Fender Red Strat Lace Sensor

Single Coil

Installed in Ibanez RS 230
Bridge
Billy Corgan

Hot-very hot.
tone is very nicely balanced
lots of overtones and harmonics

To those people rating this pickup badly
they must not have it soldered in right or something
cause this thing rocks!!!

Hot single coil with the tonality of a humbucker.

Strat #1: Red FLS in bridge position, Gold and Silver in neck and middle. Swamp Ash body, 250K pots, Middle P/up reverse polarity, standard bridge. Replaced a vintage staggered AlNiCo single coil.
Strat #2: Red FLS in neck position with an R/C network between the P/up and switch to lower the level and clean up the bass. Silver FLS and Duncan JB in middle and bridge. Alder body, 500K pots, all P/ups forward polarity, Kahler Hybrid bridge. Replaced a stock fender MIM pickup.

This P/up is pretty hot in the bridge of strat #1, it balances well with the other FLS's in the guitar. I don't recommend wiring the middle P/up in reverse, however, I will change mine at the next string change. This P/up works great with fender amps! I have a 1966 Super Reverb which it drives into a very nice output tube distortion. Backed off, it has a very nice humbucker tone with the ability to cut well. It has a lot of shimmer and some higher order harmonics that I don't get from my other Humbucker guitars...also, very dynamic! When I first installed this P/up, I experienced the dead (and very trebly) lack of tone that others have complained about. To solve this, I added 2 springs to the bridge block and backed the attachment back until the bridge was around an 1/8" off the body in the back...it became a totally different guitar! The bass response went through the roof and the harmonics were detailed. This P/up is very trebly through a British voiced amp. I also have a Laney AOR that has too much attack and presence with this P/up; I suspect that the Swamp Ash body has a lot to do with it; Alder, Basswood or Mahogany would probably be better. If you don't like the way your FLS's sound, suspect your setup, not the P/up. Strat #2, prior to the R/C network, sounded muddy and would not clean up with the Red FLS in the neck position...don't put it in the neck position unless you want to add some additional components to reduce and reshape the signal.

If it were lost or stolen, yes, I would get another one.
I have been playing for 15 years or so and repaired, modified and built tube amps for 8 years. I have a fair amount of gear...and what I don't have, I can make!
What I love about this P/up: you hear the quality of the guitar
What I hate about this P/up: nothing really
I do wish that the FLS P/ups had an optional cover with simulated pole pieces so that it would blend with conventional P/ups better.
These P/ups are what you make of them...if your guitar has deficiencies, these P/ups are going to make them more noticable. If you have a great instrument, it will get even better.

Features: Noiseless Single Coil
Impedance: (looks it up) *DC Resistance of 14.5K & Inductance of 8.12Henries (whatever that means)

Guitar: Indiana IS-300 (knockoff fat strat)
Position(s): Neck and Mid
Pickup(s) Replaced: Stock Indiana "Spitfire" single coils
Other Pickup(s): Powered by Lace humbucker (bridge)
Artits Using this Pickup: Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead), Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, etc.
Reason for Change: The stock pickups were some of the most lifeless low-output, plastic-y sounding things I've ever heard.

Output: Seems much higher than the stock, roughly as loud (but not quite as bright) as the 'bucker in the bridge.
Amp: Crate RFX 120 (2X12 Solid State, best combo under $500 on the market today imo). Effects: Crybaby Wah and Digitech Whammy, though I haven't tried it with those.
Tone: Very middy, but still balanced. A bit muddy for chords in position 4 but otherwise very clear. Sounds kinda compressed even without a compressor, probably because of the magical sustain. WARNING: If you're looking for classic "fender tone" that you've heard from so many of the "greats" this is NOT it! This pickup has a very modern, very un-alnico friendly sound. I really like them because they sound completely different, kinda jazzy, and I'm sick of everyone cloning someone else's tone (even though I'll admit I bought these because I knew Jonny Greenwood has them in his Tele pluses).
Style(s): Anything resebling rock and/or blues. Beginner Jazz.
Positions: As far as I can tell none, though I don't have one in the bridge so what do I know?

If, for some strange reason I lost or had to replace these I'd probably go with them again. I'm very satisfied by their tone since I have a mod-hevey Fender Tele that gives me most of the classic Fender tones and I didn't want two of the same sound. I've been playing for roughly two and a half years and have developed an open, but picky, mind and ear when it comes to tone. Really the only think I don't love about these is how both individually (positions 3 and 5) sound almost the same. Mixed together or to the bridge though still gives more pickup sounds than say, your average Gibson *wink*. To be entirely honest though the main reason I bought these was that I found them on Ebay (as a pair) for only $34 (including shipping!) so I couldn't resist. So far I think it may've been the best $34 I've spent in my life, though I'm still giving them nines for the sake that they're NOT for everyone and certainly not very "strat" sounding, which I know could come as a disapointment to many.

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

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

Perceived output level:
Tone: This pickup doesn't have a whole lot of bass to it, but it does have a nice balance of mids and treble.
Sonic evaluation: I play through some old Fender Sidekick Reverbs (which have a fairly warm tone to them.) I also use a Danelectro Fabtone (which kicks ass for the amount of money I spent on it.) Anyways, using distortion, there is just a tiny smidgen of muddiness to it. I think this pickup is very hot. The nice of balance of treble and mids give it a really nice punchy sound. Although, I've never played at a high volume and have never played a humbucker in my life, so I don't know it compares to a Fat Strat. I especially like playing rhythm sounds on this pickup, sounds very nice. When palm-muting, it gives a nice, thick Social Distortion-esque crunch.
I really don't like the clean setting for this pickup though. There isn't any tone to it. It sounds real flat and toneless, no matter how I set the EQ. For clean sounds I always switch to another pickup setting.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I'd recommend this pickup for any music that requires distortion, but definately not for clean stuff.

Comments: If these pickups were destroyed, I'd try out either a Lace Sensor Red/Silver Dually or a Lace Sensor Drop & Gain. Supposedly the Drop & Gain has more bass but also has a nicer clean sound. I've used this pickup for the past 7 years and it has served me very well in that time. It's only recently that I've become more "tone conscious" and have a more specific tone that I'm looking for.

Pickup features: Passive, single-coil-Very quiet and bright
Impedence or other specs: HUH?

Model of guitar or bass: '95 American Standard Strat, with all-Fender/Lace sensoes in it.
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None. I bought the guitar in parts, from various eBay auctions.
Other pickups on guitar: Gold Fender/Lace sensors in neck and middle positions.
Artists using this pickup: Who knows?Probably LOTS of 'em!!
You musical style(s): Whatever.Mainly a bedroom player !
Reason for pickup change: Wanted a guitar that was custom built.It has a Warmoth Total Vintage construction neck (1-piece Maple), a '95 American Standard body(black), and black -cover, Gold Fender-Lace sensors in the neck and middle positions.The wiring is also stock American Standard, including the TBX control.

Perceived output level: As far as sound, I think the bridge position is hotter than the stock Gold in my '87 Strat Plus.The Red sensor sounds really bright, almost country-music bright.I'm still comparing it to my other sensors.I have a total 20-21 sensors in all, and I really like how quiet they are.I also got an original det of Lace S-100's from a recent eBay auction.I heard they're not made anymore; what a shame!!
Tone: Sound is really bright and clean.Excellent for country or clean tones.
Sonic evaluation: I play my guitars through either a Digitech RP-12, or, until a recent equipment failure, an RP-100, also from Digitech.My amp is a Peavey Backstage Plus, practice amp.Through this set, everything sounds good-great!!I sometimes 'borrow' a Fender Princeton Chorus.I mainly play clean, akso ghet some really good distorted sounds from my pedal.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mostly chords, I really want to work on a blues,oldies-rock, contemporary christian style of music.This pickup sounds good in the bridge.I wonder how it would sound with some wiring variations? Like the 333k tone mod?Or with no-load, or other pot values? I like to experiment with guitar wiring!!

Comments: If it were stolen or destroyed. I'd definately buy it again, as fast as possible!!I'm still experimenting with it, and would like to have it around long enough to try different sounds with it!!I have been playing, off and on, since '87, my senior year in high school.I like the cool-looking black cover, I like the low-noise factor of Lace pickups.I don't really hate anything about it.Overall, I got a good deal for the money, I have other sensors. both with white and black covers.I have 3 Golds in a 1987 Strat Plus (one of the first ones made), 3 more in a '95 American Standard that I JUST Finished putting together.I have at least one, or two, of every Fender-Lace, and I still like all of them!!!As far as a "hot" output from the red Lace-sensor, I have no idea where that came from!!Mine is quiet,bright, and sounds clean!I like it!I'd like to give it a 10, but that might mis-lead someone who is new to the world of guitars!!! A 10 would be too high, and a 9 is too low, so I give it a 9 and a half.Two thumbs up!!

Pickup features: single coil
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Standard Start
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: original
Other pickups on guitar: original
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): anything but metal
Reason for pickup change: Original single coil quite noisey and punchless.

Perceived output level: It kicks. Since it has no magnetic pull, you can get it real close to the strings.
Tone: Trebly and clinical.
Sonic evaluation: I use a few standard strats in vintage fender amps, with a hiwatt 4x12. It's a kickass classic setup. I've been using this red pickup for many years. And I've hated it all along, but kept it, somehow (lazyness and budget, I suppose) I finally decided to get rid of it, and boy, what a change.
Lets be clear : those ten years have taught me one thing : lace sensors are garbage, and it is little wonder Fender has abandonned rigging their guitars with them.
First, they are useless clean. No grit, no tone, juste a bland, sterile sound. Cool for MIDI, I guess.
Second, they are noisey as hell. Play them through a TS-9, and hum actually overpowers tone !!!
Third : they are awfully balanced. They are trebly and OK for artificial harmonics or getting your slide into third octave territory, but apart from that...
On the other hand, they do have gain, and are tube amp friendly. That pickup provided for memorable feedback on occasions, but overall, forget it.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play anything but metal. I can't think of any style that would really match this pickup.

Comments: I will NEVER buy lace sensors again. They are a waste of time and money.
I have been playing for 25 years, and condiser myself a tone freak.
I loved the harmonic range, but just hated the sound and noise.
I chose that pickup because the low magnetic pull (hence increased sustain) was a cool concept. Yet I should have realized : no magnetic pull = artificial pickup, artificial sound.
The bottom line is that this thing actually sounds DIGITAL. + noise, which is the worst of both worlds !

Pickup features: Single coil, passive pickup
Impedence or other specs: dont know dont care,al that matters is that it works and sounds good

Model of guitar or bass: Japanese 62/60's reissue
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Crappy stock pickup that hummed like a hummingbird
Other pickups on guitar: blue lace sensor in the neck,silver in the middle position
Artists using this pickup: Not sure.
You musical style(s): Classic rock,alternative,metal,grunge.
Reason for pickup change: the stock pickups didn't sound too good and had the most brutile(pronounced- brew tile)hum ive ever heard.

Perceived output level: fairly hot pickup ,it is louder than the stock i replaced but not too hot.
Tone: its rather trebly but it still sounds really good.
Sonic evaluation: Iam in the process of getting a descent amp but these lace sensor pickups go a long way towards making my jap strat and peavey practice amp sound good.These lace sensor pickups are good,some other users wrote in saying they are lame and sterile,I beg to differ.If you are looking to get humbuckerish sound out of strat without the routing and whatnot buy these they are primo.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play rock,alternative and metal and this pickup cuts it. I believe this pickup was designed for the bridge position in a strat.A good combo is red in the bridge,silver in the middle,blue at the neck.

Comments: If this pickup were destroyed or my guitar stolen I would get them again.Ive been playing for about 5-6 years.I love the fact that they really haul ass with distortion.I dont really like that fact that a the red lace sensor doesnt sound as nice clean.It still sounds better than the stock pickup but sounds better with some fuzz.Iam very,very satisfied with the sound from the lace sensor in a strat.I have found the sound that I will stick with for a long time.I still like gibsons with the 57 classic PAF but they are very pricey(worth it though)

Pickup features: humbucking-wanna-be
Impedence or other specs: dont no dont care

Model of guitar or bass: 86' fender 57' ri american strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: lace sensor: Gold
Other pickups on guitar: lace's blue in neck, gold in mid
Artists using this pickup: billy corgan, someothers too
You musical style(s): rock, alternitive, grunge, blues
Reason for pickup change: needed a hotter sound that would accually destort

Perceived output level: kinda hot i guess
Tone: trebly, shitty, lots of deadness and string drop off
Sonic evaluation: strat--->crybaby wah---> voodoolab sparkle drive----> ibeanz destortion---> usa big muff--> either a fender stage lead (80's model, tone sucks now, but i'm rebuliding it) or a carvin 100 watt 2-12 combo with a leslie rotating speaker and cab

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i play a mixture of rock, alternitive, grunge, blues, it works, but only with destortion

Comments: this pick up is ok with a lot of destortion and a compressor to get rid of the string drop off. im still gonna scrap them for a set of fralin's, the blues specials, unless u use alot of effects these r not the pick ups for you, yes, eric clapton, buddy guy, and billy corgan use these and got good sounds from them, but the uses alot of compression too, i dont recomend this pick up, shitty clean, not as shitty destorted

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 1995 Fender Strat Deluxe Plus
Position: bridge
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: passivesingle coil
Impedence or other specs: 14 k or something

Model of guitar or bass: mex 50's strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock vintarge
Other pickups on guitar: blue LS silver LS
Artists using this pickup: billy corgan jeff beck /bush/ feeder
You musical style(s): punk, alt rock,english rock pop
Reason for pickup change: not enough kick for my style

Perceived output level: hotter than stock sliightly less than my sg pickups (gison humbuckers)
Tone: trebbley but also bassy souns really good
Sonic evaluation: these are a bugger to get hold of .these are from don lace who makes the fender sensors so they are exactly the same.they sound in between a strat and a sg .the guy who said they are tone less must be joking they have a better clean tone than my sg and a far better disorted tone than with the stock pups.one reason ibought these is because of billy corgan .pumpkins are my favourite band and this is a great rok pups .i use it in my strat with a usa big muff and blues briver and sound sweet.pumpkins fans and anyone who plkays emo pop punk ie blink hundred reasons etc should buy these and put em in a strat they really kik ass.ps the sustain oh the sustain.....

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: rock /alt/ pop rock

Comments: i would buy it again if were broken or stolen.
been playing 5 years .use it with vox cambride muff and blues driver.
i love every thing about it.althoug i think they could still make it much hotter but it still sounds reallt nice distorted or fuzzed up.i dont think i will chane it as it gives me basicly all i wanted.