Convince me
- Thread starter danglybanger
- Start date
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Convince me
A bit late to the convo...
I find the 498T far from buzzy or unsuited for palm mute chunk...it's not optimal for palm mutes..but does a damn good job...better than a 59 will in my experience. I palm mute alot and no issues for me.
You DID mention though that you are using the Valvetronix 30 watter...well I decided to pull mine out tonite for a lil late nite practice..haven't played through it in quite some time...
My initial thought was ..."what an awful buzzy mushy mess"....now I know why that amp an I never got along......of course I'm comparing it to a Rivera...however I suspect the buzzy sound you are getting is from the amp, not the pups.
I do NOT think the 498 is a good match tho for a Les Paul due to the brighter maple cap...frequency overlap...like a JB....on the SG's and Firebirds, etc...it's a great match...smooth through a good tube amp (or my SansAmp).
I think Gibson pups receive a bad rap period...they are far better than most companies stock pups and although certain ones may not appeal to my personal tastes in some way or another (BB pros under high gain, for example), I've had little issue with them for quality of tone on any of my recent guitars once adjusted properly...500/496s, BB pros, 498/490. The 57 classics are excellent too.
A bit late to the convo...
I find the 498T far from buzzy or unsuited for palm mute chunk...it's not optimal for palm mutes..but does a damn good job...better than a 59 will in my experience. I palm mute alot and no issues for me.
You DID mention though that you are using the Valvetronix 30 watter...well I decided to pull mine out tonite for a lil late nite practice..haven't played through it in quite some time...
My initial thought was ..."what an awful buzzy mushy mess"....now I know why that amp an I never got along......of course I'm comparing it to a Rivera...however I suspect the buzzy sound you are getting is from the amp, not the pups.
I do NOT think the 498 is a good match tho for a Les Paul due to the brighter maple cap...frequency overlap...like a JB....on the SG's and Firebirds, etc...it's a great match...smooth through a good tube amp (or my SansAmp).
I think Gibson pups receive a bad rap period...they are far better than most companies stock pups and although certain ones may not appeal to my personal tastes in some way or another (BB pros under high gain, for example), I've had little issue with them for quality of tone on any of my recent guitars once adjusted properly...500/496s, BB pros, 498/490. The 57 classics are excellent too.
Last edited:
danglybanger
ReelItInologist
Re: Convince me
My cheapo the paul doesn't have a maple cap
It's about the width of an SG too.
Palm muting on the 498 is very... well, it doesn't sound that great to me to tell you the truth. No chunk, just thuds. It became much better when I raised the pickup, but not good enough. Everything else I pretty much like about the pickup, but I've always wanted to try a 59 for that more STP type sound which I know is a different direction entirely. I just wanna make sure I won't be totally lost when it comes to getting those other sounds.
As for just putting it back in... that's the problem, I'm really paranoid about my guitars, especially one that cost me 700 bucks and plays so well... I don't like f*cking with things. Except for my schecter which I bought to f*ck around. I'm afraid to change strings, I'm always afraid taking tension off the neck will f*ck it up. (I never remove all the strings at once even, which is basically why I'm afraid to do pickup swaps. I don't want to pay for another setup because my psyche will make me get one whether the guitar truly needs it or not.
slade
I tried the 498T in my Gibson into a Marshall DSL somethingorother combo at the store... they sounded buzzy then, but then again that was with 11 other guitars playing eruption or the like in the background at full blast.JeffB said:
My cheapo the paul doesn't have a maple cap
It's about the width of an SG too.Palm muting on the 498 is very... well, it doesn't sound that great to me to tell you the truth. No chunk, just thuds. It became much better when I raised the pickup, but not good enough. Everything else I pretty much like about the pickup, but I've always wanted to try a 59 for that more STP type sound which I know is a different direction entirely. I just wanna make sure I won't be totally lost when it comes to getting those other sounds.
As for just putting it back in... that's the problem, I'm really paranoid about my guitars, especially one that cost me 700 bucks and plays so well... I don't like f*cking with things. Except for my schecter which I bought to f*ck around. I'm afraid to change strings, I'm always afraid taking tension off the neck will f*ck it up. (I never remove all the strings at once even, which is basically why I'm afraid to do pickup swaps. I don't want to pay for another setup because my psyche will make me get one whether the guitar truly needs it or not.
slade
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Convince me
I stand by my first statement...it's prolly the amp
Seriously tho, Gibson QC can be iffy with the pups. The one in my Firebird is far from buzzy. It's like a even wind PAF style with increased output and an upper mid spike and bass rolloff.
Yeah I think I remember those...I was speakin in more of a general sense as regards to the 498 in a Paul.
STP?
I suspect the problem you are experiencing is a combo of things (guitar/pup/amp). The 498 is def not optimal for palm mutes as I said, but if ya want serious palm mutes a vintage type PUP like a 59 is prolly not a good idea either, IMO....you have to be really careful about how much gain/bass/midrange you use..fine line between mud and clear chunk. A high output ceramic (500T, SuperD, Distortion, Custom to a certain extent) or EMG is the way ya need to go. I wish I had some recording stuff, cos I'd throw out some chunky gallopin Iron Maiden stuff for ya to hear with my BB's, 498, and 500T.
IME with guitars/pups/tone...you never get it "all"..a sacrifice is made *somewhere*. That's why I think I'm gonna keep 2 paulas..one for heavier rock, and one for more vintage tone.
danglybanger said:
I stand by my first statement...it's prolly the amp
Seriously tho, Gibson QC can be iffy with the pups. The one in my Firebird is far from buzzy. It's like a even wind PAF style with increased output and an upper mid spike and bass rolloff.
My cheapo the paul doesn't have a maple cap
Yeah I think I remember those...I was speakin in more of a general sense as regards to the 498 in a Paul.
STP?
I suspect the problem you are experiencing is a combo of things (guitar/pup/amp). The 498 is def not optimal for palm mutes as I said, but if ya want serious palm mutes a vintage type PUP like a 59 is prolly not a good idea either, IMO....you have to be really careful about how much gain/bass/midrange you use..fine line between mud and clear chunk. A high output ceramic (500T, SuperD, Distortion, Custom to a certain extent) or EMG is the way ya need to go. I wish I had some recording stuff, cos I'd throw out some chunky gallopin Iron Maiden stuff for ya to hear with my BB's, 498, and 500T.
IME with guitars/pups/tone...you never get it "all"..a sacrifice is made *somewhere*. That's why I think I'm gonna keep 2 paulas..one for heavier rock, and one for more vintage tone.
