Gibson 490/498 vs ThroBak DW-102B Pickups on Gibson Les Paul Zakk Wylde

[belensky]

Trying some other pickups for my Zakk Wylde Les Paul, still can't decide which I like more, gibson or ThroBak.
basically I'm very happy with 490/498, but as far as Clarity and openness ThroBak Is whole other league, but because it's PAF repro, im not sure if it's right fit for my Gibson Les Paul Zakk Wylde, this guitar intended to be most for metal and hard rock.
which one do you like more?
Gibson 490R, 498T – were taken from old Les Paul Custom from 90's
Neck – A2 magnet, 7.8K
Bridge – A5 magnet, 13.8K
ThroBak Dick Wagner Signature Set
Neck – 8.3K (long A5 Unoriented),
Bridge 9.2K (short A5)

https://youtu.be/DlvlTfCtF3Y

 

[BluesIsBlood12]

Re: Gibson 490/498 vs ThroBak DW-102B Pickups on Gibson Les Paul Zakk Wylde

I've never tried ThroBak, but based on their reputation I suspect they'd blow those Gibsons out of the water.

Is it the paint job that makes you think you need to play metal on that LP? I suppose it would look odd in a Jazz trio, but otherwise I think you'd be fine.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Re: Gibson 490/498 vs ThroBak DW-102B Pickups on Gibson Les Paul Zakk Wylde



I like your Gibson pups for clean & the Throwback for dirty tones.

Ive have/had the SH-5 Duncan Custom/59 combo in several Les Pauls & still do.
My favorite combo.
I bought the EMG Zakk set 81/85 for my Les Paul Custom. Sounded cold & sterile. Went back to the Custom/59.

 

[belensky]

Re: Gibson 490/498 vs ThroBak DW-102B Pickups on Gibson Les Paul Zakk Wylde

I've never tried ThroBak, but based on their reputation I suspect they'd blow those Gibsons out of the water.

Is it the paint job that makes you think you need to play metal on that LP? I suppose it would look odd in a Jazz trio, but otherwise I think you'd be fine.

I just don't play jazz, so this guitar is fine to me

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson 490/498 vs ThroBak DW-102B Pickups on Gibson Les Paul Zakk Wylde

The 498T/490R set is not one of Gibson's highpoints. The bridge and neck are so mismatched in EQ, a number of players have a hard time setting an amp EQ that work's well for both. The set is much more usable with a magnet swap; a A5 cleans up the neck. A high output magnet like an A8 in bridge (warm & full) or a ceramic (brighter) would be good for metal.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Gibson 490/498 vs ThroBak DW-102B Pickups on Gibson Les Paul Zakk Wylde

The 498T/490R set is not one of Gibson's highpoints. The bridge and neck are so mismatched in EQ, a number of players have a hard time setting an amp EQ that work's well for both. The set is much more usable with a magnet swap; a A5 cleans up the neck. A high output magnet like an A8 in bridge (warm & full) or a ceramic (brighter) would be good for metal.

I had the couple 490R/498T in one of my les paul and as blueman said the very first issue i had was the impossibility to have an EQ on the amp for both the pickups. I swapped the magnets following the advices of many forumites (and blueman among others) with an A5 in the neck and A8 in the bridge. Great improvement, in truth.
But that was not enough. They stayed for a while in the guitar and then I replaced them with a couple of duncans. Never looked back. Now you are asking if we prefer that gibson combo or the ThroBak. It's hard to say IMO, because they are way different tonewise: the former are a mix of a pafish pickup and a hot pickup while the latter are both in PAF territory (with two magnets giving them a well defined flavor not really for metal application IMO - Jon Schaffer from Iced Earth uses PAF in his Les Paul but with A5 magnets, he has a great tone but I think it cames from the amp).
But the real question is: what tone do you want to get from your lester? We can only give you our opinion on those sets but we can not decide for you. If you want to play metal it's easy to say: replace the pickups with the EMG 81/85 because they belong to that particular guitar.

 

[belensky]

Re: Gibson 490/498 vs ThroBak DW-102B Pickups on Gibson Les Paul Zakk Wylde

If you want to play metal it's easy to say: replace the pickups with the EMG 81/85 because they belong to that particular guitar.

I had there EMG for years, and I hated them really badly. tried everything, 18v mode. put 85/85 combo. different height. they just doesnt work for me. and I don't understand how can anybody like them(I like their EMG SA single coils though) once I replaced them with 490/498 I newer looked back to any EMG. basically im happy with gibsons, but time to time trying something else(BKP crawler, 500T, Suhr Aldrich, Throback). honestly the idea of the video is just to share some samples with other guitarists, maybe it will help somebody.
sometimes I get frustrated when I can't find any decent information online, so time to time a do research myself, and make some videos, so other after me have more information.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Re: Gibson 490/498 vs ThroBak DW-102B Pickups on Gibson Les Paul Zakk Wylde

I had there EMG for years, and I hated them really badly. tried everything, 18v mode. put 85/85 combo. different height. they just doesnt work for me. and I don't understand how can anybody like them(I like their EMG SA single coils though) once I replaced them with 490/498 I newer looked back to any EMG. basically im happy with gibsons, but time to time trying something else(BKP crawler, 500T, Suhr Aldrich, Throback). honestly the idea of the video is just to share some samples with other guitarists, maybe it will help somebody.
sometimes I get frustrated when I can't find any decent information online, so time to time a do research myself, and make some videos, so other after me have more information.

Dewd, like i said : SH-5 Duncan Custom & 59.