Lace Music Products HG-1000 Lace Sensor

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: Unknown

Model of guitar or bass: Squire Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): folk-rock, blues, jazz
Reason for pickup change: Noise reduction.

Perceived output level: More than your typical single coil but nowhere near a humbucker.
Tone: More of everything top to bottom.
Sonic evaluation: I have 2 amps, a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe that has been retubed with the following: preamp tubes (v1-12AT7, v2-12AU7, v3-12AT7) the power section currently has a pair of KT-66's with a hardness rating of 7. My other amp is a Fender Cyber Deluxe.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: These are good for any tones you might associate with a Strat.

Comments: These are very good pickups but I can't say that I'm all that excited about them. My favorite strat tones are those very sweet,clean sounds and to me these sound a little sterile, compressed and a smidgeon too middy to achieve those. That said, they come as close as any other faux single coils that I have heard. If you wish to lose the noise, you will lose a little sweetness and expressiveness but it's nothing anyone in the audience would hear at a live performance.

Pickup features: Noiseless Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Fat Strat
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Pickups
Other pickups on guitar: middle: HG-1000; bridge: Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates
Artists using this pickup: don't know
You musical style(s): rock, blues, acoustic rock, hard rock
Reason for pickup change: I wanted a pickup that had a good smooth sound without the buzz that single coils seem to make.

Perceived output level: more output than the stock pickups but not hot; very smooth sound
Tone: The sound is very balanced. Not too bassy and not too trebly. Great sound!
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a Fender Fat Strat with the Holy Grails in the neck and middle positions and a Pearly Gates in the bridge. I also have a LR Baggs X-bridge with the Control-X Preamp. This is all run through a Digitech GNX 1 processor and a Digitech Hot Rod Distortion. This goes into a 71 Bassman Head and a 2x15 Bassman cab. The pickups sound great through this combo. The neck alone sounds bassy but balanced. The neck/mid combonation is great. The mid sounds really glassy but has body to it. The mid/bridge combo give great harmonics but isn't too trebely as humbuckers in the bridge tend to be. The mixture of the LR Baggs X-bridge and the Holy Grail pickups is amazing. It gives more bass but a great tone in between an electric and acoustic sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: this is a great match for rock and hard rock if you switch between a clean and distorted sound... for blues it is good but may not be as bassy as some want but through the bassman amp is bassy enough for me

Comments: If it were destroyed or stolen I'd definetly buy a new set. It makes the guitar sound so much better than stock pickups. I've been playing for about 10 years and these pickups are great. If I had my fat strat and I bought another strat I'd probably put fender's texas special pickups so I could have a guitar with both Holy Grails and Texas Specials. If you want a good sounding, no noise, single coil, these Holy Grails can't be beat.

Pickup features: Side by side passive single coil
Impedence or other specs: 11.4k 1000's, 13.2k 1500.

Model of guitar or bass: G&L S500
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock, Sound Field G&L
Other pickups on guitar: HG 1500 in the bridge
Artists using this pickup: Lace Pickups have been installed on Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy model guitars.
You musical style(s): Blues and Hard Rock, some Metal
Reason for pickup change: Sound Field G&Ls are kinda heavy and too midranged for me. So I wanted to check out something with a bit more sting in it. Sting is not what these pickups lack.

Perceived output level: Bell-like and Crispity Highs. Bass has not much Balls though. Mids are very clean.
Tone: There is a real chordal balance, a-la Steve Cropper. But Bass can be a little "quacky" if you're a power chorder.
Sonic evaluation: Mesa Boggie Studio Caliber, Dual Channel (a real ass kicker with an extension cabinet), Morely Pro Wah, Route 66 OD/Compression Pedal and a Rocktron Rampage Distorsion. G&L S500 with a maple fretboard. The guitar responds beautifully to being pluged in direct. G&L has some pretty cool controls for Bass and Treble roll off on the guitar. The HG 1000's let you know that, yes, the controls are useful. Also, the pickups will give you a push through your amp as well, yeah they are pretty hot. Roll off the volume as necessary. Responds great on the wah, compression, you gotta watch your volume roll. Get's pretty high gain and a real "quacked/chank" on palm muting. Distortion, had to do new settings. Must be gentle and make it "creamy", not Ramstein. Overdrive is the same. These pickups aren't very good for Metal. Early Rock and R&B, Soul, Funk, Jazz and some Hard Rock styling. If your guitar heroes are Steve Cropper, Buddy Holly, Eric Clapton, Roy Buchanon and Danny Gatton with a healthy AMEN to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, then these are great pickups. If you believe that rock only starts with Metallica and continues with the likes of Limp Bizkit and Korn, you're going to be very disapointed. This is a crisp, clean pickup set and doesn't respond well to huge amounts of distortion or chunky rhythms. If you want to be an early rock revivalist with a healthy dose of Carl Perkins, Scotty Moore, Dwayne Eddy and Albert Lee/Steve Morse Chicken pickin', You are going to be very happy.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play blues mostly. T-Bone Walker, Otis Rush and Stevie Ray Vaughn are Gods to me. I do also pay a healthy amount of respect to Hetfield/Hammett and Randy Rhoads. For the latter, these pickups are not too useful. For the previous, they are pretty damned

Comments: Not entirely sure if I am sold on them. There is advantage and disadvantage to all pickups. Advantage on these is that they are dead silent and don't get the 60hz cycle hum. Unlike a fair amount of stacked pickups with a dummy coil, these are active side by side pickups. Dummy stacks get muddy, blades are very hot and bassy wioth no discernable mid. These are very hot and trebly with a pronounced, clean mid. I would choose to put them into a guitar with a rosewood fretboard, should warm up the sound considerably. I may re-swap these with a set of Rio Grande Tallboys that I have in my rosewood fretboard Jap Three Bolt Squire Strat. Would I buy again? Well, not for list. I got lucky on eBay, dealing with someone reputable. For $140.00, the complete set, it's pretty good. At $215.00+ a set, I don't think so. I do like the squack/quack and the country vibe I get when I think that I'm Buddy Holly or Carl Perkins. When I'm in a Metal Mood...time for my Washburn CTS Custom. I do, to an extent, get some more flexibility over the previous set of pickups, but the flavor is diffrent. They are solid pickups and you've got to decide what you are looking for. I just wish that there was better bass on these. The mids are great, the highs are a little too much for my taste. I'm still adjusting my sounds. I've been getting into more Rockabilly playing and these are great for that. And, like what has been mentioned in another review, these aren't forgiving of sloppy technique. THEY PICK UP EVERYTHING! It is good to really hear your playing and shape up. Would I buy again? Not entirely sure. I'd like to check out what else is out there if faced with the possibility of replacement. I'm giving them a 7, nothing out there is a 10, yet! 7 is solid. It beats out stock pickups (like the G&L Sound Field at a 6) and the Rio Grandes are a 7+ for me. My story might change when I pop these in to the Squire. Bill Lawrence Humbuckers (XL500 and K500c) are an 8 in my Washburn. I just don't hand out 10's. A 10 is when I get a six foot Hard-On with a cheeesburger on top. Sorry to be so crude, but that's just me.

Pickup features: Strat set of humbucking single coils
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Strat '62 reissue
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: All pickups (set)
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock of various types
Reason for pickup change: I record on my computer and I got sick of the hum. Plus the original strat pickups were just a little wimpy.

Perceived output level: Slightly louder than original pickups, still lower than my stock Les Paul pickups
Tone: Everything's finally there, well balanced.
Sonic evaluation: Studio: Line6 POD into Digi001 on my computer
Live: old Ampeg V4 head, Rat, Dunlop Uni-Vibe, Tech21 XXL, Thomas Organ Co. crybaby wah, or POD into Carvin 50-watt tube power amp.
These pickups sound fantastic. For the first time ever, I have started to use the middle pickup on my strat, because it's finally useful. The neck pickup sounds really juicy. My only complaint is that the bridge pickup sounds a little bit more "rock" than a strat. That pickup sounds the most like a humbucker now, the others still sound like single coils, just without the hum. probably 75% of the time, I used my neck pickup before, because it just sounds so nice on a strat, and I don't do a lot of hendrix-god shredding. Now I use my neck pickup and often my middle pickup, because it finally sounds good. the bridge pickup I use sparingly, as I always have. These pickups sound a little more juicy, it's hard to describe any other way. they're definitely still glassy and stratty, they just sound a lot better.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: rock, some intrumental, some slightly prog, math rock... these pickups work great for it.

Comments: If lost or stolen, I would definitely buy them again. Duncan/DiMarzio don't make anything like these.
I've been playing guitar for about 15 years. My other gear: Les Paul std, Ibanez S540, cheap Yamaha electric, Takamine acoustic, cheap Ibanez bass, POD, various pedals, Prophet 600 synth, Wavestation EX synth, computer recording gear.
I love the sound, and it's really nice to not have that insane hum anymore at the computer. I wish the bridge pickup was a little less humbucker-rock sounding, but these are the best pickups I own. This guitar has more character to it's sound than my Les Paul now.

Pickup features: Single coil - passive
Impedence or other specs: Came packaged as "Ultra Vintage"

Model of guitar or bass: Strat Plus
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Gold/Gold/Red Lace Sensors
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Modern Rock/Blues
Reason for pickup change: A little more output and clarity

Perceived output level: A bit hotter than the senors. Much more defined midrange.
Tone: Balanced and bright but not brittle. Hot and powerful without going overboard.
Sonic evaluation: '97 Strat Plus through Mesa Boogie Nomad 55

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Very versatile but a must for blues players. Positions 2 and 4 are great!

Comments: I bought these on a whim - just looking for a change but was amazed at the sound. I believe I have found a sound that can play SRV "Little Wing" all the way to Smashing Pumkins, Lit etc. etc. (Mesa amp helps too though) I'm thrilled with these pickups!

Pickup features: Noiseless single coil (?)
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: I play a Fender Strat loaded with the HG-1000's in the mid and neck positions, and an HG-1500 in the bridge position for a little hotter output.
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Squire...pawned them off for $15.00 a piece, not bad :)
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: Who cares? If this is why you choose to use a pickup...
You musical style(s): Classic Rock and blues, e.g. Hendrix, SRV, etc.
Reason for pickup change: Stock Squire pickups? No...they sounded pretty bad, and I've always loved the sound of the '54

Perceived output level: These are definetly hotter than my stock pickups, but not extremely hot. It's a nice little middle ground.
Tone: This is a pretty balanced pickup, I've never had a problem with the high end annoying me, and the mids are just amazing. The bass leaves a little to be desired, but after a little messing with my amp, it turned out alright.
Sonic evaluation: I have my beautiful Strat...well it was a Strat until I replaced everything but the body and the pickguard because Squires suck...right now it's my own little thing I guess: Alder body, maple/maple neck, vintage tremolo...I play through a Fender Blues Junior, an Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer, Butler Tube Driver, and Vox V847 Wah pedal. These pickups are such a welcome change from the crap I was playing before.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I'd totally recommend this for anyone into anything vintage.

Comments: These are overall a great set of pickups. If lost or stolen, I'd definetly get them again. The only thing I might change is to put a Texas Special in the mid position, just because it need something a little hotter and brighter than the HG-1000. I can't say much bad about these pickups, AGI really got it right this time.

Pickup features: passive HB with single coil look and sound
Impedence or other specs: see www.agi-lace.com/specs.htm

Model of guitar or bass: 1968 Fender Stratocaster
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Di Marzio: Fast Track1 (middle) and The Chopper (neck)
Other pickups on guitar: HG-1000 (neck/mid), HG-1500 (bridge).
Artists using this pickup: Lace is surprisingly quiet about this, they must be in the midst of some kind of deal.
You musical style(s): rock/blues
Reason for pickup change: want single coil sound without the noise. Read the review
of the HG-1500, I'm not going to repeat everything hear except
talk about the neck/middle sounds.

Perceived output level: a tad hotter than vintage (perceived) probably because you can crank the OD pedals with out worry of noise/squeal.
Tone: Neck is smooth, middle is edgy, neck/mid has a mellow cluck
Sonic evaluation: It passed the "little wing" test in neck position, nice and creamy
with the OD pedals on. NOISE FACTOR: none with clean sound even close
to the amp, with one OD pedal on; nothing until you move close to the
amp, with two OD's in series there's a little noise, but less then
clean real single coil., It was more the pedals than the guitar in
the second and third test.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: any position, I opted for the hotter bridge pickup.

Comments: It evokes EC's "blackie" what else can I say? I think these pickups
are keepers. As mentioned in the other HG review, the amp is a late 60's
Bassman and pedals used to test were an old TS-9, Blues Driver, and a pro-co
Rat. P.S. I don't always give out 10's here, and I base the numbers
against what they claim to deliver. (e.g. a humbucker that's indistinguishable
from a single coil).

Pickup features: passive hum cancelling in single coil size
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Stratocaster Plus
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Lace Sensors
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: raw curiosity

Perceived output level: higher output, about Texas Special level
Tone: Bright side of balanced
Sonic evaluation: BBE 381 preamp, furman E6 headphone amp, hafler p1000 power amp,
2 non-descript 10" celestions.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: not enough bottom end for jazz.

Comments: First off, there was no noise. They are dead quiet.
They preserve the 'pop' transient on the bottom 3 strings,
they plonk, they chinka-chinka, they chime very sweetly,
and still *bite* if plucked staccato. The inner detail is
greater; you can hear the metallic ring of a single sustaining
note very clearly; the dynamic range is good - the HG-1000's
don't just get louder, they growl back when you pick hard.
They are _expressive_ in a way that requires some time
for mastery.
The HG-1000 bottom end is not especially strong. These
are not as wide range as the Lace Sensors, but that's
a minor complaint because the overall sound is so
good. Finally, HG-1000's are less forgiving of average
technique; I found myself lifting instead of sliding fingers
from one chord change to another, and using a slower, more
exacting pick technique to suppress pick click.
WARNINGS:
HG-1000 magnet pull is stronger than stock, so they
must be adjusted low for adequate sustain. Since they
are higher impedance hum-cancelling pickups, you MUST use
500K pots for volume & tone to get the full sonic range.
They sound noticeably warmer with stock 250K pots, but won't
sound like a vintage strat.