Luke without EMGs?

[spkirby]

Just to add fuel to the fire, I A/B'd my stock Luke against fellow forumite Dodgeball's converted Luke (Bare Knuckle Crawler & 2 Slowhands installed) and there was a big difference in tone and response. Each were nice but very different too...

 

[koogie2k]

It's your guitar. It is a tool to use to express your musical taste.

I compare this to a good steak. T-bone, filet mignon, NY strip? Equally great cuts...just a bit different.

Same thing with pick ups....you still have a Luke...just with different pups. Do what you think is best. I had a JP that I swapped out the pups on. Entirely up to you. If you want passive...switch em out!

 

[Marcello]

Definitely agree with you on this one.

How did you go about routing?

I had to cut the base of the single coil pickups because the Emgs are smaller than the average ones and a Luke has no pickguard, so is build exactly to home an emg single coil. Had no problems with the humb though.

Then I've changed the whole electronic (I chase 500k pots) and solder the ground cable to the tremolo plate, not difficult!

 

[brownpants69]

Just to add fuel to the fire, I A/B'd my stock Luke against fellow forumite Dodgeball's converted Luke (Bare Knuckle Crawler & 2 Slowhands installed) and there was a big difference in tone and response. Each were nice but very different too...

That Crawler pickup is one awsome piece of gear.

 

[chemical69]

thanks for the responses everyone! Very informative. I think I might go with a Silo Special (if I can find a good one!) to avoid the hassle of the routing etc.

 

[mb99zz]

Chemical69 - I've seen some beauties lately online. Check out The Perfect Guitar. I suspect you want an HSS config (they have a white one), but their Vintage Sunburst S-S-S is absolutely beautiful

The Perfect Guitar - Guitars, Amps, Gear!

 

[chemical69]

Chemical69 - I've seen some beauties lately online. Check out The Perfect Guitar. I suspect you want an HSS config (they have a white one), but their Vintage Sunburst S-S-S is absolutely beautiful

The Perfect Guitar - Guitars, Amps, Gear!

oh man that vintage sunburst is gorgeous!! but a bit too pricey for me... I do want HSS though. thanks!

 

[brownpants69]

You could always get a used one- they crop up on Evilbay quite often, for pretty decent prices.

 

[roburado]

well in all honesty I don't need or expect it to sound like a Luke if I take out the EMGs.

I am confident I will like the tone of either the Luke or the Silo Spec. It's more about playability and preference because I like thinner (not as wide) necks like on the Luke.

looks like it's too much hassle to drop in Dimarzios so I might just go for the Silo Spec after all. If I could just find a good used one...

The Silo Spec may actually be my favorite EBMM.

 

[chemical69]

I had to cut the base of the single coil pickups because the Emgs are smaller than the average ones and a Luke has no pickguard, so is build exactly to home an emg single coil. Had no problems with the humb though.

Then I've changed the whole electronic (I chase 500k pots) and solder the ground cable to the tremolo plate, not difficult!

could you explain a bit more about what you mean by 'cutting' the base of the single coil? the single coil was too tall?

 

[Lance Romance]

Couple of things. Dimarzio will make special order singles without the bump. Email them and ask if the resultant bobbin will fit in an EMG rout.
I've owned a Silo Special which was great stock, but even better with WCR SRs. I've got an Albert Lee with the BFR rosewood neck and the stock Duncans, but am waiting for some Suhr FLs for it. I had a Luke which I improved by subbing an EMG 89 in the bridge with a push-pull to select single or dualcoil. This gave me back my middle+bridge quack, yet still sounds similar to the stock 85 full-hum. I've another Luke on order with the piezo option, which I'll swap in the 89 and add an SPC midboost in place of the tone. Going for a swiss-army-knife thing.
Before doing the surgery, spend some more time playing with the active options and simple things like pickup height. As a rule I don't care for actives, EXCEPT IN THE LUKE.-Eric

 

[chemical69]

I called Dimarzio and they said they do make single coils without the bigger base plate ('flange') which will fit in an EMG route. Just have to special order them.

So looks like it may not be too difficult to drop in Dimarzios after all...