• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

dibart77

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
1,454
Location
New York
.
Welcome to Day 4 of my annual New Year's New Guitar Days (NYNGD)!

Thanks for the kind words and comments on yesterday's NYNGD #2016-3!

Today's NYNGD is absolutely stunning! I have a sweet spot for the original Luke -- or Luke I, if you like -- from the smooth contours to the floating Floyd Rose, the Luke I is my kinda guitar (EMG's and V-profile neck not withstanding). This guy started life as a Pearl Red Luke, but the previous owner had it refinished by GMW Guitarworks. This finish is an absolute masterpiece, and if EBMM still made the Luke I this could pass as a factory finish from the Emerald Green Sparkle PDN run -- I believe Marty used the same materials as EBMM on this, because it's that perfect.

I purchased this guitar from fellow Knucklehead Exodus5 in the For Sale thread. This guy arrived to me in interesting shape -- even though the finish is MINT and probably cost quite a few bucks, the rest of the guitar was in pretty rough shape (which probably explains why it needed a refin). The EBMM Floyd Rose was completely corroded away and missing a lot of chrome, the pickups are worn down with most of the EMG logos worn away, the tuners look like they were dragged on the street, and the headstock has seen some hard action. I replaced the Floyd with a mint EBMM Floyd from my parts bin, which was a big improvement.

Also, while the bridge was out and strings were off, I decided to do some major surgery... As you may know, in very early Luke I's the neck's V-profile is very pronounced. And I hate it. (There, I said it...) Now, mind you, I normally wouldn't do this on a Luke I as they're no longer made, rare, etc., but in this case, the guitar was already completely repainted so collectibility was out the door. I got out my orbital sander and sanded the back of the neck until the V-profile was gone. Then I followed Drew's instructions and refinished it with gunstock wax, and now this Luke I feels like a Silhouette! Whew!

One other interesting fact: This is clearly a very early Luke I -- the first ones didn't have a battery box; instead, to replace the battery you had to remove the rear electronics cover. I figured, "While I have it disassembled, and since collectibility is a non-issue, I'm installing an EBMM-spec Gotoh battery box!" Grabbed my router, made a quick template, and went for it. That mod turned out factory-quality.

The moral of the story here is that (a) not every guitar I buy is a perfect -- some need a lot of love to get them back to life, and (b) the ones that need the most work are often the ones you end up really appreciating!


photo_0001.jpg


photo_0002.jpg


photo_0003.jpg


photo_0004.jpg


photo_0005.jpg


photo_0006.jpg


photo_0007.jpg

I'll be back tomorrow with another NYNGD: New Year's New Guitar Day!

Thanks for looking everyone!

classes_2012-2013-2014-2015-2016.jpg

Past Days:
#2016-1 | #2016-2 | #2016-3 | #2016-4 | #2016-5 | #2016-6 | #2016-7 | #2016-8 | #2016-9 | #2016-10 | #2016-11 | #2016-12 | #2016-13 | #2016-14 |
#2016-1 | #2016-2 | #2016-3 | #2016-4 | #2016-5 | #2016-6 | #2016-7 | #2016-8 | #2016-9 | #2016-10 | #2016-11 | #2016-15 | #2016-16 | #2016-17
#2015-1 | #2015-2 | #2015-3 | #2015-4 | #2015-5 | #2015-6 | #2015-7 | #2015-8 | #2015-9 | #2015-10 | #2015-11 | #2015-12 | #2015-13 | #2015-14 |
#2015-1 | #2015-2 | #2015-3 | #2015-4 | #2015-5 | #2015-6 | #2015-7 | #2015-8 | #2015-9 | #2015-10 | #2015-11 | #2015-15 | #2015-16 | #2015-17
#2014-1 | #2014-2 | #2014-3 | #2014-4 | #2014-5 | #2014-6 | #2014-7 | #2014-8 | #2014-9 | #2014-10
#2013-1 | #2013-2 | #2013-3 | #2013-4 | #2013-5 | #2013-6
#2012-1 | #2012-2 | #2012-3 | #2012-4 | #2012-5 | #2012-6 | #2012-7

(The back story in case you're new to my NYNGD: For the past couple of years I've done a fun thing that most of you I think enjoyed, and I thought I would do it again this year. Every year, I am a slacker about keeping my Guitar Gallery up to date... So, as a fun holiday thing, let's launch a guitar in the Guitar Gallery each day leading up to New Years Eve! In the past I've received PM's about my collection and whether I play all of these guitars. :) The same question came up during my NYNGD posts a few years ago and my answer was pretty detailed and well thought-out, so please check it out here!)

(Also, in case anybody gets any funny ideas -- these guitars are not at my house. They are all in my very secure and alarmed studio facility. I usually only have two guitars floating around the house...)


 
Last edited:

ScottO

Well-known member
Joined
May 8, 2015
Messages
120
What a unique twist to the Luke I! This is making me nostalgic for my Blue Luke 1 I purchased back in 1993 and sold in 2000. Your collection is incredible! Thanks for sharing.
 

CHill

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2009
Messages
281
Location
British Columbia Canada
Great work on the neck and battery box. In the pictures it looks perfect. Thanks for posting your collection. I enjoy these year end updates.
 

dibart77

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
1,454
Location
New York
Hey guys:

Thanks for the kind words. I am going to take a break for tonight and skip in favor of NYE celebrations. Have a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve and I'll be back tomorrow with the next NYNGD!

-Jeff


 

dave1812

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 25, 2011
Messages
575
Location
Germany
Wow. I was already wondering if the Luke 1 was included in the Emerald Green Sparkle PDN when I saw the Picture :D
About sanding the Neck... I'm thinking about getting a Luke 3 but I hate the Neck Profile. So if I'm gonna get one I'm gonna have to sand that terrible V Shape flat
 

dibart77

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
1,454
Location
New York
Wow. I was already wondering if the Luke 1 was included in the Emerald Green Sparkle PDN when I saw the Picture :D

Nope, the Luke 1's were long before the PDN series. Except they DID make the Luke 1 reissues, but AFAIK there was never a factory Luke 1 Reissue Emerald Green PDN.



About sanding the Neck... I'm thinking about getting a Luke 3 but I hate the Neck Profile. So if I'm gonna get one I'm gonna have to sand that terrible V Shape flat

Nah, man. The V is WAAAY less pronounced on current Luke II's, and even less on the LIII. All my LIII's feel AOK off the rack. No need to sand them.


 

Exodus5

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2014
Messages
129
Just one clarification...the paint was done by Lee Garver of GMW guitarworks. Marty Bell is awesome, though.
 

threeminutesboy

Well-known member
Joined
May 11, 2003
Messages
6,909
Location
France
Come one Jeff your NGD counter is now block for couple of days I'm addicted please post the rest!!!!

I can't wait :)
 
Top Bottom