Advice about Bill Lawrence PUs.

Hi

I'm looking to replace the pickups in my tele. Atm I got Texas specials that I like (not love) but I can't stand the noise and I need more rock oriented pickups.
I can't really see myself paying $295 (+ 25% tax and shipping to Sweden) for Bardens and I haven't found anything on Fralins Splits but $95 for a set of Lawrence pickups seems just about right :lol:
I want it to sound telecaster and not like a humbucker sound.

Would the Wilde L-290TL and L-280TN fix the "issues" I got? Are they hotter than Keystones? What's the diffrence between L-290TL and L-290TL-E?
What Lawrence pickup have you tried and what did you find out about them?

I really like the L-290TL/L280TN clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guDFIO1lB3g&feature=related) on Bills site.

Thankfull for any advice.
Cheers// Martin.

Hi

I'm looking to replace the pickups in my tele. Atm I got Texas specials that I like (not love) but I can't stand the noise and I need more rock oriented pickups.
I can't really see myself paying $295 (+ 25% tax and shipping to Sweden) for Bardens and I haven't found anything on Fralins Splits but $95 for a set of Lawrence pickups seems just about right :lol:
I want it to sound telecaster and not like a humbucker sound.

Would the Wilde L-290TL and L-280TN fix the "issues" I got? Are they hotter than Keystones? What's the diffrence between L-290TL and L-290TL-E?
What Lawrence pickup have you tried and what did you find out about them?

I really like the L-290TL/L280TN clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guDFIO1lB3g&feature=related) on Bills site.

Thankfull for any advice.
Cheers// Martin.

Any of Bill's "airgap noisefree" or twin-blade offerings will solve your hum issue. I was around at Bill and Becky's PA shop when they came up with the L-290 series, and IIRC the "TL-E" and "TL" versions are the same except for turn count -- the "E" variant has quite a few more turns and therefore higher inductance and slightly more output voltage, but with very little difference in overall "voice." You really can't go wrong with either of them or with an L-298TL (an even more aggressive noisefree that works best with Bill's Q-Filter tone control circuit) or the twin-blade L-48TL, which is imo a better-around bridge pickup than the vastly more expensive and far less durable Barden bridge models that a certain faction in these parts tends to rave about. :lol:

Any of Bill's "airgap noisefree" or twin-blade offerings will solve your hum issue. I was around at Bill and Becky's PA shop when they came up with the L-290 series, and IIRC the "TL-E" and "TL" versions are the same except for turn count -- the "E" variant has quite a few more turns and therefore higher inductance and slightly more output voltage, but with very little difference in overall "voice." You really can't go wrong with either of them or with an L-298TL (an even more aggressive noisefree that works best with Bill's Q-Filter tone control circuit) or the twin-blade L-48TL, which is imo a better-around bridge pickup than the vastly more expensive and far less durable Barden bridge models that a certain faction in these parts tends to rave about. :lol:

Thanks for your answer. Guess that TL will suite me just fine then.
I will look in to how much it would cost to get a pair sent over to Sweden. Might even get a couple of them since they are so cheap :lol:

Yeah, 290/280 is a common combo. It'll take away the mud and hum of the Texas Specials.

The 298TL is my favorite Tele pup. It brings a lot of heat, but it's very clear sounding and cleans up well.

Yeah, 290/280 is a common combo. It'll take away the mud and hum of the Texas Specials.

The 298TL is my favorite Tele pup. It brings a lot of heat, but it's very clear sounding and cleans up well.

Okay, so maybe the 298TL would be more suited for me but does it play nice with the 280TN or will there be a big drop in volume?
I want a neck pickup that's almost strat like.

I think the 280TN will be okay. I had the 202TN at first, but it didn't cut it with the 298TL. The 280 has a bit more output, though. The 280 might be a better tonal match to the 290TLE, though. Check with Bill and Becky before ordering.

If you're willing to put a Strat pup in the neck, I'm using the 298SN with 298TL and they make a great combo. Highly recommended.

I think the 280TN will be okay. I had the 202TN at first, but it didn't cut it with the 298TL. The 280 has a bit more output, though. The 280 might be a better tonal match to the 290TLE, though. Check with Bill and Becky before ordering.

If you're willing to put a Strat pup in the neck, I'm using the 298SN with 298TL and they make a great combo. Highly recommended.

Okay, I'll check it out.
Just have to decide wether I want Lollar Special T, Bareknuckle Brown Sugar or these. There's too many makers to choose from :lol:

I have Bill Lawrence stacked humbuckers in a Strat, but I like them because they sound like a Fat Humbucker.

Okay, I'll check it out.
Just have to decide wether I want Lollar Special T, Bareknuckle Brown Sugar or these. There's too many makers to choose from :lol:

And the trouble is I'm sure they're all great! I always go to Bill pickups because they're noise free and very affordable.

And the trouble is I'm sure they're all great! I always go to Bill pickups because they're noise free and very affordable.

Yeah, that's a great reason to go Wilde. I only wish that I could get in contact with Bill or Becky before making a purchase. Would be awesome if they could gift wrap it, might avoid paying tax on it then :lol:

Calling via Skype is cheap. ;-)

Yeah, that's a great reason to go Wilde. I only wish that I could get in contact with Bill or Becky before making a purchase. Would be awesome if they could gift wrap it, might avoid paying tax on it then :lol:

I'd call and talk to Becky or Shannon. It's great if you could talk to Bill but sit down and prepare yourself for a physics tutorial in magnetics. If you can't get through by phone, Email works. They are typically slammed but they will get back in touch with you:
Bill Lawrence Designs c/o
1070-F N. Batavia St #355
Orange, CA 92867
951-371-1494 Tel
480-287-8359 Fax
877-647-2651 - Tollfree
Any questions, please email: becky@billlawrence.com or billnbecky@wildepickups.com.

Hope this helps...I love my "Keystones" on my Tele and my friends "Micro-Coils" on his Strat!

Hehe, my knowledge in physics ain't the best so I guess I'll give email another go. Been working overtime like a mofo now so I want some new gear :)

In case you'd rather not wait, check out the dedicated website and you can get your questions answered: http://guitarsbyfender.yuku.com/forums/11#.UCC8kqBFmSo

You simply cannot beat the quality for the money spent with the Bill Lawrence Wilde pickups.