's CS and he was great and offering a couple possible solutions but unfortunately they weren't the right ones for this guitar and understandably it is impossible to diagnose a problem via email. The new guitar should be in today and I am excited but admittedly a bit nervous hoping that it is perfect with no further issues with noise and grounding. As long as it is, I'll likely start a new thread to show her off because it definitely is stunning in pictures so I imagine in person it'll be even better!


Thanks for everyone's input!

I attached a picture from the website of the actual guitar...isn't she puurrddy?!

 

[Fro]

Very nice!

 

[jones4tone]

That HH is pretty with the flamed top! How does it play?

 

[mikeller]

That is a beauty!!! Congrats

 

[Guitarras]

That HH is pretty with the flamed top! How does it play?

Plays perfect! I don't know that I've ever played a guitar that plays this effortlessly with such low buzz-free action!

 

[Patrick DiCicco]

Help!!!! I just visited this thread with great hope only to find out Guitaras has given up and the FIX was to buy a Luke HH !!!What the heck??? I HAVE THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON MY LUKE 3 HSS! Come on really? Please TECHS , I have tested the ground completely with a Fluke 87 meter,with no issues. Great guitar but this is ridiculous for a $3000 guitar!

 

[DrKev]

If you are under warranty, you'll be taken care of. Get in touch with your dealer, or MM customer service directly (though with NAMM on response will be sometime next week).

 

[Patrick DiCicco]

Luke 3 HSS grounding issue.

If you are under warranty, you'll be taken care of. Get in touch with your dealer, or MM customer service directly (though with NAMM on response will be sometime next week).

I sincerely thank you for the reply. But I am seeking answers as to the root of the problem, technically.I see three guitars posted here with the SAME problem. Speak to me. I am a retired controls tech and a fair slinger of the Fluke meter!! Thanks, Patrick DiCicco ANYONE Feel free to call me 215 518 4330

 

[beej]

We are not employees of EBMM. For support you're going to need to talk to the company directly. The contacts are listed in my signature, below. As Kev said, they're pretty busy with the NAMM show, so I would wait until next week before calling.

 

[tristan klein]

I had the same problem on my brand new HSS, before my tech fixed it ( don't ask me how) a wireless totally erased the ground noise. I know it's not a real solution but it would help if you have a record or a gig...!

 

[Patrick DiCicco]

Sent the guitar back to Musicman. This is unacceptable for a $3000 Ball Family Reserve guitar. We will see what happens from here. Not feeling too good about this. I already sent The first L3 back with a crack that had developed in the neck pocket AND WHEN I FIRST GOT IT THERE WAS NO SOUND! I opened the back to find when they soldered the jack in, a bridge of solder had caused a dead short which i repaired. QC should be shot. Please forward this to Music Man. Patrick Dicicco Dr Kev please moderate this, back to MM . My guitar should be there by thursday.

 

[Patrick DiCicco]

Hello Tristan ! Please dont tell me The Wireless is the solution! How did it sound after the repair ,before the wireless???
One other L3 owner sent 2 back to sweetwater. The Final solution for him was to get rid of the guitar, and buy an L3 in an HH configuration.!!!! Nice solution. Ball Family Reserve at its finest.

 

[beej]

Patrick, let the customer support folks take care of you. That's what they do.

Also, I've removed your phone number from the post- you don't really want to put that out publicly. Dr Kev and I are not going to forward it- you need to speak to them directly (or email, etc.)