Lace Sensor Info and Pickup Measurements
Updated: 2024.04.09
It’s always a bunch of work to look these up. Here’s a quick list of Lace Sensor versions, colors and specifications! I like Lace Sensors in general and use them in builds once in a while.
Measurement Variation: There can be a lot of variation in DCR values, So the measurements give you all ball park. Note that sonically they still match up and FENDER variations on pickups can be 10% at times. The inductance value is a good benchmark.
Best of the bunch according to Bruce Gombrelli: Hot Gold, Silver and Light Blue. – Silver is a MUST HAVE.
Other Notes:
- Gold doesn’t play well with some of the others it’s rather low output but it has it’s place, EC used to love them but he had boosted circuits. So mix it with Vintage pickups if you mix it up. It needs a light compress or mild boost I feel.
- Red a VERY warm, with a lower frequency response with less high end. Runs best with a 500K+ pot. I would use a dual pot if I used it with other lace pickups. It works BEST in Bridge positions. (and on a 12 string bridge position 😉 – I wouldn’t even consider this one for middle or neck, it’s quite dark.
- Hot Golds have a very decent blend of vintage with punch, I can hear why Jeff Beck picked them originally.
- The pickups with FENDER Lace Sensor are from Stratocasters released by Fender from 1985 to about 1998 – Essentially these were produced the same way with the same design but they have a Fender logo on them, so it’s like having an autograph, it gives them a higher resale value with no extra sonic bonus.
- There are some VERY early designs which has shrink wrap on the entire length of the wire.
Here’s my summary of the pickups
- Lace Sensor Gold: A classic 50’s Style single coil sound with a classy bell tone- 5.8k
- Lace Sensor Silver: A fat 70’s single coil sound with increased output and more midrange. The ultimate middle position pickup- 7.1k
- Lace Sensor Light Blue: Warm, punchy, Jazz Blues neck pickup, or thicker, middle and bridge tone- 8.0k
- Lace Sensor Burgundy: Recommended as Bridge pickup for slightly fatter tone- 8.9k
- Lace Sensor Blue: Slightly increased output with the warmer 50’s humbucking sounding a single coil configuration- 12.8k
- Lace Sensor Red: The hottest output of our Sensor Series. Perfect for the bridge position when fat, punch humbucking output is required- 14.5k (do not use in middle or neck, use with 500K or 1 Meg pot if possible, a split pot maybe 500K with 250K for the other pickups.
- Lace Sensor Emerald: That Texas-inspired tone without the noise! All you want for that style of music! – 5.7k
- Lace Sensor Purple: Hot overwound single coil tone, between a Burgundy and Blue Sensor. Designed for bridge or a P-90-type tone in the neck – 10.5k
- Lace Sensor Hot Gold: A modern take on 60’s vintage classic sound with a full bottom end, singing midrange, & high-end sparkle- 6.0k neck/13.2. bridge
STRING CLEARANCE MEASUREMENTS FOR FENDER LACE GUITAR PICKUPS
For Optimal Tone: Use these suggested pickup heights. These measurements are good for any lace pickups. Start with these measurements and adjust height to preference.
Note: Lace pickups can be much closer to the strings than your typical single coil.
String distance from the pickup, fretted at 21st fret:
High “E”:
-NECK: 1.5mm
-MID: 2.0mm
-BRIDGE: 1.0mm
String distance from the pickup, fretted at 21st fret:
Low “E”:
-Neck: 2.5mm
-Mid: 3.5mm
-Bridge: 2.0mm