Gplayerzzz
New member
How are they? Whats the output like? Gibson said they don't release output numbers for their pups.
Any Gibson 498T users?
- Thread starter Gplayerzzz
- Start date
HighGain
New member
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
+1 I love this set in my SG Standard. Not so much in my doublecut LP. If I was going to consider anything else from Gibson in my SG, it would be 57 Classics, and that's probly what's going in the aforementioned LP.
They are one of the hotter pups Gibson makes, right at the same output as the Angus Young sig pup, but nowhere near as hot as the Dirty Fingers, 500, or Iommi.
+1 I love this set in my SG Standard. Not so much in my doublecut LP. If I was going to consider anything else from Gibson in my SG, it would be 57 Classics, and that's probly what's going in the aforementioned LP.
They are one of the hotter pups Gibson makes, right at the same output as the Angus Young sig pup, but nowhere near as hot as the Dirty Fingers, 500, or Iommi.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
Like them a lot. Very similar to Duncans's C5 (around 14,000 ohms), but with a slight grainy quality to the sound, which gives it character. I use them with 250K pots, and lately have been putting A8 magnets in them, making them very close to the popular C8.
I think the 498T/490R pair is very good, with magnet swaps. An A5 in the 490R gives it a good dose of treble & better definition, and an A8 in the 498T adds warmth with muscle. That makes them Gibson's equivalent to a C8/'59N. Good stuff. With the stock magnet, I think this pair is mismatched in most woods (dark neck, bright bridge), but that's easily changed.
Like them a lot. Very similar to Duncans's C5 (around 14,000 ohms), but with a slight grainy quality to the sound, which gives it character. I use them with 250K pots, and lately have been putting A8 magnets in them, making them very close to the popular C8.
I think the 498T/490R pair is very good, with magnet swaps. An A5 in the 490R gives it a good dose of treble & better definition, and an A8 in the 498T adds warmth with muscle. That makes them Gibson's equivalent to a C8/'59N. Good stuff. With the stock magnet, I think this pair is mismatched in most woods (dark neck, bright bridge), but that's easily changed.
cvansickle
New member
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
I've never swapped a magnet before, but IMO the 498T is the blandest pickup Gibson makes. It's the single biggest reason for the success of the aftermarket pickup business.
I've never swapped a magnet before, but IMO the 498T is the blandest pickup Gibson makes. It's the single biggest reason for the success of the aftermarket pickup business.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
It's on the bright side & very scooped, which is all the more apparent when it's paired with a dark & sometimes muddy 490R. A magnet swap makes a big difference & both sound great after surgery.
You really should to learn how to swap magnets. I've turned many high quality, but not so great sounding PU's, into nice tone generators. If you're not swapping magnets, odds are you're buying (and selling) too many PU's.
It's on the bright side & very scooped, which is all the more apparent when it's paired with a dark & sometimes muddy 490R. A magnet swap makes a big difference & both sound great after surgery.
You really should to learn how to swap magnets. I've turned many high quality, but not so great sounding PU's, into nice tone generators. If you're not swapping magnets, odds are you're buying (and selling) too many PU's.
Fusion1
Active member
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
I wouldn't normally agree with such a statement, but in 1986 my brand new Gibson SG Standard had the most bland sounding pickups and the neck was muddy. I replaced with a Duncan Distortion and it was better and never looked back. I still have that 498T somewhere as I never sold it as I wanted to keep all original parts in case I ever had to resell it. So yes I agree the stock Gibson 490r / 498t set is probably the biggest boon to Dimarzio and Seymour Duncan pickup sales in the 70's and 80s.
I wouldn't normally agree with such a statement, but in 1986 my brand new Gibson SG Standard had the most bland sounding pickups and the neck was muddy. I replaced with a Duncan Distortion and it was better and never looked back. I still have that 498T somewhere as I never sold it as I wanted to keep all original parts in case I ever had to resell it. So yes I agree the stock Gibson 490r / 498t set is probably the biggest boon to Dimarzio and Seymour Duncan pickup sales in the 70's and 80s.
Fusion1
Active member
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
What would you recommend if I could go back in time back to 1986 and do it all over again if I had access to multiple magnets like we have today? 498T with an Alnico 8 and the 490 T with an Alnico 4 in the Gibson SG Standard?
What would you recommend if I could go back in time back to 1986 and do it all over again if I had access to multiple magnets like we have today? 498T with an Alnico 8 and the 490 T with an Alnico 4 in the Gibson SG Standard?
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
One problem with your story - the 490R / 498T didn't come out until the early 90s.
Your pickups were simply the "after" Shaw's (Tim Shaw pickups). Then in 1988/9 Gibson paired with Bill Lawrence in a pickup disaster - the circuit board "Original" pickups, then after this, the modern series (490R, 490T, 498T, 496R, 500T) were born.
One problem with your story - the 490R / 498T didn't come out until the early 90s.
Your pickups were simply the "after" Shaw's (Tim Shaw pickups). Then in 1988/9 Gibson paired with Bill Lawrence in a pickup disaster - the circuit board "Original" pickups, then after this, the modern series (490R, 490T, 498T, 496R, 500T) were born.
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
I agree, but I like it that way. The muddy neck is perfect for Sweet Leaf, the bridge is perfect for War Pigs. I don't need to change a thing.
I agree, but I like it that way. The muddy neck is perfect for Sweet Leaf, the bridge is perfect for War Pigs. I don't need to change a thing.
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
+1 on this put an A8 in the 498 and an A5 in the 490 and stuck them in my flying V. They really kick ass now.
+1 on this put an A8 in the 498 and an A5 in the 490 and stuck them in my flying V. They really kick ass now.
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
if you could go back and you still had your stock 498t/490r set, i'd say just take the a2 out of the 490 and stick it into the 498, and vise versa for the other a5 magnet. a5 in a 490 is very paf like, and a2 in a 498 is very much like a brighter, grainer CC. both an improvement(imo) and ya wouldn't have had to spend any money
if you could go back and you still had your stock 498t/490r set, i'd say just take the a2 out of the 490 and stick it into the 498, and vise versa for the other a5 magnet. a5 in a 490 is very paf like, and a2 in a 498 is very much like a brighter, grainer CC. both an improvement(imo) and ya wouldn't have had to spend any money
Fusion1
Active member
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
Au contraire, the Les Paul Lites used the 496Rs and 500Ts and they were around in 1986/1987. Mine definitely pre-dated the Bill Lawrence OBL pickups and were after the T-tops. For all this time since 1986 I was under the impression these were the 490s or 498T/490R set. I am pretty sure they are the same as I have an early 90's Les Paul Studio in white that the stock pickups sound pretty much the same as my SG Standard's pickups sounded.
Au contraire, the Les Paul Lites used the 496Rs and 500Ts and they were around in 1986/1987. Mine definitely pre-dated the Bill Lawrence OBL pickups and were after the T-tops. For all this time since 1986 I was under the impression these were the 490s or 498T/490R set. I am pretty sure they are the same as I have an early 90's Les Paul Studio in white that the stock pickups sound pretty much the same as my SG Standard's pickups sounded.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Fusion1
Active member
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
Yeah I pretty much figured that. Too bad there are different pickups in there now (ripped out the 498t way back in 1986) as I am curious to try that magnet swap. I do have the original pickups somewhere in my stash, but I think I'd still be happier with my Duncan Distortion bridge / Demon neck than a 498T Alnico 8 / 490 R Alnico 3 or 4.
Yeah I pretty much figured that. Too bad there are different pickups in there now (ripped out the 498t way back in 1986) as I am curious to try that magnet swap. I do have the original pickups somewhere in my stash, but I think I'd still be happier with my Duncan Distortion bridge / Demon neck than a 498T Alnico 8 / 490 R Alnico 3 or 4.
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lotus eater
New member
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
IMHO, I think they would be much nicer p/u's if they weren't wound quite so hot.
I think they do the job in a live situation, very good "go to guitar/pickup" but always has a bit too much mud for my taste. Mind you I haven't taken the nickle covers off either of my Les Paul or SG, So the debate continues ;P
IMHO, I think they would be much nicer p/u's if they weren't wound quite so hot.
I think they do the job in a live situation, very good "go to guitar/pickup" but always has a bit too much mud for my taste. Mind you I haven't taken the nickle covers off either of my Les Paul or SG, So the debate continues ;P
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
Maybe, but I'm sure there's another guitar that would sound good with the modified 498T/490R set in it. Take a look at your guitars...or buy a new one.
Maybe, but I'm sure there's another guitar that would sound good with the modified 498T/490R set in it. Take a look at your guitars...or buy a new one.
Fusion1
Active member
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
Funny man you are. Sounds like the other site I frequent over at Candle Power Forums. Their motto is if they are deciding between 2 lights, to do the honorable thing and buy BOTH. I guess GAS exists at other non music related forums lol.
Funny man you are. Sounds like the other site I frequent over at Candle Power Forums. Their motto is if they are deciding between 2 lights, to do the honorable thing and buy BOTH. I guess GAS exists at other non music related forums lol.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Any Gibson 498T users?
I have the 490R/498T set in one of my LP Supremes and can't wait to get them out of it. But, changing pickups on the Supreme is a HUGE hassle--there's no back plate, so I'm goiing to have it professionally done.
I think Blueman has a good idea with the magnet swap, but I think I'm just going to replace them with a Pearly Gates set. I put Seth Lovers in my other Supreme, and they are nice. I'm going to try to have a quick-disconnect put in so I can do some swapping on this guitar if the PGs don't work out.
The 498T is a decent pickup, but the combination is bad. The bridge is too bright, and the 490R in the neck is too muddy. I can get a useable tone from either of them, but if I switch pickups, I feel the need to run back to the amp to change settings. I'm not a big fan of the Hot Ceramics in the LP Classic, but I would take those any day over the 490R/498T. I think if you're a metal guy using a Marshall tube stack and an LP Custom, the 498T might work very well. I've heard guys say they like the 498T as a Strat bridge pickup, too.
I really think the LP Supreme deserves a better pickup set. Burstbucker 1 & 2, '57 Classics, or the '57 Classic/Classic Plus would all be a huge improvement over the 490R/498T.
Want a set of 490R/498T pickups in gold?
Bill
I have the 490R/498T set in one of my LP Supremes and can't wait to get them out of it. But, changing pickups on the Supreme is a HUGE hassle--there's no back plate, so I'm goiing to have it professionally done.
I think Blueman has a good idea with the magnet swap, but I think I'm just going to replace them with a Pearly Gates set. I put Seth Lovers in my other Supreme, and they are nice. I'm going to try to have a quick-disconnect put in so I can do some swapping on this guitar if the PGs don't work out.
The 498T is a decent pickup, but the combination is bad. The bridge is too bright, and the 490R in the neck is too muddy. I can get a useable tone from either of them, but if I switch pickups, I feel the need to run back to the amp to change settings. I'm not a big fan of the Hot Ceramics in the LP Classic, but I would take those any day over the 490R/498T. I think if you're a metal guy using a Marshall tube stack and an LP Custom, the 498T might work very well. I've heard guys say they like the 498T as a Strat bridge pickup, too.
I really think the LP Supreme deserves a better pickup set. Burstbucker 1 & 2, '57 Classics, or the '57 Classic/Classic Plus would all be a huge improvement over the 490R/498T.
Want a set of 490R/498T pickups in gold?
Bill
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