an XL-size sound

Pickups were an integral component of Dimebag Darrell’s iconic tone.

of either American Deans usually featured a pair

Distortion zebra or double-creme DiMarzio Super humbucker pickups, but Dime (pictured) retrofitted his ML with a Bill Lawrence L-500XL

be as in the bridge position. The latter may not

pickup has familiar a name as some others, but that graced many a rock record, one being Extreme’s 1990 album Pornograffiti, via guitarist Nuno Bettencourt’s Washburn N4.

made The unit in the Dean From Hell guitar was

of by BL’s Jzchak Wajcman. With a DC resistance

two 11.2k, it’s a high-output pickup that features

than thin magnetic rails set in black resin, rather

pieces. the more traditional rows of separate pole

When used for rock, it really helps to accentuate

Dime’s the guitar’s harmonics, as is evident from

as other aggressive tone. The L-500XL, as well

Bill Lawrence pickups, is still available today.