Bill Lawrence BL2-R80G (Rosewood Fingerboard, Gold Hardware, Late 1980s)

This BL2-R80G features a rosewood fingerboard and gold hardware, a specification typical of the late 1980s, just before production of the BL-2 series came to an end.

I purchased this guitar from a shop; the previous owner apparently used it without ever removing the protective film from the pickguard.

The BL-2 is equipped with three L-250 pickups, whose design lineage dates back to the 1970s.

Among the L-250 pickups in my collection, I’ve identified three distinct types:

1. Early version – flat bar pole piece with gray lead wires.

2. Mid-period version – slightly arched bar pole piece, still with gray leads.

3. Current version – retains the arched bar, but with black lead wires.

The pickups also differ slightly in size—the mid-period type is slightly wider, and in many cases, the pickup cover around the bar pole piece appears slightly recessed on this version.

In the early production years of the BL series, some necks used narrow Fender-style frets carried over from the BC series, but soon after, jumbo frets became standard across the lineup.

Body: Alder (2-piece)
Weight: 3.48 kg (including strings)
(Updated August 18, 2016)