JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Has anybody tried a Gibson 496R as a bridge pickup? Thanks to the generosity of Artie, I have one, and think I might try it in my Kramer.
496R in the bridge?
- Thread starter JB_From_Hell
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JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: 496R in the bridge?
Cool, thanks. I'll give it a shot.
Cool, thanks. I'll give it a shot.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: 496R in the bridge?
Isn't a 496R a 490R with a ceramic magnet? If you want a bright bridge PU, it should work. Why not try it?
Isn't a 496R a 490R with a ceramic magnet? If you want a bright bridge PU, it should work. Why not try it?
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: 496R in the bridge?
I don't know the specifics of Gibby pickups. I know that I like the 496R/500T set in their "proper" locations, and I'd like it if the bridge PAF in my SG/LP had a bit more bottom, but that's pretty much it.
I do intend to try it, I just wanted to see if anybody was gonna say "Make sure to install it screws toward the neck" or "It's the best bridge pickup ever!" which might hasten the installation
I don't know the specifics of Gibby pickups. I know that I like the 496R/500T set in their "proper" locations, and I'd like it if the bridge PAF in my SG/LP had a bit more bottom, but that's pretty much it.
I do intend to try it, I just wanted to see if anybody was gonna say "Make sure to install it screws toward the neck" or "It's the best bridge pickup ever!" which might hasten the installation
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: 496R in the bridge?
What's the difference between a 490R & T? Is the 490T a 500T with alnico?
What's the difference between a 490R & T? Is the 490T a 500T with alnico?
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: 496R in the bridge?
I know that
What I meant was is there any difference between the 490R & 490T?
I know that
What I meant was is there any difference between the 490R & 490T?
Sludgenutz
New member
Re: 496R in the bridge?
The pole spacing is wider on the T for sure.
I know that
What I meant was is there any difference between the 490R & 490T?
The pole spacing is wider on the T for sure.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: 496R in the bridge?
Are you joking about the 500T being a good neck pickup? That thing is crazy hot. And I've used the 496R as a neck pickup before in a super strat, and it sounded great. It made a basswood guitar with a Floyd and a bolt-on neck sound a lot like a Gibson.
I just got the pup installed in my Kramer Focus (alder body, rosewood/maple neck, floyd, slanted bridge bucker), and so far, it's not too bad. I don't hate it immediately, so that means it stays until I decide I do
Anyway, I'm definitely gonna try some different alnico mags asap.
Are you joking about the 500T being a good neck pickup? That thing is crazy hot. And I've used the 496R as a neck pickup before in a super strat, and it sounded great. It made a basswood guitar with a Floyd and a bolt-on neck sound a lot like a Gibson.
I just got the pup installed in my Kramer Focus (alder body, rosewood/maple neck, floyd, slanted bridge bucker), and so far, it's not too bad. I don't hate it immediately, so that means it stays until I decide I do
Anyway, I'm definitely gonna try some different alnico mags asap.
jerryjg
PinkElephantologist
Re: 496R in the bridge?
immiditaly for Duncan Custom Shops on my V , based on what i had heard doing research about them.Im very happy with that descision based on intuition, and also it sounds insanely great!!hahha
Oh..no. I got it reversed. Sorry! Actually I'm just parroting the gospel of Guitar forum scripture ... I had it reversed- The 500T is a very good bridge pickup and the 490R pickups are horrible. But thats just what I have gleaned from alot of info. disseminated on the guitar geek forums. I have no actual experince with the pickups other than that I replaced both the stock 490R and 500TAre you joking about the 500T being a good neck pickup? That thing is crazy hot. And I've used the 496R as a neck pickup before in a super strat, and it sounded great. It made a basswood guitar with a Floyd and a bolt-on neck sound a lot like a Gibson.
I just got the pup installed in my Kramer Focus (alder body, rosewood/maple neck, floyd, slanted bridge bucker), and so far, it's not too bad. I don't hate it immediately, so that means it stays until I decide I do
Anyway, I'm definitely gonna try some different alnico mags asap.
immiditaly for Duncan Custom Shops on my V , based on what i had heard doing research about them.Im very happy with that descision based on intuition, and also it sounds insanely great!!hahha
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: 496R in the bridge?
The 500T is a 498T with a ceramic mag. I think the 500T/496R set is basically a ceramic version of the 498T/490R.
I have a 498 I'm using with an A2, making it a rough equivalent to a CC. I also put A5's in my 490's, so they're both versatile PU's.
The 500T is a 498T with a ceramic mag. I think the 500T/496R set is basically a ceramic version of the 498T/490R.
I have a 498 I'm using with an A2, making it a rough equivalent to a CC. I also put A5's in my 490's, so they're both versatile PU's.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: 496R in the bridge?
The 500T actually has the triple ceramic magnet setup that SD only uses in the Invadohr.
The 496R isn't that horrible either. It does cold picking sounds that are often used in metal pretty well, and of course it gives shredders what they need in the neck, a high-compression singer.
The 490R is lame but it is what some people want.
The 500T actually has the triple ceramic magnet setup that SD only uses in the Invadohr.
The 496R isn't that horrible either. It does cold picking sounds that are often used in metal pretty well, and of course it gives shredders what they need in the neck, a high-compression singer.
The 490R is lame but it is what some people want.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: 496R in the bridge?
500T is higher output (hotter wind-in the 15Ks) than the 498 and as mentioned has the multi-mag setup.
I like the 490R - when its uncovered- it opens up a bit more-these and 498s also sound much better in slab mahogany guiitars rather than les Pauls.
The 496R is hotter than a 490R (again the wind is hotter), and I've only really liked it in Explorers- the low mids of the Explorer help the tone. I suppose a 496R could be a 490T with the ceramic mag, but IDK for sure.
here's a little chart from Gibson showing output levels-
500T is higher output (hotter wind-in the 15Ks) than the 498 and as mentioned has the multi-mag setup.
I like the 490R - when its uncovered- it opens up a bit more-these and 498s also sound much better in slab mahogany guiitars rather than les Pauls.
The 496R is hotter than a 490R (again the wind is hotter), and I've only really liked it in Explorers- the low mids of the Explorer help the tone. I suppose a 496R could be a 490T with the ceramic mag, but IDK for sure.
here's a little chart from Gibson showing output levels-
Sludgenutz
New member
Re: 496R in the bridge?
I agree with the 490R being a turd under any moderate + gain. However the jewel of the 490R series is a four conductor model. I bought a new aftermarket Gibson 490R, and it was the well known mud-hole-under-gain as a standard series 'bucker. The transformation happened when I wired the aftermarket 4 wire harness as a parallel 'bucker! The transformation was complete when I removed the softy A2 bar mag, and replaced it with an A5.
Changing from the stock A2/standard series wiring, to an A5/parallel wired pickup is nothing short of a miraculous transformation.
That chart is an odd one. The Iommi pickups (I have four of them), are not anywhere near as hot as that chart claims. I also have a set of original DF's, and they are as hot Gibson claims. I can do things with Dirty Fingers (along the lines of controlled palm muting) that I have never gotten from other pickups.
The 496R and 490T are not the same pickup with a magnet swap. The bobbins on the two are different. The 496R are classic (vintage?) spaced, and the 490T being modern spaced, is a touch wider from "E" to "E", regardless of heat level.
I tend to agree with the Gibson wisdom of having two pole spacing widths (neck and bridge = R and T) at the time they were created, and love blade poles as well as huge 1/4" poles, ala Anderson pickups. YMMV.
I agree with the 490R being a turd under any moderate + gain. However the jewel of the 490R series is a four conductor model. I bought a new aftermarket Gibson 490R, and it was the well known mud-hole-under-gain as a standard series 'bucker. The transformation happened when I wired the aftermarket 4 wire harness as a parallel 'bucker! The transformation was complete when I removed the softy A2 bar mag, and replaced it with an A5.
Changing from the stock A2/standard series wiring, to an A5/parallel wired pickup is nothing short of a miraculous transformation.
500T is higher output (hotter wind-in the 15Ks) than the 498 and as mentioned has the multi-mag setup.
I like the 490R - when its uncovered- it opens up a bit more-these and 498s also sound much better in slab mahogany guiitars rather than les Pauls.
The 496R is hotter than a 490R (again the wind is hotter), and I've only really liked it in Explorers- the low mids of the Explorer help the tone. I suppose a 496R could be a 490T with the ceramic mag, but IDK for sure.
here's a little chart from Gibson showing output levels-
That chart is an odd one. The Iommi pickups (I have four of them), are not anywhere near as hot as that chart claims. I also have a set of original DF's, and they are as hot Gibson claims. I can do things with Dirty Fingers (along the lines of controlled palm muting) that I have never gotten from other pickups.
The 496R and 490T are not the same pickup with a magnet swap. The bobbins on the two are different. The 496R are classic (vintage?) spaced, and the 490T being modern spaced, is a touch wider from "E" to "E", regardless of heat level.
I tend to agree with the Gibson wisdom of having two pole spacing widths (neck and bridge = R and T) at the time they were created, and love blade poles as well as huge 1/4" poles, ala Anderson pickups. YMMV.
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