09-07-2015, 08:06 AM
I got my old Clapton Strat (Lace Sensor era)out of storage a week or so ago - re-set it up, make sure everything works. I guess its been 20 months or so since I've played it.
Its stock except for a stainless steel refret and neck pocket repair - the pocket was way too wide.
Neck shape is a very small V. Its not uncomfortable - I'd rather have something bigger but I can adapt.
The old Lace Sensors in that format are quite nice - they're rounder than normal singles, but the big difference is in how the bridge pickup sounds. It sounds similar to my memory of an old EMG bridge pickup - not quite so sharp compared to a normal pickup. Quack is excellent. It can get a glassier sound with a little tweak on the TBX. No need to use a compressor - its plenty compressed sounding on its own.
The output level is quite hot. The preamp acts as a full range boost when the mid boost is not engaged.
The one thing I really like about a Lace Gold neck pickup is the way it compresses - its almost like it 'purrs' on a sustained note.
The mid boost - to me too much of a good thing. Probably 3 or 4 is enough for me. There's lots of examples of Clapton running it full up out on Youtube.
Noisewise, as long as you're not close to a noise source, its quiet. Lace's are not noise cancelling pickups, just sense a much smaller field.
All in all, a great different flavor of a Strat. IMO, Its not for a guy who is considering it as an only Strat unless you want to consider mods.
Its stock except for a stainless steel refret and neck pocket repair - the pocket was way too wide.
Neck shape is a very small V. Its not uncomfortable - I'd rather have something bigger but I can adapt.
The old Lace Sensors in that format are quite nice - they're rounder than normal singles, but the big difference is in how the bridge pickup sounds. It sounds similar to my memory of an old EMG bridge pickup - not quite so sharp compared to a normal pickup. Quack is excellent. It can get a glassier sound with a little tweak on the TBX. No need to use a compressor - its plenty compressed sounding on its own.
The output level is quite hot. The preamp acts as a full range boost when the mid boost is not engaged.
The one thing I really like about a Lace Gold neck pickup is the way it compresses - its almost like it 'purrs' on a sustained note.
The mid boost - to me too much of a good thing. Probably 3 or 4 is enough for me. There's lots of examples of Clapton running it full up out on Youtube.
Noisewise, as long as you're not close to a noise source, its quiet. Lace's are not noise cancelling pickups, just sense a much smaller field.
All in all, a great different flavor of a Strat. IMO, Its not for a guy who is considering it as an only Strat unless you want to consider mods.
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