| Author |
Topic: What are the new Bill Lawrence PUs? |
Steve Feldman
From:
Central MA USA
|
Posted 21 Feb 2002 3:33 am |
|
| I've heard mention of 3 different new models over the last several days around here. Anyone in the know care to tell us what's new from Lawrence PU? |
|
|
 |
Steve Feldman
From:
Central MA USA
|
Posted 21 Feb 2002 4:11 pm
|
|
| Aw c'mon Bill. Are they like the L710s? Brighter? Like the L910s? More b@llsy? Bill, you have never been at a loss for colorful description...don't let me down now!!! |
|
|
|
Jay Jessup
From:
Charlottesville, VA, USA
|
Posted 22 Feb 2002 10:50 am
|
|
Since I was at Bill's shop last Saturday I guess I might take a pass at this with this caveat: when you add Bill's accent to the fact that most of what he told me revolves around electronincs theory, that usually adds up to me being about two points behind when he was explaning something to me. He did have a pickup that looked like a 710 that he called an EX-16 or something like that. I thought he said it was still in the developement stage so it may NOT be the same type of pickup that is on Tommy's new Zum. Bill's direction with this new one was to have something that would successfully offer a variety of sounds instead of just one. To accomplish this he said he made this pickup with too much of everything and then ran it through a little device where he could plug in different loads and then select how much of that load the pickup was filtered through with a knob, this would cut down certain frequencies to achieve different sounds. At the time he was demonstrating this he was playing through a small Fender that was hooked up to a extended range speaker cabinet. Unless I totally missed the boat (which is possible) I think this whole thing was a package and in fact he demonstrated that the pickup didn't sound to great all by itself. So most likely what I saw is not on the market yet but I would sure like to have one when it is because the 5 position George L didn't really get that job done. I hope I haven't confused the issue even more.
Jay |
|
|
|
Jeff Peterson
From:
Nashville, TN USA
|
Posted 22 Feb 2002 10:34 pm
|
|
I, along with a few others, have been test-driving Bill's new LXR-16 pickup for a number of months, and I've decided(I never thought I'd say this) to install them on all but one of my Emmons. I believe I'll keep the 710's on my '79 P/P.
This new pickup is of the 710 configuration(visually, you can't tell them apart..unless you have very excellent eyes and check the pole material out closely), but the similarity ends there. Bill has used different basic materials, in the case of the slugs...rare, and difficult to obtain. And, he has managed through the design itself, to slightly 'antenuate' the odd harmonics that the unit picks up(3, 5, 7, etc.) These seem to be the sounds that players refer to as 'harsh', or 'edgy' in the 710. I have never had this problem, I have always been able to tweek slightly on my EQ and the 710's work really well. I've also heard of the 'distortion', or over-driving problems some experience. Again, for me, no problem...but the LXR-16 has a slightly lower output than the 710. It certainly isn't a huge difference to me, as I have not changed my volume but slightly, and my EQ comes back closer to flat...no sizeable mid-cut.
To sum up, to compare Bill's pickups to other manufacturers is kinda' like apples and oranges. The LXR-16 seems to fall between the 710 and 910 somewhere. Definitely sweeter than the 710, not as dark as the 910. If you have a full bodied-sound guitar, Emmons/ ShoBud/ etc....either the 710 or LXR-16 would be a great choice. The 'thinner' sounding guitars....no names here, would mostly benefit from the 910 for which it was designed by Bill in the first place.
Again, the best in design, materials, and quality-control, Bill has designed a fabulous sounding pickup that will bring out just the best sound possible in all my guitars. If you get the opportunity, check out the new pickup....it will be time well spent. peace......Jeff
For more info on the application of Bill's whole line of pickups for your particular guitar, call Bobbe Seymour at Steel Guitar Nashville.....615-822-5555. [This message was edited by Jeff Peterson on 22 February 2002 at 10:55 PM.] |
|
|
|
Steve Feldman
From:
Central MA USA
|
Posted 23 Feb 2002 8:56 am
|
|
Great review, Jeff. Thanks for the info. Hard to believe I'd find a PU I like better than the 710, but sounds like this new PU may be worth a try!
|
|
|
|
Jay Jessup
From:
Charlottesville, VA, USA
|
Posted 24 Feb 2002 6:10 am
|
|
| HA! Well there you go I was either totally clueless to what Bill was trying to explain to me or what he showed me was something else he is doing R&D on? |
|
|
|
