Fender Blue Strat Lace Sensor

Pickup features: stacked humbucker (single coil size)
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: jackson OC-1 outcaster
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: varies from time to time
Artists using this pickup: jonny greenwood currently, billy corgan formerly
You musical style(s): rock (acoustic, alternative, "indie", alternative classic)
Reason for pickup change: needed a neck pickup, wanted "that jonny g sound"

Perceived output level:
Tone: balanced, smooth, focused, chimey, juicy (good mids) [this is with 500K pots!!]
Sonic evaluation: the sound I get through my clean tube amps (selmer treble n bass with celestion V30 and G12H30 speakers, and silvertone twin twelve) is just perfect...yes quite humbuckery, with good, sweet top end. and yes in the jonny greenwood clean sound ballpark, very nice! the key is the 500K pots. you'll have to reconcile this with your other pickups and pots...but it's ideal for my two pot guitar which has a humbucker in the bridge and this lace blue in the neck. back when I had these in my strat with 250Ks, the neck pickup was always way too dark to make me happy...apparently some people like this sound, but if you scroll down you will see a lot of people complaining for lack of brightness. I'd say if you don't want to change pots, try the silver or gold sensors, or bill lawrence noiseless (also affordable...this is what i switched to in my strat and am very happy). I remember the silver sounding quite nice with 250K pots. for this certain application in this certain guitar, this pickup excells. with a pot change and this pickup, you can keep the single coil look (sort of, no poles...Lawrence, kinman, lace holy grail pickups have visible poles), but get the fat neck hummer sound.
it's well known that mr. greenwood has done some mysterious "re-wiring" to his guitar...I'm guessing it's just as simple as this...500k or higher pots, plus his cut-off/mute switch. there you go

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i'd like to put this in the neck of a tele

Comments: the ten should get your attention. but really for the price this is a great value. also I consider the www.billlawrence.com pickups to be a great value. i'll let you know about the stew-mac golden age humbuckers i have when I install them

Pickup features: single coil, passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Mexican Strat
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: red lace sensor - bridge, gold lace sensor - mid
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): punk, rock, classical (weird, I know), blues
Reason for pickup change: stock pickups sounded like ass, lots of humming

Perceived output level:
Tone: Lots of bass and mids with a twinge of highs, very nice for jazz, sounds a bit muddy though
Sonic evaluation: I play through a Fender Sidekick Reverb amp. The amp is already pretty warm, so the Blue Lace Sensor really gives a nice, warm sound. The pickup really eccentuates the bass and some mids. I don't play jazz (too hard for me), but I'd imagine that it'd be great for that. The Blue lace sensor gives a nice meaty sound, good for soloing, but not what I use for rhythm stuff.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: punk rock, classical, blues

Comments: It these were destroyed, I'd try out the Lace Sensor Hot Golds or Lace Sensor Silver pickups. The Blue has served me very well for the past 6, 7 years. But now I want to look for something that isn't so heavy on the bass side yet still retains the same mid and treble properties as the Blue Lace Sensor.

Pickup features: single coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender "Roland-ready" Stratocaster
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Red Lace Sensor
Other pickups on guitar: Silver and gold Lace Sensors
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Classic rock to jazz-funk to ambient /New Age
Reason for pickup change: Not satisfied with the red Lace Sensor

Perceived output level: Hotter than stock but not as high output as red Lace Sensor.
Tone: The most bassy of the Lace Sensors that I've tried.
Sonic evaluation: As stated above, this pickup is in a Fender Strat. (Mex) with a built -in Roland synth pickup. It has also been upgraded with a silver Lace sensor in the neck, gold Lace Sensor in the middle, locking tuners, and graphite bridge saddles. I currently own three amps (usually using two together in a stereo rig): Mesa Boogie Studio 22, Fender Blues Jr., Marshall VS230. Also often play direct into the board for recording through a Mesa Boogie V-Twin pre-amp. Lots of effects as well. I put this pickup in the bridge to replace the red Lace Sensor that I've had in there for a couple of years. I've never been big on bridge pickups in general and although the red Lace Sensor had a nice high output, I found it to be way too trebbly and harsh for my taste. Rolling off the tone knob still didn't give me a useable sound. As such, I hardly ever used it. I had heard that the blue Lace Sensor had a lot more bass and low end response (responses ranged from fat to muddy), I thought that it might be just what I needed to remedy the "ice pick in the ear" tone of the red in the bridge. I know that red's are considered to be the ultimate bridge Lace Sensor and blues are generally considered to be a neck pickup, but sometimes you have to think outside the box and try things in a different way. In this case, it totally worked. Although it's obviously going to brighter in the bridge than the neck position,the blue Lace Sensor in the bridge gave me much more of the tone I was looking for - fuller, rounder, fatter. It has a blend of the classic Strat sound that I love and a more humbucker-like sound (ie Gibson SG). A fantastic combination. It's awsome for high-gain leads and sounds great in the in-between position (bridge and middle) where, along with the gold Lace Sensor, gives a very sweet, funky, compressed sound for rhythm.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: My "style" of music is more of a range: from classic rock (Hendrix/Trower, Santana, Gilmour,etc) to jazz funk to ambient guitar synth and Robert Fripp-type stuff. I would say this pickup is suitable for either neck or bridge. Probably not middle, unless you had something hotter than that in the neck or bridge, so as not to loose that famous Strat "quack".

Comments: I've been playing guitar for over 30 years and have owned lots of equipment. I'm really big into swapping pickups and also have a 72 Telecaster Custom with Seymour Duncan Little 59, Epiphone Les Paul Custom with Gibson 490r/498t pickups, and a Fernandes "Sustainer" guitar with Seymour Duncan humbucker.This Roland-ready Strat. is probably my all time favorite guitar after all the mods I've put in it. I've swapped the pickups a lot, from stock (very mediocre) to Duncan Performers (very high output, but fair tone), to a variety of Lace Sensors. I love the Lace Sensors for the tone, lack of single coil hum, and even the way they look. My Strat is white with white pickgard, and white Lace Sensors - very clean and classy looking. I had just swapped a gold in the neck for a silver Lace Sensor and was very happy with that change (highly recommended), but was still looking for something different in the bridge. The blue definitely did the trick and will probably be the one I use the most for lead sounds after hardly using the bridge at all while I had the red in it. I've used and tried a wide variety of effects, both pedal and rackmount, in the quest for ultimate lead tone. I recently picked up a Rockman Sustainor, developed by Tom Scholz of the rock group Boston. While it ultimately sounds best with humbuckers, the blue Lace Sensor through that box is really nice- fat and creamy, with lots of violin-like sustain. All in all, I'm extremely happy with this pickup, especially in the bridge. It may not be right for everyone's needs, but it sure works for me.

Pickup features: single coil,passive
Impedence or other specs: ??

Model of guitar or bass: Japanese strat
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock pickup
Other pickups on guitar: middle is silver lace sensor,bridge is red lace sensor
Artists using this pickup: not sure really
You musical style(s): rock,alternative,blues,metal
Reason for pickup change: stock pickups had horrible hum and lace sensors corrected that,my guitar sounds so much better now.

Perceived output level: A bit hotter than the crappy stock I replaced
Tone: Quite bassy like a strat neck pickup should be,sounds pretty good.
Sonic evaluation: Iam using a japanese 62 or 60's reissue with the lace sensors.For an amp I have a peavey nashville 400 but soon enough I will buy a marshall or mesa boogie.This pickup sounds pretty good clean and to me it sounds a little bit too muffled with distortion.I only use the red-silver pickups with fuzz and crunch.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play classic rock,alternative,a bit of blues and metal.This pickup suits them all pretty good.

Comments: If this pickup was stolen or destroyed I would buy it again cause I like the sound.I have been playing for about 5-6 years.I like the clean sound and maybe a LITTLE bit of distortion but not lots.It looks cool too I got the black covers.I wish it had just a little bit more treble.

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 1995 Strat Deluxe Plus
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): blues, funk, rock, jazz, country
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: decent
Tone: humbuckerish
Sonic evaluation: Great full tone after switching to 500k pots with the 333K mod on the volume pot. (push/pull pot for added PU combinations) I also got rid of the TBX tone control for the silver & Red. I changed back to the Lace Sensors after using SD Alinco Pro II Flats for a year (one trick ponies). Since I rewired Lace sensors to what AGI-Lace recommends I can not put down the guitar. The versatility for a variety of musical style is astounding. I hated the Lace sensors the way Fender had them wired in (Sterile). Now the Strat is a great sounding guitar. I recommend the 500K pots with the 333K tone Mod to turn the Lace sensors into a great sounding PU.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: all

Comments: see tone

Pickup features: single coil passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: '68 reissue strat
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock neck pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Red Lace Sensor in the bridge, '67 in the middle
Artists using this pickup: i'm sure there are some out there
You musical style(s): blues, alternative, "grunge", etc.
Reason for pickup change: Wanted to complement my Red Lace Sensor.

Perceived output level: A little bit stronger than the stock pickup, but not extremely louder.
Tone: Heavy on the bass and mids, but with good definition.
Sonic evaluation: I use a lot of Fender solid state amps (can't afford tube), and typically run a wah, rotovibe, tremolo, and some type of distortion pedal. I change pedals a lot.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup does well for everything. I can blues with it, jazz with it, and get some cool rock tones as well. I know a guy who actually had this in the bridge of his Strat, and it sounded pretty good.

Comments: I've been playing 13 years, and like to dip into all sorts of styles. I love the muddiness of this pickup when the tone is rolled back. If you use a nice thick distortion and roll the tone back to between 3 and 6, you get a real super thick lead tone that just sounds awesome. It doesn't work so well for chords on that setting though. This is, without a doubt, my favorite Lace Sensor.

Pickup features: Passive single-coil sized humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Unknown

Model of guitar or bass: 1997 Fender American Deluxe Strat Plus
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: None.
Other pickups on guitar: Silver (mid), Red (bridge) Lace Sensors
Artists using this pickup: Buddy Guy
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Mainly Satriani
Reason for pickup change: None. It was stock.

Perceived output level: Around the same as a PAF
Tone: Nice and tight bass with great fat mids. Treble is rounded.
Sonic evaluation: Using '97 Deluxe Strat Plus into BOSS ME-8 into Marshall DSL-401. This pickup sounds very fat and bluesy. It is by far the best Lace Sensor I've used. Kicks the ass off the Red Lace Sensor! When maxed out it really sings with overdrive. Roll off the volume a bit and the distortion will clean up nicely. It is not bright, though. I find it a bit too bassy to be used for neck position. Maybe for bridge?

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play blues and rock, mainly Clapton and Satriani styles. This pickup is a little bassy for neck and I think it can make a good bridge pickup.

Comments: Destroyed? I won't buy it again. I am getting some Kinman pickups for the Strat tone. This pickup is the best Lace Sensor, the least of all the evils, but still suck IMHO. Lack the brightness of a true PAF, and is too bassy even when used on my maple-board Strat. But it does sing.

Pickup features: Passive single-coil sized humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Unknown

Model of guitar or bass: 1997 Fender American Deluxe Strat Plus
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: Silver (mid), Red (bridge) Lace Sensors
Artists using this pickup: Buddy Guy
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock
Reason for pickup change: Came stock on guitar.

Perceived output level: Hot. Typical PAF output.
Tone: Balanced with pronounced lower end
Sonic evaluation: Using this guitar into BOSS ME-8 into Marshall DSL-401. This pickup is the best of the three Lace Sensors on this guitar. It has a fat PAF tone and is great for blues. Harmonics are rich and the tone is balanced. The mid and bass is pronounced (a little too much) and the top end is smooth. The kind of sound I'd look for in a blues bucker. The pickup responds very well to attack and nuances. It is especially good for bending because the field is continuous and the bent string does not generate less output.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play blues and rock, mainly Clapton and Satriani styles. This pickup is a little bassy for neck and I think it can make a good bridge pickup.

Comments: If it were destroyed, I will only sigh because I cannot sell it. I am quite happy with it now but I am planning to change to Kinman AVn pickups. This is the only Lace Sensor that is not as sterile as the EMGs on my MIM Strat.

Pickup features: Passive lace sensor whatever
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Stratocopy
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: Stock
Artists using this pickup: Eric Clapton, but I wasnt concerned, he's full of it
You musical style(s): British Rock
Reason for pickup change: Fender boasted cutting edge features

Perceived output level: Slightly above stock cheapos
Tone: low on the lows, middle on the mids, low on the highs
Sonic evaluation: Stratocopy into a Marshall combo. This blue lace sensor was suposed to give my guitar the life of a humbucker. They aparently try to make it humbuckerish by isolating the tone to midrange, so you wind up with a sonicly weak pickup that actualy makes you appreciate all the subtle yet sweet high and low tones in all real humbuckers everywhere, cheap and whatnot.
In regards to the technology in general, this special technology is said to be more sensitive. This is a marketing spin, this actualy refers to it's britle, harmonic lacking sound reproduction. These pickups are so good they reveal how bad a guitar actualy sounds. If they were as good as some claim, some honest, reputable musician would use them and they wouldn't have recently been discontinued.
There is also this extra wire to attack to the ground so the phasing is a bitch to figure out and it wouldn't mesh well with the other pickups.
I replaced it and other pickups with Little '59s and stacked humbuckers. Those pickups should meet the needs of anyone considering a lace sensor pickup and they tend to be warm pickups with lots of tonal character.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup ruins anything it's asociated with

Comments: I gave it away to a kid, might as well have been stolen.
I've been playing eight years, three at the time of the ordeal.
I liked the shiny cover, the technological promise, and the way the wires came nicely braded, but I hated everything else.
Stacked and single coil size humbuckers are the way to go.

Pickup features: single coil passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender American Strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: stock
Artists using this pickup: ???????????
You musical style(s): rock
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: warm
Tone: well balanced
Sonic evaluation: This pickup sounds good on any amp. It can make a crappy amp sound a bit better. If you want optimum performance from this pickup amps a recommend is any Mesa Boogie or Marshall.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: this pickup can (what I think) be used for a lot of different styles of music.

Comments: If this pickup was stolen I would buy another of its kind.



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