Piezo options

[Ali]

Really just wondering what this involves, specifically on a Luke. Is the piezo in addition to the EMG bridge pickup, is it noticable externally and how is it switched on?

More to the point, is it worth the extra?

I'm afraid I've been out of touch in the guitar world and this whole piezo thing passed me by!

 

[JDouglee]

Hey Ali!! One of my Lukes has the Piezo, it's great!! You have two seperate outputs, and can select between normal, piezo, or both on together. The bridge saddles are different, so the tone is slightly warmer than a stock Luke...but it's a nice sound!! I use it all the time...

 

[Ali]

JD, how much difference does the piezo bridge make to the standard config sound? And how good does the piezo sound on it's own or with the EMGs?

Is it worth the extra?

 

[JDouglee]

Hey. The only reason I hear a difference is because I own 2 other Lukes. The piezo Luke uses solid steel saddles as opposed to the "bent vintage" style on regular Lukes. What I notice is a slightly fatter tone, especially when using overdrive. But it's still that warm "Luke sound"...it's really not all THAT different.

The piezo (acoustic) sound is surprisingly good for a solidbody guitar with 9s! I get alot of comments on it. The best thing to do is run the piezo output into a PA system or acoustic amp, then run your electric output as you would any other guitar. You may be disappointed running the piezo into a guitar amp...it won't capture that acoustic "jangle"...

As far as the EMGs, they are independant of the piezo if that's what you mean. When the piezo is switched off, it's OFF...and it's a stock Luke. Everything EMG functions normally. When the piezo is on, EMGs are off, and it's acoustic output only. The center position allows both EMGs & Piezo on at the same time.

If you're on a live gig, it eliminates the need of having a separate acoustic guitar onstage...you can do it all from the Luke!!

 

[NorM]

What JD said is so true. I have a blue dawn silhouette with the piezo trem and I do the exact same in that I run the piezo straight to the PA. It is AMAZING!! The silhouette just has a volume/blend pot instead of the switch like the luke but it works great for me. I have one song where the melody is played entirely with false harmonics and I just add the piezo and it's so pretty it makes my mama cry.

I added a picture for your viewing pleasure. The other toggle switch above the pup selector adds the bridge pup to what ever magnetic pup is selected on the 5 way. Ala Steve Morse.

 

[Ali]

Cool. Sounds like another option to add to the list

I love the idea of one guitar doing everything without compromise.

Now to that blasted colour decision. Time, also, to advertise the Jem

 

[JDouglee]

Blue Dawn friggin rocks!!

 

[Ali]

I'm repeating myself, I know, but does anyone have a Blue Dawn photo link other than the official website?

 

[dwf1004]

(PLEASE NOTE: these links are posted for the sake of assistance with an issue, and are not intended by the poster to draw business away from EBMM!)

A few Google searches turned up the following:

http://www.electriccitymusic.com/Qstore/p000529.htm
Sterling 4

http://www.aplusguitars.com/stingray_5_blue_dawn.htm
Stingray 5

http://ltgascoig.home.attbi.com/jpm6.jpg
(mmmmm ) John Petrucci 6

http://www.aplusguitars.com/axis_super_sport_blue_dawn.htm
Axis Sport

http://www.angelfire.com/ego/mullysplace/_notes/pics/mullysgear.jpg
Silhouette (an iffy pic, but you get the idea)