Music Man LIII [2012-2019]

General ================================================= ==============================
Overview: Released in 2012, the Luke III is the latest in a collaboration between Music Man and Steve Lukather of Toto guitarist.
This guitar is one of the best-selling signature models, and because it benefits from all the expertise Music Man, a unique and versatile sound and exceptional comfort Thurs
I have the HSS model.

Datasheet ================================================ ===========================
Type: Solid Body
Number of Strings: 6
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Channel Type: Screw
Wood: Rosewood
Form: V
Finish: Oiled
Nut Width (mm): 41.3
Width at last fret (mm): 55.6
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Rosewood key
Radius of the key (mm): 305
Type of frets: Low and wide
Number of Frets: 22
Pitch (mm): 648
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Checkout
Wood: Alder
Finish: High gloss polyester lacquer
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Accessories
Brand mechanical Schaller
Type of lift: blocking, M6 IND
Type of bridge: Vintage Vibrato
Mark Bridge: Music Man
Finish: Chrome
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Electronics
Brand microphones DiMarzio
Microphone type: 1 Humbucking + 2 single coils
Pickup model: DiMarzio Custom
Switch: 5 positions
Controls: Volume (500kohm)
Push / push tone to enter the active / passive
Shielding: Yes, paint nickel
Weight (kg): 3.4
Warranty: 1 year
Place of manufacture: USA

UTILIZATION

Handle relatively thin, super soft to the touch. A real treat!
It should handle better guitarists playing with the thumb above (kind Hendrix) as followers of extreme shred with descent lines burst inch below.
Access to acute is perfect balance as and does not weigh as heavy as my Les Paul (hopefully! Ya still less wood) but it sounds remarkably well and you can feel good while they vibrate triturated.
I had to redo a setting vibrato because it comes in 9/42 and I play 10/46.
The push / pull may also require a small adjustment to adjust the rate Boost your convenience (small blue screw). Access is via the plate protecting the electronics.
I put only 9 because the Push / Pull is fragile and the be changed quickly.
In terms of sound, it already sounds good vacuum, then once connected, it is a killer.

SOUNDS

This is a super versatile guitar but with character (Dimarzio Pickups Custom oblige!).
And that's what I was looking for playing in a dance band, I did not want to lug my two guitars. So, I get sounds from crystal clear (to the Police or U2) big sound full of saturated sustain (the Lukather or Satriani) through crunchy sound more serious than friendly micro or sharp funky sound.
It is plugged into a Blackstar HT-40 with a NovaSystem in the effects loop.
What happiness!
The boost works very well for all the microphones but mostly I use micro position 1 or 5.
I use all the microphones positions following styles and frankly, it sounds serious!
The Custom DiMarzio can really afford to pierce the mix.

OVERALL OPINION

I have 4 months. After a short adaptation time to get to know time (she was a bit shy at first and I was impressed by its beauty. Lol), I do not separate any more and I have the impression that I finally found MY GUITAR after playing Strat Deluxe Telecaster Std Ibanez JS, Vigier Excalibur and Gibson SG and Les Paul.
I love the look, the vintage vibrato (no fine-tuning knobs that annoy me) and the bridge pickup sound with the gain 3/4 of the BlackStar, a bit of reverb and delay appropriate and I forget all my worries.
Excellent value for money. Comes with a flight case that will keep up the vibrato. If it again, Ben is the same, or I will change color, and again ...

Made in USA of course, California
Solid Rosewood handle,
vibrato "vintage"
2 double DiMarzio "transition" with chrome cover
push / pull tone knob on the switch for the electronic passive to active
Olive Gold color is gorgeous!
finishing at the top.

guitar very refined but classy I think

UTILIZATION

the handle is just amazing, the fact that it is already solid rosewood is pretty awesome, it's pretty close with a very soft V shape (typical of Luke)
oiled back, it's soft, ca slides alone, happiness.

handle this surprises me, this is the first guitar I also handle end, I have 2 Les Paul and a PRS is not what is finest ...
So I was a little apprehensive about this "little" handle but in fact it is fantastic, I am very quick and handle is just perfect ... comfortable chording, leads miraculous ...

Ergonomics, never seen a guitar so comfortable.
not too heavy but enough to still "feel" the instrument.

SOUNDS

I play rock tends his big heavy
I have 2 heads favorite, a Soldano Avenger Mesa Mini front and

The good news is that this guitar is not that great, it sounds!
maybe this is the 3rd generation Mister Lukather signature but can do much more than with TOTO!

for clean sounds, I do not really know, I do not play in the clear.

not against the distorted sounds are terrible.
Crunches are very nice bluesy but the beautiful large saturations which really surprised me, the DiMarzio are very balanced and when you push the gain of the amplifier is not lost while the definition and dynamics but with a big potato and harmonic everywhere ...

Two features that I find quite remarkable:
- With settings equivalent and equal in volume I "pierces" the best mix with the bass and drums with my Les Paul Luke
- The Luke has a sound personality but I notice that it is also very "transparent" with the amp lequelle it is connected, for example sounds more typed my Mesa "Mesa" with Luke with my other guitars .. .

the small flat "boost" active / passive that works very well in clean / crunch but the effect is almost inaudible in saturated fat - damage

OVERALL OPINION

in short, a huge favorite.

I did not think could still be surprised by how a guitar
I use it for a month and a few repets concert and I'm hooked.
beautiful color and original handle incredible comfort, versatile and well suited to my registry rock "muscular"

am telling me that I find beautiful as well in the new "luke blue" ... GAS!!

(As against the flight case is still not great for the price of the guitar, a little damage)