A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

[Nimdawg]

Hello to all SD forum users – haven't been back here in a while
Last time you helped me out and I ended up with a JB/Jazz set in an Ibanez SZ.

Anyway, I have since sold that guitar and have been playing a 95 Les Paul Standard.
The LP has the 498T/490R combo which I lived with until now because I played my Tele more in a previous band.
Now I play in another alternative rock band and I'm using the LP exclusively.
My problem is that while the 498T sounds great with the guitar volume at 10 for hard rock/ metal tones, I keep turning it down to 7 to get more clean/crunch tones (I have it there almost all the time). I'm thinking the 498T is maybe too hot and undefined and so I started researching this forum for clearer pickups.

I need a bridge pickup that can go from good cleans to crunch to hard rock/old school metal max. My idea of a good heavy tone is Soundgarden / STP or old Ozzy stuff.
So I think (correct me if I'm wrong), I'm looking for PAF or slightly hotter PAFs that can give me a good clear tone, work great with volume control and still be able to rock out (maybe aided by a clean boost/eq pedal if necessary)

After reading forums and listening to samples I've been looking at the following:
1. SD 59B
2. SD Alnico Pro
3. Dimarzio 36th anniversary PAF
4. Gibson 57 classic plus
5. Gibson burstbucker

Since this is my favourite pickup forum, I'd very much appreciate your opinions /tips.

Thanks,

 

[Gforce9]

Re: A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

I have had the '59b with both the regular A5 mag and the un-oriented A5 mag in it. One of the two would be good. I can also heartily recommend the Custom 5. The C5 is nowhere near as hot as I had expected and represents a fine middle ground of vintage, slightly beefier '59 tones and giving a nice 'push' under overdrive. With either pickup, your guitar and taste will dictate if the regular A5 or the UOA5 is best. As for the Tele comparison, I found the '59 A5 and the '59 UOA5 could pull off a convincing Tele like clean (obviously not exactly, but, in a live mix,....). I gather the 498 is a medium output HB? The C5 is more medium, where the '59 is definitely vintage in output. Good hunting!

 

[brunogio]

Re: A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

Most people refer to the 498 as being too nasaly and undefined which can be corrected by changing mags.

I have used this pup for years before going to a 57 Classic in my Standard and got plenty of clean but not super clean tones out of it. The fact that you use your volume knob tells me it might be partially your amp and potentially the pup height in the bridge.

I would noodle with those two things for a while.

I can attest that the 57 is cleaner sounding and brighter as well. It's got a lot more vintage tone and a sparkle missing from the 498.

The Custom, C5 and C8 all get a lot of praise in LPs but that's also true of the 59 and PG. I think all of them will cover the ground you're looking to do and it's just a matter of preference.

 

[JB6464]

Re: A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

I would go with a set of 59's and if you need more beef in the bridge position,stick a A8 magnet in there.
That's what i settled on and i play old school rock/classic rock/blues.
The lower wound pickup with a A8 will still give you the PAF tones when you back off the volume knob.
59/A8===:headbang:

 

[blueman335]

Re: A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

Wecome back.

I have a couple 498T/490R pairs, that I picked up used, evidently the previous owners didn't like them. In their stock form I'm not thrilled with them either, and many players have the same complaint: very bright scooped bridge and dark, muffled neck. The odd couple. You can't get one amp EQ setting that works for both PU's.

However, that's easily fixed by changing magnets (takes a few minutes and a few dollars). The 498T is 14K, same as a C5, and both sound much fuller, richer, and more vintage-like with an unoriented A5, which adds mids and dynamics. I have a 498T with an UOA5, in an LP Custom, and it sounds great.

The 490R is also a very good PU, but the A2 magnet in it makes it prone to mud. I put polished A5's in mine (from the 498T) and that adds much-needed treble and definition. You could also try an A4 or A3, as both are brighter than an A2.

Rule #1: Work with what you have. If you haven't changed magents in an HB or P-90, you have no idea what that PU has to offer. They change the EQ and output. Lots of times you will be pleasantly surprised. The JB2 is another example (JB with an A2 magnet). Totally different sound.

 

[uOpt]

Re: A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

In the bridge I would start with a PG. Of course there is little harm in buying and re-selling a used '59b, they are very common.

The APH1b in the bridge can be very sharp and driven, the PG has more lift in the lower sections. The '59 has more real bass than either.

The 59 is very dynamic and reacts well to playing but gets very snorty very quickly. There's no way to predict whether you'd like that better or worse than the PG with it's more sizzling treble.

 

[Varg]

Re: A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

A2Pro

 

[mwalluk]

Re: A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

A2Pro? I thought the a2p bridge lacked, the neck however is awesome. I have a Les Paul as well and it has a BB in it which is phenomenal

 

[Varg]

Re: A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

A2Pro? I thought the a2p bridge lacked, the neck however is awesome.

I find it the other way around!

 

[Nimdawg]

Re: A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

Thanks for all the information!

Blueman, interesting info about the magnet swap. I'm a bit reluctant to do it (scared about damaging the coils) but I have pickup swapping/effect building experience so it may help. I may try it for the 490r.
BTW, where do I buy the magnets?
What is the simplest way to replace them?

I found this very interesting description of output resistance at "Skatterbrane"
http://www.skatterbrane.com/frequent-questions.php#hotpickups

After reading this I'm convinced that the PAFs are the way to go.
Leaning towards the 57 plus, but still unsure.:dunno:
Has no one tried the 36th anniversary?

 

[AlexR]

Re: A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

Magnet swapping is not hard. Addiction FX is the usual source of magnets, and there is a tutorial somewhere about (others should be able to provide a link). It really is easier than it seems - even the first one takes almost no time, and I remember thinking 'is that it' when I was finished.

I would have thought that the custom 5 would have been a direct strength replacement for a 498

 

[blueman335]

Re: A Replacement for 498T - your opnions

Lots of old threads on mag swapping, and online instruction at Project Guitar.com. Changing mags takes 10 minutes, and most of that is loosening and re-tuning strings. No skills or experience required. If you've built effects, you've done more complicated things than this.