Author Topic: Whats the deal with Bill Lawrence?? (Read 15831 times)

Spitfire · « **on:** May 06, 2008, 11:40:29 AM »

their seems to be two companies trading under the name (one Bill Lawrence, one Bill Lawrence USA) and they both seem to be selling the same (by appearance) pickups.

Bill Lawrence
Bill Lawrence USA

on the "Bill Lawrence" site they have "Disclaimer: Designer Bill Lawrence is Not Associated with Jzchak Wajcman dba Bill Lawrence Products" refering to the latter "Bill Lawrence USA"

im just confused on this...

cheers, Dave.

ericsabbath · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2008, 04:31:38 PM »

bill lawrence company was founded by will stich lorenz ("bill lawrence") and his ex-partner EZ wajcman
will stich LEFT the company in 1984 and sold his part on the business to ez wajcman
bill lawrence company continued producing the pickups and will stich went back to germany, where he founded the OBL company
bill lawrence pickups were sold only by stewart macdonald for years
a few years ago, becky lawrence, will stich's wife started spreading lies about her husband's ex-company, accusing them of making fake and bad bill lawrence pickups, and that her husband makes the real good ones, and that dimebag darrell and other big artists only used pickups made by her husband

everyone believed her for a while, but then this video leaked:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TLrtPJpH5S4

dimebag in 1993 saying that he bought his pickups from stewmac, the only bill lawrence USA seller in the early 90's
will stich didn't make bill lawrence pickups for 15+ years

dimebag, dave mustaine and nuno bettencourt used bill lawrence USA, not the handmade ones

Spitfire · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2008, 04:45:38 PM »

ahh, ok.. so has anyone tried both manufacturers? both seem very elusive with details of their pickups and what their range entails.. its almost like they dont want anyone to buy them!!! if only i could afford 3 BKs!!!!

WezV · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2008, 05:32:14 PM »

i have had or fitted original NOS Bill lawrence XL-500's, new bill lawrence USA XL-500's and some XL-500's directly from Bill and Becky

didnt really like any of them, you need to be dimebag to get them sounding good... well, sounding as good as dimebag anyway

They do not suit most people!!!!!!

One of the main pieces of evidence used by both companies is a early picture of dimebag showing that the pickup surround is clearly chrome/black (delete as approriate for who you believe)

I dont really care but its clear Dimebag was using XL-500's from stew-mac which would have been USA's... stew-mac also apparently stopped selling them because of the number of complaints they had about them, i suppose that could be becky's apparent lies but if that was the case why are stew-mac not holding onto that link with dimebag, afterall - he practically endorsed the company as being the only place you could get a unique element of his sound.

Dimebag had an XL-500 on his original Ml that possibly predated the splitting of the company. when dimebag brought his XL-500's from stew-mac he was probably unaware of this feud rather than showing support for one maker over the other.

Woogie · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2008, 06:52:39 PM »

Not that it's relevant but the Dimebucker is cr@p (friends Razorback)

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2008, 07:00:26 PM »

I got some Bill/Becky L500XLs before xmas and had them in my Explorer for a while, they were (to put it frank) rubbish. The bass end was farty and mushy - tried contacting the company to see if I had a dodgy set of pickups but they don't seem to want to answer emails once they have your money.

Ain't tried the Lawrence USA ones, yet.

check out this vid of Dime though, awesome... http://youtube.com/watch?v=gQ9fnq-CFdM&feature=related

Spitfire · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2008, 08:42:36 PM »

hmm not good feedback on the BL pickups then, im not looking to be dime at all tho, i was reccomended the lower output models by someone much more experienced in the world of guitars than me. mainly as i can only really afford one BK for the neck of my SG.. the other 2 are going to need to be more budget affairs.

jpmaxxy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2008, 08:53:21 PM »

There are a good few 2nd hand BKP's on the Seconds Out forum. I think twinfan is selling 3 humbuckers which might interest you? :idea:

Spitfire · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2008, 09:36:16 PM »

thanks, ive already talked to twinfan about what he has going.. no go :( not quite what im looking for unfortunately.. im gonna go check again for anything ive missed tho.

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2008, 09:56:26 PM »

Quote from: Spitfire

thanks, ive already talked to twinfan about what he has going.. no go :( not quite what im looking for unfortunately.. im gonna go check again for anything ive missed tho.

What are you looking for BTW - just in case any of the others have just what you need going spare.....

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #10 on:** May 06, 2008, 10:26:22 PM »

I've got a set of Emeralds going, asking £130.

goddamn electric · « **Reply #11 on:** May 06, 2008, 10:26:41 PM »

just to give my 2 cents:

the Bill and becky ones ones are supposed to be the better of the 2. i think they both sound very similar but people have often said that these ones are superior to the Bill Lawrence USA ones. The Bill Lawrence USA ones are easier to get hold of (i tried getting a Bill and Becky one from them before but their customer service is pretty much non existent!) and these are the ones found in certain dean and Washburn signature guitars, that said ive heard of people complaining about problems with these ones (microphonic feedback, buzz etc).

Ive never tried either (actually thats a lie i tried a USA one in a Nuno sig and it sounded pretty good. Couldnt compare it to a Bill and Becky one.

I hope some of this helps, and i havent just said the same as everyone else, im tired and i was too lazy to read all the posts.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2008, 11:12:40 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

I got some Bill/Becky L500XLs before xmas and had them in my Explorer for a while, they were (to put it frank) rubbish. The bass end was farty and mushy - tried contacting the company to see if I had a dodgy set of pickups but they don't seem to want to answer emails once they have your money.

Ain't tried the Lawrence USA ones, yet.

check out this vid of Dime though, awesome... http://youtube.com/watch?v=gQ9fnq-CFdM&feature=related

Amazing.

Everything about his playing was just metal to the bones.

What a player.

Spitfire · « **Reply #13 on:** May 07, 2008, 09:53:14 AM »

im looking for a set for my SG.. its a 3 humbcker model.. but im looking for a bridge and middle set with zebra coils. id be happy with any of the lower output models...riff raffs, mules or PGs but not mondays as i want a Alcino II monday for the neck...

anyone know someone with some for sale???

sgmypod · « **Reply #14 on:** May 07, 2008, 08:38:11 PM »

had some B/laurence Gib pickups...ahhhhh