Fender Lace Sensor Pickups Wiring Diagram: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re a guitar enthusiast, you’re probably familiar with Fender’s Lace Sensor pickups. These pickups are known for their noiseless performance and crystal-clear sound. But how do you wire them? In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on Fender Lace Sensor pickups wiring diagram.

What are Fender Lace Sensor Pickups?

Lace Sensor pickups are unique in that they use a different technology than traditional pickups. Instead of relying on the conventional wire-wrapped coil around a magnet, Lace Sensors utilize a separate sensing coil that is wound around the magnetic pole pieces.

This innovative design provides a noiseless performance and a crystal-clear sound. Fender introduced Lace Sensor pickups in the 1980s, and they’ve been a favorite among guitarists ever since.

Advantages of Fender Lace Sensor Pickups

Here are some advantages of using Fender Lace Sensor pickups:

  1. Noiseless operation
  2. Crystal-clear sound
  3. High output
  4. Consistent tone across all strings
  5. Increased sustain
  6. Reduced electromagnetic interference

Fender Lace Sensor Pickups Wiring Diagram

Now, let’s talk about how to wire your Lace Sensor pickups. The wiring diagram will vary depending on the specific model of your guitar and the number of pickups you have. However, the basic wiring principles remain the same.

Here’s a general wiring diagram for Fender Lace Sensor pickups:

Lace Sensor Pickup Wire Color Function
Red Hot Signal from the pickup
Green Ground Ground connection for the pickup
White Cold Series connection for multiple pickups

Wiring a Single Pickup

If you have a guitar with only one Lace Sensor pickup, wiring is fairly simple. Here’s how you can wire a single pickup:

  1. Connect the red wire of the pickup to the hot lead on the output jack.
  2. Connect the green wire to the ground connection on the output jack.
  3. If your guitar has a tone control, connect the white wire to the tone control’s input. Otherwise, leave it disconnected.

Wiring Multiple Pickups

If you have a guitar with multiple pickups, you’ll need to connect them in series or parallel. Here’s how you can wire multiple pickups in series:

  1. Connect the red wire of the first pickup to the hot lead on the output jack.
  2. Connect the white wire of the first pickup to the red wire of the second pickup.
  3. Connect the white wire of the second pickup to the white wire of the third pickup (if applicable).
  4. Connect the green wire of the last pickup to the ground connection on the output jack.
  5. If your guitar has a tone control, connect the white wire of the last pickup to the tone control’s input. Otherwise, leave it disconnected.

If you want to wire your pickups in parallel, just connect the green wires of all pickups to the ground connection on the output jack. Then, connect the red wires of all pickups together and connect them to the hot lead on the output jack.

FAQs

1. How do I know which wire is hot on a Lace Sensor pickup?

The red wire is the hot wire on a Lace Sensor pickup. The green wire is the ground wire, and the white wire is either a cold wire or a series wire for multiple pickups.

2. Can I mix Lace Sensor pickups with other pickups?

Yes, you can mix Lace Sensor pickups with other pickups. However, keep in mind that the output and tone of the pickups may differ, which can affect the overall sound of your guitar.

3. How do I adjust the pickup height for Fender Lace Sensor pickups?

To adjust the pickup height for Fender Lace Sensor pickups, use a screwdriver to raise or lower the pickup until you get the desired tone. Make sure to adjust the height of each pickup separately.

4. Do I need to shield my guitar when using Lace Sensor pickups?

Lace Sensor pickups are designed to reduce electromagnetic interference, so you may not need to shield your guitar. However, if you’re experiencing unwanted noise or humming, you can try shielding your guitar to see if it helps.

5. Can I use Fender Lace Sensor pickups with an active preamp?

Yes, you can use Fender Lace Sensor pickups with an active preamp. Active preamps provide a boost to the signal, which can enhance the sound of the pickups.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Fender Lace Sensor pickups are a great choice for guitarists who want noiseless operation and crystal-clear sound. Wiring them can seem daunting at first, but with our comprehensive guide, you should be able to wire them with ease. Remember to follow the wiring diagram specific to your guitar, and adjust the pickup height to get the desired tone. Happy playing!