AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

[LtKojak]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

I found out an odd couple: a very first version of 57 classic (with the pat # engraved backplate)

That's NOT a '57 Classic. Can you take a picture?

and a bill lawrence "the original" HB-L. IMO this pair is much more balanced in comparison with 490R/498T and that guitar really sounds good.

If you like it, that's what's really important.

Why do blueman355 think the 57 classic is awful? is it only a matter of taste or is there something else?

Not a fan of '57 Classics either. I woudn't say "awful", but dull and uninspiring come to mind. Duncan makes at least five neck p'ups arguably "better", costing even less than a 57 classic.

 

[blueman335]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

Not a fan of '57 Classics either. I woudn't say "awful", but dull and uninspiring come to mind. Duncan makes at least five neck p'ups arguably "better", costing even less than a 57 classic.

'Dull and uninspiring' is a good description. Every Duncan PAF sounds better than '57's Classics. In fact every other PAF I've owned, which is a lot, sounds better. Ironically, like all Gibson HB's, '57 Classics are priced up in the boutique range, and they can't compete with those as far as tone quality. Gibson makes PU's so they have something to put in their guitars. Duncan, DiMarzio, and most other aftermarket PU makers have a passion for PU's, and they couldn't stay in business if they didn't beat the sound of most stock PU's that come in guitars. It's the guitar makers lack of effort in PU's that's allowed the aftermarket industry to develop and thrive. They brought it on themselves.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

It's not a 490R, it's like anything else but a 490R because it sounds different, I'm quite sure. The measured DC resistance is 7.4 Kohm, and I don't believe it's a Shaw at the very first look (discontinued ages before the built date of the guitar. In truth I didn't remove the cover and I don't know if the spacers are white, but there are no red or yellow dab of color at the end of the wire lead. Furthermore no ink stamped numbers appear on the baseplate, don't remember the colour of the 4 screw holding the bobbins). Nothing has been modified on the guitar, it's all stock. I forwarded photos and an audio sample to Gibson customer service and that their reply:
"Hi, the neck pick up appears indeed a 57 classic. if you're the first owner of the guitar and I has never modified the it's a bit particular". But if it's not a 490R, not a Shaw or not a 57 classis. What'is it?
I'm not at home now. I will send the picture later.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

The measured DC resistance is 7.4 Kohm

The '57 Classic measures ca. 8K, so yours is most probably a Pat#.

The guy that answered from the Gibson customer service does not know his p'ups. He's most probably a grad student, hired for minimum wage in a call center, relying on the info contained in the Gibson site, which half is plainly wrong and the other half is simply not true. And he most probably doesn't even play an instrument!

But what do I know, uh?

 

[EmiAba]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

I guess you're right.
a couple of photos:

 

[EmiAba]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

taking aside the pickups of my les paul and returning back to the subject of this thread, where can I buy alnico 8 magnets bar? is there a supplier in italy or at least in europe? I have already checked the addiction-fx website but I guess the shipping charge from US could cost much more than the single magnet bar. Any other suggestion?

 

[AlexR]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

Later Shaws have no ink stamp.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

Later Shaws have no ink stamp.

Do you think it's a Shaw?

 

[LtKojak]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

where can I buy alnico 8 magnets bar? is there a supplier in italy or at least in europe?

First things first: you can't mod "the original" Gibson p'up. It's encapsulated in epoxy.

Second: you've got a PM.

Third: it's NOT a Shaw. The long, chrome cover and the aluminum baseplate screws date it outside the Shaw era.

HTH,

 

[EmiAba]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

First things first: you can't mod "the original" Gibson p'up. It's encapsulated in epoxy.

Second: you've got a PM.

Third: it's NOT a Shaw. The long, chrome cover and the aluminum baseplate screws date it outside the Shaw era.

HTH,

I don't want to mod "the original" HB-L, I want to modify a spare 498T that I have in a drawer with A8 magnet. And I read the PM. I'm agree with you, the neck pick up it's not a shaw.