As long as the electric guitar exists, Stratocasters, S-type copies, and their associated triplet of single-coil pickups will as well. Strats created the blueprint for single-coil pickups, and various iterations have been done countless times over by the finest designers in the game. Remarkably, there are still innovations to be had and unique sonic territories to be charted. A fine example of this very principle is reviewed in the Lace Sensor Hot Gold pickups — a single-coil set for S-type guitars with a slightly modern tilt.
Lace Ups the Single-Coil Game with the Sensor Hot Gold Pickups
Lace Sensor Hot Gold pickups are designed to offer a higher output and distinctive tonal qualities, making them suitable for players who want a more aggressive sound while maintaining versatility and vintage flair. Featuring a rich bottom-end, scorching midrange, and sparkling top-end, these pickups have a pronounced voice and character that’s balanced but one-of-a-kind.
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Next to amps, pickups are one of the primary means you can change up your tone in a massive way. The Sensor Hot Golds from Lace are an innovative single-coil pickup that scream quality at a reasonable price.
What Sets Lace Apart?
Lace is notable for its unconventional approach to pickup design. They’ve developed pickups with unique tonal characteristics, including models that emphasize clarity, sustain, noise reduction, and specific frequency ranges. One of their innovations is indeed the Sensor, which aims to offer a more balanced and detailed sound while reducing noise and interference.
Lace Sensor Hot Gold Review
Sound Quality and Performance
The higher output of Lace Sensor Hot Gold pickups contributes to a grittier tone compared to traditional single-coil pickups. This extra output can be advantageous for players who want to drive their amplifier into overdrive or distortion, making these pickups well-suited for rock, hard rock, and heavier music genres.
Many users also find that Lace Sensor Hot Gold pickups have a pronounced midrange presence. This characteristic can help your guitar cut through the mix, making it suitable for lead playing and adding a punchy quality to your sound. Despite the higher output, Lace Sensor Hot Gold pickups are often praised for maintaining good clarity and definition. This allows individual notes to stand out, even when playing with high gain.
As with any pickup, the sound quality is subjective and depends on personal taste. Some players enjoy the aggressive tone and midrange emphasis, while others might prefer a more traditional single-coil sound or the character of different high-output pickups.
Key Features of Lace Sensor Hot Gold Pickups
The primary feature of Lace Sensor Hot Gold pickups is their elevated output compared to traditional single-coil pickups. This higher output provides more drive, making them well-suited for genres that require a more aggressive tone, such as rock, hard rock, and metal. The general tone of Lace Sensor Hot Gold pickups is often described as bold and assertive.
Lace Sensor Hot Gold pickups have a slightly warmer tonal quality compared to other high-output pickups. This warmth can add depth and fullness to your sound, contributing to their unique sonic signature. Moreover, Lace has a reputation for producing high-quality pickups. The build quality and attention to detail in the design contribute to the overall performance and durability of Lace Sensor Hot Gold pickups.
Vintage Single-Coil Tones with Noise Reduction
Like other Lace Sensor pickups, the Hot Gold version benefits from noise-canceling properties, though not to the same extent as fully humbucking pickups. This reduced noise is especially useful in high-gain situations where single-coil pickups might introduce unwanted hum.
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The Hot Gold tone isn’t entirely vintage, but it isn’t necessarily contemporary, either. It strikes a nice balance between classic Stratty sounds and fatter humbucker tones. Perhaps one of the biggest advantages is, in fact, the noise reduction, though that’s not to discredit how these things actually sound. If you’re hunting a vintage-inspired single-coil set, the Lace Sensor Hot Golds deliver.
Pros and Cons of Lace Sensor Hot Gold Pickups
These pickups are designed to have a hotter output compared to traditional single-coil pickups. This increased output can lead to more sustain and a more powerful overall sound, making them suitable for players who want to push their amp into overdrive or play heavier music styles. For many players, this is a certified “pro,” though it might not work for everyone.
Lace Sensors are also known for their noise-canceling properties. While not as silent as humbuckers, they do have a quieter operation than traditional single-coil pickups, which is especially useful in high-gain situations where noise can be a concern. That’s definitely a huge plus, considering single-coil pickups have a tendency to be noisy as all get out under certain circumstances.
However, if you’re looking for the classic single-coil “chime” and clean tone associated with vintage pickups, the Lace Sensor Hot Gold may not deliver that exact character. They can handle cleaner tones, yet they might not capture the traditional single-coil sound as authentically as some other pickups.
Comparison: Lace Sensor Gold vs. Hot Gold
The Lace Sensor Gold pickups are known for their well-balanced, warm, and clear tones. They provide a vintage-inspired sound that’s often described as smooth and versatile. These pickups have a moderate output level, which makes them suitable for a wide range of musical styles. The Gold pickups are often chosen for their versatility, making them suitable for various genres, from clean and jazzy tones to classic rock.
The “Hot” designation suggests that these pickups have a higher output compared to the regular Lace Sensor Gold. This generally translates to more gain, which can be particularly useful for players who want a hotter, more aggressive tone, often favored in rock and harder music genres. The Hot Gold pickups are designed to provide a bit more punch and drive.
Enjoy Maximum Articulation and Dynamic Tone with Lace Sensor Hot Gold
Hot Golds are a “complete” pickup from a tonal perspective. The tone is fat, full, and warm, with a particular emphasis on midrange, giving them a vocal quality that’s excellent for lead playing and standing out above a mix. This also assists in these pickups being extremely articulate, and they respond well to nuances in technique. Overall, this is a very nice pickup set that competes with pricier boutique offerings. The price is right, the sound is great, and the Lace Sensor Hot Golds deliver on all promises in our review.