Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

[Burk]

I recently got me a '91 LP custom w/factory gold pick-ups in it. I beleive they are the 498T (alnico 5 magnets). In ya'll's opinion, what pick-up are they most similar to in the Seymour Duncan line. I already ordered an Alt. 8 for the bridge (hope I like it!). I wanted something along the same tone as the factory 498T, but maybe with a little more of everything (including bottom end). Did I go overboard with the Alt 8, or should I try the Pearly Gates, Screamin' Demon, Custom 5 or.....?

I have a pair of Duncan Distortions in my '95 standard, which I like, but I wanted something with a little different flavor in this LP.

My band plays everything from Zeppelin to Pantera, I have a modded Soldano pre-amp through a Boogie tube power amp.

Is the Alt 8 a good choice?

-B

 

[Johnny Q]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

You will probably find that most people liken the 498T to the Custom 5, simply because the dc resistance is the same, but they sound nothing alike. The 498T has a pile of mids, while the Custom 5 is mid scooped to the extreme. I would actually venture as far as comparing the 498T to the JB tone-wise.

If you want a great representation of what the 498T sounds like, just listen to Tommy Thayer with Kiss (example: Rockin the Nation DVD) - he is a 498T user.

JQ

 

[Burk]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

What should I expect from the Alt 8?
The more I read about the Alt 8, it appears to behave like a ceramic.
I'm really diggin' the tone of this 498T, I assume it's the A5 I'm hearing.
I have a friend who just got a pair of Bare Knuckle Mules put in a PRS, they sound a lot like mine, but more raw...I dig them as well......but would want something more hot....

 

[lotus eater]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

What should I expect from the Alt 8?
The more I read about the Alt 8, it appears to behave like a ceramic.
I'm really diggin' the tone of this 498T, I assume it's the A5 I'm hearing.
I have a friend who just got a pair of Bare Knuckle Mules put in a PRS, they sound a lot like mine, but more raw...I dig them as well......but would want something more hot....

I think you will be pleased with the Alt 8, but it will be a much different beast compared to the 498T. If you don't like it, perhaps the coils are wound too hot for you...The good news is you can swap magnets out of the 498T /Alt8 and play with different tones that way.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

The Custom 5 is more dynamic, reacts stronger to playing. Not that there's anything closer in SD's line but the 498T is in a mostly unoccupied field. Maybe a Custom with A3 comes closest.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

I'm really diggin' the tone of this 498T,

Just wondering, if you like it the way it is, why swap? If you want to see what else is out there, cool, but if you have a specific tone you're looking for and found it, you might end up running in circles?

 

[The Usual]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

You will probably find that most people liken the 498T to the Custom 5, simply because the dc resistance is the same, but they sound nothing alike. The 498T has a pile of mids, while the Custom 5 is mid scooped to the extreme. I would actually venture as far as comparing the 498T to the JB tone-wise.

If you want a great representation of what the 498T sounds like, just listen to Tommy Thayer with Kiss (example: Rockin the Nation DVD) - he is a 498T user.

JQ

All due respect, but most people are right. DC resistance doesn't have much to do with it, except as proof that they are built in a similar way. I have A/Bd the C5 to the 498 and they are quite similar in overall tone. The difference being the C5 is more compressed (which you may be hearing as middy, or not) and the 498 is clearer but grainier. For my money, the 498 is better sounding for that Gibson classic rock thing.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

SD's are pretty cool, very toneful, just awesome. Ergo, the 498 is NOTHING like any SD's.

 

[brunogio]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

Just my opinion but there's nothing really wrong with the 498. I've played it in my LP for most every style and I think it does well.

Of course if you don't like it, then that's a different story.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

Just my opinion but there's nothing really wrong with the 498. I've played it in my LP for most every style and I think it does well.

I have a couple 498T's and like them a lot. I've put A8's in mine to give them more body & warmth. In the neck 490R, I put in an A5, and they sound much brighter (and less muddy).

I think you could have gotten very good tones from your existing Gibson PU's with a couple magnet swaps; taken you a few minutes to do it, and saved you a lot of money.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

i'm wondering how the alt8 would compare to a 4988...

the 500, 498 and the A2 one all share the same wind, right?

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

I have a couple 498T's and like them a lot. I've put A8's in mine to give them more body & warmth. In the neck 490R, I put in an A5, and they sound much brighter (and less muddy).

I think you could have gotten very good tones from your existing Gibson PU's with a couple magnet swaps; taken you a few minutes to do it, and saved you a lot of money.

+ 1. I've made the same swap for a customer of mine and he's quite a happy camper!

 

[RockStarNick]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

I'm a longtime Custom 5 user, and I'm loading a 498 into my Les Paul Studio tomorrow night, so I'm going to give a full report tomorrow.

I'll report back, forum bros!

 

[DonP]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

Love the 498T in my SG Std.

Most people who don't like the 498T seem to have it in a Les Paul with a maple cap.

 

[Burk]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

My buddy just switched my 498T with the new alt 8.
I just jammed a bit on my rig.....
I dunno, it sounds a lot like my Duncan Distortion (the overall thickness & bottom-end of it). I'll be honest, I do like the tone/sound, but I was hoping for simply a 498T "with a little more"......I'm gonna give it more time, but I do miss the grainy-ness of the 498T.........I guess I got 21 days to figure something out!

-B

:scratchch

 

[Aceman]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

I'm just so meh about the 498's. Same with 490's. Honestly, they aren't that bad IMO. You could play anything on them. But they are kind of Steve Morsey IMO - they can play anything, but nothing hey play excites me.

I have o say I do like thm in SG's the times I've played them. don't know why. But just meh in LP's

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

I'm just so meh about the 498's. Same with 490's. Honestly, they aren't that bad IMO. You could play anything on them. But they are kind of Steve Morsey IMO - they can play anything, but nothing hey play excites me.

I have o say I do like thm in SG's the times I've played them. don't know why. But just meh in LP's

Is that with the stock magnets? I think they really shine with mag swaps.

 

[jimlp]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

Would an A2 mag in a 498t round out the highs?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

Would an A2 mag in a 498t round out the highs?

Yes. To me, it was just a little too rounded (in a SG), but for many players it works. Makes it easy; just swap the magnets between the two PU's, and you don't have to buy any. I opted for an A8 in my 498T's, which gave me a little more bite.

 

[Burk]

Re: Gibson 498T humbucker = what seymour duncan?

I think an A2 in a 498T is actually a 490T, according to the Gibson website.

-B