Luke III - Music Man humbuckers question.

[jptortor]

Hey all. I got a drop dead gorgeous Luke III HH(pics will come soon) and I am loving the more vintage sound of the Music Man humbuckers. I did, however, have a question for other folks with one of these.

I am getting that phenomenon I often get from a les Paul where the bridge pickup seems to have a volume drop when compared to the neck pickup. I think in reality it’s just much less low end. I normally raise it up u lbtil they balance out but they’re at a fixed height on this guitar. Wondered if others are experiencing the same thing or if I by some fluke got one with a defective pickup - I only ask because I don’t recall it being this way on the transition loaded Luke’s.

Thanks!

Jason

 

[ruger9]

Following.

On my Luke III, the in-between positions (2 & 4) are louder than the neck, middle, bridge alone. I wonder if that's adjustable with the trimpots inside? And if so- maybe on yours? I know there are a couple different PCBs around, some with more trimpots than others...

 

[DrKev]

Yes, one of the trim pots adjusts the volume of positions 2 & 4. The other is the (push-push) boost level.

 

[morsecode]

Just noticed your for sale listing. If you are specifically looking for the DiMarzio Transition pickups, they are still listed on DiMarzio's website. It might be easier and possibly more cost effective replacing the exisiting pickups with Transitions.

 

[jptortor]

Just noticed your for sale listing. If you are specifically looking for the DiMarzio Transition pickups, they are still listed on DiMarzio's website. It might be easier and possibly more cost effective replacing the exisiting pickups with Transitions.

Yea I’m thinking about that too - but I also know sometimes keeping things original is best and if someone out there wants the new version I have a great one!

 

[Sweat]

Too bad not a Luke II need that for my Luke collection

 

[jptortor]

Just an update. I was able to get some pickup mounting foam and raise it just about a mm maybe. Possibly less. It made a MASSIVE difference in balancing out these two pickups for me. I’d highly recommend that as a “mod” if it even counts as such if you’re feeling the bridge is a little more thin than you’d like.

 

[ruger9]

I know this thread is a year old, but I have a question directly related:

On the HSS Luke models (specifically the Luke III), do the single coils have any foam or springs underneath them, I know they are wood-mounted, but are they screwed all the way down into the wood? Specifically, wondering if the middle pickup on the HSS can be lowered at all? I'm considering being an HSS (I own a HH), but middle pickups sometimes get in my way (picking), and I lower them a bit (easy on a strat, wasn't sure about the Luke)

 

[Rbg]

Look under they may have a plastic standoffs under, but may be not. You have the guitar, right? EMGs had those, but EMGs have the connector underneath so need some extra room. I recall asking this CS and I think the answer was “no they can not be lowered”.

 

[ruger9]

Look under they may have a plastic standoffs under, but may be not. You have the guitar, right? EMGs had those, but EMGs have the connector underneath so need some extra room. I recall asking this CS and I think the answer was “no they can not be lowered”.

No- I have an HH. I'm considering buying an LIII HSS, but wanted to know if the middle pickup had any room to lower it or not. With my playing style, it's kind of a big deal for me (which is why I bought the HH; but I'm really missing a single-coil-sounding neck pickup).

 

[Rbg]

P90 in a Humbucker format and coil splits can be your second best option.

 

[ruger9]

P90 in a Humbucker format and coil splits can be your second best option.

I've considered it. I have a de-mud mod on the neck pickup right now, and it sounds good. A low-wind P90 might be ok, but it'll likely screw up the in-between positions.

I did just look up Dimarzio & Fralin... Fralin has a noiseless, rod magnet (brighter) humbucker-size P90 that might work. The legs would have to be ground to fit into the LIII routs, and who knows what effect it'll have on the in-between positions (all of which is why simply buying an HSS is the simple solution... IF I can lower that middle pickup a little to get it more out of my way).

 

[Rbg]

Well, it looks like there is only one option for you is to get an HSS You can get he central cavity routed deeper a bit.

 

[ruger9]

Well, thanks to your replies, I just ordered a humbucker-sized, P90, but with alnico poles, from Lindy Fralin. It should be like a bright, clear, P90, noiseless.

I didn't go with his Twangmaster, because I've owned one before and it's too thin sounding.

Still considering an HSS, but before I spend the money, I'd like to know if that middle pickup could be lowered (preferably without extra routing)... I've emailed EBMM, let's see if the answer me...

 

[GoKart Mozart]

Look under they may have a plastic standoffs under, but may be not. You have the guitar, right? EMGs had those, but EMGs have the connector underneath so need some extra room. I recall asking this CS and I think the answer was “no they can not be lowered”.

My 2015 LIII HSS (Dimarzios) does have 3/8" tall plastic standoffs/risers under the screws of the singles; this gives clearance for the slugs/wires from digging in to the wood. If it's a must, I guess you could ditch those and remove a bit of the wood in the cavity route between the screw holes in order to completely flush mount the pickup?

 

[ruger9]

My 2015 LIII HSS (Dimarzios) does have 3/8" tall plastic standoffs/risers under the screws of the singles; this gives clearance for the slugs/wires from digging in to the wood. If it's a must, I guess you could ditch those and remove a bit of the wood in the cavity route between the screw holes in order to completely flush mount the pickup?

View attachment 57605

Thanks for that!! Great info!!!

 

[ruger9]

Just in case anyone ends up here in the future, looking for the same info I was, EBMM finally got back to me.


The pickups on the Luke are hard-mounted to the body, and there is unfortunately no room for adjustment.
If you'd like the pickups to sit lower, the body cavity will need to be routed.

Best Regards,
Music Man Customer Service Team