I love that Steve is having somewhat of a resurgence in the guitar world. He's friggin amazing. TOTO is friggin amazing. His guitars are obviously amazing. The next pickups I'm buying are his DiMarzio Transitions. They sound so good it's crazy.
@@jamesmoore4320 I have been searching too. I reached out to a few reps, MM and Sterling. I guess they were built specifically for the 2013? release of the Transition album and are sort of a peculiar oddity of the MM and the MM Sterling line for a 6 year run. I was told to purchase an older sterling and cannibalize them. The Sterling however is pretty damn good for a sub 1k guitar and I couldn't bring myself to remove them. So the short answer is no - you can not purchase them separately, however, you MAY be able to replace them under warranty if you own a Luke100D or Luke III
Highly recommended. I own the first L III model from 2013 in bodhi blue, the first guitar they released with the DiMarzio Transitions. I was lucky enough to get another pair of them on reverb and upgraded my Sterling Luke (backup guitar). They make a hell of a difference! But I‘m looking forward to getting another L III model in my arsenal with the Music Man Humbuckers. They sound amazing, too!
One of my biggest gear regrets was selling my Luke III with an all rosewood neck to buy another high end guitar that matched the color scheme of my band at the time. That Luke sounded and played so good.
I nearly sold mine because since I bought it the list price has gone up a lot and supply of new ones seems throttled in the UK. But I'm terrified I'd have sellers remorse so I'm holding onto it however much I get offered!
@@WoodsyGuitars yeah, don’t do it. Lmao I plan on buying a new one….worst part is I got mine for $900 used on reverb back when the market was super chill and prices low. Sold it for $1600 but now even a used one is over 2k.
Год назад+2
"That slight v-shape on the neck is something I never thought I'd like" - JUST what I felt when I got my Luke a few days back :-) I never liked those vintage Fender V-necks - but the Luke felt like meeting up with an old friend somehow.
I have been lusting after a Luke for about 15 years.... one of these days I'll pull the trigger! As for licks and Solos, Africa (obviously) and Rosanna 's spicey end fade out solo. Nice. Don't forget all that session work he's done too...
While not as ultra sexy as your axe, (I really like the horns on that), I picked up a Yamaha Pacifica (with a maple fret board), with 3 Lukather EMG active pickups installed, (1 HB and 2 SC), _and_ a 85 Watt Mosfet Kustom 1X12 combo. These pickups are THE BEST I've ever used (and the guitar plays like a dream) in 30 years. Best thing? I paid $80 Canadian for the whole lot. (Including a strap and a 15' 1/4" cable. lolz)
Any axe you pick up is going to sound sick, so no shock there (can you taste the jealousy in my typing?) but I also love that you really take the time to appreciate... well, pretty much everything you talk about. You give great insights, both from an objective and subjective view - something not a lot of people endeavor to do. Really appreciate your content and talent(s), Uncle Ben. :)
I have the LIII HSS Fuschia Sparkle. It's the best guitar I've ever played. The silent single coil circuit is amazing as well as whatever they do in that preamp so there is no volume lost in pos 2 & 4 is genius. I've never held a better neck than an LIII neck. I love my Cutlass as well but just not quite there. The LIII is PERFECT for me.
The HSS is awesome, too. Have it in the fuschia. And that neck is butter. Adding the buffer to equalize all pick up volumes makes it just about a perfect guitar.
I played the Sterling version of that guitar at a GC and it was quite nice...don’t know how close it is to the real thing, but the neck was to die for...congrats on the new Luke, Uncle Ben...rock on my brother!!!!
Dude, I got the Sterling version to see if I would be ok with the smaller frets and since I like them I got the USA in Bodhi Blue. After comparing them I can honestly say the Sterlings look the part but are nowhere near the real thing. Needless to say, I sold the Sterling.
Lukather is my absolute undisputable favorite guitar player. If I could afford a luke sig guitar. I would buy one. The L4 is now available. I play a $400 Sire S3. I'm truly happy with it.
I have the same color and model. I have a Fuchs amp that the tolex is the same color. I LOVE my L3, I've been wanting one for several years and I finally bit the bullet and I'm sooooo glad I did. It is the total BOMB! 💖💖💖💖
Very nice! I've never heard such a HUGE effect of the coil split! This is almost Tele-spank! Wow! I love the tone and the looks. And there's nothing like a roasted maple neck, man. These necks alone have resonance (and stability of course) for days! Badass guitar, badass playing, badass tone, badass video! Some "Gorgy Porgy" would be great. Rather than always just the radio hits. ;)
Awesome guitar dude! I have a Luke 3 HSS and its an amazing guitar. On that push button Volume knob...DO NOT PULL ON IT !!(giggle) It's my habit to do that due to standard push-pulls, but it really messes it up. I'm on my second one now. Love your channel man, keep up the great content!
Great demo, I have the same Luke but in fuchsia. More people need to know how amazing these guitars are. It can do everything and the pickups are incredible.
When you said a "five way" switch, I was like, "Huh?" Now I get it. I am also now jealous as hell. I have a Gibson and a Heritage in the same configuration with the option to split the coils. I never use them though, due to MASSIVE output drop. Kudos to EB for solving that even before adding in the boost.
I own two bfr versions of the Luke. A 2 with emg pickups and a three with transitions. Both play like butter. Perfect intonation ( compensated nut), the most comfortable neck I’ve ever played. Just great guitars
Hey Ben! I own 2 Luke 3s and I love em. The only thing I was a little iffy about were the frets. They're really small, or short. With the amount of badass bends Luke does I figured he would of preferred taller frets. Anyway They're amazing, versatile and extremely well built guitars.
Gonna be honest, I was questioning the judgement here until you started playing it. The 5 position options for the pickups and integrated boost are impressive.
I've been an EBMM fan for awhile. Just really solid instruments. No other guitar in my collection comes close to my JP Majesty in terms of comfort and playability. I recently played my friend's 2014 LIII and was just stunned by the neck. I hope to own one some day!
Okay, that guitar is just straight up sexy AF! Wish more guitar companies would offer some more original paint jobs like this. I played an older Luke this summer (one with EMGs). but that neck really threw me off and I was kind of disappointed. But I also didn't give myself much of a chance to get used to it. Now I want to play a Luke III again. Awesome as always.
Reminds me of the Axis in the sense it's a real player's guitar over being anything flashy (sparkle finish aside!). Just built to play and sound great with some very practical features
Love that guitar! Since I bought mine, the rest of my guitars are more decoration than played. Love everything about it, especially the string separation even with high gain-tones. It's soo good!
I fell in love with the Silhouette Special in 2004.. Nothing has come close since (Excluding EBMM).. Purchased my first new. And 2 other used. And once you get used to that EB neck width and size, everything else seems "off". And makes you want to grab the EB.
One of our local radio stations was reporting on the possibility of Steve Lukather possibly being involved with the EVH tribute tour and he actually called him Steve Lu k'A'ther like cathater! Wow.
Thank You Uncle Ben for this AWESOME LUKE III Demo!!! I hope to one day just be able to meet you, shake your hand and THANK YOU for being so inspirational to my beginning guitar journey. Bes wishes and Happiest Holidays to you and yours Sir.
Awesome dude!! Happy for ya! That's definitely a killer sparkle as I think mine is more metallic flake (if that's such a thing). You're gonna blind folks and make 'em like it!
Played one of these with the solid rosewood neck at a guitar center years ago and nearly sold all my gear to buy it the next day. Not even kidding. Still almost wish I had because they're super expensive now but at least I know what my dream guitar is lmao
I loved everything about that guitar except the soft-v neck. Total personal preference, but something to factor in if you are considering ordering one of these online.
It’s not so much a v, I have the sterling model, it’s an offset shape. Thicker at the top than the bottom. I noticed it immediately and like uncle said. It’s the most comfortable neck I’ve ever felt. If someone told me this guitar had an offset neck I never would have even looked at it but now that I’ve felt it I wish every neck was like this. If you look at your hand and where the thumb meets your hand it’s shaped just like that. Makes total sense. Definitely try one out....you’ll see
Hey Ben, thanks for these guitar videos I've really learnt a lot. Ever since my wife's boyfriend locked me out of the house I've had more time to play!
I've tried all the Luke models and they're all superb. I prefer the II and III because I prefer passive pups to the active EMGs of the model 1. Nothing against EMGs, but I feel more at home with passives. Each model sounds significantly different from the others. I also think Music Man make some excellent house pickups. They know their own instruments and what sounds best. I've been a fan of Music Man since I tried the Steve Morse and Silhouette models long, long ago.
That riff!. I mentioned it on your FB post as well. The into riff to this video that also shows up about 15:57. It's so damn swaggy! Then the transition gets kinda evil. Not that it is derivative at ALL, but it's the best combo of Ratt and Opeth. Gonna go home and see if I can wrangle those ropes to try and do it justice.
Thanks for watching my Ernie Ball Music Man Luke III demo/review! What classic Luke Licks do we want to learn together?
yessssssssssssssss
Pamela's solo! Awesome video BTW! Cheers from Chile!!
Jake to the bone
The run from the hold the line solo!
Anything from The Seventh One
This is a very nice thing.
Twins
I love that Steve is having somewhat of a resurgence in the guitar world. He's friggin amazing. TOTO is friggin amazing. His guitars are obviously amazing. The next pickups I'm buying are his DiMarzio Transitions. They sound so good it's crazy.
I think those are not in this axe? These are musicman pickups I think read somewhere....
@@grtxyz4358 yeah you are right. Do you know if i can get them after market anywhere?
@@jamesmoore4320 I have been searching too. I reached out to a few reps, MM and Sterling. I guess they were built specifically for the 2013? release of the Transition album and are sort of a peculiar oddity of the MM and the MM Sterling line for a 6 year run. I was told to purchase an older sterling and cannibalize them. The Sterling however is pretty damn good for a sub 1k guitar and I couldn't bring myself to remove them. So the short answer is no - you can not purchase them separately, however, you MAY be able to replace them under warranty if you own a Luke100D or Luke III
Highly recommended. I own the first L III model from 2013 in bodhi blue, the first guitar they released with the DiMarzio Transitions.
I was lucky enough to get another pair of them on reverb and upgraded my Sterling Luke (backup guitar). They make a hell of a difference!
But I‘m looking forward to getting another L III model in my arsenal with the Music Man Humbuckers. They sound amazing, too!
Hi, nice review! My 2014 has two trimpots in the electric to trim the Volume of Position 2 and 4. try it!
I just ordered a sack of candy from them last week and they packed a free PRS SE with it! Love the new Ernie Ball, that sparkle finish is gorgeous!
WOAH REALLY? CAN I HAVE IT PRETTY PLEASE?
One of my biggest gear regrets was selling my Luke III with an all rosewood neck to buy another high end guitar that matched the color scheme of my band at the time. That Luke sounded and played so good.
I nearly sold mine because since I bought it the list price has gone up a lot and supply of new ones seems throttled in the UK. But I'm terrified I'd have sellers remorse so I'm holding onto it however much I get offered!
@@WoodsyGuitars yeah, don’t do it. Lmao I plan on buying a new one….worst part is I got mine for $900 used on reverb back when the market was super chill and prices low. Sold it for $1600 but now even a used one is over 2k.
"That slight v-shape on the neck is something I never thought I'd like" - JUST what I felt when I got my Luke a few days back :-)
I never liked those vintage Fender V-necks - but the Luke felt like meeting up with an old friend somehow.
The note separation from those pickups are crystal clear
not the price
I have been lusting after a Luke for about 15 years.... one of these days I'll pull the trigger! As for licks and Solos, Africa (obviously) and Rosanna 's spicey end fade out solo. Nice. Don't forget all that session work he's done too...
One of the best EVH (like) sounds I've heard...
Those pickups make it sound like a violin. Amazing.
I have a luke 3 SSH and it has the rosewood board and neck, real beautiful tobacco sunburst. Excellent video. God bless.
I’d love to hear more about the all Rosewood neck. Very interested in that guitar
While not as ultra sexy as your axe, (I really like the horns on that), I picked up a Yamaha Pacifica (with a maple fret board), with 3 Lukather EMG active pickups installed, (1 HB and 2 SC), _and_ a 85 Watt Mosfet Kustom 1X12 combo. These pickups are THE BEST I've ever used (and the guitar plays like a dream) in 30 years. Best thing? I paid $80 Canadian for the whole lot. (Including a strap and a 15' 1/4" cable. lolz)
Love u uncle ben! Greetings from a fellow fan of Chile 🇨🇱
Any axe you pick up is going to sound sick, so no shock there (can you taste the jealousy in my typing?) but I also love that you really take the time to appreciate... well, pretty much everything you talk about. You give great insights, both from an objective and subjective view - something not a lot of people endeavor to do. Really appreciate your content and talent(s), Uncle Ben. :)
I have the LIII HSS Fuschia Sparkle. It's the best guitar I've ever played. The silent single coil circuit is amazing as well as whatever they do in that preamp so there is no volume lost in pos 2 & 4 is genius. I've never held a better neck than an LIII neck. I love my Cutlass as well but just not quite there. The LIII is PERFECT for me.
When you say silent? It doesn’t have that annoying 60 cycle hum in the neck position at all?
@@iamryanman yes, that is exactly what I mean. It's quieter than most of my humbuckers.
The HSS is awesome, too. Have it in the fuschia. And that neck is butter. Adding the buffer to equalize all pick up volumes makes it just about a perfect guitar.
So you’re saying we need to become guitar twins, too???
@@BenEller Yep🤘🏻😜
Thanks for the video. Your video had a big influence on my decision to buy the guitar! Love it.
The Music Man L3 is my favorite playing, favorite-sounding guitar in the collection. The neck is incredible.
I played the Sterling version of that guitar at a GC and it was quite nice...don’t know how close it is to the real thing, but the neck was to die for...congrats on the new Luke, Uncle Ben...rock on my brother!!!!
Dude, I got the Sterling version to see if I would be ok with the smaller frets and since I like them I got the USA in Bodhi Blue. After comparing them I can honestly say the Sterlings look the part but are nowhere near the real thing. Needless to say, I sold the Sterling.
Thanks Uncle Ben! Cheers from Utah!
Ernie Ball/MM make such beautiful and practical instruments.
I love the sound of the inside/outside coil options you get on positions 2 & 4. They can be utilized to such great effect.
Even the lower end sterlings sound phenomenal. Ernie ball just make great guitars.
Devito: Mash it.
[laughter]
[music]
[laughter]
[music]
Can't go wrong with a cool hand Luke. Love the blue Cuzn...course you make me sound like i'm playing with an arm cast, but i digress...
Lukather is my absolute undisputable favorite guitar player. If I could afford a luke sig guitar. I would buy one. The L4 is now available. I play a $400 Sire S3. I'm truly happy with it.
I have the same color and model. I have a Fuchs amp that the tolex is the same color. I LOVE my L3, I've been wanting one for several years and I finally bit the bullet and I'm sooooo glad I did. It is the total BOMB! 💖💖💖💖
I would definitely buy that beautiful monster . Very dynamic and versatile.
Sick guitar, sparkle finish nice very Jem and the Holograms 🤘🤘🤘
Very nice! I've never heard such a HUGE effect of the coil split! This is almost Tele-spank! Wow! I love the tone and the looks. And there's nothing like a roasted maple neck, man. These necks alone have resonance (and stability of course) for days! Badass guitar, badass playing, badass tone, badass video! Some "Gorgy Porgy" would be great. Rather than always just the radio hits. ;)
i love the coil split!!!....it is really a game changer on tone when paired with the right amp...i love mine...
Awesome guitar dude! I have a Luke 3 HSS and its an amazing guitar. On that push button Volume knob...DO NOT PULL ON IT !!(giggle) It's my habit to do that due to standard push-pulls, but it really messes it up. I'm on my second one now. Love your channel man, keep up the great content!
Great demo, I have the same Luke but in fuchsia. More people need to know how amazing these guitars are. It can do everything and the pickups are incredible.
Can it fix my credit score and get me out of debt?
I have always wanted a Luke since the first iteration. Also that Dad boat finish really POPS, love it! Congrats on the NGD.
Randy is my sales rep at Sweetwater and he really goes above and beyond. Very happy with purchases from there.
Lukather nailed it with his custom Ibanez Road Star 2 RS1010SL 1983 thru 1985. Enough Said.
Got the same finish back in July. I can see myself always playing Music Man from here on out!
Anyone who appreciates Steve and his material (that guitar included) is a high-caliber individual in my book.
You should read his book, or listen to it rather. It's on Audible and narrated by him, and he's great to listen to.
When you said a "five way" switch, I was like, "Huh?" Now I get it. I am also now jealous as hell. I have a Gibson and a Heritage in the same configuration with the option to split the coils. I never use them though, due to MASSIVE output drop. Kudos to EB for solving that even before adding in the boost.
I own two bfr versions of the Luke. A 2 with emg pickups and a three with transitions. Both play like butter. Perfect intonation ( compensated nut), the most comfortable neck I’ve ever played. Just great guitars
Hey Ben! I own 2 Luke 3s and I love em. The only thing I was a little iffy about were the frets. They're really small, or short. With the amount of badass bends Luke does I figured he would of preferred taller frets. Anyway They're amazing, versatile and extremely well built guitars.
it does have a very nice sound. plus , soooo sparkly , which probably adds to the sound
Thanks for passing this beautiful axe over my way!! Can't wait to release my own review and demo of it :)
Hey Zack, do u know why Ben decided to pass on the Luke?
happy owner here. the neck feels amazing, even if its vshaped. it’s super easy to play and sounds gorgeous
Gonna be honest, I was questioning the judgement here until you started playing it. The 5 position options for the pickups and integrated boost are impressive.
Ben. Didn't know you were in East TN. (I'm in Sevier County.)
I'm a tad jealous over your new
Luke. It sounds great and familiar. 😉
WOW it sounds better that it looks! and it LOOKS.
The 'Always Sunny' scene at 6:05 made me actually spit coffee out on my keyboard! Thanks Uncle Ben!
I've been an EBMM fan for awhile. Just really solid instruments. No other guitar in my collection comes close to my JP Majesty in terms of comfort and playability. I recently played my friend's 2014 LIII and was just stunned by the neck. I hope to own one some day!
Nice gutiar! I have a limited run JP16 7-string in that color, it's so beautiful.
Always good to hear you play.
Okay, that guitar is just straight up sexy AF! Wish more guitar companies would offer some more original paint jobs like this. I played an older Luke this summer (one with EMGs). but that neck really threw me off and I was kind of disappointed. But I also didn't give myself much of a chance to get used to it. Now I want to play a Luke III again. Awesome as always.
Had mine setup by a luthier. Made a big difference in the playability
Great Guitar!!!! Love the Bowling Ball 3-Wheeler Helmet Sparkle finish
Reminds me of the Axis in the sense it's a real player's guitar over being anything flashy (sparkle finish aside!). Just built to play and sound great with some very practical features
Those EBMM Luke IIIs are simply gorgeous.
Love that guitar! Since I bought mine, the rest of my guitars are more decoration than played. Love everything about it, especially the string separation even with high gain-tones. It's soo good!
I am loving the trend of sparkly metallic guitars lately, that looks fantastic.
The cut to Frank with the Always Sunny clip was unexpected and highly appreciated wow
That Guitar is Nice. Also that Little Dreamer Riff is Ace. 🤘
I once owned an ibanez roadstar II steve lukather model.. .. saw this video and had to see what Steve had made for him these days..
I fell in love with the Silhouette Special in 2004.. Nothing has come close since (Excluding EBMM).. Purchased my first new. And 2 other used. And once you get used to that EB neck width and size, everything else seems "off". And makes you want to grab the EB.
One of our local radio stations was reporting on the possibility of Steve Lukather possibly being involved with the EVH tribute tour and he actually called him Steve Lu k'A'ther like cathater! Wow.
I love the fact that the bridge pickup uses a ceramic magnet. They get a bad rap but when matched with the right coils they are awesome 🤘
Sweetwater has been the best customer service I ever experienced, bought a 200 mini amp and had such great customer service!
Just ordered this colour as a HSS... cant wait!
Thank You Uncle Ben for this AWESOME LUKE III Demo!!! I hope to one day just be able to meet you, shake your hand and THANK YOU for being so inspirational to my beginning guitar journey. Bes wishes and Happiest Holidays to you and yours Sir.
Uncle Ben with the super cool content once again 🤙
One day I will own one. The Sterling version is fantastic too.
too much expensive
@@phenixreturns True. I'm going to find a used one some day 😂.
Great video already watched the whole thing
Impressive!
@@BenEller the trick is to watch more faster
Dude, I just bought a 2022 Ocean Sparkle Luke III HH. Now for it just to get through customs. So Stoked. Thanks for the great unboxing and overview.
Awesome dude!! Happy for ya! That's definitely a killer sparkle as I think mine is more metallic flake (if that's such a thing). You're gonna blind folks and make 'em like it!
Good video, beautiful guitar.
The Majesty I have is phenomenal. I have to believe that they put that into all of their guitars. It is strange not seeing you with a Suhr though.
Played one of these with the solid rosewood neck at a guitar center years ago and nearly sold all my gear to buy it the next day. Not even kidding. Still almost wish I had because they're super expensive now but at least I know what my dream guitar is lmao
I own 3 EBMM's, 2003 Axis, 2007 Axis, and a 2010 Reflex. Absolutely love them, best necks in the biz.
I loved everything about that guitar except the soft-v neck. Total personal preference, but something to factor in if you are considering ordering one of these online.
I get it! But I looooove it
@@BenEller Does the V taper to a softer U feel down toward the 12th fret?
It’s not so much a v, I have the sterling model, it’s an offset shape. Thicker at the top than the bottom. I noticed it immediately and like uncle said. It’s the most comfortable neck I’ve ever felt. If someone told me this guitar had an offset neck I never would have even looked at it but now that I’ve felt it I wish every neck was like this. If you look at your hand and where the thumb meets your hand it’s shaped just like that. Makes total sense. Definitely try one out....you’ll see
Okay I actually burst out laughing when you put in the IASIP clip
My favorite guitar is the one I'm currently playing. They all happen to be Ernie Ball MM. Sounds great!
I'm glad you sent me to this vid, man! What a beautiful machine.
Killer thanks! I was just looking at getting one of these!
Do it!!!
Woot! Nice guitar and good looking too!
3:34 that’s my favorite it’s always Sunny in Philadelphia episode hahaha
Man that sings - Congrats on your new geetar
I own a Luke, had it refinished by GMW great guitar, music man have amazing necks on them
Awesome sound!
Reminds me a bit of my EBMM JP6 PDN Starry Night. Nice!
Can’t say anything about the Luke III (other than it’s lovely) but the Stingray RS of mine is the best playing guitar I’ve ever laid my hands on.
Luke's been a legend from day one
I’ve got an EBMM reflex and I’ve played a few EBMM guitars.
I’ve come to the conclusion that ebmm are making the best playing guitars available.
Very nice Ben, will we be seeing a video on your Friedman BE?
I like that idea
Hey Ben, thanks for these guitar videos I've really learnt a lot. Ever since my wife's boyfriend locked me out of the house I've had more time to play!
Yes!! Get the HSS!
it's a gorgeous guitar. esp that finish. All around a very good and versatile guitar as well, just like the Axis SS
Love mine! Got the HSS model! Excellent guitar
Subbed as soon as I heard Little Dreamer. Fuck YES dude! Also, that Luke is a beauty 😭😭
I'm in middle TN....love to jam with ya
I've tried all the Luke models and they're all superb. I prefer the II and III because I prefer passive pups to the active EMGs of the model 1. Nothing against EMGs, but I feel more at home with passives. Each model sounds significantly different from the others. I also think Music Man make some excellent house pickups. They know their own instruments and what sounds best. I've been a fan of Music Man since I tried the Steve Morse and Silhouette models long, long ago.
Awesome great music. Great guitar 🎸.
So sound. Rock
Cool, I've seen a tour on youtube of that SweetWater facility. Looks like quite the place man! Nice guitar as well! \m/
That riff!. I mentioned it on your FB post as well. The into riff to this video that also shows up about 15:57. It's so damn swaggy! Then the transition gets kinda evil. Not that it is derivative at ALL, but it's the best combo of Ratt and Opeth. Gonna go home and see if I can wrangle those ropes to try and do it justice.
Thanks man, that’s my original song Concrete! It’s in that Dunable Cyclops video I put up.
@@BenEller Which I watched. Not sure why it came at me today?
riff at 2:36 is sick AF...........OMG I just typed something a teenager would!