Luke 4 size

[Bence]

Hi there!

I was browsing and comparing the specs of the LIII and L4 guitars, and it seems like they went back to the smaller body size of the original Luke models... Can anyone confirm this? And if so, was there a particular reason?

 

[DrKev]

I don't recall that they did (please somebody correct me if I'm wrong). If they did, it was because Lukather wanted it that way.

 

[jlf599]

The joke is that it's actual size!

But in all seriousness, I went to Luke III and then did a compare with the Luke 4 HH:

L3:
12-1/2" wide, 1-3/4" thick, 36-15/16" long (31.75 cm wide, 4.5 cm thick, 93.8 cm long)
L4:
12-3/16" wide, 1-3/4" thick, 36-15/16" long (31.0 cm wide, 4.5 cm thick, 92.6 cm long)

Everything else looks the same -- so 5/16" difference in width of the body.

Luke is indeed the same as the L4:

12-3/16" wide, 1-3/4" thick, 36-7/16" long (31.0 cm wide, 4.5 cm thick, 92.6 cm long)

Didn't go looking for the L2 because I'm lazy.

 

[Bence]

Thanks for the replies! Yes, difference in width and lenght as well compared to the LIII... I never had the chance to play an LIII and always wondered if it was a noticable difference at all... I had a Luke II which I loved, but the middle pickup was always in the way of my pick. I have a master built guitar now, that's based on the Luke II but with two humbuckers. Seems like I had a pseudo Luke 4 before it even came out.

 

[jlf599]

I had a Luke III (well, two Luke IIIs) and played a Luke 4 but not back to back. I realize there was any difference in the sizes and likely never would have even thought about it until you said something.

The 4, to me, felt pretty much like the 3 did.

Beautiful axes, by the way! Is that bottom one the master build? It's beautiful!

 

[Bence]

I had a Luke III (well, two Luke IIIs) and played a Luke 4 but not back to back. I realize there was any difference in the sizes and likely never would have even thought about it until you said something.

The 4, to me, felt pretty much like the 3 did.

Beautiful axes, by the way! Is that bottom one the master build? It's beautiful!

Thanks!
Yes, it is the custom one. It's a great guitar for sure!
I guess nobody really cared for the sizes in the first place, I probably have too much freetime on my hands...
Nevertheless, I'll be on the lookout for an LIII.

 

[GoKart Mozart]

I've got a 2nd gen Luke, two Luke IIIs, and a Luke IV. I haven't really thought to measure the body of the IV since it feels slightly larger like the III; just verified and it is indeed the same width as the two IIIs. I don't believe that they went back to the smaller original Luke body.

 

[Bence]

I've got a 2nd gen Luke, two Luke IIIs, and a Luke IV. I haven't really thought to measure the body of the IV since it feels slightly larger like the III; just verified and it is indeed the same width as the two IIIs. I don't believe that they went back to the smaller original Luke body.

Thanks for writing in!
Interesting... What LIII models do you have exactly?
Cause according to the Music Man site even they're not the same... It's kinda confusing...

 

[GoKart Mozart]

Well, after double checking my measuresments, the IIIs and IV 30th are not 100% the same, but my IIIs are a little older. Manufacturing/tooling changes over the years, maybe?

I'm not sure this is the same reference point that MM uses, but here's the width of mine at this part of the body:



2011 Luke HSS (i.e. Luke 2): 12" even
2013 Luke III HH: 12 3/8"
2015 LIII BFR w/ maple top: 12 1/8"
2023 LIV HSS 30th Anniversary: 12 3/8"


This is splitting hairs a bit; you can't really tell that much of a difference in the body size of the III and IV when playing.

 

[ruger9]

5/16" ??? That falls under the category of "immaterial." Unless it's regarding a nut or a neck profile. But body width? I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference if they weren't TOLD the difference.

 

[jlf599]

5/16" ??? That falls under the category of "immaterial." Unless it's regarding a nut or a neck profile. But body width? I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference if they weren't TOLD the difference.

100%. I mean, Eric Johnson would tell you he can hear the difference in 5/16"...but having played both sizes of guitar, I wouldn't have even guessed there was a difference.

 

[Bence]

Well, after double checking my measuresments, the IIIs and IV 30th are not 100% the same, but my IIIs are a little older. Manufacturing/tooling changes over the years, maybe?

I'm not sure this is the same reference point that MM uses, but here's the width of mine at this part of the body:

View attachment 44533

2011 Luke HSS (i.e. Luke 2): 12" even
2013 Luke III HH: 12 3/8"
2015 LIII BFR w/ maple top: 12 1/8"
2023 LIV HSS 30th Anniversary: 12 3/8"


This is splitting hairs a bit; you can't really tell that much of a difference in the body size of the III and IV when playing.

I see... And what about the Luke II? Does it feel significantly smaller? I mean... If size was the only difference between them, would it matter to you?