The 490 set in the Howard Roberts I had was bland and lifeless. Antiquities or Seths (if either had been out then) would have made a huge difference.
Well do you LIKE the 490T? If you like it, don't change it!
The Antiquities aren't as much an "upgrade" as they just bring something different to the table. 490T is Gibson's take of a modern slightly hotter output PAF-ish pickup. The Antiquity is supposed to give you a more old school humbucker sound.
Personally I'm not a big fan of the 490T, it's good but it doesn't hit the spot for me. But that's me, you may just be very happy with the 490T.
The irony is, Daenius is saying exactly the same thing as me. Hence the 'us'.
Not to be overly immature, but the argument started with your contrariness.
Nonsense.
Here is what Daenius provided : "The Antiquities aren't as much an "upgrade" as they just bring something different to the table. 490T is Gibson's take of a modern slightly hotter output PAF-ish pickup. The Antiquity is supposed to give you a more old school humbucker sound."
And what was your contribution ? ZIP/NADA/ZILCH/SFA
Hoping this site has an " ignore " function
1. Play the 335 with the Ants
Memorize what it sounds like
Don't change amp settings
2. Play the LP with the 490s
Memorize what it sounds like
Don't change amp settings
3. Put the 490s in the 335 and play
You'll immediately be able to distinguish what part of the 490 sound was the guitar and what part was the pickups. From there you can make a decision.
No experience with 490t.
I have Ants in a 1997 Les Paul 1960 Classic, replacing the 496r/500t Hot Ceramics. Major change. I liked the tone of the stock pickups but they were too hot for my amps and my style. I love the Ants.
I have Seths in a Les Paul Supreme, replacing the stock 490r/498t. 490r is muddier than Ant or Seth, very warm, nice for jazz. I like it, it's usable, but it does not blend well with the 498T. Seths were a major change, more vintage, better choice for me. Love the Seths. No clear preference for Ants vis-a-vis Seths.
I have '57 Classics in my Les Paul Elegant and my 335s. Not feeling the need to change from the stock pickups. Warm, yet can be a tad grainy. Close to Ants/Seth. Prefer '57 neck to 490r. Good for variety of genres, but there are better choices for rock/metal. Not as much clarity and string separation as Seth/Ants.
I also have A2 Burstbucker 1 & 2 sets in my Historic Les Pauls. I like them, doubt I would ever change them. More clear than '57 Classics, more edgier than the '57s and Duncans. On a rock gig, I prefer the BBs over '57s. I like the '57s over the BBs for jazz, or gigs where there might be a lot of older people who would not like the edginess.
These are all just different flavors...which Baskins & Robbins chocolate ice cream do you like the best?
Do you love the tone of the Ants in your 335 clone? If yes...leave them in there!
Do you love the tone of the Paul and the 490s? If yes, leave them in there! If NO, then it is time to change them.
Decide whether you need the same tonality from both guitars. (I like having a Number One-A, a backup for my main guitar.) So adding another set of Ants should be good. They're hard to beat.
If you are looking for something a little different but still PAF, you can go WLH, SNS, PGs or '59s...plus those from 30 other brands. Or perhaps something "more" like JBs or a version of the Custom for agressive styles. You don't mention loudness levels, genres and amps, but those factored heavily in my decisions.
Work out who you are as a player; your answers will become clearer.
But it's hard to go wrong with Duncans. I hope this helps.
Bill
Great post Bill. Very helpfull. Thank you.
BP
Here's a nice little thing to try, suggested by Joe Bonamassa actually:
Don't change the pickups. Just learn to play with them and learn to love them. Learn to make them work for your sound by adjusting the knobs on the guitar or the amp (don't forget the amp! it makes a HUGE difference). You'll find that your ears adapt to sounds and tone quite a bit too, and given that the 490T aren't inherently terrible pickups, you should be able to work them in just fine.
Now after you've given yourself the time to do that with the 490T, you truly "know" the pickup well: you know how it responds and how it sounds in every situation. At this point, if you're listening to the pickup and still going "hmm, I wish it could have a bit less treble" or "I can't really get rid of that boomy bass", then you have REALLY found something that doesn't please you in that pickup. At that point, it's then also really easy for you to decide on a new pickup because you'll know exactly what you did not like about the original pickup and exactly what you're looking for in the new one!
Here's a nice little thing to try, suggested by Joe Bonamassa actually:
Don't change the pickups. Just learn to play with them and learn to love them. Learn to make them work for your sound by adjusting the knobs on the guitar or the amp (don't forget the amp! it makes a HUGE difference). You'll find that your ears adapt to sounds and tone quite a bit too, and given that the 490T aren't inherently terrible pickups, you should be able to work them in just fine.
Now after you've given yourself the time to do that with the 490T, you truly "know" the pickup well: you know how it responds and how it sounds in every situation. At this point, if you're listening to the pickup and still going "hmm, I wish it could have a bit less treble" or "I can't really get rid of that boomy bass", then you have REALLY found something that doesn't please you in that pickup. At that point, it's then also really easy for you to decide on a new pickup because you'll know exactly what you did not like about the original pickup and exactly what you're looking for in the new one!