498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

S

Scifi Metalhead

New member
Hard to describe what's missing really. Just seems too mushy with high gain. I have two other Pauls, but both have maple (in the case of the Epiphone maybe lol) tops, and they both sound great, one has a WCR Godwood in the bridge, the other a DiMarzio 36th. Both sound great to me.

I'm thinking that a Duncan 59 might be something worth trying, but am open to suggestions. I tend to hang in the drop-C area for heavy metal, but not in the modern "brootal" sense. More of a Sabbathy, King's X type vibe. The lower wind pickups seem to work better for me, as I like letting the amp supply the gain. Still, a hotter pickup could be a nice contrast to the others, but the 498T isn't it-at least for me. :scratchch The guitar in question is a weight relieved Gibson Studio, all mahogany satin finish.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

Because of the mushiness i would blame the bridge and the tailpiece. Bad connection to the body with the nashville bridge (look into Faber conversion http://www.cvgshop.com/p145/NSWKIT-Nashville-Steel-Posts/Thumbwheels/product_info.html). A better connection give more sustain and edge to the tone.
A 59B also gives also a better articulation.
I converted two guitars to the abr construction and my new Tribute 60 had the most benefit.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

Besides mushiness, was there anything else you don't like about your 498T? Is that mushiness overall or mainly in the low end?

In mine, I use A8 and UOA5 magents which cut the treble and add mids. Gives a fuller sound.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

check out the pots , Gibson tends to use 300k pots... if thats the case, get 500k and maybe think about re wiring the tone control to cut bass instead of high end
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

if the wiring and pots changes don't work out, consider a Full Shred.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

I replaced that 490/498 set in my Gibson Firebird Studio (all mahogany) with Bare Knuckle Rebel Yells. These pups are made of pure awesome and sprinkled with powdered wonderful.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

I changed the wiring to 50s style and put in better caps a while back. It got better, but still not there. Really an overall thing, the sound isn't as lively and complex as my other guitars if that makes any sense.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

Super Distortion

Maybe an Invader since you tune so low
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

What type of cable do you have?I bought a mogami gold cable to get more clarity.Passive pickups have punch and clarity compared to active so it's not you pickups.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

darthphineas said:
if the wiring and pots changes don't work out, consider a Full Shred.
Click to expand...


Full Shred is a good choice. Sounds great in my 750XL, but that guitar has a maple top. This pickup was designed with "removing mud" in mind.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

Correct me if I'm on the wrong page, but it sounds like you want a classic metal application that still retains tightness on the low end.

i.e., Zakk Wylde playing a drop-tuned version of Crazy Train except without resorting to heavy EQing or active pickups.

If that's the case, and you like the sound of a PAF 36th, you might want to consider a Tone Zone (bridge)/Air Zone (neck) combo. They're made for one piece solid body guitars, so they may compensate for the lack of a maple cap.

This is assuming you want to stick with Alnico V's. I'm inclined to believe that a 59/Jazz/JB combo may be too loose on a drop C.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

Dimarzio ej custom set would have no mud if that's what your looking for.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

Maynardo said:
http://www.metalguitarist.org/forum...73-tight-control-simple-passive-bass-cut.html

back on the topic, the guy is saying 498T is too mushy, and I'm seeing recomendations for tone zone and invader :smack: ... doesn't seem to me that bassy bridge pups are the solution for mushy problems
Click to expand...

Bassy doesn't neccessarily mean mushy. A pickup can be tight and bassy.

Tone Zone is just loose enough to still be vintage sounding.
Plenty of bass, plenty of mids, less treble.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

i think a custom or custom 5 would do the trick for you after reading the full post.

i normally recommend a distortion for metal, but it seems like you need something slightly less hot.
 
Re: 498T not doing the job in my all-mahogany Les Paul

They sound great in naturally bright guitars, but that's not what I have. The Norton is one I am considering...
 
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