L-500 Features

Compare L-500 pickups by year, company, and feature.

When Identifying an L-500 from the Bill Lawrence Pickups (Classic)Pickups made and sold between 1975 and 1984 by Bill Lawrence(Willi Lorenz Stich). period, you should be aware that the L-500 product line underwent name changes throughout 1981, The hot L-500L was renamed the L-500XL with the cleaner L-510L becoming the new L-500L. the L-500R did not change in output or name.

The lead or wires can also be an indication of where your pickup came from.

Only Bill Lawrence Pickups (Classic)Pickups made and sold between 1975 and 1984 by Bill Lawrence(Willi Lorenz Stich). pickups featured a curved blade, others are flat. I am looking for info on when this change was made (I'm guessing somewhere mid to late 1983, not long after the "Bill Lawrence USA" imprint appeared). Current By Bill Lawrence (WS)This label denotes pickups made by Bill Lawrence(Willi Lorenz Stich), after 1984, including pickups from OBL Pickups and/or at billlawrence.com pickups feature wider blades than current Bill Lawrence Products (EZ)Pickups made by Jzchak Wajcman after 1984. billlawrenceusa.com pickups.

Some By Bill Lawrence (WS)This label denotes pickups made by Bill Lawrence(Willi Lorenz Stich), after 1984, including pickups from OBL Pickups and/or at billlawrence.com and Bill Lawrence Pickups (Classic)Pickups made and sold between 1975 and 1984 by Bill Lawrence(Willi Lorenz Stich). electric guitar pickups feature a chrome-plated plastic housing (left).

This is an example of a [tip:By Bill Lawrence (WS)=This label denotes pickups made by Bill Lawrence(Willi Lorenz Stich), after 1984, including pickups from OBL Pickups and/or at billlawrence.com] electric guitar pickup (right). These electric guitar pickups do not feature "Bill Lawrence USA" markings anywhere on the pickup.

Current L-500 electric guitar pickups from Bill Lawrence Products (EZ)Pickups made by Jzchak Wajcman after 1984. billlawrenceusa.com have a "Bill Lawrence U.S.A." stamp or print on the top (left).

The marking "Bill Lawrence USA" (see pic left and right) in the plastic housing is found on Bill Lawrence Pickups (Classic)Pickups made and sold between 1975 and 1984 by Bill Lawrence(Willi Lorenz Stich). and Bill Lawrence Products (EZ)Pickups made by Jzchak Wajcman after 1984. billlawrenceusa.com pickups. This marking appeared on pickups in the last month of '82 or early in '83.

Fill out this simple form for a fast "ball-park" identification of your Bill Lawrence L-500 pickups approximate date and manufacturer.