True Gold Luke PDN / BFR photos - a trip down memory lane

[PeteDuBaldo]

This model was recently brought up in another thread, and having recently seen our original photos from back then I thought I'd share them in a dedicated thread as a trip down memory lane. I had a LOT of these guitars show up at the same time!

One thing I have noticed in my nearly 20 years as an EBMM dealer is that every so often the stars align with order production! In the case of the SM-Y2D launch and the Premier Dealer Network (PDN) Luke BFR, our guitars were all ready to ship within just a few days of one another. Naturally, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to take a group photo, and fortunately some of the very first customers on the order list for these were willing to wait an extra day to make it happen.

What made this Luke different?

The True Gold Luke was limited to 200 pieces worldwide, had an all-rosewood neck, alder body, floating tremolo, EMG-X pickups. with the backplate of each guitar signed by Steve Lukather. A certificate of authenticity was also included.

These guitars were very cool and I wish I had been able to keep one for myself.

 

[Sweat]

Very cool Pete, still would like a Luke II at the right price

 

[GoKart Mozart]

The way that whole PDN run came together was awesome; I seem to recall lots of belly-aching on the forum from people wanting one after seeing all of the vids of Luke playing his during the MM 25th anniversary era.

 

[Rbg]

Me being all about wood grain, I just absolutely love those necks on the picture. I think the variety of rosewood got significantly worse lately (maybe due to that shortage) and none of the latest RW neck runs had such an interesting patters.

 

[kimonostereo]

I pulled mine out of the case just this weekend! I love the feel of the neck and the color, but I just can’t get along with the low, wide profile frets. I have contemplated refretting the neck, but don’t want to mod such a rare guitar, but then again I’d love to play it. Maybe one day I’ll find a one off Luke II neck for sale…

I also heard that the EMG-X tone control was wired “incorrectly”, but Luke liked it that way so the production model is that way. Not sure if my memory is wrong on that.

 

[beej]

I’m with you on the frets. Both of my Lukes have larger frets.

 

[JasonT]

The TG Luke is a fantastic guitar. To my ears, the EMG-X pups were better than the standard EMGs. The feel, tone, and looks were all on point. I only sold mine because the LIII was the model I’d been dreaming of and I just didn’t play the TGL after I got a couple LIIIs. Great guitar though.