Bill Lawrence Wilde Bass

[Iridescentone]

Yes, and they made the original pickups for the US Masters basses as well. The pickups on that bass look very similar to the US Masters pickups.

View attachment 3612066

Look pretty similar.

 

[deff]

Bill passed away 6 years ago. I know about the acrimony between Wilde and BL USA, but that's really old news. Didn't know they made basses.

 

[bdgotoh]

Look pretty similar.

View attachment 3612361

Supposedly those pickups have additional polepieces hidden under the cover that are right under the string. I never checked when I owned an RB.

 

[Iridescentone]

Supposedly those pickups have additional polepieces hidden under the cover that are right under the string. I never checked when I owned an RB.

Great, now curiosity is tempting me to dissect mine...thanks for that!

Speaking of US Masters....IICR, apparently Kent Armstrong supplied similar looking units for US Masters, too. Like that lacewood EP-42 I bought from you eons ago? While those pickups looked a lot like BL's, I seem to recall they were badged Kent Armstrong?

 

[flojob]

That's interesting. I always assumed that my P46 is an original version. Not so sure now, look authentic to you?

View attachment 3612337

Those are real. Had the p46 myself. Same color potting and same stickers. Great pickup

 

[bdgotoh]

Great, now curiosity is tempting me to dissect mine...thanks for that!

Speaking of US Masters....IICR, apparently Kent Armstrong supplied similar looking units for US Masters, too. Like that lacewood EP-42 I bought from you eons ago? While those pickups looked a lot like BL's, I seem to recall they were badged Kent Armstrong?

Get yourself some magnetic viewing film! No dissection necessary.

The Kent Armstrong pickups are a good bit longer than the BL pickups, compare these to the pic above.

 

[jerry]

The artist I work for has a Bill Lawrence Tele that just slays!

 

[pfschim]

Look pretty similar.

View attachment 3612361

great bass and the Bill Lawrence pickups are wonderful toneful things to work with.

I have pretty much the same RB IV but with a rosewood neck vs your maple. One of my favorite instruments for sure.
Here it is next to my Lull M4V.

 

[kodiakblair]

But my actual question is who owns a Bill Lawrence built instrument?

Just saw this for sale ad over in France and remembered your thread. Says "Bill Lawrence" instead of Wilde .

Actual ad is here.

Bill Lawrence P/J MIJ 80's

 

[Iridescentone]

Look what I just found hiding in my parts bin.