Humbucker recommendations (blade/rail style) please

[thegame]

Very interested in blade or rail design humbuckers. The blades provide a more even magnetic field, ala EMGs, for a different response than typical pole piece humbuckers.

There's the Dimarzio XN2, Deactivator X, Drop Sonic, Bill Lawrence, Joe Barden pickups. Anything else on the market I should be looking at ?

Post your experiences using this style of PU. Looking for a, you guessed it, more organic EMG 81. Figured since EMGs also use a similar magnet design, these PUs I outlined above may get me there.

 

[bsp01]

I use the Bill Lawrence (Wilde USA) 500XL in a mahogany bodied guitar, and it's phenomenal. Lots of output, clear and articulate, has all the Bill Lawrence percussive low end feel, and super sweet high end sound.

 

[Motorpud]

I've used both different types of Bill Lawrence pickups (BL USA and Wilde) and the Wildes were much better made and sounded better, you could even tell the difference looking at the rails. I think the X2N is the best blade style pickup out there though IMO

 

[jkdsteve]

Get the genuine Bill & Becky (Wilde?) L500XL not that BLUSA crap

The BLUSA was just a freakin' fizz machine with no balls....the B&B was tight, harmonic rich slice of high gain sex pie!

 

[thegame]

I use the Bill Lawrence (Wilde USA) 500XL in a mahogany bodied guitar, and it's phenomenal. Lots of output, clear and articulate, has all the Bill Lawrence percussive low end feel, and super sweet high end sound.

Percussive low end, sweet high end = exactly what I want. Your description sounds like Nuno's tone, another Bill Lawrence user. Thanks !

 

[thegame]

I've used both different types of Bill Lawrence pickups (BL USA and Wilde) and the Wildes were much better made and sounded better, you could even tell the difference looking at the rails. I think the X2N is the best blade style pickup out there though IMO

Can you compare the X2N and Bill Lawrence Wildes please ?

 

[Motorpud]

I've used both different types of Bill Lawrence pickups (BL USA and Wilde) and the Wildes were much better made and sounded better, you could even tell the difference looking at the rails. I think the X2N is the best blade style pickup out there though IMO

Can you compare the X2N and Bill Lawrence Wildes please ?

Yeah sure, to tell you truth you can't really go wrong with either one and I like them both, they're just voiced a little differently. The BL seemed to be a little more harsh on the top end while the X2N has a more flat response with the highs rolled back some. They're both tight but I'd say the X2N is tighter but also has less bottom end, or more controlled. X2N is hotter but it's also quieter and is pretty versatile. I've only tried them in alder guitars so I'm not sure how they sound with other woods. If you've got any specific questions PM me, I've used them both for years and currently own guitars with both