Questions on Luke Guitar

[Coltrane]

I am a new owner of a Steve Lukather model and had a couple of questions I was hoping that someone could answer:

1) I purchased it at a local guitar center. The one they had was banged up pretty well, so they ordered me a new one and let me take the banged up one until the new one comes in. Any idea how long I will be waiting?

2) The old one did not come with a manual. Will it come with a manual, or are there manuals online?

3) I've never used active pickups. How often do you need to change the battery?

4) I read somewhere that the factory model comes with an unconventional string setup (as far as size). What are the string sizes, and does Ernie Ball sell them as a string set?

5) I haven't used a tremolo in years. This one feels great, but I've noticed that if I hit an open a, and then try to sustain it while a bend a note (not with the tremolo) then the a goes up in pitch also. Is that common on floating bridges?

If any one knows where I can get more information on this great guitar, or wants to talk about it, please reply. Thanks.

 

[Ekib]

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Dude,first of all congrats with another great MM guitar.You can't go wrong with any MM.
I don't have a Luke myself but I have used active EMG pick ups for a long time.I play about 2 hours average a day and I changed my battery maybe twice a year.It probably can last much longer than that but between my ears I felt my guitar started sounding a little less than it used to do when I changed the battery.It's like changing strings or tubes for an amp.It's a matter of feeling also.
They are great pick ups and very versatile.I traded my older guitar(the one that had EMG's)for an Axis so I am not using EMG's anymore.
I can't answer your other questions unfortunate since I don't own a Luke but I am sure others can in this forum.

 

[Greg]

1) I purchased it at a local guitar center. The one they had was banged up pretty well, so they ordered me a new one and let me take the banged up one until the new one comes in. Any idea how long I will be waiting?

Average backorder is 90-120 days.

2) The old one did not come with a manual. Will it come with a manual, or are there manuals online?

We don't do manuals at this time.

3) I've never used active pickups. How often do you need to change the battery?

Depends on how often you play it. If the pickups begin to sound a bit weak, change the battery.

4) I read somewhere that the factory model comes with an unconventional string setup (as far as size). What are the string sizes, and does Ernie Ball sell them as a string set?

The Luke uses a standard set of RPS 9-42's, product #2239.

5) I haven't used a tremolo in years. This one feels great, but I've noticed that if I hit an open a, and then try to sustain it while a bend a note (not with the tremolo) then the a goes up in pitch also. Is that common on floating bridges?

On a floating trem, if you hit a particular note, and bend another, the first note should go slightly flat, depending on how far you bend the second note.

If you have any other questions, feel free to call us at 800-543-2255 or 805-544-7726. We are here Mon-Fri 7am to 5 pm PST.

 

[nobozos]

Hey Coltrane, I don't know what kind of relationship you have with the guys at Guitar Center, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you are now the proud owner of the guitar you took home with you, and you will never see the Luke that they were supposed to order.

These guys know the back-order time on a EBMM is at least 90 days, and I'm guessing when you go back to Guitar Center to check on the status of your order, either no one will know anything about it, or they will say they are still waiting on EBMM to send it.

I'm going to bet that when, or if it does come in, they are going to make you trade in the one you have as a used guitar, and you will pay the difference.

Bottom line is, you paid money at Guitar Center and took home a guitar. They guitar you took home is legally yours, and they are under no obligation to exchange the guitar you took home for a new guitar that comes in unless you have something in writing that contractually binds them to do so.
From their perspective, when the new guitar comes in, the guitar you took home is now used, and you would have to pay the difference in cost between a used Luke and a new one.

I guess the big question is, did you pay the entire cost of the guitar up front when you took the beat up Luke home?
If you did, you are screwed.
If you did not, you still have some options, and you are more than likely not going to get screwed over anyway.
I'm not sure what EBMM dealers policy is on deposits on an order, but most companies require that you put some kind of a payment down on an order, and pay the balance when it arrives.

Please let me know what you did.

 

[Coltrane]

Nobozos,
Lets see if I can answer all your questions, without forgetting everything. 1) I actually paid $125 less than the lowest price I could find on the web. 2) I have an invoice showing that I have a Luke guitar on order at EBMM. 3) I called and spoke with someone else the other day at Guitar Center to see if I could get the Piezo option added. They called EBMM and found out that the guitar was already started (and they gave me the expected pick up date of 1/14/03) and therefore it was too late to add the option.
I'm pretty sure I have my bases covered, but if anything else happens I will let you know. Also, I have never had a problem with my Guitar Center in about 8 years of dealing with them.

 

[Coltrane]

Ooops, one other thing. At the bottom of my invoice showing that the guitar is on order, Balance Due=$0.

 

[nobozos]

Cool. Sounds like you know what you are doing. I didn't mean to insult your intelligence or anything, but the initial posting kind of freaked me out.
I have heard of bad experiences with some less than reputable people at some music stores.

Hope you like your new Luke.

 

[Coltrane]

No Problem. You've got a point though. You really have to be careful with who you are dealing with and always read the small print.