Bill & Becky Lawrence L500XL [almost a review]

[Grindspine]

Re: Bill & Becky Lawrence L500XL [almost a review]

Back in '95 or '96, I bought a Bill & Becky L500 under the company name of Keystone. It was an L-500MS version. It was marketed as a "Multi sound" version of the L-500XL wired to coil tap on the tone control.

I did like the tapped sound of that pickup, but never did like the overall sound with any gain. It was also noisier than I had expected and had a looser bottom end. From the literature I received when I got the pickup, Bill was using Alnico V pickups at the time. I have a strong preference for the sound and feel I get out of ceramics regardless of Bill stating that "magnets have no sound".

Currently, I use a Dimebucker with Dial-a-tap wiring in the same guitar that used to house the L-500MS. I greatly prefer the tightness in the lows and mids that the Dimebucker offers. The tapped sound is a bit different, but still has enough "single coiliness" for my needs.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Bill & Becky Lawrence L500XL [almost a review]

That's the thing Bill Lawrence says he measured some of their pups and they are not to spec, actually a lot out of the original specs. On the contrary he says Dimebucker is almost they same specs as one of their old prototyes L500+.

If you read on the SD website http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/faq/frequently-asked/artists-and-the/what_bridge_pic/ It says they made LOTS Of changes to the L500XXL prototypes.

As I said before even the pickups made by Wilde today are not wound to the original patents. They dont even use the same magnet types that they did. So him saying BL USA doesnt make original specs L500's is silly cause NEITHER of them do.