Lace Music Products D-150

NOTE: This pickup, and it's rhythm/neck position match were formerly known as the "Don Lace Signature" pickups.

* Humbucking that splits into 2 true single coils
* Passive
* Position: bridge
* Resistance: 14.0k
* Peak Frequency: 2300
* Inductance: 5.9 henries
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A Moderately Hot Bridge Pickup
Not as hot as PRS-HFS but hotter than others

Per Lace Music: "Without becoming overpowering, the D-150 helps overdrive tube preamps to a smooth saturation level while delivering incredible overtones."

I have a matching set installed on a 1993 PRS-CE 24 Maple Top. These pickups replaced the original VB/HFS set (which I recently had 'serviced' and found them in bad repair. Apparently the previous owner of this guitar liked to play while drinking).

As stated in my review of the D-100, I was playing in a place with florescent lighting literally 2 feet above my head. Months of research led me installing this set of pickups to help with hum elimination while achieving both the tone and look I wanted for this guitar.

I was surprised at how "vintage" these pickups sound. To take from the quote "...smooth saturation level while delivering incredible overtones..." is exactly what they do.

My main rig is wired using Fulltone cables, Morley Bad Horsie Wah, Hardwire SC-2 'Valve Distortion' pedal, and a Vox ToneLab SE into a Traynor YCS-50 Custom Special 1-12 combo amp. The ToneLab is injected directly into the power amp section, completely bypassing the tube preamp. And when I play a blues gig, I use an Ernie Ball Volume Jr with the SC-2 into the front end of the Traynor.

Comparing to the Hot Noiseless pickups in my Jeff Beck Strat, these pickups have less perceived output and mid-thump. This is especially evident when using the ToneLab SE.

Not being certain what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised by the sound of these pickups. They did not have the output I expected based on their 'specs', but the voicing of these pickups is a new sonic palette to create with. I have enjoyed these pickups, especially once their wiring was proper (sooo many wires for a single part!).

When used in "split mode" (a push/pull tone control) the single coil strat sound is there. I looked into Lace Sensor pickups and active pickups, but these seemed to be the right choice.

I believe I am still searching for <b>that sound</b>, but these have worked fine since 2005. Now that the original pickups are fixed I may do a little recording and A/B comparison.

Pickup features: humbucking and passive
Impedence or other specs: 9.7k and 9.5k

Model of guitar or bass: custom
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: di marzio super distortion
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): all from metal,neo, old school, blues, rock,fusion,jazz classical.
Reason for pickup change: needed to hear the sound of my guitar not the pickup

Perceived output level: they are about two thirds of the power output of the di marzios
Tone: full and very detailed,smooth,but with bite when called for.
Sonic evaluation: custom les paul style of guitar solid mahoghany all of it ebony board,through v amp,marshall

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: they are good match as they were made to go with each other,you do have to be carefull with the string height.

Comments: I would buy my pickups again, any time!!! thay have usally paf pallette with a lot more extras that are hard to explain unless you play them.The thing that is amazing and astounding is the detail and clarity of these pups.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: Huh?

Model of guitar or bass: Godin LGT
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Godin stock
Other pickups on guitar: Neck - Blue Lace Sensor, Middle - Gold Lace Sensor
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock / Alternative
Reason for pickup change: Actually, the Godin stock bridge pickup was really good. I hated the neck pickup though. Once I changed the neck pickup, I got guitar gear disease and decided to replace the whole enchilada!

Perceived output level: Pretty much the same as the stock - which is good. Very balance with the Blue Sensor (in the nack position) which is has much higher input than a traditional single coil neck pickup.
Tone: VERY balanced and versatile. Crystal clear and incredible range of tones depending on what amps/effects you're using.
Sonic evaluation: The D-150 pickup will simply adapt to and magnify the quality of the other components in your sound (unplugged acoustic quality of your guitar, amp, effects, etc.). I also think it will work well with any neck / middle pickup combination.
The natural (unplugged) sound quality of my Godin LGT is incredible in that you can clearly hear each individual string when strumming a chord. I don't lose that quality when I plug in with the D-150.
Overdriven or distorted, the D-150 really shines. Even the raunchiest, most annoying distortion effects become nice and smooth. It like comparing cheap moonshine whiskey and fine aged Scotch!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I try to play everything and have a Line 6 POD that allows me access to any kind of style/tone I want. Like I said before, the D-150 simply magnifies the the sum of the other parts that you're using. So I say it can be used in any appplication.

Comments: I think the D-150 is vastly underrated in comparison to the notice given to the Lace Sensor family of pickups.
Would definitely buy again.