Wilde Bill Lawrence pickups L-500L, L-500XL or L-90 differences? Holiday Sale now (2025)

I posted another thread about the Wilde pickups Holiday Set sale. I ordered the Noisefree Tele L-200T set. But, I may go back in for more.

I need help choosing a humbucker set:

What's the difference between L-500L and L-500XL? Also, between those and the L-90 set? Which should I get? Either for a Strat like object or a Les Paul? Classic Rock tones... Thanks!

Wilde has different models for either positions, or desired amount of output. They don't use DC resistance to rate output, but use inductance (in Henries, or H). The more winds, the higher the inductance, making for greater signal generation in millivolts. This can also effect DCR, but it depends on wire gauge used, and how many wraps.

C = Clean (lowest output) = 2.8H
R = Regular (higher neck output) = 4.8H
L = Lead (Bridge model) = 6.8H
XL = Extra Lead (highest output bridge) = 9.2H

More inductance also means more lows and less highs. However, the L500 series is pretty bright - I personally love them. Have not used the C, but currently have a Carvin Bolt+C with the R and XL in neck and bridge. They match well, and have plenty of output. The L is brighter yet, but a bit less output, and would match better with the C.

2.8H is closer to a single coil amount of inductance. 4.8 is more like a typical PAF, and yes, R models can be used in the bridge. 6.8H is getting into hot humbucker or P90 territory. 9.2H is closer to a double-strength PAF - tons of output. For what it's worth Wilde says 250 or 500k pots with all models, except the XL, where they suggest 500k- 1Meg volume pot, otherwise it can be a little muddy. 1Meg can make them very bright and snarly. I personally love a 1M with a 1M resistor between the center and one outer lug (not ground), so it will taper more like a 500k, but have the treble/snarl that 1M brings.

I wish they were the same price as they used to be; even so, terrific pickups.

Wow, great info thanks!

So, it looks like from the sale sets offered I'd want the L500R 4.8H neck L500L 6.8H bridge set or the L90 4.0H neck / L90 6.0H bridge set. Not the XL at all.

And, am I understanding L90 are brighter than L500? L90 are brighter than normal humbuckers...almost single coil like?

I was looking at these as well for an epiphone les paul i've yet to swap out pickups on. I don't want pickups that have way too much output though but then again i don't want pickups that would be way brighter then pickups in other guitars i have.

The only bill lawrence pickups i have currently are tele pickups on a telecaster copy which i think sound great. I forget the models off hand but i think one is l290tl Huge tonal improvement that sound so good clean and overdriven.

Years ago when i was in my late teens and only had one guitar (a harmony strat copy) i originally was going to buy bill lawrence pickups to replace the awful stock pickups. I ended up calling to try find out if for example the l250's would be a good fit and spoke to Bill. He was very friendly and very knowledgeable talking about pickups from both tone and technical perpectives. He answered all my questions. However, ultimately he said if i'm not fully happy with my current guitar anyway, how it felt and played he would strongly advise waiting till i get a guitar i like more and only then consider upgrading pickups if desired. So basically he talked me out of buying his pickups at the time.

Other pickups i was considering for the epi les paul were
SD alnico pro II neck with SD 59/custom hybrid bridge (this is what i have in my epiphone sg)

Gibson 490r neck and 498T bridge

on cheaper side Tonerider TRH1 Rocksong looked interesting.

Chimey said:

Wow, great info thanks!

So, it looks like from the sale sets offered I'd want the L500R 4.8H neck L500L 6.8H bridge set or the L90 4.0H neck / L90 6.0H bridge set. Not the XL at all.

And, am I understanding L90 are brighter than L500? L90 are brighter than normal humbuckers...almost single coil like?

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The L90 is the predecessor to the L500, and doesn't have as much treble response and a bit less output (less efficiency). My vote is for the L500R/L set. Plenty of heat, excellent treble (that can be tuned down), and should have a bit less noise, even. I like the l90, but the L500 is my favorite passive pickup, followed closely by (of all things) Carvin M22V (neck) and SD (bridge) as they're pretty similar-sounding. My absolute favorite pickups are Fluence Moderns, so I gravitate toward high output, trebly sounds.

I went with l90 set. Here was clip of my 1st test drive if them through marshal dsl20h into peavey open back 1x12 with greenback. Clean channel which i switched to had some gain on it. Later in clip i did roll back guitar volume and back up on red channel a drop before going into same old song and dance riff.

I went with l90 set. Here was clip of my 1st test drive if them through marshal dsl20h into peavey open back 1x12 with greenback. Clean channel which i switched to had some gain on it. Later in clip i did roll back guitar volume and back up on red channel a drop before going into same old song and dance riff.

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What strength were the 2 L90’s that you settled on?

Chiefslugbugd17f8 said:

What strength were the 2 L90’s that you settled on?

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I believe they are the 4.0H neck / 6.0H bridge set. It was one of the holiday sale sets. These pickups sound great.

The guitar i installed them in (epiphone les paul) got a significant upgrade. I also got fretwork done, wiring, pots, switch, jack upgraded and tuners i replaced with gotoh locking tuners.

I like my Lawrence pickup in this Roscoe…

I believe they are the 4.0H neck / 6.0H bridge set. It was one of the holiday sale sets. These pickups sound great.

The guitar i installed them in (epiphone les paul) got a significant upgrade. I also got fretwork done, wiring, pots, switch, jack upgraded and tuners i replaced with gotoh locking tuners.

Click to expand...

Nice. I have an Epi Dot that I put Seth Lovers in. Great pickups can turn an Epi into a beast.

Other pickups i was considering for the epi les paul were
SD alnico pro II neck with SD 59/custom hybrid bridge (this is what i have in my epiphone sg)

Gibson 490r neck and 498T bridge

on cheaper side Tonerider TRH1 Rocksong looked interesting.

Click to expand...

How do you like the Alnico pro II and the 59/custom?

Chiefslugbugd17f8 said:

How do you like the Alnico pro II and the 59/custom?

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I love them on the epiphone sg which i tend to play a lot both because the neck on it (Fat but comfortable profile) and the tone sounds great to be. Those pickups made a huge improvement.

I used to own a Wylde USA L-500XL bridge pickup. I liked the high gain tone and output. I had it installed in a Hamer USA Diablo guitar. I sold off the guitar and traded away the pickup. I should of kept it and installed into another super Strat guitar build. If I buy another 2 HB super Strat guitar, I would buy a Wylde USA L-500XL again. Bill (RIP) & Becky are good people to deal with.

Guitar George