Author Topic: Competetors for Bill Lawrence L500XL (Read 35740 times)

AngusYoung01 · « **on:** June 04, 2008, 10:52:33 AM »

Hey guys, been a while since I've last posted :)

Anyway, I'm considering getting a Bill Lawrence L500XL (made by him and Becky, not a cr@ppy "Bill Lawrence USA" one) as I'm after a Nuno like tone for my Charvel going through a Marshall DSL50, and was recommended highly by many people ofthis pickup.

I was just wondering what BKP alternatives you would suggest, to keep my options open.

Thanks dudes :D

MDV · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2008, 10:58:59 AM »

The XL500L is a chainsaw-y, low-end-less painkiller.

AngusYoung01 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2008, 11:07:15 AM »

Before anyone slags the pickup off, I love what I've heard, and for what I'm after, it seems to be the only way to go.

But you would recommend a Painkiller?

MDV · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2008, 11:15:09 AM »

Well, I'm not a fan of the l500xl (its not dreadfull, but I'd never go for one), but the painkiller is what I'd point you to in the BK range thats most similar. The PK has a much bigger sound thats not grainy (which the BL is) and its lows are lower and there are more of them, and they are tighter.

I think the BL has a higher resonant frequency, but its overall character of tight cruch is most closely matched by the PK.

I recommend you get a PK, but if you want an l500xl, go for it.

Oh, word of warning: a mate got an l500xl and it screams with microphonics. Never taken any other than that one loud enough to get the same result (never above tv-volume), but my BKs were quiet through the same amp with the same settings in the same place relative to the amp (and closer for that matter).

Twinfan · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2008, 11:16:05 AM »

Sounds like you've made your mind up to me, plus what do you expect us here on the BKP forum to say? :roll:

gwEm · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2008, 11:30:33 AM »

are bill and becky hand winding them? quite important IMO.

MDV · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2008, 11:34:59 AM »

I think so, yeah, but hes rather scornfull of scatterwindy goodness. AFAIK its only BK and Wolfetone that do that (please add to this list if you know others!)

gwEm · « **Reply #7 on:** June 04, 2008, 11:44:51 AM »

ok then... so "handwound by machine" pfft. i feel sure scatterwinding and proper enamel wire are two of the biggest bkp 'secrets'. I'm not sure I would buy a bill lawrence then.

MDV · « **Reply #8 on:** June 04, 2008, 11:49:30 AM »

Well, they claim 'handwound', but yeah, most of the time it means their hand pushed the button on an auto-shutoff winder.

AngusYoung01 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 04, 2008, 11:56:25 AM »

Thats interesting about the painkiller. Is your freinds an actual Bill and Becky one?

AndI think that grainy ness if what I'm after strangley, the same ballpark as Extreme's "Pornografitti" album?

- Dave - Nah, I'm not dead set on anything yet, I want to be completely sure before I spend my money :)

MDV · « **Reply #10 on:** June 04, 2008, 12:08:37 PM »

I dont know which it is, actually.

Since you mention pornografitti, I wouldnt go for a PK. Its heavier than that. Probably a cold sweat, for a bright, snappy, fast, crunchy tone.

AngusYoung01 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2008, 12:09:50 PM »

Quote from: MDV

I dont know which it is, actually.

Ahh ok, can I be cheeky and ask if you could ask him please? :D

MDV · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2008, 12:13:07 PM »

Quote from: AngusYoung01

Quote from: MDV
I dont know which it is, actually.

Ahh ok, can I be cheeky and ask if you could ask him please? :D

Yeah, but the answer will be slow in coming. I'll get back to you on it (at some point)

gingataff · « **Reply #13 on:** June 04, 2008, 12:50:03 PM »

As far as I know Nuno used the EMG loaded Steinberger at Michael Wagener's studio for a lot of Pornograffitti, so I'd probably go for a Miracleman.

That said, a couple of years ago someone else was looking to get close to his tone and Tim recommended the (then unreleased) Cold Sweat.

WezV · « **Reply #14 on:** June 04, 2008, 01:02:45 PM »

Quote from: MDV

Well, they claim 'handwound', but yeah, most of the time it means their hand pushed the button on an auto-shutoff winder.

its not like any pickup maker actually sits and winds a bobbin by hand - i challenge anyone to be able to do more than a few hundred winds without snapping the wire... let alone the 5000+ needed for a decent pickup

handwound to me means that a pickup maker sits at his pickup winding machine and makes sure that tension is kept constant and the wire is filling up the bobbin nicely.