I messed up the action on my Luke

[Thesherwood]

I changed my strings to a heavier guage (Regular Stainless Slinkys) and am having difficulty getting my fave electric guitar in tune without the floating bridge bending up at a 45 degree angle.

Does anyone have any tips about keeping the LUKE setup properly when changing
strings AND on the balancing between upper and lower strings for tuning?
HELP!!

Also, had to change a string on a gig in England and had difficulty finding the
hole in the locking tuners to thread the string. I guess make sure the hole lines
up before removing the string.

THanks for making such a great guitar.

Thanks,
[email protected]

 

[Dcareaga]

I went from 9 to 10 guage strings on my main Luke and it required a couple of changes......

1. I had to add a Spring in the Back Cavity... the Luke comes with 2 Springs standard.
3 Springs are necessary for 10 gauge strings as well as some adjustment of the screws
in the cavity to find the happy medium of Bridge height. When set properly pulling all the way up on the Bridge will:
Raise the Open High E String a Half Step
Raise the Open B String a Whole Step
Raise the Open G String a Minor 3rd

2. I also needed to have the nut slots widened The lower strings are too wide for a standard Nut and will bind when using the trem.


DC

 

[Toto Head]

You need to put more spring tension on the bridge. Remove the back cover plate and tighten down the screws probably at least 2 full turns. Then tune the guitar back up and see if that helps. If it is getting better, you are on the right track.

Are there 2 or 3 springs on your guitar? If there are only two, you will probably want to add a third when going to heavier gauge strings.

You will probably have to adjust the truss rod at some point and intonate the guitar again.

If you your bridge is at a 45 degree angle, I am guessing you went from 9's to 11's.

Don't do anthing too drastic at one time. Do some minor adjustments and see if they are getting you in the right direction.

If you are not able to get the results you desire on your own, you will probably need to take it to a tech and have it set up properly.

 

[Norrin Radd]

You need to put more spring tension on the bridge. Remove the back cover plate and tighten down the screws probably at least 2 full turns. Then tune the guitar back up and see if that helps. If it is getting better, you are on the right track.

Are there 2 or 3 springs on your guitar? If there are only two, you will probably want to add a third when going to heavier gauge strings.

You will probably have to adjust the truss rod at some point and intonate the guitar again.

If you your bridge is at a 45 degree angle, I am guessing you went from 9's to 11's.

Don't do anthing too drastic at one time. Do some minor adjustments and see if they are getting you in the right direction.

If you are not able to get the results you desire on your own, you will probably need to take it to a tech and have it set up properly.

Nice first post Toto Head! And welcome to the forum! Always good to see new faces here, especially from the Midwest.

 

[kbaim]

Looks like a couple of new Luke players.

We could always use 'em!

Welcome to the forum guys.

 

[Toto Head]

I am not really new to the Luke guitar.

I purchased one "New" as I was told at my local Ernie Ball dealer. I loved the tones I could get out of it but it had some issues with the neck. The high E string ran right down the edge of the fret board. It was so close that when playing it, the string would roll off. I took it back to the store, they said it was fine. I think the guitar I bought sat in the store for a while and was put through some abuse. Bridge was completely flat against the body, neck was off-set in the pocket. I wanted a Luke so bad and they gave me a good price on it, and I thought I could get it back to normal.

After getting frustrated with my local EBMM dealer. I got in touch with Ernie Ball myself and they were great. They treated me like a pro. Great communication and just great people to deal with. They put new neck on it for me, and sealed it. It was better, but the experience bummed me out. Can't really explain it. I ended up selling it.

Ernie Ball went above and beyond what qualifies for "good" customer service. It was my dealer that did not support the product well and when I did not get support from them, well that sucked. The way Ernie Ball treated me and the guitars they offer is what keeps me a fan of their products. I have never been turned off by Musicman guitars because of my experience. I look at it as a fluke.

Just last week, I dropped one of the Steve Lukather EMG pickups sets in to my Strat. Great tones and all, but now I am GASSING for a Luke again.

 

[Antoine]

The Luke is one of the best guitar there is IMO, The Axis Super Sport (and even the Axis) is also a gem, i'm very proud to have both, and very proud to play Ernie Ball/Music Man guitar !!!

 

[Thesherwood]

Luke whammy Springs same as Strat springs?

Thanks guys for your tips.
Would a strat spring work from GC?
Also, does anyone know a good guitar tech in L.A. area?
Much appreciated.

 

[jongitarz]

The guys at Truetone in Santa Monica do good work, but if you want to do it yourself a 3rd spring will be needed. The 10's are over powering the 2 springs that came on your Luke. I don't know if a Strat spring will work or not. It's just a matter of balancing the string vs spring tension. Add the 3rd spring, tune up, and see how much you can pull up on the trem. Factory setting is a step and a half. If the trem is too high in the back, tighten the trem springs, retune and check. Keep doing this until you have it where you want it.

 

[rrhea]

Don't listen to these guys! You're guitar is ruined permanently. Just go ahead and PM me and I'll give you my mailing address so you can just ship to me.

I collect ruined guitars.

RR

 

[kbaim]

Thanks guys for your tips.
Would a strat spring work from GC?
Also, does anyone know a good guitar tech in L.A. area?
Much appreciated.

Paul Flynn at TRUTONE is a very good tech guy. He's worked on 3 of my Lukes. Filed sharp fret edges, adjusted 1 piezo saddle, replaced battery compartment, waxed neck, did set ups.