Lace humbucker splits

[sumitagarwal]

We're generally familiar with Lace Dually's (a library of humbuckers explicitly made by bolting together two, often unmatched, Sensor single coils), but what about the coils and splits in their more recent popular humbucker models under larger covers? Things like the Drop n Gain, Hemi, etc?

Jared at Lace has confirmed over email to a customer that all their humbuckers are made by combining Sensors side by side, except for Holy Grails and Alumitones.

So the question is: what are the split values on their humbuckers? Which ones have matched coils and which ones don't?

The Dually's are cool but there's a limited range of combinations, and in my opinion some real gaps. On those Lace provides the inductance value of each coil, but on the newer humbuckers only series inductance. They do explicitly describe the Drop n Gain as using one coil for output and one coil for definition. I'm not entirely sure that's how things work in series wiring electrically-speaking, but at least it seems to confirm that it's two different Sensor models in there.

If we knew the inductance for each coil of the newer humbuckers, that would open up a bigger library of options for mixing and matching. Or even just the resistance values would probably be enough to trace back the corresponding Sensor.

Anyone happen to know? Or have ones they've tested?

 

[SINGTONE]

The real question is are the coils operating in true humbucker mode, meaning One coil South and one North? Or just in series?

 

[sumitagarwal]

The real question is are the coils operating in true humbucker mode, meaning One coil South and one North? Or just in series?

I've read confirmation that they are wound North and South, but that the early humbuckers they made for Fender were not.

 

[Chistopher]

The newer models (D3 and Alumitones) don't actually split, they just use different windings on a transformer, so as to produce a different sound without a different volume level.

 

[sumitagarwal]

The newer models (D3 and Alumitones) don't actually split, they just use different windings on a transformer, so as to produce a different sound without a different volume level.

Alumitones, yes, but I believe the D3 models are real splits and the claim about volume level has basically to do with the fact that each split is still a "full" Sensor. I'm also under the impression that the D3 models are primarily former artist signature designs where the endorsements were not renewed. Per Lace:

The “D3 Series” humbuckers are available in three different tones. The models are “The Sabretooth”, “D’ Agitator” and “The Designators.” The line is pure metal, with splitting capability and without any loss of output or tone. Lace Sensor patented technology is used in these models.

 

[Chistopher]

I guess that would make sense. I must just be misremembering. I do remember they have a different color code.

 

[sumitagarwal]

I guess that would make sense. I must just be misremembering. I do remember they have a different color code.

I found a better quote: https://lacemusic.com/products/the-d3™-signature-disintegrators™-humbucker-set-gold

Like all Lace Sensors®, The Disintegrators™ have impeccable tone and unparalleled sustain. Each Disintegrator™ humbucker is splittable by way of Lace’s patented Dually® technology. This allows you to get single coil tone without any loss of output or increase in noise

 

[Juanhanglo]

We're generally familiar with Lace Dually's (a library of humbuckers explicitly made by bolting together two, often unmatched, Sensor single coils), but what about the coils and splits in their more recent popular humbucker models under larger covers? Things like the Drop n Gain, Hemi, etc?

Jared at Lace has confirmed over email to a customer that all their humbuckers are made by combining Sensors side by side, except for Holy Grails and Alumitones.

So the question is: what are the split values on their humbuckers? Which ones have matched coils and which ones don't?

The Dually's are cool but there's a limited range of combinations, and in my opinion some real gaps. On those Lace provides the inductance value of each coil, but on the newer humbuckers only series inductance. They do explicitly describe the Drop n Gain as using one coil for output and one coil for definition. I'm not entirely sure that's how things work in series wiring electrically-speaking, but at least it seems to confirm that it's two different Sensor models in there.

If we knew the inductance for each coil of the newer humbuckers, that would open up a bigger library of options for mixing and matching. Or even just the resistance values would probably be enough to trace back the corresponding Sensor.

Anyone happen to know? Or have ones they've tested?

That customer was me, I think, lol. I sent that email to prove to some online poster (at the old unofficial warmoth forum i think) that said the hemis were a p90/small single like a

The lace sensor is used in everything but the obvious like alumitones and holy grails.

The lace site give resistance and inductance for most of their stuff. im sure they'd answer an email requesting such as well.

The drop and gain is dual resonance design like alot of dimarzios. That's al that mumbo jumbo means. They just couldn't advertise it as such. Their technology was different enough that there was no patent infringement. This very much does work as described. Read dimarzio's description of the mo'joe. You'll see similar.

Alot of the early humbuckers were just the original sensor colors mixed and matched.

The hemibuckers (i have a set) were the first set that were wound to standard humbcker specs in resistance and henries. The newer sets don't use the old sensors, as far as I know
I can confirm that the hemis are symmetrical.

The drop and gains are different coils.


Even if you know the coil specs, lace pickups won't sound like you expect those specs to sound. The singles have a humbucker like compression to them, and the humbuckers have some of that single coil vibe on top of a humbucker tone.

They also made one of the first noiseless p90s the ps900/901.

 

[sumitagarwal]

That customer was me, I think, lol. I sent that email to prove to some online poster (at the old unofficial warmoth forum i think) that said the hemis were a p90/small single like a

The lace sensor is used in everything but the obvious like alumitones and holy grails.

The lace site give resistance and inductance for most of their stuff. im sure they'd answer an email requesting such as well.

The drop and gain is dual resonance design like alot of dimarzios. That's al that mumbo jumbo means. They just couldn't advertise it as such. Their technology was different enough that there was no patent infringement. This very much does work as described. Read dimarzio's description of the mo'joe. You'll see similar.

Alot of the early humbuckers were just the original sensor colors mixed and matched.

The hemibuckers (i have a set) were the first set that were wound to standard humbcker specs in resistance and henries. The newer sets don't use the old sensors, as far as I know
I can confirm that the hemis are symmetrical.

The drop and gains are different coils.


Even if you know the coil specs, lace pickups won't sound like you expect those specs to sound. The singles have a humbucker like compression to them, and the humbuckers have some of that single coil vibe on top of a humbucker tone.

They also made one of the first noiseless p90s the ps900/901.

Thanks!! Hopefully others will chime in on if they've measured any of the other humbuckers as symmetrical or not.

I've read that the Sensor design effectively magnetizes and therefor reads a larger length of the string, which in a sense would be a little humbucker-like, and makes sense that it would lend a more compressed sound than the smaller point that, say, Stratocaster poles magnetize

 

[ICTGoober]

I like Lace products. Have since the 90's when Fender started using them. They are quiet, and articulate. I have no idea how the work. I have called Lace and sent them emails and never gotten an answer.

Also, they don't make the PS900 anymore, which I find sad. When I've tried to buy used ones they go quick and for crazy money, so they must sound pretty good.

 

[idsnowdog]

I like Lace products. Have since the 90's when Fender started using them. They are quiet, and articulate. I have no idea how the work. I have called Lace and sent them emails and never gotten an answer.

They are shielded single coils with a comb filter on top. The gaps in the comb are large enough for the magnet to sense the strings but small enough to filter out most RFI. Their shielding gives them higher inductance so their resonant peaks are lower than most other pickups. Which makes them sound good clean but a bit nasally with high gain.

 

[sumitagarwal]

They are shielded single coils with a comb filter on top. The gaps in the comb are large enough for the magnet to sense the strings but small enough to filter out most RFI. Their shielding gives them higher inductance so their resonant peaks are lower than most other pickups. Which makes them sound good clean but a bit nasally with high gain.

That's a great explanation that I hadn't come across before

 

[Chistopher]

They are shielded single coils with a comb filter on top. The gaps in the comb are large enough for the magnet to sense the strings but small enough to filter out most RFI. Their shielding gives them higher inductance so their resonant peaks are lower than most other pickups. Which makes them sound good clean but a bit nasally with high gain.

What do you mean by "they have a comb filter on top"?

 

[idsnowdog]

What do you mean by "they have a comb filter on top"?

This