Bill & Becky Lawrence 290TL, 298TL, etc

[jamieorc]

I've got a home-built Tele with BL 290TL-E and 290TN. After a number of years with this combo, I'm going to change it up. I really like the neck pickup, but the bridge pickup is a bit compressed for me. Looking for comments comparing the various BL Tele bridge pickups. So far, I'm leaning 290TL or 298TL.

I'm trying to get back to more standard Tele sounds without turning it into a super-cluck country guitar (I don't play country).

I've also thought about matching it up with either a 280TN or even a 600N just for the fun of it.

Guitar is Warmoth swamp ash body from '91 and Warmoth maple neck from 2001.

[benderb9]

I have a 290TL in an 83 Tele (202N w/cover @ neck) and Bill's Q-filter and it is a sweet combination. I ended up with 250K pots and a .22 cap to tame the fidelity a tad.These are both REALLY clear pups that let your playing come through, they work great with effects/OD as well. They are also whisper quite. The tone/volume controls work great and the Q-filter adds a nice change up ( I have it on a mini switch). I also have two builds in progress of a Tele with Micro-Coils and a Les Tele that'll have a 298TL in the bridge and a L45S at the neck but they're both a good two months off from being done (have all the parts just not the time). I've heard the 298TL is a real good go at a P90 sound for a Tele and the L45S has a nice Strat cluck to it...I really look forward to the Micros going in the Tele...they seem to be the next evolution in pup design just from looking at them, check out Bill's Wilde site.The 298TL does require a non-ferrous bridge to prevent squeal as does the 290TL (brass Gotoh bridge from Warmouth on the 298TL and the original Stainless on the '83). I really like Bill's pups they are sweeter sounding than anything else I've played...they even like all of my amps equally

[Mr. E]

I've been looking to get the combo you have. I've heard that combo is P90-ish sounding and that's what I want. I don't see many review about either pickup by itself or combo. Would you mind elaborating a bit more on it? I'm looking foward to know about that combo and other Wilde pickups from here to see which one sounds like a better option for me.

[Stylemaster]

I wish there was a clip of the 298TL. I've spoken to Becky and Bill's daughter but I still can't figure out what this pickup sounds like.

[jamieorc]

Mr E, were you referring to my PUs or benderb9's? Dunno if I'd call the 290TL-E P-90ish, although that's why I originally bought it 7 years ago. I'm not unhappy with it--I think the Bill Lawrence pickups are the best. I just want a different sound. I've noticed that when I play a more traditionally set up Tele, I dig that sound. With the 290TN/290TL-E I really love the Neck and Middle positions. I actually like the lead position, but it sounds like something really different and I want them to match up better.

[JohnS]

I have a TL 298 in my Cali Fat Tele with the stock Tex Mex humbucker. The bridge is ferrous but I get no squeal. They balance really well. The 298 is a Tele sounding pup but not uber twangy or bright. Not super P-90 either. Just solid no hum Tele type tone with no edge or harshness. My Keystone is brighter / twangier and a 280 I had was more even and "polite."

[Mr. E]

I found this. It might be useful.
http://guitarsbyfender.yuku.com/topi...0tl-e-vs-298tl