Gibson The Original HB-L

high output reissue passive humbucker based on design by Bill Lawrence for use in Gibson guitars in the late 1980's.

came stock in 1989 Gibson Les Paul studio, are original not reissue. Were replaced with EMG 81 and 85, bad mistake.

When I had a familly freind/guitar tech put active EMG pups in my studio LP I thought the original pickups might not be a set of Gibson 490R and 498T when I saw "The Original" written on the back of both pups in silver. Looking back on it I really really regreat putting the EMGs in my guitar. To be quite honest I beleive that the "original" pickups were far superior to the EMGs.

I used my 89 studio LP through a Peavy JSX and an older Marshall Vavestate vs-100 with a Zoom GFX-4 processor in front of the Marshall. The HB-L(bridge) pup reminds me a lot of the EMG 81 with quite a bit more output and umph. The HB-R(neck) pup I don't remember using all that much because at the time I was more into metal and tended to gravitate towards the bridge pup. I don't know if there really is any difference between the HB-L and HB-R other than their placement on the guitar, maybe someone could tell me?

The Bill Lawrence pickups definately added much more volume to the guitar than the EMGs. To be completely truthful I'm really not all that impressed with the EMG pups, they sound "hot" and everything but on clean settings they are way too bright, the 85 in the neck could really pass as a bridge humbucker almost. The Bill lawrence pups were much better they had all the sizzle and cut of the EMG without that weird scoopy sound and they were alot louder. My only complaint about these pups was that at higher volume and gain settings the bridge pup could feedback pretty badly, but that could have more to do with age and use than design. I give an 8 because of feedback issues(at really really high volumes) other than that this pup would get an 11+ in my book as far as sound goes.

I've been playing now for about 9 years, I'm not the shredder I once was(or thought I was) but I'd say I'm a little above average. I also own in addition to my 89 LP and the amps listed above a gibson lp standard, an epiphone dot supreme, a custom gibson v with duncans, and a mexican made fender strat with a gibson 500T in the bridge and duncan hotrails in the middle and neck. I really think the Bill Lawrence pups are my favorite out of all my instruments when it comes to playing rip your face off metal stuff. I fully intend on placing them back into my guitar and playing around with the EMGs in the Epiphone, that might sound weird.....

Passive, humbucking pickup designed by Bill Lawrence for most late 70's - early 80's Gibson guitars. Never put mine on a meter, but it is VERY loud, I'd guess 12 or 13k?

This pickup came out of a Gibson L6S. Went into my Ampeg Stud replacing a 57 Classic, then into my Hagstrom Swede replacing the stock PAF style pickup. Bridge position (L is for Lead in Bill Lawrencespeak). Wanted something really scalding for heavy riffage... at which this rules.

Highest output passive pickup I've ever used. Sounds very good wired differently. Out of phase in series sounds really good as does coils wired in parallel or just screw coil on its own. No noise, serious humbucking. Great bridge pickup for metal or for super strat or big apple strat setups.

I think this is a very underappreciated pickup for heavy styles. Also a good choice for everything axes. Very heavy and high output with a huge bottom end.

I've been playing out for twelve years. I have more gear than I'm willing to write out right now.

Louder than any PAF. I assume it's close to the Tony Iommi humbucker.

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs: 13-14 K Output...stronger than usual Gibson HB but not like a Dimarzio Tone Zone.

Model of guitar or bass: Mongrel Kramer E.E. Pro I Neck on B.C. Rich Gunslinger Body
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None...initial selection for project.
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan Quarter Pounder RWRP
Artists using this pickup: Anyone playing an '88 or '89 Gibson with these in it...they were used on everything from the Les Paul to the Moderne!
You musical style(s): Various...SRV, Jimi, Chili Peppers, U2, Jane's Addiction, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana...
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Sustain for days! Bill Lawrence designed...TONE TONE TONE!!! Bassy and Middy but still capable of a bit o sparkle on the top end...CLASSIC OVERWOUND PAF! The difference between this pickup and Duncans or Dimarzios...it SINGS....SUSTAINS...WITH RICH DEEP HARMONICS!
Tone: Overdriven classic rock and then some...Duane Allman on a good day...a very good day...Clapton WOMANTONE!
Sonic evaluation: Using a 1979 Marshall 2103 JMP 50W 2x12 Celestion Greenback equipped combo. THE AMP...an excellent "base amp" for any type of style or tone that you want to make your own. These amps are the TRUE HOLY GRAIL! Guitar is a Kramer EE Pro I Neck/B.C. Rich USA Gunslinger body w/a WD KKT-3 Double Locking Floyd w/a massive Brass Sustain Block, Vol/3 Way LP Toggle, body is custom finished in a Black/Green/Beige/Brown Camoflage. It sounds awesome for every style!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Absolutely a wonderful match for all styles.

Comments: Comments: An unusual pickup that delivers all the goods...very happy w/the sound and have no intention of ever getting rid of it. I now have a set, and contrary to my fears, as I like a Hot/High Output in the bridge...Dimarzio Tone Zone, Duncan JB, Duncan Invader, Duncan Distortion, Dimarzio Super Distortion, Duncan Custom Custom, etc, this one does it for me!

An extremely good value...$25.00 for a Vintage & Unusual/Rare GIBSON Bill Lawrence Designed USA Humbucker...how could you not like this???
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Kramer Elliot Easton Pro Pacer Imperial Mongrel
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Duncan Dimebucker
Other pickups on guitar: Neck Position-Gibson "The Original" HB-R
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: Wanted to mate this up w/the New Old Stock Neck Model (HB-R) that I already have in the guitar.

Perceived output level: 13-14K
Tone: Unbelievable...SMOOTH SWEET SUSTAIN FOREVER...THE EPITAMY OF "WOMAN TONE"!!!
Sonic evaluation: Playing through a Boss Metal Zone into a Vintage Marshall JMP 2103 50W 2x12 with Celestion Greenbacks.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock/Metal/Thrash/Blues/Jazz

Comments: This is a Gibson "The Original" HB-L Humbucker. This is technically a new pickup (new old stock) which had never been used prior to my installing it. My research says that theser pickups were manufactured in a joint venture between Gibson and Bill Lawrence and only available in 1988 and 1989 in various models...my neck mode Pickup had never been used, never been installed and is in great condition...just as it came to me from the individual from whom I purchased it...who live in Nashville...home of Gibson. Pickup metered between 13-14 Ohms. It's a pretty rare pickup. Came with the original mounting ring, gold pickup cover and screws...all original Gibson.