LIII - Keep it? Refret it? Trade it? Need advice.

[IceCreMan]

I've had my LIII BFR since about June (bought it new). I really like the guitar but I'm having a hard time loving the frets. I think they're just too small. I have more trouble bending etc. on this guitar than I do with my LP.

So here's my conundrum... I'm trying to decide whether to have it refretted with larger SS frets or possibly look to trade it for an Axis Super Sport with trem. I've never had a chance to play a Super Sport (can't find any in my area) buy I like the fact that it has the same trem, five way switch and larger frets (and I love the look).

I'm concerned that refretting the LIII with larger frets will hurt the resale if I ever decide to sell it (I tend to get GAS a lot and move equipment to buy new stuff). If I do go the refret route what might it cost? Has anyone on this forum done a refret to larger frets on the LIII? If so, how did it turn out?

 

[Magic Jason]

I'd advise that you refret your Luke III to your liking. There was a thread a while ago : a delighted user had refreted his and was more than happy with the result. Didn't need to work on the nut!

And please, do yourself a favor... Sell that Les "thing" and buy an AL HH.

 

[Magic Jason]

I also can't figure how a LukeIII could be "harder" to play than a LP... Then it might just be me who gets along really well with lower frets.

 

[Stratty316]

as stupid as it sounds I would experiment with different string gauges, set ups and try setting it up with the trem flat to the body. I've had to use this method in the past to get a guitar where I wanted it. My Silo Spec is the only guitar I run straight 9s on because it feels best that way. My axis guitars all feel best with Hybrid Slinkys and the HHAL with 10s. A little tweak to the truss rod during set up and they play like butter. It's a whole lot cheaper than a refret and or a new guitar... And what do you have to lose but a few sets of strings and a little time?

 

[Magic Jason]

Wise advice.

Didn't event think about that.

Probably because I just LOVE my MM the way they arrived: perfect!

 

[sanderhermans]

I use hybrid slinkys on my luke3 and i have no problem bending or playing it with standard frets and a decent set up (floatig trem).
To say a les paul would play better is a verry strange thing to me, i have not come acros annything that plays as smooth as my luke...

 

[Magic Jason]

I use hybrid slinkys on my luke3 and i have no problem bending or playing it with standard frets and a decent set up (floatig trem).
To say a les paul would play better is a verry strange thing to me, i have not come acros annything that plays as smooth as my luke...

That's because you have an absolutely FANTASTIC LIII!

 

[ksandvik]

Interesting thread, of all the guitars, the Luke is for me the easiest to play.

 

[IceCreMan]

Thanks for the advice all. It's not that the LP feels better (it doesn't) but I play it better. The thing I struggle most with on the LIII is slipping over the string during a bend or having a string not ring out becuase I a little off of the fret and don't realize it. I don't have these issues when playing my LP. I did deck the trem when I first got it to help with this but I just feel like I have too much finger on the fret board sometimes if that makes any sense. I do plan on switching to hybrids because I like the heavier bottoms but that won't really help with my issue.

 

[IceCreMan]

I guess my next step should be getting a good setup with the hybrids and see where I stand then. I set it up last time when I decked the trem but I'm sure a good luthier can do better. It really is the most comfortable guitar I've ever had the pleasure of picking up but I struggle with always feeling like I'm hitting to much board and not enough fret.

 

[Stratty316]

Part of the issue is that MM guitars generally have pretty narrow string spacing. I've always felt that you have to be a little more precise with your finger positioning on a MM vs a Strat or Les Paul. Put the LP away for 30 days and only play your Luke. At the end of that time you will be used to the Luke and switching back and fourth won't be an issue.

 

[Night Goat]

Refret! Stainless 6100's maybe?

Im a Les Paul guy with a Luke myself so I understand what you mean. But there is no way you can make those tiny frets work, you either like em or you swap em. Selling the Luke is a really bad solution because there is no other guitar with that magic, wonderful neck.

 

[IceCreMan]

Part of the issue is that MM guitars generally have pretty narrow string spacing. I've always felt that you have to be a little more precise with your finger positioning on a MM vs a Strat or Les Paul. Put the LP away for 30 days and only play your Luke. At the end of that time you will be used to the Luke and switching back and fourth won't be an issue.

I have noticed more precision is needed with the MM neck and I'm by no means a precision player. Oddly enough open chords are easier for me on the MM because of the neck size (I have small hands).

After I have it setup with the hybrids (was doing that anyway) I will take your advice and try to supress my guitar ADD for 30 days and just play the Luke.

 

[IceCreMan]

Refret! Stainless 6100's maybe?

Im a Les Paul guy with a Luke myself so I understand what you mean. But there is no way you can make those tiny frets work, you either like em or you swap em. Selling the Luke is a really bad solution because there is no other guitar with that magic, wonderful neck.

Aww man... now you've got my brain going again.... I think I'll take Stratty's advice and if that doesn't help go the refret route. I agree, the Luke is so comfortable and versatile that I know I'll probably regret selling it.

Did you refret Night Goat or did you get used to it?

 

[Razzle]

I'd say sell it. Luke's a great guitar, but there are tons of great EBMM guitars for you to get what you want, without the $$ of a re-fret, and devaluation of your guitar.

 

[luiscesaripad]

I refretted mine Luke 3 with stainless steel medium jumbo frets. I did not have trouble with the stock frets, but when the time of a needed refretting came, i decided to try bigger ones and ss. Ohhh my, the guitar became even easier to play (never thought it would be possible) and like the tone of the ss.

 

[beej]

I'd say sell it. Luke's a great guitar, but there are tons of great EBMM guitars for you to get what you want, without the $$ of a re-fret, and devaluation of your guitar.

Yep.

Maybe you can find a recent PDN model out there with the large stainless frets?

 

[Magic Jason]

Yep.

Maybe you can find a recent PDN model out there with the large stainless frets?

PDN with SS frets are AWESOME!!!! (watch my sig)
If you refret, use Jescar frets!!!

 

[IceCreMan]

They made an LIII with larger stainless frets????

 

[IceCreMan]

I refretted mine Luke 3 with stainless steel medium jumbo frets. I did not have trouble with the stock frets, but when the time of a needed refretting came, i decided to try bigger ones and ss. Ohhh my, the guitar became even easier to play (never thought it would be possible) and like the tone of the ss.

Very interesting. Thanks for the input.