Lollar Guitars Imperial Humbucker

You can get all the info you want at lollarguitars.com

I replaced both the stock Seymore Duncans in an ESP PB prototype model. The Duncans sounded OK but were microphonic which was very unusable. I have been using EMGs for years which sounded very good to my ear and very quiet when under lights. After going to Jason's site and listening to the Imperials and reading HC reviews and looking/listening to many different HB pups I settled on the Lollars.
What a great decision I made, these are the most pleasing sounding pickups to my ears I have ever used.

The output is just right.
I have a Blues Jr. that was modified by Williams Vintage Amps in Austin Tx. and an ETHOS overdrive pedal. I also use Carr Rambler and Fargen Blackbird. The sound of all the amps with the Imperials and the Ethos is incredible. After 40 yrs of playing, 35 professionally
I have the sound I hear in my head. The Williams mod to the B Jr is the 6L6 w/ upgraded to Murcury transformer and also changed the reverb out and added a dwell control which was a huge improvement. The Ethos is also sounds great with the Lollars.

I would not only buy again if destroyed or stolen but I just ordered the special t set for an 80's strat. If they sound as good in the strat I'll be ordering the 52 Tele set. Any body want to buy an assortment of EMG's cheap?

Lollar Imperial Passive Bridge Humbucker, 4 conductor, 8.5K Impedance, de-gaussed Alnico 5 magnet, unbalanced coils, nickle silver cover.

I have a 1980 Les Paul Standard that had a very microphonic bridge pickup (I think it's a T-Top, but it's covered). It sounded great, but was extremely microphonic and difficult to use in band settings. Which replacing the pickup I also replaced the volume pot with an RS Guitarworks Superpot. The neck pick up is still stock, and doesn't suffer the same microphonic problems the bridge pickup had. I did not wire it for coil splitting.

I am a big fan of WCR Pickups(Godwoods are my favorite) and use them in several of my guitars. I listened to all WCR's sound files, as those of a few other manufacturers, and nothing sounded like what I was looking for. I checked out Jason's website and listended to the Imperial sound files. There it was, the same tonal characteristics that the original pickup had, so I ordered one right away. It balances nicely with the original neck pickup, and sounds better, and is slightly hotter then the original bridge pickup. Jason's description claims the "overtones build after each note is played...". It's absolutely true. It was the first thing I noticed when I tuned up. I really like the attack and fullness of the pickup. Very vintage sounding. Think of Billy Gibbon's Pearly Gates Les Paul as an idea of the tone.

Overall I would say this is one of the best pickups I've used, for a "vintage" sounding instrument. I've played through dozens, boutique and production models. It's expensive, so you have to be sure it's what you're really looking for. The sounds files are accurate so shop wisely.

Jason Lollar Imperial Humbucker low wind

Replaced the stock pickup in my 72 reissue tele custom because it was muddy and thin

Using it with a fender super champ with jj tubes and an eminence ragin cajun speaker. This pickup is clear, fat and articulate. Makes my original ts-9 tubescream sing like bird. Wow!

I think that people need to understand that a pickup doesn't have to be high output. Let the amplifier do it's job. Let the pickup breathe life into your guitar. Jason Lollar is a genius with sound as far as I'm concerned. If you are a fan of the fender clean sound there is no better pickup to match with a twin, champ, vibrolux etc than his entire line. I own two other sets of his pickups and they have been making my guitar jump out on stage and in the studio. Definately my secret weapon. If they were lost or stolen I would order them again immediately. You will not be dissapointed if you value great tone!

I am rating the Lollar Imperial Overwind Humbucker set. These are passive humbuckers and coil tapped (came with 4-conductor wire).
The Ohm rating using my meter was as specified on Lollar Guitars website. I ordered gold covers to match the guitar's hardware. Excellent looking and sounding pickups after sorting out an initial wiring problem.

I have installed the pickups in a Dean Evo Exotic. It is a Les Paul style body with two coil tapped humbuckers. The body is mahogany with maple top and maple burl veneer. The volume control taps the neck humbucker and the tone pot taps the bridge. Gives great flexibility in the range of tones from two humbuckers. There was nothing wrong with the original Dean pickups, but I felt a more vintage tone with the neck pickup and more bite with the bridge pickup would help the tone. I was right in choosing this set of pickups. The sound is exactly what I was looking for.

Imperial humbuckers have a balanced tone and great sound whether you choose neck, bridge or both pickups in humbucker, single or combination modes. I ordered the Imperials as a set and am glad I did. I am using a Vox AC15 Custom Classic Tube amp and Ibanez Tube Screamer as my main amp. I also use a Crate v-33 212 tube amp and a Traynor Reverb Mate 40 solid state amp with a Digitech RP-350 effects board.

I own a number of electric guitars and have been playing over 40 years. Among my guitars I have a Hamer Monaco Elite USA, Washburn WI-580 USA Custom Shop, Fender Standard Strat, Epiphone Casino with an American Bigsby added and a Gretsch 6120. The sounds from the Dean Evo Exotic with the Lollar Imperial Humbuckers are comparable to my higher end guitars. I will mention a problem with the humbuckers when first installed by my guitar tech. The sound with using both pickups was horrendous. After several calls and emails to Lollar and the problem still present, I was going to pull the pickups out and replace them with Seymour Duncan Jazz (Neck) and JB (bridge). Lollar kept blaming the problem on my guitar tech, claiming he wired them wrong. But the tech finally wired the ground wire as a hot lead and the hot lead as a ground wire on one of the pickups. Problem solved and it appears either Lollar accidentally wired one of the pickups wrong or the magnet was upside down creating the wrong polarity. The pickups are now in phase and sound like other Lollar Imperials I have heard. The out of phase sound when Wired wrong has no mids or bass, just a very nasal treble sound. Lollar did try to work with us so I would not have to return them. I belive it was a very uncommon problem in his quality control that caused the wiring (or polarity)to be reversed at the factory. I am happy with how things turned out.

Humbucking pickups, vintage output.

These pickups are installed in both the neck and bridge positions of a 1981 Gibson Explorer CMT. They have different outputs for neck and bridge.

The output seems typical of a vintage-style humbucker. The first thing I noticed about the tone is the clarity. On top of a very warm sound is an incredible shimmer that never gets harsh. Overall, the sound is nicely balanced. (If you need a little brighter sound, you might want to try the "Lo-Wind" version which nails the Alvin Lee tone from Woodstock.) The band I'm in right now plays classic hard-rock and these pickups make my guitar sound incredible through my Hiwatt combo (model SA-112OL). It's hard to imagine any style of music that these pickups wouldn't work in. As long as tone is a more important factor than output, it would be hard to go wrong with the Imperials.

These pickups cost only a little more than, say, a Gibson '57 Classic (a good pickup, by the way). In terms of clarity, three-dimensionality, sparkle, and "mojo", I think they're worth the extra money. I'm already ordering another set (through RockNRoll Vintage in Chicago, which is where I purchsed my Explorer and Hiwatt) for a guitar I'm having made.

Dual humbuckers. Low wind imperial in the neck (rhythym) and a high wind imperial in the bridge (treble).

Gibson Les Paul Studio lite. I bought this guitar with Gibson 57's on it upgraded by the previous owner. It sounded nice from the get go and the weight is nice because i can still feel my back after playing a gig. I first heard Jason's imperial pups on a 347 in a jazz duet (vocals/ guitar). I was sold before I finished my first drink.

Upgraded from gibson 57's and will never go back. Running the low winds in the neck and high wind in the bridge. What an amazing combo!
These pups fit any musical situation. Currently running a master vol and master tone setup as well as individual volume controls. I have many possible tones with this setup and I am constantly impressed by the different tones. Standard pickup configuration as well as single coil on each (activated by push/pull on individual volume pots). When running in middle position with both pups on single coil and the tone rolled back slightly you can get an almost acoustic tone. On the contrary, in dual coils with the tone down you get that true "woman tone." Full volume and full tone gives the most repsonse I have ever heard. When you hammer on them, a natural grit comes out that can be described as "when my first child was born..."

Jason has been blessed by the hand wound pickup gods. His ability to create such beautiful tones in unparalled. Not only would I track down someone if they stole these, but I would put on a demonstration via fists to face to prove how responsive these pups really are. They are like a well trained dog that will do anything you tell it to. Try your favorite pup set, try them again, then try the Lollar's and then try to remember your favorite's name. It will no longer be relevant. I have a set of Lollar Vintage on my tele and will be adding Lollar's to my Strat as well. There is no question in my mind that thes pups are the best bang for the buck. In fact, they could cost twice as much and still be an amazing value. I have played this setup through at least 10 amps (Dad is an amazing player and guitar/amp repair guru). From Fender to Dr. Z these pups will impress the f'n hell out of you.

Passive Humbucking pickups, impedance 7.6k neck, 8.4k bridge.

First, the resistance measurement of a pickup DOES NOT indicate how "powerful" or "hot" the pickup will perform. For some reason pickup manufacturers do not relate performance in terms of voltage, current, or watts. Too many people get caught up in the idea that resistance is a measure of power, it is not.

I bought two sets of Jason's Imperial pickups, I installed one in a '57 reissue Gibson and the other in a Metropolitan Tanglewood. They work great with both guitars.

I am replacing the stock pickups in both guitars. Peter Stroud uses them too!

The idea that one model of pickup is better for one style of music than another is also a clever marketing gimmick.

These produce a frequency response for ALL styles of music. It is the style of play (ie. your hands), that determine what sounds come from the speakers. Not to mention your amp, pedal, and speaker chain. I add this note for the reviewer below; These are very balanced pickups with a flat frequency response.

Jason Lollar understands this and produces a consistent and superior product. The only way to know how a pickup is going to sound is to put them in your guitar and play it.

I play through a Marshall PA20 and a Fender Tweed Deluxe.

I am sold on Jason Lollar's products. I would replace them if I had too. I have been playing a long time, more than 20 years, and I have seen a lot of fads come and go.

I like the consistency of Jason's products and I don't like that he has grown beyond a small-time local guy, because now I can't get a guitar from him.

I did not compare these to many other products. I have bought about eight sets of pickups from Jason and each one is a winner!

If the reviewer below did not get a response, it must have slipped through the cracks in his e-mail system, Jason ALWAYS responds in a timely fashion (i.e. one to three days) and makes sure that the customer and he are on the same page as far as tone goes; Jason is a treasure in an industry filled with pimps and thieves.

PRS Custom 24 Artist.
Passive Humbuckers

Paul Reed Smith
Both Positions

Output is moderate.
Mesa Boogie mark IV
5 way switch not operational,no sound on #7

Were returned not to be seen again.
I have lost $ 55.00 on this deal...!Shipping ,returning and charged for using the Pickups...? $25.00 were taken out of the refund for unknown reasons yet... no invoice no email nothing.
A poor business deal.
Make sure you own a name brand guitar like Fender or Gibson anything else will cause problems in the wiring...and go listen to them before you commit.Do not expect reliable information from Jason to help you out afterward...delayed email replies...blame on the user etc...
If you are not sure look somewhere else

Not sure but they they are in the 7-8 range. Lower output Humbuckers in the style of yesteryear. I got the standard imperials and NOT the high winds. Something about a well made, low output pup that lets the Amp Output stage shine thru instead of pushing the front end with a high signal. I use a pedal if I want front end drive

I put them in a '92 Gibby 1967 SG Custom reissue. Gold ones. I only put in the Neck and Bridge. took out the middle for now. I like the 2 bucker look better. I was replacing the stockers cause they were just thin and after putting some Holmes in my other SG, I knew good pups are a Must. Holmes are outta range pricewise anymore and I've tried Lollar pups in my Tele and Love 'em! Jason is a hell of a nice guy to deal with too.

Output is less then my Holmes. Thats not bad though. Very close. The tone is really sweet. The neck, which I use for most of my playing, is really articulate. I mean, its like a single coil clarity but if you dig the pick in it will talk back to ya! I can play an entire song with the guitar on 10 and only varying the pick attack for about any sound from clean to crunch. I like that. And when it crunches, it retains all the tonal character. Very nice. The Treble pup sounds a tad thin and I roll the tone down to about 7 in an SG and thats why Jason was recommending the High output which is fatter in a thin bodied SG but I swap pups all the time and these may end up in my ES335 or PRS so I got the regular wind. I play Duane to Carlton to Trucks to me (haha)and these pups are excellent. I play mainly thru my Dr. Z Maz Jr with 2x10" Webers (LOVE this thing), '76 Super Reverb, '76 Princeton Reverb, '78 Marshall MKII 50W combo. Too much gear! I give the pups a 10 cause the thin Bridge in an SG was my decision and, well... it's not all that thin anyway!

These are very nice and WAY more affordable then the $250 Holmes. I highly recommend them. I really like the output level and clarity. Its makes my SG REAL vewrsatile. I got the 4-wire and have a push/pull tone pot and they actually have a pretty nice sound when split. No, they are no beefy single coil, but adds another tone to my axe. Jason makes great pups (this is my second set of Lollars and Will be getting a Strat set soon too). If they were stolen I would get another set.... after I got out of jail for murder. In todays world of 1000 different pups, Lollars have to be at the top. Lots of reviews say so but I can only vouch for me and the handful of pups I've tried.

Humbucking

Installed set into Les Paul Custom for something new. Tired of my other boutique pickups.

I play various styles these are very well balanced and not too shrill highs and appropriate lows that aren't too muddy. Kind of remind me of a vintage 335. Also I think of Allman Brothers live at Fillmore, however i'm playing into a 66 vibrolux. These are very "Human" sounding to me, pleasant to the ears. I bought these Bridge over wound and neck regular wind.

I had Bare Knuckle Mules as I wanted a Warren Haynes tone got that sound but grew bored with it as well. These don't have the massive output of real old PAF's but I don't want that either. They have enough. I will not swap these. Also Lollar took as much time as I needed to make sure I was making the right purchase.