I played a Petrucci for a little while on a line 6 amp, and already I can pick out the sound that is in Petrucci's tone. I can't judge the Luke, considering I haven't picked one up yet, but really it is all about what you listen to and what you play. If you want Prog. rock / metal, with tons of shred solos, I would get the Petrucci. The Luke I would picture for Classic Rock? But listening to Wells band, he put some heavy stuff in there. IDK, its up to you.
- Thread starter gelvo
- Start date
In my opinion (based on some experience, rehearsals done by both guitars):
Luke is easier to play, it's generally because of the pickups. They are active and they have a some additional gain so it's really easy to play let's say string skipping technique or arpeggios. JP model is kinda true guitar. It has very high signal and it just magnify your mistakes
But in general it has better sound.I think Luke has better tremolo for long and greater vibrato. You can really go on with this tremolo, having a waving feeling. JP's tremolo is rather designed for "hits', when you suddenly hit the tremolo bar for quick vibrato or pitch shift in a second.
The comfort of playing is very good on both guitars. The scope on JP's body is fantastic and it gives this guitar one note higher then Luke. BUT the main difference between those guitars are neck shapes. JP is rather flat, kinda flt C. Luke has definitely V shape, and in my taste it's really bad. Of course it depends on your hand shape and likes, but for me V is not as good as JP's C. V hurt my thumb, after few minutes of playing I found this unpleasant issue.
To sum it up, I believe that it's a personal; choice to pick Luke or JP. Both have some advantages and disadvantages. I would suggest to try them both and make your own decision, just as I did few weeks ago. My pick is definitely JP, but I respect those who pick Luke. I think I missed to point out that both guitars are diamonds among all the rest of guitars (at least those I know), very precise, great manufactured...hey! that is Ernie Ball Music Man man
Once again, I underline that it's my own opinion, don't want to hurt anybody with that
martyhk0
Well-known member
EASY SOLUTION - BUY BOTH
I DID
I
DID
beej
Moderator
Hey ... why just JP and Luke?
What is it about those two that narrows it down? Lost of other great all-purpose MM guitars out there. The Morse is the Swiss Army knife of guitars, y'know. The Silo can just about do it all. The Axis MM90 is plenty versatile, etc.
So why just those two?
What is it about those two that narrows it down? Lost of other great all-purpose MM guitars out there. The Morse is the Swiss Army knife of guitars, y'know. The Silo can just about do it all. The Axis MM90 is plenty versatile, etc.
So why just those two?
I love this forum, the feedback on this question has been extremely helpful thanks to all.
Regarding why just compare Luke and JP, well they are just the two that press my buttons to most.
pjc812
Well-known member
I own two JP's (6 and 7) but would LOVE to have either a DD or BFR Luke. Finances being what they are I can't but man that'd be sweet. I absolutely love the neck on the Luke, there is something about it that is indescribable.
The Luke we just got in was perfect right out of the case, the thing literally plays itself. *sigh* So many guitars...
The Luke we just got in was perfect right out of the case, the thing literally plays itself. *sigh* So many guitars...
I thought the Luke neck was a cream dream to be honest. Some guys don't like the V profile, but I prefer it above all others. Next in line is the Axis/EVHMM neck. Luke and the Axis/EVHMM are the two best necks ever right there in my book! A lot of the old Dean's had the V profile, and the Fender Clapton (which is much deeper and not as "cut").
I've played a JP at GC and thought it was super nice, but I've not plugged a Luke in. Some guys don't like EMG's, but I like 'em. Everything I have heard and seen about the Luke puts it in the "can't go wrong" category. So much, that I think I just might buy one! The JP seems just as nice, just geared for more of the shred vibe. Tough call.
Without having even played a Luke, I still vote Luke. Common sense says you can't go wrong with an all around workhorse like that.
Jason
I've played a JP at GC and thought it was super nice, but I've not plugged a Luke in. Some guys don't like EMG's, but I like 'em. Everything I have heard and seen about the Luke puts it in the "can't go wrong" category. So much, that I think I just might buy one! The JP seems just as nice, just geared for more of the shred vibe. Tough call.
Without having even played a Luke, I still vote Luke. Common sense says you can't go wrong with an all around workhorse like that.
Jason
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Wow....it's a great comparison of two great guitars. I'm am not a fan of EMG pickups.... I was years ago but left that behind. Nothing wrong with them, just not as pleasing to my ears. I had a Luke for about a month and then brought it back. I didn't like the neck profile as much. I found it to be a narrower neck. Fantastic guitar though!
I have a couple of JP7s and I love them for the neck and the pickup combination. To me they just sounded hotter and more alive through my setup.
I have a couple of JP7s and I love them for the neck and the pickup combination. To me they just sounded hotter and more alive through my setup.
I have had my Luke now for about 9 months. I won't lie at first me and the guitar didn't get along at all The two things I had the hardest time adjusting to were the lower style vintage frets and the "v" carve of the neck. After about a month of solid playing I was able to adjust. Now I can't put that sucker down best guitar I have ever owned
The two things I had the hardest time adjusting to were the lower style vintage frets and the "v" carve of the neck. After about a month of solid playing I was able to adjust. Now I can't put that sucker down best guitar I have ever owned 
brasco68
Well-known member
I have had my Luke now for about 9 months. I won't lie at first me and the guitar didn't get along at all
Plus it's a Dargie....how could you not adjust to it??? hehe
I have both as well and if I absolutely had to choose between both, I'd have to keep the Luke---but I hope that never happens.
LUKE:It's a pure rock machine. The soft V fits perfectly between your thumb and index finger pocket, the low frets make bending a breeze, fits smaller hands to a tee, I love EMGs (hard rock/metal/blues tones=versatility), body is more compact and fits snug against you----I just love it!!
The JP is also great but in a different way. The neck is a flat C shape w/ wider string spacing; the upper fret access is just phenomenal; the piezo is to die for; smooth lead tones rock on this machine; the forearm bevel/cutout is so comfortable; and the recessed trem is perfectly set---not to tight and not too loose.
I can comfortably rotate between the two and use each for different applications during recording.
LUKE:It's a pure rock machine. The soft V fits perfectly between your thumb and index finger pocket, the low frets make bending a breeze, fits smaller hands to a tee, I love EMGs (hard rock/metal/blues tones=versatility), body is more compact and fits snug against you----I just love it!!
The JP is also great but in a different way. The neck is a flat C shape w/ wider string spacing; the upper fret access is just phenomenal; the piezo is to die for; smooth lead tones rock on this machine; the forearm bevel/cutout is so comfortable; and the recessed trem is perfectly set---not to tight and not too loose.
I can comfortably rotate between the two and use each for different applications during recording.
