neck to neck

[nopicknick]

I am considering getting a Luke III. The GC in Pensacola has a black one that I may go look at, but it is an hours drive (with children ). I'm sure this has been asked too many times, and I'm sorry to beat a dead horse, but I've read that the roasted neck on the LIII is a little bigger than the regular neck. Having never played a Luke ever, is the roasted neck still smaller than the Albert Lee?

 

[DrKev]

The luke necks are all the same. They are hand finished so some may feel different (and some people here will Swear that some of their Luke necks are bigger than others ) but that applies to all EBMM models an there has never been a production change in neck profile on the Lukes. The LIII body is 3% bigger the regular Lukes, but not the neck.

The Luke is a different neck shape to the Albert Lee. A pronounced V-shape, very comfortable IMO, but not everyone takes to it.

 

[Firesource]

I thought that the neck was rounder on the LIII?

 

[mikeller]

Here is my experience - I have three Lukes: Luke 2, LIII HH with Rosewood neck, and LIII ssh with Roasted Maple.

The LIII HH / Rosewood has the largest feeling neck, in width and girth, and is the LEAST V-prounced
The LIII SSH/ Roasted is neck, very slightly smaller and more V than the HH
The Luke (2) has the smallest neck by far, much more V and even feels like tighter string spacing.

 

[nopicknick]

I was thinking of the difference between the Luke III roasted and the Al neck. Is the Luke considerably smaller?

 

[DrKev]

They have the same width at the nut (1-5/8"), the Albert Lee is wider at the last fret (2-1/4", vs 2-3/16" on the Lukes), but the string spacing is other wise the same.

 

[mikeller]

My L3 HH/Rosewood feels closer to my AL(SSS) than the roasted does.

 

[nopicknick]

Thanks everyone.....I'll take the trip and see how it plays!

 

[Tollywood]

I was thinking of the difference between the Luke III roasted and the Al neck. Is the Luke considerably smaller?

Hi Nick,

I have both guitars and while the Luke III's v-shape (boat neck, as I like to say) is smaller in girth at the shoulders than the Albert Lee is, they both have the same string spacing so it is a seamless transition to play one and then the other. The Albert feels chunkier than the Luke, but the Luke is not flat feeling...the Luke's profile feels very comfortable to me. The v sits nicely in my hand and I find the neck very comfortable to play. The Luke III is the most comfortable guitar that I have ever played. And, as a bonus: the boost is amazing.

I look forward to hearing what you think after you check it out.

 

[nopicknick]

Hi Nick,

I have both guitars and while the Luke III's v-shape (boat neck, as I like to say) is smaller in girth at the shoulders than the Albert Lee is, they both have the same string spacing so it is a seamless transition to play one and then the other. The Albert feels chunkier than the Luke, but the Luke is not flat feeling...the Luke's profile feels very comfortable to me. The v sits nicely in my hand and I find the neck very comfortable to play. The Luke III is the most comfortable guitar that I have ever played. And, as a bonus: the boost is amazing.

I look forward to hearing what you think after you check it out.

Tollie your description was perfect. My wife went to Pensacola today so I asked her to grab the LIII for me. I have too much to do this weekend so I thought I might as well roll the dice. I'm glad I did because so far the guitar is great. I'll post again later this weekend when I have more time with it. Thanks again for everyone's help!

UPDATE

Forgive my ignorance but this particular model Luke III is the hh rosewood not the roasted maple. This must be a new old stock which raises the guestion which pickups were used in this model......I am guessing not the Transition?? Guitar sounds and plays fine just didn't realize which version it was until I actually "looked" at it.

 

[Firesource]

The pickups are indeed the Transition pickups. The only difference is that the neck is different (DUH!) and the volume boost is on the tone pot.

 

[nopicknick]

Excellent.....thank you!

 

[mikeller]

Needless to say we need pictures!!!! Congrats on the new guitar

 

[nopicknick]

Guitar is starting to really shine now. Raised the action to where I like it, which is pretty high, blocked the bridge, and went to 11's after that. Let things settle over night, checked the neck, then set the intonation. I really appreciate the compensated nut....to my ear it makes a huge difference. I do prefer the AL neck slightly better, but only slightly though. The L3's neck is comfortable and I can play it for hours without hand fatigue. The Transition pickups are stellar. Open with no muddiness and plenty of power. Great guitar!