Lawrence 705 Pickups: Opinions?

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 1 May 2004 6:53 am

Hi Guys

I've only had 705's on my Franklin and to me,it's part of the Franklin sound. When I started playing my 78 P/P again (SC 17.5k), I was surpirised that I didn't have to change my amp/Roland GP-100 settings!

With my new Carter w/ TW p'ps, the same rig sounded more middy or bassy. Of course, with a little fiddling around, I got a great sound from the Carter.

I just wonder how 705's fit into the mix compared with modern BL or George L's or any other pickup? Are they really bright and come close to a single coil?

I'm thinking of trying one on the E9 neck of my Carter but thought I'd check with y'all first

thx

bob

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 1 May 2004 7:46 am

The 705 is my ALL TIME favorite pickup EVER...in any Steel guitar.
If you don't want yours I'll take it for any price.
To me the 705 is just an awesome humbucking single coil sound...as those are two single coil blade's reverse wound and blended together....don't get much better than that for a hum cancelling pickup.
Ricky

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 1 May 2004 10:17 am

What Ricky said !!

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Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 1 May 2004 10:58 am

Matter of fact; I am looking for two 705's narrow mount if anyone looks in here and has them; and thinks I'm a complete liar and wants to get rid of them....I WANT THEM!!!
Ricky

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 1 May 2004 12:37 pm

Hey Ricky, is the 705 wired in parallel instead of the typical series method? I've done that on guitar pickups and it bucks hum but has a mellower, sweeter sound. I've never heard if anyone does that on steel pickups?

Brad Sarno

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 1 May 2004 12:38 pm

Ricky stated my opinion perfectly! I have a set on my MSA and I just can't find another pickup with a better sound. However, the BL XR-16 does have a great tone with a very broad range.

Dave

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'74 MSA D-10 8&4 W/705's, Rocktron Short Timer, Profex II, Nashville 400

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 1 May 2004 3:53 pm

Sorry Brad; I don't know that answer....I haven't actually opened one up...
Ricky

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 1 May 2004 6:33 pm

The 705 is my favorite pickup, as well. It has a great fat single coil sound, almost like a P-90 gibson pickup.

I do have a 905 on one of my Franklins for the C neck, and I like it really well for what I use the C neck for (funk and jazz).

I might try one of those TrueTone pickups, but I am pretty spoiled by the 705s in the studio (no noise, no matter what gain I dial in on the amp).

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Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 3 May 2004 3:59 pm

I had 705's on both necks of a ShoBud SuperPRo I had back in the early 80's and it was a great sounding guitar! No hum for the single coil type sound.

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 3 May 2004 5:00 pm

I have two BL 705's in my Carter D-10 (8/9)

Ricky and Dan are right.... They are great PU's!!!!!!!!

I love that sound

Tim Harr

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 3 May 2004 5:17 pm

Hey Tim

Your green beauty is what got me to thinking about in for my Carter. What did you have on before to compare to?

thx

bob

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 4 May 2004 5:49 am

Is the 705 brighter than an E66?

thx

bob

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 4 May 2004 6:50 am

Maybe mine needs a rewind or something, because I can't stand it...
It came on the Bud and has always irritated me through any amp.
I had another on C6, replaced it with a Trutone and love the sound.The old 705 is presently residing on a 10 string lapsteel.
But the E9 705 makes my ears itch...
Go figure.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 04 May 2004 at 07:59 AM.]

John Knight · Post by **John Knight** » 4 May 2004 10:07 am

I love the 705's. Have them in both my 61 Sho-Bud and the Thomas. Just a great pickup.

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D 10 Thomas with 8&6, '61'D-10 Sho-Bud 8&3
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Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 5 May 2004 10:28 am

All I know is what the "MAN" ("BIG E")said to me,quote,"Yer gettin' a GREAT tone outta that steel!!" That's good enough for me. I have an early to mid 70's Sho~Bud "Pro I",w/ a B.L.705 in it. (Unfortunately,he made no comment about my pickin',but 1 outta 2 ain't bad.)

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mm if it ain't got that twang.
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Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 5 May 2004 8:21 pm

Smiley-My Sho-Bud Pro-1 has a great sound with the original pickup in it. But If the 705's are any better than that, and Ricky says so, I'd like to try one if I can find one....al

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[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 05 May 2004 at 09:23 PM.]

Harold Parris · Post by **Harold Parris** » 12 May 2004 7:16 pm

I have one I have babied for several years now. It is a good pickup. I have it as one of my quick change pickups for my Sierra Session. I have an E66 and a GeorgeL Sierra Series 2. I use the 705 most of the time.

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Sierra Session and MSA Classic Guitars, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 HiVolt, and Gretsch Nashville Pro Steel Amps, Keith Hilton Digital Sustain pedal and Digital Sustain Box .
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