Bill Lawrence Tele and Strat pickups

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 3 May 2003 11:29 am

Well, I have been a Tele player since 1967. That's when I bought my first, with a Bigsby. I washed dishes in a local night club (a junior in high school) to get that one. I have three Teles now. Wish I still had that one.

1983, Elite, Seymour Duncan 1950's style pickup, Strat lead in the middle and a Tele stock neck, my favorite Tele

1983 Japanese, routed for a third pickup and with three Lace Sensors from a Tele plus

1996 Tele Plus with three Lace Sensors, just purchased.

Well, of the three my 1983 blew them all away, until today!

I put three Bill Lawrence pickups in the 1996 Tele plus. I did not alter the pots, tone controls, caps or anything. I used a 290TLE, a 280 Strat in the middle and 280 Tele neck pickup.

That did for me, best Tele tone I have ever gotten out of a guitar! Guess what my other guitars will soon have for pickups? No looking back, this is it for me!!!

Hope you guys do not mind me posting a non-steel issue here. I was just blown away with these pickups and wanted to share it with my friends on the forum.[This message was edited by Ken Fox on 04 May 2003 at 10:10 AM.]

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 3 May 2003 3:33 pm

Ken,

I concur. I bought a Nashville Tele last year from Steve Stallings and replaced the pickups with a 290TLE, and the 280 Strat in the middle and the 280 in the neck. Night and day difference (the guitar had the Fender "Tex Mex" pickups in it). And the price is right, $40 a pickup as I recall. Those pickups really made the guitar come alive. I especially like the sound of that neck pickup.

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 3 May 2003 3:34 pm

Ken,

I concur. I bought a Nashville Tele last year from Steve Stallings and replaced the pickups with a 290TLE, and the 280 Strat in the middle and the 280 in the neck. Night and day difference (the guitar had the Fender "Tex Mex" pickups in it). And the price is right, $40 a pickup as I recall. Those pickups really made the guitar come alive. I especially like the sound of that neck pickup.

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 3 May 2003 4:41 pm

That is the exact pickups I put in mine! The neck pickup is unbelievable for tone!

Jeff Peterson · Post by **Jeff Peterson** » 4 May 2003 6:23 am

It's good that you posted this info. Forum members should know that these pickups may be used in lap steels also. I use Bill's Tele set up in 2 of my lap guitars, and his 908's and 906's in all of my Melobars. He supplies way more pickups to guitar players than steel players.

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 4 May 2003 6:56 am

Good idea Jeff, these would be a perfect fit in the old Fender lap steels. Bill has really came up with a superior product . No hum at all, a vintage Tele sound to boot and only $40.00 each. There is a bit of lead time (4 to 6 weeks on the average)due to the number of orders they have to fill.
I have been reading rave reviews about these pickups for about 2 years, over on the Fender Forum. I just found it hard to believe they would make that much difference. I was pleasantly surprised to discover for myself that the reviews were very accurate.

Michael Holland · Post by **Michael Holland** » 4 May 2003 6:57 am

1883, Elite...

Is that a pre-CBS?!

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 4 May 2003 7:01 am

yeah, but after the civil war, not one of those pre-war beauties you always read about.

I too have read raves about the Lawrence 280's & 290's but it hits home better for me coming here on the forum from you.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 4 May 2003 8:05 am

"Hope you guys do not mind me posting a non-steel issue here."

I don't mind. I'm a Tele-ist myself.
I use a SD Brodcaster Bridge pickup in my custom-built Tele, and stock pups in my Fender 52RI.

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 4 May 2003 8:51 am

Mike, my 1983 is not an Elite, my mistake there. The Elite featured two humbucking pickups. Had to get out my Fender Telecaster book and do a little researh!However it was an odd year for the Telecaster, as all the necks that year had a 12" radius. It is the easiest Tele neck for string bendng I have ever had. By far it is my favorite to play, but now it needs new pickups!

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 4 May 2003 9:11 am

OK, Ken's a little slow. Yes that was a post Civil War Tele!

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 4 May 2003 9:56 am

Both of my Fenders have Bill Lawrence replacement pickups in them. I love them!

Ken, I followed the wiring instruction that Bill sent with the pickups. Did you not use any capacitors or resisters at all in the guitars circuitry? I'm curious.

Dave Z

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 4 May 2003 10:01 am

Dave I did not change one thing from the original wiring for the Lace Sensors. The Lace Sensor circuit use a TBX control set up for the tone. It works so well, I left it like it was!