Just got off the phone with Bill Lawrence...

[KaBudokan]

Called the toll free number and talked to the man himself. It only took about 30 seconds before I was totally lost in the conversation (Lost meaning both amazed, and also lost because of some of the content.).

Seriously, I said my guitar was made out of swamp ash and he went off about the differences in wood. Saying the guitar is "swamp ash" means nothing to him, because of all the variables in wood density, age, resonance, etc. Then we talked for about an hour (!!!!) about playing, pickups, guitars, Korea, Bethlehem (which is where he's located, and where I lived a good chunk of my life), and other stuff. He knows an incredible amount, and he's VERY willing to share it.

Truthfully, a lot of the conversation was WAY over my head and consisted of me trying not to sound like an idiot. The tech talk had my head spinning, and I was finally able to corner him about the pickup selection for my guitar. He had me measure the bridge on the guitar to insure I ordered pickups with the proper spacing. (He offers at least 4 different spacings for their pickups in order to insure the strings are lined up over the pole pieces.)

He told me that their strat and tele pickups are very similar, and the main difference is in the size for their mounting. The tele tone comes less from the pickups than from the way the rest of the guitar is set up, etc.

I ordered an L-280S for the neck, and an L-290S (a little hotter to balance better) for the bridge. Total cost (including shipping) $87.50. If things go well, I may consider ordering a couple J-Bass pups for my bass, though who knows.

The fact that I can call the owner, designer, etc., and talk to him for an hour at 7:15pm his time and then have him invite me over when I come back to Bethlehem in December definitely says something.

Now I only need to wait about 4-5 weeks for delivery. lol

 

[GONZO-X]

I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE.......

yes, mr. lawrence is ready to talk!
and he enjoys it, obviously, most men his age wouldn't waste their little bit of time left talking about nothing......

i am currently installing a pair of L-280s in my neck and middle position on my strat hybrid........

with your purchase, you will recieve several copies of hand drawn schematics for different wiring schemes........

it's interesting to go to his website, and read about the technical aspects of HIS pickups, and how they relate to other pickup and pickup terms.........

and for god's sakes, dont mention pickup OUTPUT !!!

 

[still4given]

I have a Nashville Tele, and I put and L-280TN in the neck, an L-280SC in the middle and an L-280 TL in the bridge. It is hands down the best sounding guitar I've ever played.

It's going to be worth the wait.

Blessings, Terry

 

[KaBudokan]

Re: I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE.......

yes, mr. lawrence is ready to talk!
and he enjoys it, obviously, most men his age wouldn't waste their little bit of time left talking about nothing......

it's interesting to go to his website, and read about the technical aspects of HIS pickups, and how they relate to other pickup and pickup terms.........

and for god's sakes, dont mention pickup OUTPUT !!!

HAHA!!!
And don't mention a pickup's "sound" either, as he will be quick to tell you that a pickup doesn't have a sound. "If you lay it on the table, you can watch and listen for days, and it will never make a sound."

LMAO

 

[dabluesman]

I'm glad to see good mention of Bill here at HR. I've been dealing with Bill for a few years now mainly with his L-280's and L-500's, I'm planning on getting a set of those Jazz bass pickups too. KaBudokan, your first post nailed how it is to talk with Bill on the phone. Stay in contact with him and over time the stuff he tells you will sink in. I had the pleasure of hanging out with Bill and Becky for a good part of the latest NAMM show/weekend. He showed me some pictures of him playing with some noted jazz players "back in the day". Even though his hand was swollen up, I still got to hear him play some jazz at NAMM. He's got to be one of the best jazz players out there (especially when he's %100.) I try to run all my ideas and questions concerning anything electrical in a musicians world (amps, cables, strings, pots, etc) by Bill and Becky. I feel that Bill is right up there with Leo and Les Paul as far as the innovation of guitars (and their pickups) goes. He's been there through it all since the beginning. Check his bio, you'll see where he worked for Gibson and Fender and his own projects. I am always surprised at how his name isn't all that well known to people who aren't in the business. Believe me, everyone in the business knows Bill. I felt like I was hanging out with a movie star while at NAMM, with all the people who came up to him to say hi or to thank him and Becky. For goodness sake, Jimi Hendrix and the guys in Cream use to hang with Bill. There is no telling how many well known players are using his pickups or his wiring designs, not to mention some of the best studio musicians out there. I guess he isn't into professional endorsements all that much. Word seems to get around about him "behind the scenes" to those in the know, not the mainstream. That must be the way he likes it, I cant blame him, it may be part of the reason he has such great prices. Well anway, I could go on and on about Bill and Becky but I'll save ya'll the torture and bring this to an end. And with that, all I have to say is: Bill is the man and his pickups are well worth the wait!