What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

[rgand]

I like the sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R pickup in the neck position. Does anyone know if Duncan offers a pickup that duplicates the sound and fits in a normal humbucker routing? I emailed this question to Duncan tech support but never got an answer. I suspect that means they don't but I'll ask it here anyway. Thanks for any input on this.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

Only thing close to a L-500 from Duncan would be a Dimebucker and even then compared to the L-500 R it's a bit different. Really nothing sounds like a L-500 except a L-500. I own a L-500L and have compared it along side other pups even a Dimebucker and it's in a class of it's own.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

What are you trying to achieve by NOT using a L500?

 

[rgand]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

Rockstar216, that's what I suspected. I have an original late 70's L-500 in one guitar and am upgrading another.

Idsnowdog, I was just being lazy and didn't want to cut a pickguard myself. No biggie, but that's the whole thing.

I'll just get one and be done with it. Thanks for the replies, pards.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

I had a Bill Lawrence USA XL-500 and I didn't need to cut the pickguard. It fit just fine in a regular humbucker route. Are you sure about the dimensions?

 

[rgand]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

I had a Bill Lawrence USA XL-500 and I didn't need to cut the pickguard. It fit just fine in a regular humbucker route. Are you sure about the dimensions?

I measured the L-500 in my old guitar for the dimensions. The standard humbucker route is the right width but leaves about 1/8" gap top and bottom and cuts way out from the corners. The 'fat humbucker' route is too tall, too. A mini humbucker mounting hole, although not too tall, cuts too far into the corners, as well. LOL, don't want any cookie crumbs falling in there. Perhaps the new L-500 pickups may be standard humbucker sized but I suspect not. At any rate, I'll know in a week or so as I just ordered one. When I get the pickguard, I'll just have it sent with no route at all and cut it out myself.

Thanks to everyone for the input. This is a good forum.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

Nope the new ones are smaller then a regular bucker. They are about the size of a P-90 if i'm not mistaken.

 

[rgand]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

Nope the new ones are smaller then a regular bucker. They are about the size of a P-90 if i'm not mistaken.

That's what I thought. Thanks.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

Are we talking about the L-500 humbucker or the L-510 P90 sized pickup?

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

Nope the new ones are smaller then a regular bucker. They are about the size of a P-90 if i'm not mistaken.

The wilde ones will fit in a p90 route. (The l500xl.) Becky has confirmed this and I have tried it. They can be a touch wider than a normal route. Sandpaper will take care of the pickguard quickly.

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

Are we talking about the L-500 humbucker or the L-510 P90 sized pickup?

Isn't the l510 the single row of screws that is like a noiseless p90? (I use wilde, not BLUSA) the l500 for p90 route was I believe the l550.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

Isn't the l510 the single row of screws that is like a noiseless p90? (I use wilde, not BLUSA) the l500 for p90 route was I believe the l550.

The L550 might be what I'm thinking of. I guess I have never heard on a L500 which should be standard humbucker dimensions not fitting?

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

L500s are not exactly standard dimension and have as far as I know always been a little different dimensions. (I have an example from pre split) However, in general they do fit standard routes and such, they just leave a gap and can bind on the sides of rings a little.

 

[synzzzer]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

Back to your original question. I have used the L-500-R for years. Actually, I've used it mostly in the bridge position. I have to say, there really is nothing like it on the market except for itself.

 

[rgand]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

I have a Tele with an L-250 at the bridge and an L-500 at the neck. It's a fine combination. I haven't tried an L-500R at the bridge but it sounds like a good one for the job.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

I'm sure it will work just fine. I use a L-500L in the bridge a L-298m in the middle and a L-90 2.8h in the neck.

 

[rgand]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

I guess I'll find out, eh? With a coil tap for both pickups, it should do the trick.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

I guess I'll find out, eh? With a coil tap for both pickups, it should do the trick.

Have you heard of Bill's "Q-filter"?

 

[rgand]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

I have but don't know much about it. There was a vid on youtube with some guy using one but it didn't tell me much. Do you know of any good demo vids?

On the thread I where asked for clarification on the 2H,1V,2T,3W,1PP wiring diagram, dotsdad says the diagram shows the push/pull links the pickups in parallel. I'll try that next and if it doesn't sound to my liking, I'll ground the switched position for a coil tap.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: What Duplicates The Sound of a Bill Lawrence L-500R?

I have one and use it and like what it does. It simulates taking winds off of a pickup. Makes a pup sound more vintage and under wound.