Lawrence 280's ?

Mark P. · July 21st, 2003, 07:37 PM

Opininions anyone?

Rob DiStefano · July 22nd, 2003, 05:29 AM

Subjective stuff, but here's my ears' view ... a crisp, clean, hi-fi version of Fender single coil tone - it misses the harmonic complexity (and humbuzz) that only a true single coil pup can offer. YMMV.

Nick Fanis · July 22nd, 2003, 07:29 AM

I really LOVE Bill Lawrencwe pups.
I have the 290T in the bridge of two teles (courtesy of Rob) and the 280 in the neck of one of them.
The bridge 290T pup is simply put the best tele bridge pup I've ever heard (hum or single) it twangs like crazy and offers a nice vintage tele tone without hum (it is supposed to be a high output pup but I didn't notice it...it sounds that great clean).

The 280 neck pup sounds like a VERY clean and hi fi strat neck pup without the hum.

They both respond amazingly well to a long effect chain (which I DO use) and sound great with overdrive.

I used to be a true single coil snob but I don't think I'll ever build a new partscaster without a set of BL pups on it!

Kurt · July 22nd, 2003, 08:09 PM

I have 280s and a 290 on my Strat and think that they're just fine. Overall, I like the sound and you can't beat the price. Agree with previous posts that they're quite hi-fi. As such, IMHO they don't have much personality but that gives me a lot of flexibility to use fingers, tone, and volume controls to get all, or at least most, of the sounds I want.

Tom P. · July 23rd, 2003, 04:47 AM

Great product handmade by great people. Dead quiet and you can easily sell 'em for what you paid if they ain't yer 'cuppa.

Poppatwang · July 23rd, 2003, 10:34 AM

A little too clinical for me.
Happier w/ SD Broadcaster & hum
than 280 & no hum.

dangerine49 · July 23rd, 2003, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom P.

Great product handmade by great people. Dead quiet and you can easily sell 'em for what you paid if they ain't yer 'cuppa.

I've been considering replacing one or all of the stock pickups in my MIM Strat. I've been waffling between several possibilities, and a set of 280's and 290 bridge is at the top of my list. But I've been keeping my eyes open for a good deal on other used pups as well. I see a lot of Fender, SD, Fralin, Lace, and even the occasional Kinman pups, but I NEVER have seen a set of Bill Lawrence 280/290's available. Maybe it's because there's more of the others around, and I haven't been looking for that long, but people seem to hang on to them.

DavidP · July 24th, 2003, 12:21 AM

and I'm in no hurry to pull them out... They also sound great in series with a 4-way switch.

Paul B · July 24th, 2003, 06:51 AM

I have them in nearly all my axes.

Per his web page
All my pickups fulfill the five most important things any player is looking for:
#1. Output
#2. Dynamics
#3. Transparency
#4. Versatility
#5. Balanced tonal response

I have not pulled them out either.

I have not seen any for sale second hand either - that is a good sign.

40 dollars each they are a bargin.

If you are looking for the above characteristecs then try them.

http://www.billlawrence.com/

Regards

Paul

JohnS · July 24th, 2003, 10:04 AM

I have the L280's in both positions in an ash /RW AMSe Tele. Bought them before the 290's came out. Don't see what I am missing to justify removing the 280. This thing reminds me so much of my '71 that it's scary.

John E · July 24th, 2003, 11:47 AM

w/q-filter. Like them a lot. Worth more than the money he charges (Maybe I shouldn't say that so they don't raise the prices). Solid, solid pickups...

Bob Mc · July 24th, 2003, 12:12 PM

280's plus the Q in my Ashacaster; I'm sticking with them.
I dig the hi-fi ness (hi-finicity? hi-fisation?), although I would probably overlook them if they were described that way to me. There is a sweet spot I can dial in with the Q filter that I leave of weeks at a time; neck only position to be sure.
Great value.

July 21st, 2003, 07:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mark P. TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 30	Lawrence 280's ? Opininions anyone?

July 22nd, 2003, 07:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Nick Fanis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Athens-GREECE Posts: 1,755 14 Photos	I really LOVE Bill Lawrencwe pups. I have the 290T in the bridge of two teles (courtesy of Rob) and the 280 in the neck of one of them. The bridge 290T pup is simply put the best tele bridge pup I've ever heard (hum or single) it twangs like crazy and offers a nice vintage tele tone without hum (it is supposed to be a high output pup but I didn't notice it...it sounds that great clean). The 280 neck pup sounds like a VERY clean and hi fi strat neck pup without the hum. They both respond amazingly well to a long effect chain (which I DO use) and sound great with overdrive. I used to be a true single coil snob but I don't think I'll ever build a new partscaster without a set of BL pups on it! __________________ "Hit him again Jack,he is crazy!" Hunter S.Thompson www.myspace.com/nickfanis

July 22nd, 2003, 08:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kurt Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: MA Posts: 359	BLs sound good to me I have 280s and a 290 on my Strat and think that they're just fine. Overall, I like the sound and you can't beat the price. Agree with previous posts that they're quite hi-fi. As such, IMHO they don't have much personality but that gives me a lot of flexibility to use fingers, tone, and volume controls to get all, or at least most, of the sounds I want.

July 23rd, 2003, 04:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tom P. Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Eastern Ct. Posts: 909	Great product handmade by great people. Dead quiet and you can easily sell 'em for what you paid if they ain't yer 'cuppa. __________________ Just Pickin'

July 23rd, 2003, 10:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,854 13 Photos	I'm with Rob... A little too clinical for me. Happier w/ SD Broadcaster & hum than 280 & no hum.

July 22nd, 2003, 05:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 62 Posts: 4,623	Subjective stuff, but here's my ears' view ... a crisp, clean, hi-fi version of Fender single coil tone - it misses the harmonic complexity (and humbuzz) that only a true single coil pup can offer. YMMV.

July 24th, 2003, 12:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
DavidP Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 512	got 280/290s in my thinline... and I'm in no hurry to pull them out... They also sound great in series with a 4-way switch.

July 24th, 2003, 06:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
Paul B Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 273	Bill Lawrence Pickups I have them in nearly all my axes. Per his web page All my pickups fulfill the five most important things any player is looking for: #1. Output #2. Dynamics #3. Transparency #4. Versatility #5. Balanced tonal response I have not pulled them out either. I have not seen any for sale second hand either - that is a good sign. 40 dollars each they are a bargin. If you are looking for the above characteristecs then try them. http://www.billlawrence.com/ Regards Paul __________________ Hipbluesman

July 24th, 2003, 10:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
JohnS Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Age: 59 Posts: 295 10 Photos	Dig 'em I have the L280's in both positions in an ash /RW AMSe Tele. Bought them before the 290's came out. Don't see what I am missing to justify removing the 280. This thing reminds me so much of my '71 that it's scary.

July 24th, 2003, 11:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
John E Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,396	I have the 280's in my pinecaster... w/q-filter. Like them a lot. Worth more than the money he charges (Maybe I shouldn't say that so they don't raise the prices). Solid, solid pickups...

July 24th, 2003, 12:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,578	Me too John E 280's plus the Q in my Ashacaster; I'm sticking with them. I dig the hi-fi ness (hi-finicity? hi-fisation?), although I would probably overlook them if they were described that way to me. There is a sweet spot I can dial in with the Q filter that I leave of weeks at a time; neck only position to be sure. Great value. __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain