Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

Not a big fan of '57's, at least with the stock mags. The neck is too dark and prone to mud; the bridge has a thin 'ribbony' sound to it. As with my BB's and 490's, I put A5's in the neck to get more clarity and treble. In the bridge, I've used an UOA5, A8, and RC A2, all of which were an improvement.

If you want an A2 PAF, I'd recommend Duncan's instead. I like them much better.

For now, Im toying with the idea of using a lower output pickup for the ease of cleaning up with the volume knob, hence why Im curious about the 57s, BBs, and even the Duncan 59s. Between the 498 and the Duncan Custom series, which do you prefer? Do the UOA5 or A8 Customs clean up well?
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

For now, Im toying with the idea of using a lower output pickup for the ease of cleaning up with the volume knob, hence why Im curious about the 57s, BBs, and even the Duncan 59s. Between the 498 and the Duncan Custom series, which do you prefer? Do the UOA5 or A8 Customs clean up well?

Yes, A8's and UOA5's clean up well, the latter having more character and dynamics, but both are great mags for warming bridge PU's. I've tried both in low and high output PU's and they're viable choices.
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

I had a stock 498T (gold covered) in a '91 Custom and loved it, but wanted more girth out of it. I put the Alt-8 (gold) in and thought it sounded too "organic"....not enough sizzle. I thought it was very mid heavy. I later put a Duncan Distortion Gold(my go-to pickup in my main LP) and thought it got the job done....I still missed that raw tone of the 498T. I just wish it had a tad more mid to it.
...'thinking about putting a 498T zebra (open = more hot ?) in my '77 standard. It's a very dark guitar and I think it'll work....I just hope that by having one without a cover will hotten (is that a word ?) the sound.....

you guys' thoughts ?
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

To me, a cover will trim off a tad of the high end and sizzle. Blueman and a few others have swapped magnets in the 498 with good results. You could swap in a UOA5 magnet to bring out some mids while retaining a move 'vintage' character, or swap in an A8 mag to add more muscle while trimming back the highs a touch without getting rid of the 'sizzle' completely.

You may also want to check out the Duncan Custom SH5. The Custom might be just what the doctor ordered. It has plenty of low-end muscle, thick mids, and sharp highs with a touch of sizzle without sounding brittle. It also responds very well to magnet changes.
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

Forum lag time?

Temporary time warp happens in my shop from time to time if I run the microwave and the xerox machine at the same time. I keep getting worried that someday the phone will ring and the combo of all 3 will destabilize the earth and reverse gravity throwing us into the sun.
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

Temporary time warp happens in my shop from time to time if I run the microwave and the xerox machine at the same time. I keep getting worried that someday the phone will ring and the combo of all 3 will destabilize the earth and reverse gravity throwing us into the sun.

Jesus Christ. Unplug that phone.
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

Temporary time warp happens in my shop from time to time if I run the microwave and the xerox machine at the same time. I keep getting worried that someday the phone will ring and the combo of all 3 will destabilize the earth and reverse gravity throwing us into the sun.

I believe that is what started the Matrix movies.
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

It's a good pickup for distorted rhythm guitar tones. It's still on my 1st Gibson (a SG Standard I used from 2006 - 2011-2012) It sounds the ''same'', raw, punk rock like, and kinda cool at times, but it ain't good for cleans. Mine got microphonic this year.
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

I adjusted the poles up towards the middle on the SG and les paul, really woke the SG up because I didnt care for it at first.
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

The 498T is a good PU, but with an A8 or UOA5, it becomes a great PU. I think of it as Gibson's version of the C5. Good in mahogany, but still bright and scooped. To give it more body and warmth, put in a wamer magnet.

The 498T is Gibson's version of the Duncan JB. It has thick mids and is warmer than the JB.

Everyone talks about swapping magnets but I don't notice much change.

The 498T is warmer and thicker than the 57 Classic. 300k pot is all ya need.

For my LP Studio Deluxe it has stock 500k pots.
 
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Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

The 498T is Gibson's version of the Duncan JB. It has thick mids and is warmer than the JB.

Everyone talks about swapping magnets but I don't notice much change.

The 498T is warmer and thicker than the 57 Classic. 300k pot is all ya need.

For my LP Studio Deluxe it has stock 500k pots.
The DCR is quite different on those two. I'm guessing wire gauges are quite different as well. I've never heard before that the JB is comparable to a 498T.
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

The 498T is Gibson's version of the Duncan JB. It has thick mids and is warmer than the JB.

Everyone talks about swapping magnets but I don't notice much change.

The 498T is warmer and thicker than the 57 Classic. 300k pot is all ya need.

For my LP Studio Deluxe it has stock 500k pots.
Thank God that someone finally replied to Blueman's three year old post. I bet he's been worried sick about that.
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

Thank God that someone finally replied to Blueman's three year old post. I bet he's been worried sick about that.

I've been in the same spot, sitting in front of my computer waiting for a response. The lawn needs cutting, the mail's piled up, and I have to take a whiz like you wouldn't believe.
 
Re: Gibson 498T - 1st impressions

How does the 498 sound with a ceramic? Anything like the Custom? My next guitar is going to be the SGJ which comes with the 490 set. I already know that I don't like those pups. I prefer high output ceramics since I play metal. Thinking of possibly doing a mag swap in the 490T to A8 and A5 in the 490R which I know I like. Will an A8 490T be too much?
 
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