New Set of Keystones

[caliban335]

I finally got my Tele back from the guitar tech yesterday with a set of Keystones installed. I had a four way switch installed at the same time, so I could use the two pickups wired in series, as well as parallel. I really can't say enough about these pickups. They're not just good for the price you pay. They're excellent pickups period. I chose to get the neck pickup without a cover and the tone is excellent with real guts and presence. Just the neck pickup alone would be worth the price of the full set. I'd recommend a set of Keystones to anybody without reservation, unless they were planning to play metal or shred.

Great pickups. Nice people to do business with.

[Reverend_Cheese]

I've been very interested in Keystone pickups, but I've been unable to figure out how to order!

I know that may sound stupid, but I found their ordering set-up\system to be convoluted and unclear.

how'd you do it?

[Derek Kiernan]

Originally Posted by Reverend_Cheese

I've been very interested in Keystone pickups, but I've been unable to figure out how to order!

I know that may sound stupid, but I found their ordering set-up\system to be convoluted and unclear.

how'd you do it?

They actually just set up an online store within the last couple days, so far with just the Keystone sets and cables. The new covers are real nice!

Bill's Online Shop

[JohnS]

I got mine with the chrome neck cover which is plastic and appears not to affect the tone at all but looks "right." Awesome pups.

[Reverend_Cheese]

They actually just set up an online store within the last couple days, so far with just the Keystone sets and cables. The new covers are real nice!

Bill's Online Shop

Holeee crap! 57.00 for a set of Tele pickups!!??

That's an insane deal! I've been trying to decide between Tone Rider, GFS and Keystone. I think the price just made my mind up for me.

Wow.

And Bill is the original "boutique" pickup guy. He's been at longer than anyone except maybe Dan Armstrong.

[littlewing6283]

good choice. i have three sets

[JayBee]

Keystones are very,very good , full stop.
Just in case anyone wants to mix and match with other pickups, the neck (5.7K) keeps up with a Voodoo TE50 bridge (9K) in one guitar, and the bridge keeps up with a Rickenbacker toaster (7.5K) neck in another.
Both configurations sound very good, and outperform previously tried pickup pairings.

At the price, a bargain.

[podboy3]

I've got two projects and I am planning to use keystones in one or possibly both.... For the money you can't go wrong Bill Lawrence pups.

I would like to try the Q Filter they advertise to see what it does.

[ChicknPickn]

The OP hit the nail on the head: the Keystones are not just good for the price. They're just great pickups, period.

[DaleH]

I was playing my Highway 1 with Keystones the other day and a buddy dropped in. He listened for a bit then said he would like to get a tele. I have a tele with GFS pup for sale and I plugged it in. He listened then said, I could never buy that. Not after hearing the other one.

Sorry buddy but the Keystones aren't going anywhere.

[JG806]

Originally Posted by Reverend_Cheese

Holeee crap! 57.00 for a set of Tele pickups!!??

That's an insane deal! I've been trying to decide between Tone Rider, GFS and Keystone. I think the price just made my mind up for me.

Wow.

And Bill is the original "boutique" pickup guy. He's been at longer than anyone except maybe Dan Armstrong.

Yeah, I would recommend to NOT get the GFS with Keystones & Tone Riders out there. I have a set of GFS in one of my Teles. They are pretty good...just pretty good.

[Flashback]

Fantastic Pickups.

None of my guitars have them in at the moment. But I ****ing love the neck pickup!

[boris bubbanov]

I might have ten Teles with this very arrangement, except I've been using the non-deluxe version. I really like the Series. All 4 positions are fairly quiet, and of course Parallel and Series are noise canceling. Beautiful sounding guitars need no masking of their natural sound, and these Keystones offer no masking; no french onion or jalapeno or hickory smoke flavor - no where to hide, actually. Play the part right or play it on a guitar with some other pickups.

[GuitarJonz]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

I might have ten Teles with this very arrangement, except I've been using the non-deluxe version.

10 teles with Keystones I guess you like em!

Anyone tried both non-covered and shiny-covered Deluxe versions of the neck pup? Any appreciable difference in sound?

[garymaddox]

I agree with AG806 100%! GFS used to be OK, but there stuff is a waste of money now.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by GuitarJonz

10 teles with Keystones I guess you like em!

Anyone tried both non-covered and shiny-covered Deluxe versions of the neck pup? Any appreciable difference in sound?

I don't have the one shiny cover Keystone hooked up right now, but the difference between the two is negligible - all about the physical appearance or whether you don't mind saving a couple bux.

I actually have Tele Keystones in non Teles, and a whole passel of Teles in the "Proto-Esquire" stage or wired some different way, also with Keystones. I was just referring to the ones with Keystones and a 4 way switch only ( oh, and there's only 9 like that ). You betcha these pups are great; but don't forget I have way too many guitars and there are just as many without Keystones; all sorts of things. But the Keystone is the pickup I would use if I could have only 1 Telecaster, I think.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by garymaddox

I agree with AG806 100%! GFS used to be OK, but there stuff is a waste of money now.

Gary, I don't buy the product and to a degree I think its a fashion thing partly. When guys had extra $$ to burn they bought more GFS pickups to play with.

Now, you gotta make every dollar count. People are starting to find they cannot pass along a "mistake pup" from GFS on e-bay because folks are getting wise and money is short.

But, the actual pickups GFS sells? Hadn't changed really. Just people's opinions. People get the Artec version of the same pickup or the Duncan Designed analog of this pickup - all made at the same plant.

GFS has some very good ones and some bad ones. Other companies, once they know model XXX is a bad one, they recycle the material in the leftover pickups and stop making that model. GFS keeps right on selling them.

If you pick the right model, it is a fair deal. If you don't it is a waste of money but it always has been.

[JG806]

Originally Posted by garymaddox

I agree with AG806 100%! GFS used to be OK, but there stuff is a waste of money now.

Well, I didn't say that GFS a waste of money. Just pretty good. With the price of these Keystones, I'd say they are a far better deal than the GFS. Probably the Toneriders too.

[JG806]

Anyone know the DC resistance (output) of these pickups?

[sjtalon]

FANTASTIC pickups !!

I just put in a set of Keystones (dlx) in my Nashville Tele.

Neck 7.98 Ω
Bridge 7.63 Ω


Output ?? I don't have a outputometer

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by JG806

Anyone know the DC resistance (output) of these pickups?

Bill is allergic to speaking in terms of comparing different pickups, based upon resistance. He's about inductance. He'll talk Henries with you. Bill feels, and I agree, that there are so many examples of pickups being different than we might suppose if all we knew was the resistance. I only look for it to see if the pickup is damaged, or to keep two different but similar looking pickups organized before I install them.

[sjtalon]

Right on Boris, being you have a "couple" guitars you need a system to keep things straight.

inductance, yep we are in the electromagnetic world here so it's a BIGGIE !

I would add, getting a R reading on the pups when new is a good base to have recorded if you need to trouble shoot down the pike someday

[JG806]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Bill is allergic to speaking in terms of comparing different pickups, based upon resistance. He's about inductance. He'll talk Henries with you. Bill feels, and I agree, that there are so many examples of pickups being different than we might suppose if all we knew was the resistance. I only look for it to see if the pickup is damaged, or to keep two different but similar looking pickups organized before I install them.

I understand but there has to be some way of comminicating the output right? How about this Boris - would you describe these as vintage, moderate, or hot?
Basically what I'm wondering is are they hot enough to get some good rock tones from.

[musicalmartin]

If its any help ,and it probably isnt ,I have tried both and Toneriders are more of a old fashioned Tele tone and Keystones are a more hotter modern sound IMHO .Both are great .Take yer pick.I ended up with an SD Alnico II in the neck for a more warmer jazzy tone and a Tonerider hot classic in the bridge for a hotter rocky blues .

[Mr. E]

Are the keystone noiseless? I have heard little of them, anyone have more info?

[sjtalon]

If I ever bought a set of pickups that where noiseless, I'd send them back !

Sorry couldn't resist, yes to your question, no buzz or hum out of mine, LOVE 'Em

[Derek Kiernan]

They're single coils but comparatively low noise.

[sjtalon]

I have to add to my last post in answering YES to the the "noiseless" question in that they are RW/RP. They are quiet individually as well.

GREAT design.

[ChicknPickn]

I recently installed a Keystone bridge pickup in a custom Tele with a 4-way switch. The rhythm pickup is a P90. I did the most thorough shielding job I could do, and have been amazed by how quiet this guitar is. I'd been prepared for a real buzzer. My reference is an unshielded Srat, which picks up radio signals from deep space. I'm thinking I should put some more of these Keystones away before Becky and Bill start charging as much as they easily could.

[Mr. E]

I think I'm getting a set. They are cheap and have great reviews on the site. But mostly because of this, "My pickups fulfill the five most important things any player is looking for:Output, Dynamics,Transparency,Versatility and Balanced tonal response."

[decafie]

Originally Posted by Derek Kiernan

They actually just set up an online store within the last couple days, so far with just the Keystone sets and cables. The new covers are real nice!

Bill's Online Shop

I'm actually pretty damned confused with the online shop - which "Buy Now" do I choose for a Keystone Tele set with the Chrome Cover for Neck pickup?

[sjtalon]

http://wildepickups.com/Wilde_Bill_s_Online_Shop.html


This is it right below the 57 dollar set:

The Deluxe - KTL with tele neck size pickup in either chrome plated (not shown), black or ivory cover $64.00 + S/H

Then when you go through the paypal process you should be able to leave a comment that you want the chrome plated cover ( like a Tele)

Or write and have them send you and invoice

billnbecky@wildepickups.com

[MikeMurray]

Originally Posted by Reverend_Cheese

Holeee crap! 57.00 for a set of Tele pickups!!??

Isn't it $57 per pup?

[JG806]

Originally Posted by MikeMurray

Isn't it $57 per pup?

No. Check out the website. $57 per set.

[Mr. E]

I have a question.
Is the Black Label pickups a version of Bill and Becky's Keystone?

[garytelecastor]

I have two sets of Keystones. One in my ash tele, the other in waiting. I put a Five/Two SD in my MIJ. I love that pup as well.

[JG806]

Originally Posted by Mr. E

I have a question.
Is the Black Label pickups a version of Bill and Becky's Keystone?

Don't think so. I believe those are the "other" Bill Lawrence.

[Mr. E]

Originally Posted by JG806

Don't think so. I believe those are the "other" Bill Lawrence.

I know, but are the Black Label the Keystones of the "other" Bill Lawrence?