Question Luke owners - piezo?

[starsky]

I've had a couple of 'standard' Lukes over the years and now have a BFR which I'm very happy with.

Now that the Dargie II's are available I'm considering adding a standard Luke with piezo.

Has anyone got or owned/tried both a standard Luke and a piezo-equipped model?

I'm interested to know whether the normal (magnetic) tone of the Luke is different at all in a piezo model due to the difference in the bridge, extra electrics etc.

I'm keen to get another piezo EBMM having previously owned a JP6 with one.

I've seen a few posts about this in the past but am interested in hearing current owners' thoughts.

 

[kbaim]

I ALWAYS come back to using my CBP piezo luke as my main guitar. I think mine is a little softer volume wise than my standard lukes but i can just increase vol on amp a bit to compensate.

The tone, for me, when adding the piezo to the magnetics just really works well for my style. And I always practice WITHOUT an amp so when i plug in for a gig its like this huge magical soundscape that really inspires.

If your style is mainly or exclusively heavy chords and single note lines with distortion, i'm not sure piezo is necessary...but if you play a lot without distortion I think its a must have addition to your arsenal.

Good luck with any decision

 

[starsky]

Thanks for your input Keith, CBP is a great color on the Luke!

The sound of the combined piezo and regular pickups is my main reason for thinking about getting a Luke in this configuration. Great clean tones with a piezo.

I just wanted to check that the regular pickup tone with the piezo OFF was the same as a non-piezo Luke, ie that it wasn't affected by the different bridge etc.

From what you're saying Keith your piezo Luke is a bit quieter with the regular pickups? I guess I can live with that as long as the actual tone is the same.

 

[kbaim]

Thanks for your input Keith, CBP is a great color on the Luke!

The sound of the combined piezo and regular pickups is my main reason for thinking about getting a Luke in this configuration. Great clean tones with a piezo.

I just wanted to check that the regular pickup tone with the piezo OFF was the same as a non-piezo Luke, ie that it wasn't affected by the different bridge etc.

From what you're saying Keith your piezo Luke is a bit quieter with the regular pickups? I guess I can live with that as long as the actual tone is the same.

Yeah, magnetics a bit softer, but that same tone as far as my ears can tell...though i will say that all of my lukes dont sound exactly alike...but close enough for comparison.
Also, you may wanna at least consider dropping an EMG 89 in the bridge so you can split the humbucker and also have it as a single in addition to it being a humbucker. Thats how my cbp piezo is wired now and it gives you a couple more tonal variations

 

[lenny]

Yeah, magnetics a bit softer, but that same tone as far as my ears can tell...though i will say that all of my lukes dont sound exactly alike...but close enough for comparison.
Also, you may wanna at least consider dropping an EMG 89 in the bridge so you can split the humbucker and also have it as a single in addition to it being a humbucker. Thats how my cbp piezo is wired now and it gives you a couple more tonal variations

I just got my Standard Luke no piezo ...is the switch to the EMG 89 ...involve any switches being added or is it a push pull pot ....i love the sound of the rear pup in the Luke now .....will it change my tone with the 89? ...except in the split mode of course!

 

[lenny]

Got it!
EMG 89 Active Humbucker Pickup with Coil Tap
The EMG-89 is truly two pickups in one; single and dual-coil with two separate outputs. With the single flip of a switch you can change from the crunch of a humbucker to the clarity of a single-coil. Using alnico magnets, the single-coil mode is like that of the EMG-SA, and the humbucking is patterned after the EMG-85. The tone modes can be selected with the included push-pull volume control switch or with a mini-toggle.

EMG Humbuckers unite a number of crucial EMG innovations in the search for a voice that delivers both classic tones and the benefits of modern technology. Each of these pickups includes an integral preamp (an EMG first) which virtually eliminates hum and noise while simultaneously reducing shock hazard to the player. Low impedance design maintains your tone as you change the volume settings at the guitar and preserves your high frequencies even with a long cord.

EMG's proprietary Impedence Modeling (tm) and Dual Resonant (tm) technologies allow for precise tailoring of frequency response and resonance yielding a variety of highly tuned and tweaked tones. Another EMG exclusive, the Lo-Flux (tm) magnetic design enhances harmonics and sustain. We tailor the materials and geometry of the magnets to spread the magnetic field evenly across the strings for a balanced sound. The EMG-89 Dual Mode Pickup has been through two generations. The original Dual-mode (EMG-DM) design was incredibly sophisticated for its time (1979). The DM was an 18-Volt model with a single output available only in an Alnico magnet version. The EMG-DM was abandoned in late 1985, but the concept was revived early in 1989 when EMG came upon a more innovative design featuring 'two pickups in one', the current EMG-89.

Inside the EMG-89 pickup are both single and dual-coil pickups, each with it's own output. The single-coil mode is an Alnico loaded stacked EMG-SA. The dual-coil mode consists of two Alnico loaded coils opposite one another creating a pickup similar to the EMG-85. A push/pull volume (or tone) pot allows you to change from the clarity of a single-coil to the fatness of a humbucking. The EMG-89's separate outputs give you option to utilize EMG tone enhancing accessory circuits on either pickup output.
Technical Info
Specifications

Logo Color: Copper

Battery Life: 1500 Hours

Single Coil

Resonant Frequency: 3.75 kHz

RMS Output Voltage: 0.6

Peak Output Voltage: 0.85

Output Noise: -94 dBV

Output Impedance: 10kOhms

Current @ 9V: 160 Microamps

Dual Coil

Resonant Frequency: 2.55 kHz

RMS Output Voltage: 1.0

Peak Output Voltage: 1.75

Output Noise: -99 dBV

Output Impedance: 10kOhms

Current @ 9V: 160 Microamps

Package Includes: EMG's exclusive Quik-Connect cable, prewired push/pull volume/tone control set, output jack, battery clip set, screws & springs.

A Brief FAQ

What's an active pickup, and why would I use one?
An active pickup is one that uses electronics to improve the sound and enhance its operation. There are a variety of ways to 'Activate' a pickup. A simple 'buffer' pre-amp will do the trick, but it will also amplify the hum and buzz the pickup produces. Just because a pickup is 'active' doesn't guarantee you'll get great results. EMG pickups utilize an internal pre-amp (inside the pickup), which not only makes the pickup louder, it also reduces the noise!

What are the advantages of an EMG pickup?
The greatest is reduction in noise. No longer will the dimming of the house lighting system cause your guitar to buzz incessantly. You can use an extra long cable, or a wireless, and you'll get the same great tone every time.

Why an internal pre-amp?
It's the most efficient way to create an active pickup. All the coil connections are shielded, the pre-amp is shielded, and the output of the pickup cable is low-impedence, which makes it less susceptible to noise. Also, it avoids a spider web of wires and possible loose connections in your guitar and the installation is simple. All the benefits with none of the hassle.

 

[kbaim]

One other thing about Piezos is worth mentioning
You'll notice more string squeak as you go from grip to grip