Difference between a Lawrence L-280 and L-298

[Rockstar216]

I wanted to know from people who have experience with two pups how different are they exactly sound wise? I read trough some older threads on them but didn't find too much. I'm real close to having enough money scrapped together to buy the Bill Lawrence set I want and just have a few questions left. Oh and these would be for the middle slot just FYI.

 

[ColeJustesen]

Re: Difference between a Lawrence L-280 and L-298

I haven't played the L-298, but I have L-280 in the middle and neck of a Yamaha Pacifica 512 and love them. They really are great sounding pickups. I had a L-280TN in another guitar and it did amazing there too. From what I have gathered the L-298 is an alnico 8 based pickup and is slightly hotter than the L-280. I am considering the L-298 to go with an L-500R on another Pacifica to help match output, and because I want to try them out. I wish I could give more information on the L-298, but everything I have touched from Wilde has been nothing short of great.

I just read some posts on the Wilde-Gate forum and according to Beckly Lawrence the L-298 "is more like the Gibson P90 sound in a narrow size single coil cover" and the L-280 "are based on the classic Fender Strat sound of the late pre-CBS period (early-mid 1960s)." I would encourage you to check out the Wilde-Gate Forum for more information.

I hope that helps!

Cole

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Difference between a Lawrence L-280 and L-298

I have some L280s in my noiseless strat. They don't sound anything like Lace Sensors or Fender noisless strat pickups, but 97% like vintage strat pickups, tonewise. They are noticably higher output than vintage output strat pickups though.

 

[LReese]

Re: Difference between a Lawrence L-280 and L-298

Hmm - Its been a very long time but the L-280s I could not stand. Did not sound like a Strat pickup at all. Tried in a couple different Fenders.

Wondering if I got a bad set. Oh well - they're sold now.

The L-200 however was one of the nicest sounding Stacks I tried.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Difference between a Lawrence L-280 and L-298

^^ It might have been the relatively high output. Depending on the amp, if they compress the front end of the amp then they won't get a vintage tone or feel.

I'm a convert to vintage output for just about everything anymore. Humbuckers or singles. With vintage amps they doesn't muddy up the tone in way that I don't want it to, and with modern amps they don't compress the front end as much taking away the dynamics.

 

[LReese]

Re: Difference between a Lawrence L-280 and L-298

In those days, typically a '66 Vibrolux Reverb set under 3 on the volume.

 

[Natman]

Re: Difference between a Lawrence L-280 and L-298

Hey all, I'm resurrecting this zombie thread only because I have experience. The OP has probably tried them by now but just for posterity:
I had an axe wired up with 280 neck, 200 mid, 298 bridge. Overall it was WEIRD. Each pickup was very different in voice and output.

The 298 was VERY hot to my ears, like ripping hot humbucker sizzle hot. It was unusual and unexpected IMO. You lose all strat flavor.

The 200 was closest to a real strat. More 50's sound than later but the closest to a real single coil.

The 280 was pretty odd, I do not agree about this statement: "the L-280 "are based on the classic Fender Strat sound of the late pre-CBS period (early-mid 1960s)."
Well actually, it may have been BASED on the classic sound, but it fails miserably. I t was a really pleasant sounding pickup on its own, but not a single coil sound in the least. Very similar to other stacked humbuckers. The lively bounce you get with singles is nowhere to be found.

Of the three, I would only consider the L200 set for a strat. If you're not going for that, any of them could potentially work out for you.

 

[lostinthemasses]

Re: Difference between a Lawrence L-280 and L-298

I have L-280's and an L-290 in this LTD Elite ST-1



They're the best Strat pickups I've ever used, but they don't replicate Pre-CBS Fender pickups.

Don't listen to anything Becky Lawrence says aside from what's for sale and how much it costs. Come to think of it, I suggest you not even make an attempt to talk to her at all, she's got a really big head on her shoulders and her customer service skills are nonexistent.

Don't get me wrong, I love the products Wilde Pickups makes, Bill was a nice guy and Shannon is incredibly helpful, but Becky is a real piece of work.

 

[Jeff Lazare]

Re: Difference between a Lawrence L-280 and L-298

Does anyone know what the resistance of the L-280 should be? My L-280's measure 7.5K and the L-280 13K. The output seems a little low.