Help! Original factory set-up for Luke II

[Siro Rayge]

Hello everybody,
I have been trialling different string gauges and tunings on my Luke II and unfortunately I am now having major difficulties keeping it in tune.

I have gone back to 9 - 42 gauge with two springs in an arrowhead in the trem cavity but I can't remember if the trem posts were screwed all of the way into the body when it first arrived.

I live quite a distance from the store from where it was purchased and I don't know what their tech is like anyway, I don't trust anybody locally with my baby!

Thanks and best wishes, SR

 

[Magnus]

From the factory it's set up with an up-pull of 1,5 steps on the G-string. So if you can pull op more than that, screw the claw further in to the body. If you can pull less than 1,5 loosen the claw.

It's all trial and error, and usually with this kind of set-up, the strings need a good amount of stretching and settling before it stays in tune.

Another trick in this regard is changing strings one at a time. One string out, new string in and then tune to pitch. Repeat.
This helps keeping your setup the same...

Personally i prefer 4 springs in the back, and quite a lot of tension - because i find that i helps with the tuning stability and sustain. But i don't do a lot of fluttering effects or any other Jeff Beck related exercises, so i don't need the trem super-light

It's take time and patience to make the floating thing work - it's almost a form of dark art

 

[tbonesullivan]

Finally getting around to setting up the Luke III I picked up a bit ago, and I'm probably going to take it apart to really get the trem clean/etc. When I put it back, I was wondering what the standard height for the front of the bridge plate to be off the body is. I read somewhere that it should be about a business card thickness up, and that the rear should be about 1/8 inch.