Should I swap out the emgs in my luke?

[hikarateboy]

After getting my LIII HSS I am loving the passives. Thinking of swapping out the emgs in my black sparkle Luke. Anyone think this is a bad idea?

 

[ozzyrules]

Swap out the Black Sparkle for another Luke III.

 

[DrKev]

Anyone think this is a bad idea?

It's no worse an idea than swapping out pickups in any guitar. Perhaps put the LIII HSS set in there?

 

[Benji Peterson]

I'd say go for it. There are some great pickup offerings out there. I've personally never been too keen on the EMG variety and understand why you'd prefer the passives. I'd say research a set you could get excited about, do the swap, and fall in love with your Luke all over again!

 

[Tollywood]

I agree, do the swap. Save the originals in case you ever decide to sell it.

 

[ZeroFivefour]

Ok, I'll take the other side. I don't think it's a bad idea, I've changed pups with great success, but unless you need a back up guitar with the same set of pups, why not leave the EMG's in the black sparkle for the tonal options it offers. Unless you are absolutely done with the EMG sound. I have some killer passive pups as well as EMG's in several guitars and enjoy having all of them in my arsenal for whenever I need them. Good luck with your choice.

my 2cents.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Tumeniballs]

Did anybody convert a Luke 2 ta a LIII or (2,5) with an active preamp and all?
I love my Luke2 but I think I would love it even more with passive pickups.

 

[mtrejo]

I'd say go for it as well. Some people love EMG's, some not so much. I think passives on the LII would sound great. Dean Wells has swapped out his EMG's for passives and absolutely loved the swap.

 

[hikarateboy]

Just got back from traveling thanks for all the replies looks like its confirming what I was thinking especially sell it and get a luke III. Thinking one with H/H combo since I have the HSS.

Is black sparkle with matching headstock rare? Seems as though I havent seem more than a couple like it. Its a shame really that I dont just keep it but I have a floyd strat with the SL20 set so covered doubly on the lukather emg thing. Maybe I should sell that instead as I LOVE the soft v of the luke

 

[hikarateboy]

It's no worse an idea than swapping out pickups in any guitar. Perhaps put the LIII HSS set in there?

Can you buy the LIII HSS set? I know that you can buy a transition Hum from Dimarzio but understand that the singles are a modified version of injectors. It is luke of course and we cant be putting normal stock pickups in anything can we? Havent seen transition singles.

 

[dwells]

I put Seymour Duncan's in my BFR luke, the tone is insane, I'll never go back to emg, the sound of those beautiful woods comes through so much nicer with passive.

 

[JasonT]

I put Seymour Duncan's in my BFR luke, the tone is insane, I'll never go back to emg, the sound of those beautiful woods comes through so much nicer with passive.

This is why I prefer passive pups, too.

 

[BrickGlass]

I put Seymour Duncan's in my BFR luke, the tone is insane, I'll never go back to emg, the sound of those beautiful woods comes through so much nicer with passive.

What Seymour Duncan's did you put in?

 

[dwells]

Sh10 bridge, JB jr middle, sh1 neck, tone variety I love it but I'm sure u could go with something not as high gain and would be amazing.

 

[BrickGlass]

Sh10 bridge, JB jr middle, sh1 neck, tone variety I love it but I'm sure u could go with something not as high gain and would be amazing.

Oh, I'm all about the high gain. Any videos of you playing the Luke with the Seymour Duncan's. All the videos I've seen of you playing a Luke have the EMG's.

 

[BrickGlass]

Can you buy the LIII HSS set? I know that you can buy a transition Hum from Dimarzio but understand that the singles are a modified version of injectors. It is luke of course and we cant be putting normal stock pickups in anything can we? Havent seen transition singles.

I also am wanting to know this. I know you can get the bridge pup, but can you get those two awesome single coils for the middle and neck positions? I don't think you can.

 

[dwells]

I'll have have allow see what I've got mate

 

[marillion-freak]

Sh10 bridge, JB jr middle, sh1 neck, tone variety I love it but I'm sure u could go with something not as high gain and would be amazing.

That Full Shred must sound incredible in that guitar. I love that pickup and I always have at least one guitar with a Full Shred in the bridge. I always loved my Luke when I had it, I just couldn't come to terms with the EMG's. I wish I would have had access to a tech to refit my Luke a couple of years ago, I'd probably still have it!

 

[dwells]

Sh 10 sounds incredible. I used it for rhythm guitars on the newTERAMAZE album, sh6 would be great too

 

[luke2joey]

Hi,

I also swapped the EMG's for Seymour Duncan's: APS 2 in neck and middle and an TB16 in the bridge.
I cannot say that you have to do this: it is all a matter of taste and personal preference.
But to me, the Luke is awesome. The sounds are incredible.
A famous luthier here in Holland made it possible. The APS 2 have 'wings', so they would not fit into the narrow space of the EMG's. But, they managed to put in the SD's and you cannot see it at the surface.
I cannot tell for you, but for me, this is has been a swell job with great result! I did not regret it a second.
Succes!