ratherdashing
Kablamminator
In my quest to have a noise-free Strat, I installed a pair of Bill Lawrence L-280S pickups in No1 Strat (MIM poplar bod, maple/rose neck) to go with the JB trembucker in the bridge. I bought both from www.billlawrence.com. They came with a postcard of Bill playing a Strat, and two hand-drawn (photocopied) wiring diagrams.
As far as construction, these are probably the most solid-looking pickups I've ever seen, aside from an EMG. They have six flat poles that are flush with the top of the cover. The poles go all the way through to the bottom, which is covered by what looks like a PC board. There are two leads that both appear to be easily replaceable, and the whole thing is solidly potted together.
But everyone knows TONE is the most important thing to talk about with pickups. I replaced a pair of Fender Texas Specials, which were fat and juicy, yet with a vintage Strat character. In comparison, the L-280's are definitely more like a traditional Strat pickup. The tone is very detailed and complex, and lacks the fat midrange bump the TS's had.
Maybe it would help if I compared the L-280s with the other two Strat singles I have (all values are out of 10):
Output
Texas Special: 6.5
SD Classic Stack: 4
L-280: 5.5
Bass
Texas Special: 5
SD Classic Stack: 6
L-280: 5
Mid
Texas Special: 8
SD Classic Stack: 5
L-280: 4
Treble
Texas Special: 5
SD Classic Stack: 6
L-280: 7
I am finding that I miss the midrange power in the neck position. I like to use my neck for singing leads, and the lack of mids doesn't help me there. In the middle position, however, the frequency response and output seems to be perfect for what I like. I have always found the middle pickup in a Strat to be a very good rhythm tone, and the L-280 has perfected this. It also sounds excellent in the notch positions.
One thing that's cool about the L-280's is that they're very touch sensitive. I found it hard to get a delicate tone out of the TS's, but the L-280's have a lovely chime-y tone when picked lightly. When I hit the strings a bit harder, familiar Strat tones come out. When I really dig in, they kick it up a notch.
Here's my verdict: for me personally I don't think the L-280 in the neck is going to work out. I need more mids in the neck. I'm going to play with my EQing to see if I can make do, but my gut feeling is that it's not the neck pickup for me. The middle, however, is fantastic, and I will definitely keep it there.
I hope that helps some of you who are curious about this pickup. I am also open to recommendations for a replacement neck pickup - it has to be hum free though. I'm thinking Cool Rails, Hot Stack, or maybe the Lawrence L-290, which is apparently hotter and mid-ier than the L-280.
As far as construction, these are probably the most solid-looking pickups I've ever seen, aside from an EMG. They have six flat poles that are flush with the top of the cover. The poles go all the way through to the bottom, which is covered by what looks like a PC board. There are two leads that both appear to be easily replaceable, and the whole thing is solidly potted together.
But everyone knows TONE is the most important thing to talk about with pickups. I replaced a pair of Fender Texas Specials, which were fat and juicy, yet with a vintage Strat character. In comparison, the L-280's are definitely more like a traditional Strat pickup. The tone is very detailed and complex, and lacks the fat midrange bump the TS's had.
Maybe it would help if I compared the L-280s with the other two Strat singles I have (all values are out of 10):
Output
Texas Special: 6.5
SD Classic Stack: 4
L-280: 5.5
Bass
Texas Special: 5
SD Classic Stack: 6
L-280: 5
Mid
Texas Special: 8
SD Classic Stack: 5
L-280: 4
Treble
Texas Special: 5
SD Classic Stack: 6
L-280: 7
I am finding that I miss the midrange power in the neck position. I like to use my neck for singing leads, and the lack of mids doesn't help me there. In the middle position, however, the frequency response and output seems to be perfect for what I like. I have always found the middle pickup in a Strat to be a very good rhythm tone, and the L-280 has perfected this. It also sounds excellent in the notch positions.
One thing that's cool about the L-280's is that they're very touch sensitive. I found it hard to get a delicate tone out of the TS's, but the L-280's have a lovely chime-y tone when picked lightly. When I hit the strings a bit harder, familiar Strat tones come out. When I really dig in, they kick it up a notch.
Here's my verdict: for me personally I don't think the L-280 in the neck is going to work out. I need more mids in the neck. I'm going to play with my EQing to see if I can make do, but my gut feeling is that it's not the neck pickup for me. The middle, however, is fantastic, and I will definitely keep it there.
I hope that helps some of you who are curious about this pickup. I am also open to recommendations for a replacement neck pickup - it has to be hum free though. I'm thinking Cool Rails, Hot Stack, or maybe the Lawrence L-290, which is apparently hotter and mid-ier than the L-280.
