Setting LUKE III trem flush w/body

[woodshed]

Hello MM friends. I got my used/3 month old 2015 Luke iii about 2 weeks ago & I'm very much enjoying the honeymoon. ;-) I gave up trem systems years ago but with this guitar, I don't mind the option. However, I would like to set it to dive only. When I got the gtr from GC the bridge is set parallel with the body but not flush. It pulls up about a whole step. The pitch is not exactly a whole step, but you get the idea. If I'm able, I'd like to set it flush with the body with dive only ability. I've looked around this forum for specific posts addressing this but I've yet to see any.

Can the LUKE III trem be set flush with the body with the stock parts or would the trem mounting posts &/or saddles need to be replaced? I took it to my gtr tech & he wasn't sure without doing it so I said no thanks. He also said the neck had a tiny bit of back bow in it. It plays killer low to me, so I didn't request a neck tweak just yet. (I want to see if I encounter any issues & see how the neck settles now that it's actually being played & not hanging on a wall or sitting in it's case on layaway! It's my only gtr right now so I can't afford down time with it.) He was wondering if the saddles would come up high enough once the trem was dropped to body level.

Can anyone here speak to this issue of setting the bridge flush & related issues, if any? Much appreciated.

bro joseph

 

[sanderhermans]

Lika anny vintage style trem, yes you can set it flush.... no issues should occur. Just tighten up the spring tension and if neededraise your bridge sadles slightly. If your action is high enough this is not even neccesary. I would tweak your trus rod a bit if you have back bow.

 

[beej]

Yep. You can set it flush, no problem there. Most of the MM guitars use the same trem and come from the factory with it set flush, so there you go.

 

[Craiguitar]

You might need to lower the trem posts a little, but there should be no issues. You can set it how you like. Personally I prefer 1.5 steps upward bend on the G for those Beck-ish slurs but it's a personal thing.

 

[sanderhermans]

I have set up my luke for floating 1 and 1/2 step up (factory spec)
Then to floating but with only a slight pull up possible and sometimes flush with the body.
All without changing a thing, never had issues.

 

[CHill]

Not sure about all vintage trems. My Silhoutte has a thin felt so the metal doesn't touch the paint. Should be the same on the Luke's. Something to check.

 

[Morseman19]

My Bfr luke 3 was setup flat. I prefer it that way as it never goes out of tune.
i know the Bfr models had a small strip of felt attached to the bottom of the bridge so that if you did decide to lay it back, its not going to damage the paint since it sits on the body.