Question Luke III - Questions

[Rivers]

I just purchased a used Luke III (2016) and have some questions if someone could help.

1. Does the luke III requires the 9v battery in them to be able to have output?
2. Does the push push knob stay in one position always? (Uploaded a video)
3. Would it be possible to adjust the volume boost to be lower than that of 12db?
4. The volume boost doesn't seem to be working. Anyone have any ideas what coke be the potential cause?

 

[beej]

Hey- nice Luke!

1. Yes- the signal is fed through a preamp/buffer which requires a battery.

2. My guess is the knob is blocking the pot from depressing fully and clicking in place (that's what it looks like). I'd unscrew the set screw in the knob and try the pot without it. If that works, put the knob back so it doesn't block the pot from fully depressing. (If that doesn't fix it, then you might need a new push/push pot.)

3. Yes. There should be an adjustment screw on the preamp to change the amount of boost. (And another to change the level of the single coils.)

4. I'd guess that the pot won't depress fully (because it's being blocked by the knob), so you haven't been able to turn it on

How about a pic of the full guitar?

 

[Rivers]

Thanks for the responses Beej! Here's a picture of her, gotta say she looks really good!

Slightly bummed out with this purchase from Reverb as it arrived in this condition plus it was listed as a 2020 model but was in fact a 2016 BFR instead. Was kinda looking forward to the newer pickups which from what I understand are an upgrade to the previous version.

 

[beej]

Yeah- I hate when the listings aren't right. It is a gorgeous guitar though- that's a great finish. But you should be able to return it based on the incorrect description.

Re the pickups- I don't know if they're an upgrade; they're just different. (Personally I love the Transition humbucker- I have that in other guitars and it smokes.)

 

[Rivers]

Unfortunately I'm out in Asia and it would probably cost too much to have it shipped back. Ah well. Wonder if EBMM sells the newer pickups as an option?

 

[beej]

I don't believe they do. That said, there a zillion great pickups on the market so I wouldn't sweat it. Personally I'd play it as/is for a while and see how you like it. You can always make changes down the road.

 

[Rivers]

Managed to take out the black knob but it looks like the knob won't stay down. Anyone got ideas or does it mean that the push push knob is shot?

Thanks!

 

[beej]

Probably shot and needs to be replaced. (I don't know how to save a push/push pot that won't engage.)

The good news is that someone needs to look at the volume pot anyway- so it's not going to be much more work to just replace it. (And again, I'd call MM and see if they will do this for you, though you'd have to ship the guitar to CA.)

 

[msquared]

I had a Luke III with a push/push knob that failed. They will sell you a replacement and you can have it swapped in locally. It's not soldered directly to the preamp board so it's no more difficult than installing a regular pot. Probably 20 minutes worth of work for any competent tech.

That's a great looking guitar, good luck getting it all sorted out.

 

[Lucien2]

i wouldn't sweat the pickups. they were good enough for Steve for years, and he collaborated on the design.

I'll tell you a little story- I was very eager to acquire a Luke III but was scared to commit to a guitar I had never played, especially given the internet bickering over the neck size and shape. Then my local shop put a Luke I up for sale. I said to myself "well obviously I am going to hate the EMG active pickups in that, everyone on the internet says they're garbage. I'll go and play it though, just to make sure I like the neck, and then I will buy a Luke III!" You know what? I loved the whole thing and walked out $1600 lighter and took that thing straight home. The pickup changes go along with the changes in Steve's tastes (and a hefty dose of marketing). They're all different, but be careful about worrying if one is better.

 

[beej]

I thought the EMGs were great, too.

 

[Rivers]

Thanks guys. I've decided to purchase the volume replacement pot and am trying to confirm which of these 2 parts would work for my Luke III? I think the difference between is the flex ribbon, which I can't exactly tell from my photos if I should be purchasing the non-flex version version instead?

25k Push/Push Potentiometer
25k Push/Push Potentiometer for Majesty (v2 Preamp), Luke III (v2 Preamp) and Jason Richardson Guitars

Advice much appreciated as always!

 

[David5150]

i wouldn't sweat the pickups. they were good enough for Steve for years, and he collaborated on the design.

I'll tell you a little story- I was very eager to acquire a Luke III but was scared to commit to a guitar I had never played, especially given the internet bickering over the neck size and shape. Then my local shop put a Luke I up for sale. I said to myself "well obviously I am going to hate the EMG active pickups in that, everyone on the internet says they're garbage. I'll go and play it though, just to make sure I like the neck, and then I will buy a Luke III!" You know what? I loved the whole thing and walked out $1600 lighter and took that thing straight home. The pickup changes go along with the changes in Steve's tastes (and a hefty dose of marketing). They're all different, but be careful about worrying if one is better.

Exactly the same as me!
Would maybe like a HH Luke3 at some point but happy at the moment.

 

[Rivers]

Found a photo that shows both v1 and v2 preamps. Looks like I'll need to get the v1 volume pot instead.

 

[beej]

That other one says Majesty on it.

Anyhow- if you want to be sure what you need, call or email MM and they'll tell you. No guesswork involved.

 

[Jef]

Before replacing the pot you could try this:
Help / Advice with Luke III Push / Push Pot Replacement
there's a plastic tab on the side of the body of the potentiometer. When I'd hold that tab in, the knob would lock in the down position, so I wrapped a zip tie around the pot. Doesn't look pretty but it works.

 

[Tollywood]

Congrats, that’s a beautiful color and a really nice top.