Scifi Metalhead
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How different are they?
Duncan '59s vs Gibson 490s
- Thread starter Scifi Metalhead
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Duncan '59s vs Gibson 490s
Both are very good PAF's. '59's have A5's, and are brighter with a midrange scoop, and cut better. 490's have A2's and have thicker mids. While a '59N can sometimes be boomy in an LP, a 490R is more likely to be muddy. I put A5's in my 490R's and that makes them closer to a '59N, but with a little less low end.
In the bridge a '59 has more treble and output than a 490. To fix that, I put an A4 or A8 in my 490T's, and that gives them more output & body. To take off a little of a '59B's treble, I use two 250K pots.
Both are very good PAF's. '59's have A5's, and are brighter with a midrange scoop, and cut better. 490's have A2's and have thicker mids. While a '59N can sometimes be boomy in an LP, a 490R is more likely to be muddy. I put A5's in my 490R's and that makes them closer to a '59N, but with a little less low end.
In the bridge a '59 has more treble and output than a 490. To fix that, I put an A4 or A8 in my 490T's, and that gives them more output & body. To take off a little of a '59B's treble, I use two 250K pots.
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Duncan '59s vs Gibson 490s
they can seem very different, but if you put a5 magnets in the 490s they are actually kinda close, with the 490s being a bit middier and the '59s being tighter and a bit more scooped.
they can seem very different, but if you put a5 magnets in the 490s they are actually kinda close, with the 490s being a bit middier and the '59s being tighter and a bit more scooped.
LtKojak
New member
Re: Duncan '59s vs Gibson 490s
Well, the 490R is made with Poly wire, mine measuring 7.68K, with an A2 magnet. This particular recipe sounds like mud to me, no matter what guitar, even though it gets worse with LPs and semi-hollows.
Changing the magnet with an A5 will clear up the upper frequencies making it usable, but a bit bass heavy. The best overall recipe is putting a ceramic magnet, making it like the 496R, but I personally don't like the inherent harshness in the sound that particular magnet produces, so I've ended up using an A4 magnet, which made it ok, very usable but with no personality.
The '59n is made with Plain Enamel wire, mine measuring 7.18K with an A5 magnet. This recipe is (to me) the closest to perfection for a neck p'up.
The inherent bass-heavyness of the A5 magnet is counterbalanced perfectly with the tight wind and the lower count of turns. In my case, due to the lack of mids in my rig, I've tried putting an A4 magnet and bingo! I've found the perfect recipe for a neck p'up.
Afterwards I've found that this recipe worked just as well in other people's guitars AND rigs as well, so it became a standard to me.
Considering that the Gibson p'up costs over a 30% more than the Duncan, for me choosing one over the other is a dead-on-no-brainer. :naughty:
HTH,
Well, the 490R is made with Poly wire, mine measuring 7.68K, with an A2 magnet. This particular recipe sounds like mud to me, no matter what guitar, even though it gets worse with LPs and semi-hollows.
Changing the magnet with an A5 will clear up the upper frequencies making it usable, but a bit bass heavy. The best overall recipe is putting a ceramic magnet, making it like the 496R, but I personally don't like the inherent harshness in the sound that particular magnet produces, so I've ended up using an A4 magnet, which made it ok, very usable but with no personality.
The '59n is made with Plain Enamel wire, mine measuring 7.18K with an A5 magnet. This recipe is (to me) the closest to perfection for a neck p'up.
The inherent bass-heavyness of the A5 magnet is counterbalanced perfectly with the tight wind and the lower count of turns. In my case, due to the lack of mids in my rig, I've tried putting an A4 magnet and bingo! I've found the perfect recipe for a neck p'up.
Afterwards I've found that this recipe worked just as well in other people's guitars AND rigs as well, so it became a standard to me.
Considering that the Gibson p'up costs over a 30% more than the Duncan, for me choosing one over the other is a dead-on-no-brainer. :naughty:
HTH,
Diocletian
BrandNewGlossologist
Re: Duncan '59s vs Gibson 490s
I've had both in the bridge of my Epi G400. I like both a lot, but the 59 is better for playing leads. And rythm. :lol:
The 59 is just a nicer sounding pickup, but I got the 490 for a great price and it's certainly a step up from the stock Epi pickups.
Stick with the Duncans.
I've had both in the bridge of my Epi G400. I like both a lot, but the 59 is better for playing leads. And rythm. :lol:
The 59 is just a nicer sounding pickup, but I got the 490 for a great price and it's certainly a step up from the stock Epi pickups.
Stick with the Duncans.
Re: Duncan '59s vs Gibson 490s
+1
Just plan on spending a few minutes adjusting the pickup height after you get it installed. I was able to drop mine a bit, and angle it as well to get rid of any boomy bass...
+1
Just plan on spending a few minutes adjusting the pickup height after you get it installed. I was able to drop mine a bit, and angle it as well to get rid of any boomy bass...
