Bill Lawrence...

[Mr.Reed]

for those of you that have dealt with him, how long does it take for them to usually respond? I sent an email yesterday morning and I've yet to hear a reply (although I usually give a couple days before I figure I'll call, or send off another email). Just wondering, cause I'm interested in buying a pickup of his, but can't seem to figure out how to "buy" the darn thing.

[TelZilla]

If you search, you will find several threads, reflecting the varied opinions on that question (I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I think you'd get a better picture of it that way).

I've never dealt with him, but it does seem that I've heard they respond better to phone calls than email...

[brandt]

same issues in the past - I resolved it by picking up the phone. Small company, nice people - Becky will get back to you but phone is best...

[Wardpike]

Say, it could be worse! You could be trying to communicate with Howard Dumble!

[Mr.Reed]

Haha, I guess I'll give um a call when I'm free in a few. They should just post that on their site! Best just to call us!

[Scott V]

Originally Posted by brandt

same issues in the past - I resolved it by picking up the phone. Small company, nice people - Becky will get back to you but phone is best...

+1, Becky seems good about returning calls, and was very pleasant to deal with.

[maestrovert]

Originally Posted by brandt

same issues in the past - I resolved it by picking up the phone.

Definitely nice people !
i tried the phone after many e-mail attempts failed, but i got a machine and left a message....i have yet to hear from them and it's been at least 6 months...
too bad too, as i really want to $pend some money on Bill's new twin rail Tele p-ups !
Good Luck.

[Mr.Reed]

Originally Posted by maestrovert

Definitely nice people !
i tried the phone after many e-mail attempts failed, but i got a machine and left a message....i have yet to hear from them and it's been at least 6 months...
too bad too, as i really want to $pend some money on Bill's new twin rail Tele p-ups !
Good Luck.

That's exactly what I want to spend my money on!!! Now it'd just be easier on both of us if they check email That and they would have made a $100 on the both of us!

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by Scott V

+1, Becky seems good about returning calls, and was very pleasant to deal with.

There's a thread like this every other week; sometimes two.

On one hand I like that I can pick up the phone, order a bunch of pickups from Becky, and the competition is not as hot as it would be otherwise;

And I guess any form of "Advertisement" is good - everyone understands the product is great - while I post excessively on this board I'm not e-mail savvy and I have folks I do business with who flat do not use the web in any way. Hey, you gotta be ready when the whole web blows up, right? How did we survive without e-mail?

[PraiseCaster]

I also wouldnt be surprised if Becky herself see's this thread and responds directly too you, and in this thread (its happened before).

+1 on Becky and Bill being good folks too. They're just a little more "old-school" than some folks, so maybe the phone call is best.

Maestrovert, try another call too em, and I'm sure Becky will either pick up the phone, or get back too you soon.

[Mr.Reed]

How odd... I've never bough anything on the phone before... always time to try something new. Just called them and got the machine. Guess I'll try back in a little bit.

[Mr.Reed]

Well I just called and got Becky (I believe). I've got the L-48TL Duel Blade Pickup coming sometime next week!!! It only cost $58.50, and from what I've been reading, and from Arlo's sound clips... I can't wait to wire this bad boy in!

[echale iii]

Here's a link to a post I recently made on this subject....

[Arlo]

Let me say I am neutral here. I know when I want something I get frustrated if there are issues that cause it to be difficult or timely. Especially when you read rave reviews and you Got To Have It! We all have a streak of that in us.

I talk to Bill almost daily. He is 77 years old and has numerous and serious health problems. Some serious enough to knock most people off their feet and out of business completely and permanently. I won't get detailed here but try to understand he is not well.

This isn't about sympathy for Bill just have respect as you would have for any person his age. Like any elderly person he isn't the "Johnny on the spot" guy he once was. However the guy is impervious and won't stop doing what he loves to do.

It would be easy for him to say F_ck this and live out his days some other way. He is like a grandparent that has semi retired but can't give up his life's work. For Bill Lawrence it is designing world class pickups and sharing his passion with those who will listen to him.

I know some of you may be saying STFU you get special treatment being his friend and all. Let me just say it took me months to get 5 Keystone Bridge pups. I didn't bash him because it took so long. I respected him and let it happen on his watch.

I can't defend any sour business deals any of you may have had. I don't know the story and there is always two sides to every story.

Although it can be frustrating to get pickups it is worth the effort.

Bill is not a computer person other than reading posts on occasion. I don't think he even knows how to start his email program. He leaves a lot of that up to Becky. She alone has to answer what 100 emails a day! Keerighst I would be bloody bonkers if I got more than 20 a day!

The best method is to phone them and if you don't get through just try again. They could be at the doctors office as he has been feeling poorly lately so take it easy on the guy fellas.

Criticizing Bill seems to be rampant these days but keep in mind he is getting older and maybe a little forgiveness and understanding for the latency issues would be a better approach. He won't be with us forever and these precious pickups that he still manages to sell to us little people are hard to get and well worth every penny and hassle doing so.

Just my 2 cents and call me what you will but have a little mercy on the guy. After all he has been generous to everyone with his prices and knowledge.

PS, I will get a call and most likely get an earful for this post [it's not bad really, kind of like a grandfather telling you what the hell did you do that for?] but it is worth it to hear my friends voice on the phone again alive and well.

[maestrovert]

Thanx Arlo, i had no idea Bill was ailing some and i'm heartily sad to hear it....Please, convey my best wishes to him next time you've got him on the line ?

for the record, i sincerely apologise if stating my experience with my attempts at contacting them has been misconstrued as bashing...i truly had no intent to do any such thing.

i'll keep trying as i really want a set of his new dual rails....

Thanx again Arlo

[PraiseCaster]

I gotta call Becky...............

[brandt]

Thanks Arlo - well said. I don't know the Lawrences' personally like some of you but I am a customer of Bill and Becky's. The first and only guitar I have assembled is stocked with their pups and I must say that the product is terrific. I am making 2 more partscasters at the moment and 3 of the 4 pickups for these 2 guitars will be Lawrence pups for sure.

Patience and respect for anyone is called for... especially in this situation. His life story is amazing and it is my feeling that having a little bit of Bill's experience in my guitar(s) is a treasure and an opportunity to not pass up.

His small business is a reminder of what it was like working with a craftsman before the age of instant gratification.

[Mr.Reed]

Thanks for the post Arlo. I wasn't really upset, I was just wondering (I live in the digital age, and that pickup was the first thing I've ordered over the phone!!!). I just called them, and it took no time to get a hold of them (and Becky replied to my email today, thanking me for the purchase, I'll be responding telling them thank you for the product!), very easy to talk to and very friendly. I appreciate Bill for doing what he is doing, and I can only hope I can still be doing what I want to be doing when I'm his age.

[echale iii]

I am sorry that he's got health problems. I wouldn't wish them on my enemies (if I actually had any enemies), but.....

If he's got health problems that he needs to attend to, by all means do so--take what time and steps he needs to get better--but if he's also trying to run a business at the same time, he really should make some sort of arrangements to handle operational issues while he's getting through the tough spots.

I'm all for cutting the man a break, because there's some day I will surely need somebody to cut me (another!) one, and I hope to have a few points with the karma fairy I can cash in. That said, in my case, the farce has stretched out well beyond the "cut the man a break" point.

I've tried twice to purchase pickups from them--multiple e-mails sent in a couple months ago, and multiple e-mails sent around a year prior to that time, and I was cash-in-hand both times. I never heard so much as a peep from them.... Ever.... Until Becky Lawrence responded to a post of mine in another thread on this board....

I know they've taken and filled plenty of orders in the interim, so what's up with that? The other companies I wound up purchasing pickups from have been johnny-on-the-spot with excellent products, support, and service.

People love his pickups, and dare I say with good reason. I wanted real Bill Lawrence products, not the fake ones, and I wish I could say I loved the ones I got, but since I never got any, it's kind of hard to be able to say that.

I don't write this in a mean-spirited way but when the question is asked, I feel that all sides need to be in evidence so the OP will know that while there's lots of love for those pickups and the people behing them, it's not all teddy bears and flowers out there. If he's one of the lucky ones, great, if he's not, well, join the club....

[Arlo]

No need to apologize brothers or take my post as anything but sharing a little info with you. Merely a way to shine a little light on things as I understand them.

[dan1952]

Originally Posted by echale iii

I am sorry that he's got health problems. I wouldn't wish them on my enemies (if I actually had any enemies), but.....

If he's got health problems that he needs to attend to, by all means do so--take what time and steps he needs to get better--but if he's also trying to run a business at the same time, he really should make some sort of arrangements to handle operational issues while he's getting through the tough spots.

I'm all for cutting the man a break, because there's some day I will surely need somebody to cut me (another!) one, and I hope to have a few points with the karma fairy I can cash in. That said, in my case, the farce has stretched out well beyond the "cut the man a break" point.

I've tried twice to purchase pickups from them--multiple e-mails sent in a couple months ago, and multiple e-mails sent around a year prior to that time, and I was cash-in-hand both times. I never heard so much as a peep from them.... Ever.... Until Becky Lawrence responded to a post of mine in another thread on this board....

I know they've taken and filled plenty of orders in the interim, so what's up with that? The other companies I wound up purchasing pickups from have been johnny-on-the-spot with excellent products, support, and service.

People love his pickups, and dare I say with good reason. I wanted real Bill Lawrence products, not the fake ones, and I wish I could say I loved the ones I got, but since I never got any, it's kind of hard to be able to say that.

I don't write this in a mean-spirited way but when the question is asked, I feel that all sides need to be in evidence so the OP will know that while there's lots of love for those pickups and the people behing them, it's not all teddy bears and flowers out there. If he's one of the lucky ones, great, if he's not, well, join the club....

I've had the good fortune to meet Bill several times over the years. He's a nice man, a great guitarist, and a genius. I hope that when you're in need of "a break," people will be kinder than yourself...

[echale iii]

Originally Posted by dans music

I've had the good fortune to meet Bill several times over the years. He's a nice man, a great guitarist, and a genius. I hope that when you're in need of "a break," people will be kinder than yourself...

You're kidding, right, Dan?

Maybe there's somthing you missed in reading my post, but I gave break after break after break after break, trying time after time after time to make contact. I was patient--I gave them plenty of opportunity and time to get back with me. What's more, I gave them a second chance after having fallen through the cracks a full year previous. I've privately told Becky Lawrence that the next time I needed pickups, I'd give them another shot at my business... That'll make three times....

How's that unkind? Why don't you grace me with your considered opinion on what more I should do?

[dan1952]

Originally Posted by echale iii

You're kidding, right, Dan?

Maybe there's somthing you missed in reading my post, but I gave break after break after break after break, trying time after time after time to make contact. I was patient--I gave them plenty of opportunity and time to get back with me. What's more, I gave them a second chance after having fallen through the cracks a full year previous. I've privately told Becky Lawrence that the next time I needed pickups, I'd give them another shot at my business... That'll make three times....

How's that unkind? Why don't you grace me with your considered opinion on what more I should do?

Not throwing rocks over here, just saying that maybe it's not important enough to get a set of pickups, to make a big deal out of it...if Bill has some serious health problems, I think it's better to say a prayer, send good thoughts, whatever one chooses to do, and hope he gets well soon. Sorry if that offends you.

[Louthunder]

May I make a suggestion on Bill's advanced age and health issues? Why not take in an apprentice who could learn the ins and outs of Bill's pickup knowledge, work cheap until he or she learns the biz, then he or she could take over the business, by buying it outright or working the business so Bill can make a profit and the new guy can eventually take over, building the same great pups that Bill and Becky build now.Of course it would have to be the right person! Bill won't be able to build pups forever, and it would be great if his mastery of pickup building is carried on. Just a suggestion.

[Mr.Reed]

echale iii & dans music, I'd appreciate it if the word exchange would end. echale iii you are better off calling. It took me several calls in the day to get a hold of them, and I sent a few emails, but decided just to call. I got a hold of them around 3pm pacific time. I understand the frustration, but please don't argue (either of you) over something silly.

[Flashback]

I just really want a T290L/E and a Q Filter...

[Mr.Reed]

Flashback - I really want that Q filter thing! I'm planning on calling tomorrow and asking if they still sell them and for how much. Arlo's sound clips make it sound nice, just call them a few times in a day (till you get a hold of them), they're more than happy to take your money, and they are nice about it as well!

[dobrodoc]

I don't realy "know" Bill, as Arlo does, but those NAMM shows, where Bill's playing through a silverface Twin----He bought that amp from me. We've talked for hours at a time, on numerous occaisions, and "genius" does not begin to describe the man. Bill does have some serious health problems, but his mind is at 100%. Becky is a sweet lady, too. But when you do business with Bill, remember that you may have to wait a little bit. And when you hit your hot licks, remember that Bill can cut most of us ! Make a call or two, and have a little patience.

[Wardpike]

After reading everything, sound to me like Bill's a heckuva nice man to know and a fount of knowledge. Yes, he should take on an apprentice... someone to play Jimmy D'Aquisto to his John D'Angelico!!

Now then... who here is a friend of Alexander "Howard" Dumble??

[dan1952]

Originally Posted by Mr.Reed

echale iii & dans music, I'd appreciate it if the word exchange would end. echale iii you are better off calling. It took me several calls in the day to get a hold of them, and I sent a few emails, but decided just to call. I got a hold of them around 3pm pacific time. I understand the frustration, but please don't argue (either of you) over something silly.

Mr. Reed - I didn't mean to upset you or any other members of TDPRI, and if I did so, I apologize. However, I stand by my defense of Mr. Lawrence and his wife. I have a small business myself, and when my wife had a life-threatening illness six years ago, I really didn't care whether I made a $100.00 sale or not. Priorities, folks...

[maestrovert]

Originally Posted by dans music

Mr. Reed - I didn't mean to upset you or any other members of TDPRI, and if I did so, I apologize. However, I stand by my defense of Mr. Lawrence and his wife. I have a small business myself, and when my wife had a life-threatening illness six years ago, I really didn't care whether I made a $100.00 sale or not. Priorities, folks...

i completely understand that when one's health and/or life are at stake, one justifiably focuses on the things of true importance, and disregards the old saying "Business is Business".....

With the history -not to mention the legacy- Bill has, i would've long ago posted a "Sorry, Gone Fishin' For The Duration" sign up over the door, were i in his shoes !

Arlo noted Bill's passion for his life's work, a passion he will never give up because he loves it so....and i would venture to guess that Bill would not be comfortable just handing the business over to an apprentice (or anyone for that matter), regardless how experienced they may be.

As the quality of his designs and his pride in them necessitates his involvement, Bill is still doing what he can as he can, even while fighting health issues ? ....i can wait.

You just get yourself healthy Bill....an' THANKS

[Flashback]

I need to just go ahead an unload my savings on buying a ton of his pickups... O_O

[Louthunder]

This is a bump, sort of. I still want to know why he doesn't bring on an apprentice as I posted earlier?I think that would be a win-win for everyone

[Eric Karonen]

I have an L6-S that has the most brilliant pickups (super humbuckers) in it. Bill's a pickup guru in my book, and I hope Mr. Reed, you get what you're looking for.

Stay well, Bill!

[Arlo]

Originally Posted by Louthunder

This is a bump, sort of. I still want to know why he doesn't bring on an apprentice as I posted earlier?I think that would be a win-win for everyone

Disclaimer: This is my opinion on the question. It's not an answer to your question it is solely my thought on the matter.

I have discussed this with Bill on a couple of occasions. Personally I think it would be a great idea if there were someone that Bill could depend on to take the reigns later. But it wouldn't be easy finding that certain someone. I couldn't do it and quite frankly I don't know anyone that could.

It couldn't be just anyone who desires to make pickups and can play guitar. It has to be someone who borderlines the intellect Mr. Lawrence has as well as the ability to know the complex physics and dynamics of guitar as he does.

Let's not forget Bill is highly regarded and respected in the pickup design and manufacturing circles in ways that a lot of people have a hard time conceiving. I have personally witnessed every one of the big designers come to pay their respects to Bill at every NAMM show. They aren't just being nice they are paying homage to a legend with respect and hold him in very high regard. So finding a young willing apprentice could be difficult considering the level of intellect and desire he would need to absorb Bill's knowledge.

What would Bill do run an ad?

"Wanted - Young guitar designer, pickup winder and innovator. Must be accomplished player with an IQ of no less than 145, advanced physics and mathematics required. You must be willing to drop everything and learn pickup design from one of the world leading experts. Applicants please send your resume to........."

This is all tongue in cheek but the fact is it would have to be someone like this for Bill to even consider it. This is not something that is so easily done and may never happen unfortunately.

Becky knows how to make the pickups and knows the business end as Bill has told me many times. She knows his formula and recipes so I think the legacy will continue in some form.

I am planning on helping Bill document a series of videos where he explains his theory and design in demonstrations. It would be great to have a practical series of videos produced by Bill as instructional avenues for future designers.

That would be an excellent legacy for Bill to leave us all.

[Mr.Reed]

Arlo; that last bit seems awesome. I would like to hear the man talk (just not on the phone, I hate phone conversations) about what he does. He seems very interesting and even has a bit of controversy around him (but I'm sure I picked the right one ). I should be getting my pickup in a week and a half/two weeks time, and from what I read, I'm glad I didn't go Barden (or GFS cheap), but instead, hopefully, found one of the best deals on the net.

[Louthunder]

Originally Posted by Arlo

Disclaimer: This is my opinion on the question. It's not an answer to your question it is solely my thought on the matter.

I have discussed this with Bill on a couple of occasions. Personally I think it would be a great idea if there were someone that Bill could depend on to take the reigns later. But it wouldn't be easy finding that certain someone. I couldn't do it and quite frankly I don't know anyone that could.

It couldn't be just anyone who desires to make pickups and can play guitar. It has to be someone who borderlines the intellect Mr. Lawrence has as well as the ability to know the complex physics and dynamics of guitar as he does.

Let's not forget Bill is highly regarded and respected in the pickup design and manufacturing circles in ways that a lot of people have a hard time conceiving. I have personally witnessed every one of the big designers come to pay their respects to Bill at every NAMM show. They aren't just being nice they are paying homage to a legend with respect and hold him in very high regard. So finding a young willing apprentice could be difficult considering the level of intellect and desire he would need to absorb Bill's knowledge.

What would Bill do run an ad?

"Wanted - Young guitar designer, pickup winder and innovator. Must be accomplished player with an IQ of no less than 145, advanced physics and mathematics required. You must be willing to drop everything and learn pickup design from one of the world leading experts. Applicants please send your resume to........."

This is all tongue in cheek but the fact is it would have to be someone like this for Bill to even consider it. This is not something that is so easily done and may never happen unfortunately.

Becky knows how to make the pickups and knows the business end as Bill has told me many times. She knows his formula and recipes so I think the legacy will continue in some form.

I am planning on helping Bill document a series of videos where he explains his theory and design in demonstrations. It would be great to have a practical series of videos produced by Bill as instructional avenues for future designers.

That would be an excellent legacy for Bill to leave us all.

Arlo, there are other brainy folks out there, and if not, just show someone how to make Keystones, or sell that brand to someone that will continue the greatness of Bill.All I'm saying is let's find a way for the great pup designs of Bill to go on. Are we hoping for too much!

[1962guitargeek]

They are wonderful folks, I have never had a problem with them. They have answered my calls.

I wish them well & I'll be praying for them.

Like it has been said, I would have gone fishing a loooonng time ago....

my .02...