Question Retrofitting a Floyd Rose onto a Luke, luke2, or luke 3...Can it be done?

[ZeroFivefour]

I am seriously considering picking up another luke and or Luke 3 and having it retrofitted with a floyd rose bridge.

1: Has anyone done this successfully?
2: Can it be done at all?
3: Is obtaining a EBMM 'floyd' bridge possible?

(EBMM floyd, ie: the bridge from the luke 1 reissues and newer axis models).

Thanks for any information.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Bob123]

1) I doubt anyone's done it to this particular guitar, but I've seen cheaper guitars do it.
2) yes
3) No. You must have an original MM floyd to swap in. The only way to get one without one, is if someone sells a spare or you pull one from a guitar.

 

[Tollywood]

Yes, it can be done and done very well by a good luthier. Great project. You can buy a Gotoh Floyd and it would be just as good as an ebmm branded model.

 

[Luc]

I've seen several on a japanese kind of ebay, called digimart . Don't know which Floyd they used though..Apparently they aren't for sale right now.

 

[ZeroFivefour]

Bob, Tollie, and Luc,


Thanks for all of the info and feedback guys, it is appreciated greatly!

Cheers,

Tom

 

[beej]

Hey Tom- hope that works out for ya. You'd definitely have to post some pics if you get it done. I suspect there'll be a few others looking to do the same thing.

 

[ZeroFivefour]

Beej,

It was your idea!
I sure will post pics if I do indeed do this. The idea is beyond tempting.

If I can find a used one at a bargain price it will happen sooner, however I am still tempted to get a tangerine pearl luke and Floyd it out!

Thanks again for the suggestion!

Cheers,

Tom

 

[beej]

Happy to help

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Mod it - love it!

 

[Craiguitar]

I suppose it can be done, but there would be quite a bit of routing to be done if you want it to be floating like a Luke 1. Also, getting a proper locking nut retrofitted will take some careful work.

I still love the 'feel' of my Luke 1's floyd, but it's a total pain to set up when changing the strings / cleaning etc, because it takes a while to settle in, and I frequently need to adjust the spring tensions to keep it stable. That said, once it's set, it stays that way and works really well. All in all, I have to say the vintage bridge on the Luke II & III is much more stable, stays in tune better, and is less hassle to set up, so I'd seriously think twice about sacrificing that ease & stability for a floyd.

 

[ZeroFivefour]

I suppose it can be done, but there would be quite a bit of routing to be done if you want it to be floating like a Luke 1. Also, getting a proper locking nut retrofitted will take some careful work.

I still love the 'feel' of my Luke 1's floyd, but it's a total pain to set up when changing the strings / cleaning etc, because it takes a while to settle in, and I frequently need to adjust the spring tensions to keep it stable. That said, once it's set, it stays that way and works really well. All in all, I have to say the vintage bridge on the Luke II & III is much more stable, stays in tune better, and is less hassle to set up, so I'd seriously think twice about sacrificing that ease & stability for a floyd.

Craiguitar,

I appreciate your input very much. While I believe that the ebmm may be superior in stability and I am sure that it is a finely crafted bridge, I just want my floyd and I want to eat it too.


I have been using 'floyds' of one flavor or anather since 1987. The floyd is now part of how I play a guitar. I have tried the ebmm bridge on several occasions at my local store and agree it is a very nice bridge, but...wait for it...

No matter how hard I try...it's still not a floyd. , and I can't do certain things with the ebmm bridge that I can do with the floyd.

I currently own a guitar without a floyd, and this guitar doesn't really get played all that often. It's a nice guitar, but...alas no floyd =(

The owner of the local guitar shop, whom I like and respect very much, told me once that "Steve Lukather moved on and so should I", I could not disagree with him more. Fine for Steve, but my hands prefer the floyd.

Now as far as retrofitting goes, I have to admit that the idea of the project really has me curious. I am not sure how it will turn out, but I am very tempted to try it. I am seriously considering having any luke/luke 2 or 3 repainted as well as floyded for the full monty of customization. Yellow sparkles anyone?

Thanks again for your input,


Cheers,

Tom

 

[Craiguitar]

Hi Tom,
That's a fair comment, and I'd recommend a Floyd Luke to anyone and if mine is anything to go by they are so much fun to play. Also you can tell your guitar shop friend that Luke himself has played Luke 1's (with floyds) during the recent G3 shows and the latest Toto tour. Like I mentioned, I guess I have 'moved on' to preferring the vintage bridge, but they won't win everyone over. Envious of your Luke 1 'sledge' reissue for example, they look nice and have many a knucklehead drooling!

 

[ZeroFivefour]

Hi Tom,
That's a fair comment, and I'd recommend a Floyd Luke to anyone and if mine is anything to go by they are so much fun to play. Also you can tell your guitar shop friend that Luke himself has played Luke 1's (with floyds) during the recent G3 shows and the latest Toto tour. Like I mentioned, I guess I have 'moved on' to preferring the vintage bridge, but they won't win everyone over. Envious of your Luke 1 'sledge' reissue for example, they look nice and have many a knucklehead drooling!

Craiguitar,

Good info on the G3 tour and Luke's use of the floyd. Thanks for that. Also thanks for the positive comments and vibes on the Luke 1 'sledge', it really is amazing that I was able to get one. I do feel very fortunate to have it.

Incidentally this thread and specifically your comments motivated me to head on over to my local shop yesterday and fiddle around with a vintage trem'ed luke. This one had the bridge set up for flutter, (angled away from the body). I am used to having very low action and wonder if the angle on the vintage trem that allows it to float would inhibit setting the guitar up for very low action. The shop was busy and the owner was knee deep in customers so I didn't bother addressing it with him. I might shoot him an offer for the luke that he has and go from there. Thanks again.

Cheers,

Tom

edit:

With the above bolded text I am hoping to add a bit of motivation to all at EBMM to consider a Luke 1 floyd equipped version as a production model. I can dream right?