To Luke or not to Luke?

[slider]

Guy's,
thank you all very much for the welcome to this forum and the great advice regarding "why I should buy a EBMM".
As I said I had no real reference point on which to base a decision as to whether I should invest in this "unknown" guitar I spied at my local music store.
The owner is a great bloke and long time muso who say's he plays a SS live, but I wanted some independent advise (not sure if this is the right place for that either?). Anyhow the fact that you are all so devoted and enthusiastic speaks volumes in itself.
I have sold one of my Strats last night on Ebay and will revisit the store soon and make a final decision on the EBMM guitars.
He has a Black Luke with the rosewood board and a Blue Silhouette Special with maple neck/board and white pickguard.
If I decide on anything else he can order it but the price won't be as good as the two he has as floorstock. I am leaning heavely twards the Luke, and the understated Black is a good thing at my level of inability, if you know what I mean!
I look forward to getting to know some of you guy's and not only chattin about MM products but spongin"as much musical and playing info as I can as well.
Like to hear from anyone here in Sydney too.
Cheers
Slider

*****Guy's, just back from the shop and now the dilemma...
The Blue sparkle Silhoutte Special is ex demo from the Australian EB distributor and has a very small crack in the corner of the neck pocked, it looks to be superficial within the finish only and no real drama (Thanx DanielT2 for the heads up on that one) but I can have it for half the recommended retail of a new one

The plain black Luke is awsome and I love the necks v shape. However the trem is really light and I noticed it only has 2 springs attached, is that the normal set-up? I noticed the other 2 springs in the case.
It is also nearly twice the price of the SS
I played them both, tuned up together, unpluged and thru a peavey classic 30 for over an hour, I still seem to keep coming back to the Luke and the feel of that neck. The EMG's seem very versatile and actually sound significantly different on the various settings and tone adjustments, even to my dumb ear's, something I found a little difficult to spot on my strat.
So as you can tell I need a little help in making up my mind to buy the Luke, did I say Luke, I mean new guitar!
Slider

 

[TNT]

Slider,

Way to go buddy!!!

 

[Ricman]

Welcome Slider!! Both guitars would be superb - make sure you hear them plugged in because they have very different pickups, but I guess you know that.
As far as the colour is concerned - go for what you like buddy. Nobody here gives a stuff what stage your chops are at. If you love playing your ball and are improving what's it matter? Get a colour you like - it'll make you pick it up even more.
Post pics when you get it!!

 

[dstockden]

you know it makes sense!

 

[guitarpunk]

welcome to our madness slider... Hope you decide to join us all here in our passion of the EBMM LIFESTYLE...

 

[colinboy]

I concur!

 

[leftyguitarblue]

Welcome Slider!! any choice you make will be a good one. I have a Luke and it's by far my favorite guitar ever.

 

[wolfbone07]

Yessss, the LUKE is going to get you through 90% of your playing situations. After that I'd recommend an Albert Lee or an Axis of some sort. My 2 cents.

 

[paranoid70]

Both are damn good instruments. I think you would be happy either way.

 

[guertzi]

Guy's,
The plain black Luke is awsome and I love the necks v shape. However the trem is really light and I noticed it only has 2 springs attached, is that the normal set-up? I noticed the other 2 springs in the case.

Yes, that is the normal set-up. My Luke came set up that way, but I prefer three springs, so I put one back in. No problem, very easy to do. You will have to readjust the spring claw if you still want the trem to be floating, but that's done in a few minutes.

It is also nearly twice the price of the SS
I played them both, tuned up together, unpluged and thru a peavey classic 30 for over an hour, I still seem to keep coming back to the Luke and the feel of that neck. The EMG's seem very versatile and actually sound significantly different on the various settings and tone adjustments, even to my dumb ear's, something I found a little difficult to spot on my strat.
So as you can tell I need a little help in making up my mind to buy the Luke, did I say Luke, I mean new guitar!
Slider

As far as I can see, your heart's screaming LUUUUUUUUUUUKE, while your wallet says Silhouette Special

Being an owner of a Luke, I am not being completely objective, but considering the fact, that you still do own a Strat that you can return to for those SRV type of sounds, I would advise you to go for the Luke. (Although you can nail those sounds as well with it, but maybe not down to a T...)

And mine's black as well... just like those grand pianos you see in large concert halls. Anyone ever seen a Steinway in Radiance Red

Listen to your heart, it always tells you the right thing to do!