Lace Alumitone Single Coil Pickup
No longer available at zZounds
Get more bass, volume, and output than traditional single coil pickups with this aluminum-based pickup.
Overview
Alumitone pickups are a radical departure from the pickup design you've known most of your life. Being aluminum based, rather than copper you will see less resistance with a higher output coupled to a current driven design as opposed to conventional voltage based pickups.
The aluminum water jet cut exoskeleton is then matted to a micro winding using 90% less fine copper wire, a low impedance/high impedance pickup is then created.
Sonic Evaluation
More bass then traditional single coils, more volume, mids are slightly more then conventional pickups. Highs are clear yet smooth, nicely equalized. With a 5-position switch they provide surprisingly stratty in between tones.
The aluminum water jet cut exoskeleton is then matted to a micro winding using 90% less fine copper wire, a low impedance/high impedance pickup is then created.
Sonic Evaluation
More bass then traditional single coils, more volume, mids are slightly more then conventional pickups. Highs are clear yet smooth, nicely equalized. With a 5-position switch they provide surprisingly stratty in between tones.
Specs
Position: neck, mid, bridge
Resistance: 2.5k
Peak frequency: 2343
Inductance: 3.0 henries
Resistance: 2.5k
Peak frequency: 2343
Inductance: 3.0 henries
Reviews
Submitted April 13, 2010
"Great Tone, ZERO NOISE, but you must modify your pick-guard!!!"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I wish I knew I had to modify my pick-guard to instal. That was a hassle and an unexpected nuisance.
Once I got over it, I'm glad I did.
Sound
Clear, Clean, Balanced Tone from all strings in all five positions. You can adjust pickup height to balance output and tone: closer = more output + bass. Farther = slightly less output more "spank." ZERO NOISE !!! In fact, if it weren't for the lack of hum, you'd think you were playing vintage single-coils.
Features
Features? well, they sound great and make NO NOISE. Those are the only features I really care about. They look funky-cool / unique / unusual / future-retro. That might be good or bad, depending on your taste. Some gain-crazed metal heads might want more output. Experienced players know they can get all the gain they need from preamps and pedals, so pickup output is usually a non-issue.
Ease of Use
Be aware that the shape of these makes them a little tricky to instal. You have to buy pre-wired pick-guards for Strats, or carefully file the mounting-hole to accept the squared-corners of these. You probably would not want to do that to a prized vintage guitar.
Quality
I have used Lace products for decades and these particular pickups for four years now. No problems whatsoever.
Value
I know these are made a different way than regular coiled pickups. It seems… read more like they could be a little less expensive when I look at them. There's not much there... After hearing them and using them for a while, I don't care about the cost. They are worth every penny.
Manufacturer Support
I asked technical questions of Lace. They got back to me within 24 hours with a personal reply. I wasn't quite satisfied with the information, but they did respond personally; no cut-and-paste boiler-plate FAQ BS.
The Wow Factor
I like the concept of these things; a current based pickup instead of a voltage-based coil. But then, I'm an electronics geek and understand the difference. I dig the style and LOVE the zero-noise with great tone. If you want premium full-bandwidth response so you can shape any tone, and you like unique looking gear, these are very high on the "I want it" list. If you are a traditionalist, afraid of new things, don't understand how pickups work or just want that vintage appearance, these are not for you.
Musical Background:
Pro Studio Player
Musical Style:
All read less
Sound
Clear, Clean, Balanced Tone from all strings in all five positions. You can adjust pickup height to balance output and tone: closer = more output + bass. Farther = slightly less output more "spank." ZERO NOISE !!! In fact, if it weren't for the lack of hum, you'd think you were playing vintage single-coils.
Features
Features? well, they sound great and make NO NOISE. Those are the only features I really care about. They look funky-cool / unique / unusual / future-retro. That might be good or bad, depending on your taste. Some gain-crazed metal heads might want more output. Experienced players know they can get all the gain they need from preamps and pedals, so pickup output is usually a non-issue.
Ease of Use
Be aware that the shape of these makes them a little tricky to instal. You have to buy pre-wired pick-guards for Strats, or carefully file the mounting-hole to accept the squared-corners of these. You probably would not want to do that to a prized vintage guitar.
Quality
I have used Lace products for decades and these particular pickups for four years now. No problems whatsoever.
Value
I know these are made a different way than regular coiled pickups. It seems… read more like they could be a little less expensive when I look at them. There's not much there... After hearing them and using them for a while, I don't care about the cost. They are worth every penny.
Manufacturer Support
I asked technical questions of Lace. They got back to me within 24 hours with a personal reply. I wasn't quite satisfied with the information, but they did respond personally; no cut-and-paste boiler-plate FAQ BS.
The Wow Factor
I like the concept of these things; a current based pickup instead of a voltage-based coil. But then, I'm an electronics geek and understand the difference. I dig the style and LOVE the zero-noise with great tone. If you want premium full-bandwidth response so you can shape any tone, and you like unique looking gear, these are very high on the "I want it" list. If you are a traditionalist, afraid of new things, don't understand how pickups work or just want that vintage appearance, these are not for you.
Musical Background:
Pro Studio Player
Musical Style:
All read less
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