AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

[EmiAba]

Hi guys
I have read many thread on the forum about magnet swap (especially for the infamous pair 490R/498T) and I decided to mod one of my pickups. I have a combo 490R/498T in my drawer (pulled out from a LP ages ago) and would have a go AlNiCo 8 magnet into the 498T. Any suggestion? anyone has any audio file, just to hear how it should sound?
thanks

 

[always SD]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

don't do anything if you don't know how to do
let's that to experts and luthiers
have you ever read that seymour duncan himself told to people to do that ? no
so don't listen to the beginners without any doubt with their strong opinions
or you may damage your products: )

 

[LtKojak]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

don't do anything if you don't know how to do

There's plenty of people out there that actually know how to change a p'up, or a magnet.

Maybe not you or anybody in your neck of woods...

have you ever read that seymour duncan himself told to people to do that? no

have you ever read that seymour duncan himself told people NOT to change magnets? I didn't think so either

so don't listen to the beginners without any doubt with their strong opinions

You mean like yourself? YOU should take your own advice, pal!

or you may damage your products: )

The fact that you don't have opposable thumbs or eligible to fit the definition of "carbon-based lifeform", doesn't mean that there are almost seven BILLION of individuals, that go with the definition of "human race", in the world that do.

Now go and play in the park among some poison ivy bushes, will ya?

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

don't do anything if you don't know how to do
let's that to experts and luthiers
have you ever read that seymour duncan himself told to people to do that ? no
so don't listen to the beginners without any doubt with their strong opinions
or you may damage your products: )

You'd pretty much have to be a retarded monkey to not be able to change a pickup magnet.. It's pretty flippin easy to do..

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

Hi guys
I have read many thread on the forum about magnet swap (especially for the infamous pair 490R/498T) and I decided to mod one of my pickups. I have a combo 490R/498T in my drawer (pulled out from a LP ages ago) and would have a go AlNiCo 8 magnet into the 498T. Any suggestion? anyone has any audio file, just to hear how it should sound?
thanks

Never done an A8 in a 498 but I have in a JB and it's loud and tight.. I'd say it would be worth a try in the 498, worse case scenario you don't like it and swap it back.
I think if you're a metal or heavy rock player and like that tight unforgiving attack with no chew you will love the A8 magnet. If you're a lower gain and lower output guy and like to dig in and wring the most out of the note, you probably wont like it in a high output pickup. It's a beast of a magnet and I am surprised that more metal pickups haven't been developed by the big boys with them.
I am just a low output PAF blues and classic rock kinda guy..
Post a file when you're done, I'd like to hear it..

 

[LtKojak]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

I would have a go AlNiCo 8 magnet into the 498T. how it should sound?

Loud and obnoxious. Good for br00talz, no so much for Blues and Jazz.

HTH,

 

[AlexR]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

don't do anything if you don't know how to do
let's that to experts and luthiers
have you ever read that seymour duncan himself told to people to do that ? no
so don't listen to the beginners without any doubt with their strong opinions
or you may damage your products: )

There is a saying by a wise man:
'Better to remain silent and to only be thought of as a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt'.

You seem to be this forum's poster-child for the truth in this saying.

OP - the main issues with the 498 I believe will be fixed (for most critics) with the swap you propose. Whether it works for you only the actuality will confirm.

 

[blueman335]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

For me, a stock 498T is too bright and midscooped. I've put warmer magnets in mine:

- A8 - warm, full-bodied mids, firm low end, high output. It's Gibson's version of a Custom 8.

- UOA5 - warm, moderate mids, moderate output, with a rich vintage texture. My favorite version of a 498T.

- A2 - high end is too rounded for me, even with 500K pots. Didn't like it, but in bright woods it would work better.

I play blues and classic rock. Both the A8 and UOA5 versions work well for me. I have an A8 498T in an LP, and an UOA5 498T in an SG. Like them both.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

I'm with Blueman on this one!

 

[blueman335]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

I'm with Blueman on this one!

The C8 is a versatile PU for rock, blues, etc, so another 14K one (498T) isn't going to be that far off. Same goes for using an UOA5 in either one of them. I like them a lot better than I do with A5's.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

thanks guys. the plan is to buy a A8 magnet for the 498T and to load the 490R with the removed A5 from the 498T.
the sooner I do that, the sooner I'll be back to you with results

 

[blueman335]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

thanks guys. the plan is to buy a A8 magnet for the 498T and to load the 490R with the removed A5 from the 498T.
the sooner I do that, the sooner I'll be back to you with results

Good plan. An A5 really opens up a 490R, much more clarity and cuts out the mud. It's a great match for an A8 498T.

 

[AlexR]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

Almost anything but the stock A2 works better for the 490R.
And almost anything but the stock A5 works better for the 498T.

Its like the ultimate fail pickup set.

 

[blueman335]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

Almost anything but the stock A2 works better for the 490R.
And almost anything but the stock A5 works better for the 498T.

Its like the ultimate fail pickup set.

+1. For me, Gibson doesn't have the best magnet in other HB's too. They certainly don't have anyone with the passion of Seymour working there.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

I don't always mind the stock 498T for the rather unique sound it has. In some guitars it works really well. In others, not so much. The stock 490R, however, is like a rotten apple...garbage no matter how you slice it. Thank goodness both are so receptive to mag swaps!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

Interesting.. I was so disappointed in those pups I pulled em and just hid em away.. Knowing the above info may actually see em getting used again one day... Stock, they are just so .... uninspiring.

 

[Demanic]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

Someone once told of a magic combo: A4/A8.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[LtKojak]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

Someone once told of a magic combo: A4/A8.

Really?

 

[blueman335]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

Interesting.. I was so disappointed in those pups I pulled em and just hid em away.. Knowing the above info may actually see em getting used again one day... Stock, they are just so .... uninspiring.

And Gibson's put them in so many models, same with those awful '57 Classics. But poor decisions like that are why companies like Duncan & DiMarzio have so many customers.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: AlNiCo 8 magnet swap in Gibson 498T

And Gibson's put them in so many models, same with those awful '57 Classics. But poor decisions like that are why companies like Duncan & DiMarzio have so many customers.

A couple of months ago I bought a 1990 Les paul standard all stock (the guitar pictured in my avatar). A really good deal because of the top condition of the guitar (near mint) and a (for me) fantastic and unespected sound. Once arrived at home, I removed the pickups because curious and instead of the expected 490/498, I found out an odd couple: a very first version of 57 classic (with the pat # engraved backplate) 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.
Why do blueman355 think the 57 classic is awful? is it only a matter of taste or is there something else?