Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

[dinkyguitar]

Hi All,

I'm building a Les Paul copy and I'm planning which pickups I should get. I narrowed my choice down to a SD 59 for the neck and JB or Duncan Distortion. I have the Duncan Distortion already in another guitar (Charvel copy) I put together, and was steered away from the JB by a buddy of mine. I don't have any issues with the Duncan Distortion but I'm always wondering what the JB would have sounded like.

Anyway, the Les Paul I'm building will need gold hardware and I recently saw a gold pair of Gibson pickups, 490r & 498t. I've read on this forum that it's easy to swap magnets on pickups so I figured I might give it a try and instead of purchasing new SD pickups, I can just buy used 490r & 498t and swap magnets, and save some money.

The users here suggest swapping the 490r magnet for a A5 magnet to get it close to a SD 59, and swap the 498t for a A8 magnet to get it close to a SD C8 pickup.

What swap would I do to make the 498t sound close to a JB or Duncan Distortion? I'm still not fixed on by bridge pickup, but I'm leaning towards a JB, unless someone can swade me otherwise.

Also, where do you guys recommend I buy the magnets from? And of course I'll need some tutorials...

Thanks, and sorry for the long post.
dinky,

 

[JeffB]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

I love the 498 as is. My fave hot bridge pup. Personally wouldn't change a thing about it.

The 490 I would definitely go with something clearer..a3,4,5.

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

490r with an A5 is essentially a T-top

 

[richard parker]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

What sort of music are you playing ? What amp are you using ?

 

[dinkyguitar]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

I play mainly 80's but really anything that has good guitar riffs...eg. Thin Lizzy, Zepplin, Ozzy.

And I'm using a Marshall 410h w/ 4 Celestions..

PS: what's a T-top?

dinky,

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

If it's a good deal I wouldn't hesitate to do the 490/498. Swap in an A5 into the 490, rock the stock mag in the 498, sounds right up your alley.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

I have a couple 498T/490R sets, and with an A5 in the neck, you get more clarity and get rid of any mud. I like an A8 in the bridge, which gives it a fuller, richer tone. For what you're playing you might like the 498T as is. An A5 in the neck will help them to balance better EQ-wise.

 

[formula73]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

I play mainly 80's but really anything that has good guitar riffs...eg. Thin Lizzy, Zepplin, Ozzy.

And I'm using a Marshall 410h w/ 4 Celestions..

PS: what's a T-top?

dinky,

A T Top is the nickname given to the pups used by Gibson during the late 60s through a lot of the 80s and that was because the bobbins had a 'T' molded to the top. They were mid-high 7k ohms with short rough cast A5 magnets. They're generally bright and clear and great for the neck position.

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

^Yup. A lot of classic 70's and 80's rock was recorded through a T-Top loaded Les Paul.

Also great in the bridge. When Jimmy Page's PAF bridge pickup in his #1 died in the early 70's, he replaced it with a T-Top.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/pickups/65801-gibson-t-top-replica-490r-490t.html

 

[formula73]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

^Yup. A lot of classic 70's and 80's rock was recorded through a T-Top loaded Les Paul.

Also great in the bridge. When Jimmy Page's PAF bridge pickup in his #1 died in the early 70's, he replaced it with a T-Top.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/pickups/65801-gibson-t-top-replica-490r-490t.html

Very true. I keep the T Tops in my LPC but I am willing to admit I wish the bridge had a little more oomph in relation to the neck. That's the reason I'm not too much of a fan of them in the bridge-they can be a little thin.

 

[dinkyguitar]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

Thanks guys....

And thanks formula for the info on the t tops...

I have time till my build is done....but if I know what I want before hand I'll keep an eye out for good deals..

dinky,

 

[JeffB]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

Schenker rocked the T tops in his medallion V,and the first 5 or 6 Rush albums are mostly T tops in Lifeson's semi hollows as well. As long as we are talking 70s.

The light winds, polysol and short mag are great for clarity and tightness with gain. They are some of my fave piclups of all time.

 

[formula73]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

They actually wound them pretty well, too, so the ones I played didn't have much of a problem with microphonics. Mine are even covered and don't have much of a squealing problem and I run a healthy amount of gain, more often than not.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Buy Gibson 490r & 498t and swap magnets? Or Just buy SD pickups?

I had a couple gibbys with Ts as well as a Norlin era custom shop les paul standard with shaws, never had a problem with microphonics either. All of mine were covered.

No doubt though, there are some wonky ones out there.