BL 705 bottom plate

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Donald Christy
Posts: 5
Joined: 2 Sep 2024 7:47 am
Location: Kansas, USA

BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Donald Christy »

Hi all! I have a BL 705 pick-up that needs a new bottom plate because the plastic matiral got brittle and the tabs on the ends broke off.

The BL 705 is a narrow mount and fits my 1997 Mullen pre-royal. I have been searching for 2 weeks for a solution and had no luck yet. I even tried to find a new and used BL 705 and can not find any.

If there are anyone that can help ... let me know.

Thank you!
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Jerry Overstreet
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Joined: 11 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Louisville Ky

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

I have some I made up. Send me a PM.
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Jerry Overstreet
Posts: 14423
Joined: 11 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Louisville Ky

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

I misunderstood. Don has one of the newer black L705 models. It's my understanding from other players that the bottom plate doesn't come off those so looks like Don needs a replacement late model BL705NM.
Greg Forsyth
Posts: 434
Joined: 3 Apr 2020 1:05 pm
Location: Colorado, USA

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Greg Forsyth »

Scott Schwartz @ Steeltronics Pickups can help you
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Wayne Brown
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Joined: 3 Apr 2002 1:01 am
Location: Bassano, Alberta, Canada

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Wayne Brown »

Becky Wilde (Bill Lawrence's Widow ) is still in business building Bill Lawrence pickups ...we use her all the time for BL-XLR16s ...give her a call. She can probably make you one or would have something in stock that would work.
here is her site link.
https://www.wildepickups.com/products/steel-guitar
thanks
wayne
Owner Out West Music,Parts and accessories.
Steel Guitar service and Restoration
www.outwestcountry.ca
Donald Christy
Posts: 5
Joined: 2 Sep 2024 7:47 am
Location: Kansas, USA

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Donald Christy »

Thank you Jerry for sharing your information on the forum. You have been a big help to me since I lost my central vison in my eyes over the last 3 years. Yes guys... I still play my steel at home. You never lose the touchnwith your hands and ears. :)

As far as trying to locate a new or used BL 705NM so far. I tried Scott@ steel electronics...Becky's website and lots of others. It seems I'm running into road blocks getting what I want.

The newer black version with th blades on this BL705NM is what I want. It makes my 1997 pre-royal Mullen sound great. I tried other pick-ups in the past, but the BL 705NM sounds awesome!
Bob Carlucci
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Joined: 26 Dec 2003 1:01 am
Location: Candor, New York, USA

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Bob Carlucci »

I have used a 705 for years, and agree, it is a fantastic sounding pickup.. You can get 3 very different sounds out of them. Full humbucker, and either coil, front or rear, on its own, and they all sound very distinct.. I feel its a greatly under appreciated pickup, and hope you get yours up and running again.... bob
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......
Donald Christy
Posts: 5
Joined: 2 Sep 2024 7:47 am
Location: Kansas, USA

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Donald Christy »

Thank you Bob for the great review on the BL 705. I'm just waiting to see if a new or used BL 705NM will show up here on the forum soon.

If not, maybe someone knows how to fix mine by removing the broken bottom and replace with a new one. The glue for the coils did not dry fast enough and made the bottom plate stick to the glue. Since its dried on now, I can not replace the broken plate. I bought it new about 10 or 15 years ago.

One side still has the tab on the end with the 2 mounting hole and the other end is brittle and broke off.
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Jerry Overstreet
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Joined: 11 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Louisville Ky

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

I'm willing to take a look and see if I can fab a repair or replace the missing broken part from one of my plates or plate material I have if you wanna send it to me.

You have my contact if you decide to do that.
Donald Christy
Posts: 5
Joined: 2 Sep 2024 7:47 am
Location: Kansas, USA

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Donald Christy »

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Last edited by Donald Christy on 3 Oct 2025 7:23 am, edited 2 times in total.
Donald Christy
Posts: 5
Joined: 2 Sep 2024 7:47 am
Location: Kansas, USA

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Donald Christy »

I want to thank Jerry Overstreet for taking his time to make me a new blank bottom plate for my BL705NM pick-up.

Jerry and I have been working together by phone and text to get the BL705NM back in service again.

All I have to do now is figure out how to take the remainder of the old plate off or figure out how to fill the void where its broken off to mount the new plate.

I have to drill the new holes in the blank plate before mounting.

This is why I like the forum because someone always tries to help you. Thanks again Jerry for the great help my friend.
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Jerry Overstreet
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Joined: 11 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Louisville Ky

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

Well, thanks for the kind words Don. That's the way the wheels roll around here: someone helped me, I help you, you help someone else and what goes around comes back around.

Hope you're able to work that plate for your 705. I know there are some challenges so I'm still happy to drill and work it all together for you.

Good luck Don.
Jim Palenscar
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Oceanside, Calif, USA

Re: BL 705 bottom plate

Post by Jim Palenscar »

I make quasi-universal bottom plates from laser-engravable plastic- .062" thick $15+ $6 postage
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