Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

[Sovereign]

Hey guys I'm having the chance to buy a 70's BL L550 Lead and I need some help here. Have any of you tried this one? I've read mixed reviews and I really want to hear an honest opinion so I don't spend 79 dlls on it.

 

[lostinthemasses]

Re: Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

I threw a set of 70's L-550's in a client's guitar, he had a '78 Les Paul Deluxe. He absolutely loved them and recorded two albums with that guitar, I also thought they were pretty versatile pickups. He plays reggae rock for a living, but plays blues and death metal for fun, pickups worked for all 3 genres no problem.

Only reason he stopped using the guitar is because he got endorsed by PRS and they gave him two Custom 24's.

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

Big difference between the thick/thin rails in tone IMO. The earlier, thicker rails sound much fuller to me. Also, the number of leads is different between the awesome/ not so awesome ones. I liked the 3 lead thick rail version. The thinner rail versions I have owned had 4 leads.

 

[Sovereign]

Re: Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

Apparently the lead one I'm getting has the thick rails, so I guess it should be fine.

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

Apparently the lead one I'm getting has the thick rails, so I guess it should be fine.

IMO, Mine like that sounds great. I got the thinner railed ones and they sounded very thin comparatively which might be the reason for the mixed reviews. But good you are getting a thick railed one.

 

[geddyleefan]

Re: Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

I've seen pics of a custom made SG for Slade's Dave Hill and he had a set of those thick railed ones and it rocks

 

[formula73]

Re: Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

The 550 is just a 500 modified with ears to fit in a P90 rout, so if you like all the various incarnations of the 500, you should like the 550.

 

[Sovereign]

Re: Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

I've only head the 500 on bridge, and I'm not a great fan. But it seems interesting on neck. Just another quick question: between the L-550 and a gibson P-90h sidewinder, which one would you choose?

 

[formula73]

Re: Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

Depending on the strength of the wind, it's a fantastic neck pup-very bright and articulate, though the L and XL versions can be a bit woofy up there. It depends a lot on your bridge pup and amp voicing.

 

[Sovereign]

Re: Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

Nevermind man, the dude selling the sidewinder won't sell me only the P-90. I'll stick to my plan and will get the L-550.

 

[formula73]

Re: Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

What's your bridge pickup, again?

 

[Sovereign]

Re: Bill Lawrence L-550, Thoughts?

Now I'm using Fender stocks but I'm getting an Instrumental Pickups SFTY3 in a week.