Gibson 490R/498T set

[jwt55]

Hello, I am new to the forum and don't know much about pickups. I had played a guitar with pearly gates neck and bridge recently and wondered how the 490/498 set would compare. I like the ZZTop sound. I have an Epi LP that came with EMG 81/85 and am looking for a more versatile sound with good artificial harmonics and ringing highs. I don't know quite how to explain. I have a Mustang IV amp.
Thanks,
James

 

[Aceman]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

Welcome!

And to answer the question concisely: Not even close.

The 490 or the 498 are ok pups on their own. They are sort of designed to make 'any' sound or 'every' sound. Generic humbuckers if you will. I could grab a guitar with those and play whatever, and it would sound ok. But once you get into Duncan, DiMArzio or whatever, there is always something better for whatever you want to do. Additional, I and most others here, do not think they sound good as a set. By that, we mean a good amp setting for the bridge will sound bad when you switch to the neck, and vice versa.

They get a lot of undeserved hate IMO. They are solid humbuckers, and can do whatever you want, particularly with a good amp or a pedal or two.

What kind of guitar do you have? What amp? What fx?

Now, PG's....Ahhhh. I haver those in a few guitars. They are the ultimate neck pup for a Les Paul IMO. Should be standard equipment.

If you dig ZZ Top, or great tone period, the PG is where it is at. Some will say that the PG bridge is too bright. Again, I refer to ZZ Top. Does Billy G ever sound too bright? Don't think so. A set of PG's in a good Les PAul is a righteous sound. Can easily do metal if the amp has the power/gain.

What are you looking to do? What sound is missing from your original pickups?

 

[jwt55]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

It just seems that the EMGs don't have the melodic qualities of the Pearly Gates. They seemed to get a lot more ringing highs and chiming artificial harmonics.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

I and most others here, do not think they sound good as a set. By that, we mean a good amp setting for the bridge will sound bad when you switch to the neck, and vice versa.

That's a fact.

They get a lot of undeserved hate IMO

Funny, I don't think they get ENOUGH hate.

Anyway, changing the magnets in those p'ups with an A4 for the neck and an A8 for the bridge will make'em work good as a set. Stock are just hopeless!

 

[jwt55]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

That sounds interesting. Is it difficult to change the magnets? And where could one buy magnets? Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

That sounds interesting. Is it difficult to change the magnets? Thanks for the suggestion.

Use the search function. Look for "magnet swap", and learn everything there's written, which is lotsa!

HTH,

 

[richard parker]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

I've done several rehearsals recently using my Firebird Studio with these pickups. They aren't very well matched but I don't really like any neck pickups that much. The 498T is a good pickup with very good mids and great singing highs but the low end is somewhat indistinct and blurry which can actually sound quite nice. If I was playing in a one guitar band I'd be happy with the 498T. In a two guitar band the bass isn't tight enough and gets muddled in the mix.

 

[jwt55]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

So you think the 490R/498T sound good if just one guitar is pllaying? As good or better than say Pearly gateT JBR or Pearly Gate T/ Custom/customR ?

 

[Aceman]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

jwt -

What guitar are you playing?
What amp/fx are you using?
What music are you playing?

And if possible, what is missing from your sound at the moment?

 

[Gryphon]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

I have a LP Std with a 490R and 498T and agree (after 20 years with this guitar) that they don't work well as a set. I went down the magnet swapping route and moved the A2 from the 490R to the bridge, and the A5 from the 498T to the neck. With a little pickup height adjustment to even out the levels, it's a big improvement. Lt Kojak has spent a lot more time on this than i have, so if you do decide to swap mags (its much cheaper than swapping pickups if you don't bust the pickups) do as he advises.

 

[jwt55]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

I am playing an epiphone lp with a fender mustang IV amp and attempt to play a wide variety of styles. But I tend to like the ZZTOP pearly gates sound

 

[jwt55]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

Is it reasonable easy to avoid busting the pickups while changing the magnets. Looks like there is a single flat bar magnet to change in each humbucker coil? Or is there more?

 

[Aceman]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

PG set, Bixonix Expandora (or whatever his little fuzz can is called). 50's mod to the controls. Done.

 

[Gryphon]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

A single flat bar, but it doesn't come out easy. I recommend getting a fresh roll of electrical tape and unpeeling the tape that is there so you can see all the tiny wires you might break otherwise. Read this carefully: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tonefreaks/110188-peter-green-other-magnet-mods-humbuckers-covers-pic-heavy.html

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

To compare them to SD's, they sound like a slightly ruder and crunchier Custom 5/59 set. There's nothing wrong with that sound, and after all...Gibson did choose that set as their primary LP Std sound for over a decade.

There's one player who uses them on everything....KISS's current guitarist, Tommy Thayer. If you see him in any clip, it'll be that pickup set in a LP.

 

[brunogio]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

Listen to the Ace and Kojak. The standard pups are kind of OK but the mag swaps make them fuller for little money. I went another way and bought new pups for mine

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

I have a couple 498T/490R sets I bought used, and after swapping mags, they work very well together. Put an A5 or A4 in the neck, to add treble and clarity. Big improvement. Then, if you still want a warmer bridge with more mids, put an A8 or UOA5 in the 498T.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

Common guys - lots of new people out there, let's bring the A game for advice!

 

[DonP]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

Hello, I am new to the forum and don't know much about pickups. I had played a guitar with pearly gates neck and bridge recently and wondered how the 490/498 set would compare. I like the ZZTop sound. I have an Epi LP that came with EMG 81/85 and am looking for a more versatile sound with good artificial harmonics and ringing highs. I don't know quite how to explain. I have a Mustang IV amp.
Thanks,
James

Hello James.

I'm not into the ZZTop sound or have a Mustang amp. But I am into Black Sabbath and have a Marshall amp.

The 490R/498T set in my SG Std. sounds incredible through my rig and I am very happy with the set. I'm not sure if the sound that pleases me is what you are looking for, however.

 

[jwt55]

Re: Gibson 490R/498T set

Thanks very much for all your help.