Gibson 490R magnet swaps? Experiences?

[Rex_Rocker]

So who has tried magnet swapping the Gibson 490R?

I just put one back in my Les Paul Tribute, and I'm digging it. But I'm curious about what magnet swapping might do to it. I'm more curious about the more "exotic" magnets like A3 or 4. A5 I bet is cool, but I fear that might take it a bit more into '59 or Jazz territory, and I'm not sure I'd want that. But it's still fun to hear what y'all have to say about A5 anyway, since that's the one that I actually have on hand. Maybe it is nice.

So... thoughts? Experiences?

 

[Securb]

I have not mag swapped one, but I did have one sitting around, so I popped it in the bridge of my buddy's LP import in the bridge. It sounds great in the bridge. He loves it.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I have not mag swapped one, but I did have one sitting around, so I popped it in the bridge of my buddy's LP import in the bridge. It sounds great in the bridge. He loves it.

490R or 490T? What are you pairing it with?

 

[Mincer]

I actively *hated* the 490R in my Gibson, so I don't know if a magnet swap would change my mind.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I actively *hated* the 490R in my Gibson, so I don't know if a magnet swap would change my mind.

Too dark? Wooly?

 

[Mincer]

Too dark? Wooly?

No, that wouldn't be bad. My best description would be 'bland'. Keep in mind I was using it dead clean 95% of the time.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

No, that wouldn't be bad. My best description would be 'bland'. Keep in mind I was using it dead clean 95% of the time.

Ah, I get ya.

Yeah, I can't really say I'm a neck pickup conossieur, but I kinda like it. I find it's smoother than the '59, but not as bassy either.

I replaced an Artec cheapie pickup which was kinda "bland", and was honestly more of a "placeholder" pickup, and the other neck pickups I have at hand to compare are the Distortion Neck and the '59, and I kinda like it better than all of those, personally. At least matched with the Suhr SSH+.

 

[jeremy]

i typically like a 490r with a5 better than a2, and im an a2 humbucker junkie

 

[Rex_Rocker]

i typically like a 490r with a5 better than a2, and im an a2 humbucker junkie

Does the A5 give it more of a scoopy vibe compared to the stock A2?

 

[Masta' C]

I've used a 490R with A5 swapped alongside a stock 498T. It's been a while, but I don't remember perceiving too much "scoop" with the A5, probably because it was in the neck position, which tends to be fuller sounding overall. It was tighter and brighter than the stock A2 for sure. Any "scoop" it might have taken on just added clarity.

The stock 490R is perfectly functional, but not particularly inspiring in my experience. If you just want "smooth", leaving it stock is the way to go. If you want a bit more punch and a little extra cut, A5 is a tweak that many players prefer once they've tried it.

Side Note: Dropping the 490R down a bit and raising the pole pieces up is another way to gain some clarity without altering its core voicing.