Question Who decks their Luke III Whammy?
- Thread starter Adder
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beej
Moderator
I deck it.
msquared
Well-known member
I no longer have mine but I had it decked the entire time I had it.
I don't own a Luke yet, it's on the list. But I would never deck the bar on it. I would install a Tremol-No so I could lock it down occasionally, but for me that bar (and it's convenient bridge "extension") is one of the main reasons I want a Luke. I've got guitars with bars: an HSS strat with a Bladerunner, a Charvel/Jackson with a Floyd, and a PRS DGT. But I think the EBMM bridge is one of the best designs: 2-point, and with the extra extension to use it differently (like Luke does).
My strat and DGT both have Tremol-No's on them. The Charvel doesn't, as the Floyd is one of the main attractions of that guitar. I USE IT.
My strat and DGT both have Tremol-No's on them. The Charvel doesn't, as the Floyd is one of the main attractions of that guitar. I USE IT.
Beej, when you decked it did you find that you had to change the pickup height?
Craiguitar
Well-known member
I put ‘Left at default setup’ but in fact, all my Luke’s have arrived to me new with the bridge decked. The very first task was to adjust them back to proper floating spec. A bit of an annoyance really, because they should come set up and ready to go from new.
DrKev
Moderator
I answered the poll even though I don't have a LIII but the bridge on my Silhouette Special is identical and I float it like the stock Luke setup. I do the same to my Cutlass too. Can't live without floating. Even my old strat, had to be floating. (Trying to keep things in tune is just part of life, lube the nut slots and tops of the saddles with some grease).
Obviously, there is no right or wrong answer, ever player is different. But if anyone is not sure, I recommmend to trying it floating for a week or two, then try it decked, and if you miss it floating, go back to floating. If you don't, keep it decked.
Obviously, there is no right or wrong answer, ever player is different. But if anyone is not sure, I recommmend to trying it floating for a week or two, then try it decked, and if you miss it floating, go back to floating. If you don't, keep it decked.
You could install a Tremol-No and "live with it" awhile... see if you prefer it decked or floating. I recently installed them on my strat and DGT (for the specific usage of using drop D tuning on one song my band does), and they "deck" the trem perfectly. You could easily switch back and forth between floating and decked anytime you want.
beej
Moderator
No, I didn't touch the pickups. They're also body mounted, so you can't lower them. (Though you could probably raise them with foam.)
Fwiw, I did that for a while. Can't say I'm a big fan of the T-no. For me, the disadvantages outweighed the advantage of being able to lock the trem in place. Good idea, but I'd love to see something with better execution.
In the end, I just decked the trem. But I like to bend strings against open strings- doesn't work so well when you float.
Well, I will admit install/adjustment must be PRECISE... but when it's done right, and when you add a drop of Tri-Flow to the shaft... it works seamlessly.
My only complaint (and it's a big one) is the thumbscrews vibrate out WAY to easily... I lost one on the 1st rehearsal. They should have some mechanism of keeping them from backing out. I have researched and found several hacks... teflon tape on the threads, a cut ballpoint pen spring, etc. Have to try some, because it's NOT worth keeping if the screws won't stay in.
The bending thing is dealt with by the pros I follow by not HOLDING the double-stop bends too long, making the detune noticeable. Grissom and Luke both don't hold double-stop bends for very long before moving on...
GoKart Mozart
Well-known member
I think another way to deal with the double stop bend thing is to compensate and slightly bending *both* notes and giving the bar a bit of a wiggle so the detune isn't completely audible.
Here's the master showing how it's done back in that first tour he did with Ringo. Damn, can't believe that's been 10 years ago!
Here's the master showing how it's done back in that first tour he did with Ringo. Damn, can't believe that's been 10 years ago!
beej
Moderator
The thumbscrews coming out is a big one. I lost a few, despite attempts to keep them secured. Also, it requires having the trem cavity plate off (or routing some holes for it) ... having the t-no poke out of the cavity sucks when you're moving around on stage- I had it catch on me a few times. And it's still awkward to switch between floating and fixed.
So yeah- I can work around double stops with a floating trem, but I like to bend along with open strings, plus I use drop D during sets. In all, it's still more trouble that it's worth to me.
Again, I think it's a good idea, I just don't love the execution.
The cavity depth is interesting. While I don't mind keeping the plate off, the depth of the cavity on my strat means the T-No sticks out a little bit. Not so on my DGT: cavity is plenty deep enough.
No one has come up with a perfect solution, unfortunately.
I'm convinced... if it works as advertised in that video, someone finally perfected the idea. Have to see where I can find one...
DrKev
Moderator
I was just thinking the same thing. Then I saw the price.
Thomann tutorial on install here that answers some questions not clear from the instructions. Still sticks out of the cavity a little too.
Yeah. Dunno if it would touch the inside of the cover.I was just thinking the same thing. Then I saw the price.
Thomann tutorial on install here that answers some questions not clear from the instructions. Still sticks out of the cavity a little too.
"Almost feels like a hardtail bridge" = I'm probably out. The fact that it works is fantastic, it's better than the Tremol-No in that way. But losing the smooth responsiveness will likely keep me from buying one. The Tremol-No can be set up to be completely unnoticeable in feel/responsiveness.
Reading the reviews on Thomann, people saying even the small size is still too long for many guitars. I just measured my strat and I can confirm even the small might bee a bit too long. Not sure how to proceed, given this data... I mean, I guess I could screw the claw in further, but then the bridge is floating more than I want, then I remove a spring, re-adjust, but now the tension is different...
Reading the reviews on Thomann, people saying even the small size is still too long for many guitars. I just measured my strat and I can confirm even the small might bee a bit too long. Not sure how to proceed, given this data... I mean, I guess I could screw the claw in further, but then the bridge is floating more than I want, then I remove a spring, re-adjust, but now the tension is different...
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Now THATs interesting, I got mine from Righteous guitars and Ben from the shop said exactly the same when I asked why I recieved mine Decked. I was not sure he was correct but he was spot on! I have seen YT videos were people have said they "decked thiers when they got it so now it seems you may or may not get it Decked upon delivery - how confusing!
So now this poll potentially means that all who left it in the default set up means it was left "Decked" or maybe "floating". have added a "floating option but I fear this poll is messed up now LOL
