Anyone tried this yet and if so how does it sound. I'm strongly considering one of these new SGJs but I really dislike the 498T. I play alot of downtuned metal and it doesnt have enough oomph for my tastes. Plan on taking the A5 out of the 498 and putting it in the 490. I really like that pickup with an A5. If I could get any opinions on a 498 with an A8 it would save me the time and work and if it sounds bad I can just put them on ebay and go with something I know I already like.
Gibson 498T with A8
- Thread starter XPAULPITT
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Fusion1
Active member
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
Paging blueman335. Pretty sure he uses a 498T with Alnico 8 and likes it a lot for heavier stuff. Take heavier stuff with a grain of salt though as heavy to him is anything off of Houses of the Holy or SRV's last album and not even vintage 70s era Judas Priest.
Paging blueman335. Pretty sure he uses a 498T with Alnico 8 and likes it a lot for heavier stuff. Take heavier stuff with a grain of salt though as heavy to him is anything off of Houses of the Holy or SRV's last album and not even vintage 70s era Judas Priest.
CloneRanger
New member
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
The A5 from 498T in the 490R is definitely recommended, and a lot of raves in this forum for A8 in the 498T, at full strength I presume. For my taste, the 498T only really works with a weak A2.
The A5 from 498T in the 490R is definitely recommended, and a lot of raves in this forum for A8 in the 498T, at full strength I presume. For my taste, the 498T only really works with a weak A2.
925SS
New member
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
I swapped the mags in this set, a5 to 490, & a2 to 498, It had a lot better balance, & makes it a usabla set, but still wasn't to my taste.
I've read a lot of good about the a8 in the 498, but haven't tried it yet, so i'll be watching this thread to see what opinions come up.
I don't play a lot of HEAVY stuff, so hopefully blueman335 will chime in with some good info.
I swapped the mags in this set, a5 to 490, & a2 to 498, It had a lot better balance, & makes it a usabla set, but still wasn't to my taste.
I've read a lot of good about the a8 in the 498, but haven't tried it yet, so i'll be watching this thread to see what opinions come up.
I don't play a lot of HEAVY stuff, so hopefully blueman335 will chime in with some good info.
LtKojak
New member
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
As most of you know, I'm one of the biggest 498T dislikers.
Having said that, I find it quite usable with an A8, almost decent.
The 490R with an A4 is a suitable candidate for the neck spot and a good tonal match for the A8 498T.
This set works best in SGs, but it's alright in LPs too.
HTH,
As most of you know, I'm one of the biggest 498T dislikers.
Having said that, I find it quite usable with an A8, almost decent.
The 490R with an A4 is a suitable candidate for the neck spot and a good tonal match for the A8 498T.
This set works best in SGs, but it's alright in LPs too.
HTH,
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
+1. Agree on all points, and would add that I also like 490R's with A5's.
+1. Agree on all points, and would add that I also like 490R's with A5's.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
Absolutely. Stock 498T/490R sets are a weird pairing, and many get replaced, but change mags and they sound much better. To swap mags in both PU's is a 15 minute job, and most of that is loosening strings and retuning. That's why so many of us here swap mags: it's cheap, easy, and quick. You actually make a 'new' PU in a few minutes.
Absolutely. Stock 498T/490R sets are a weird pairing, and many get replaced, but change mags and they sound much better. To swap mags in both PU's is a 15 minute job, and most of that is loosening strings and retuning. That's why so many of us here swap mags: it's cheap, easy, and quick. You actually make a 'new' PU in a few minutes.
SoCalSteve
New member
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
I just put the A5 from my bridge '59 (that was previously swapped out for a UOA5) into my 490R and it balanced out the 490R/498T pickup set nicely in both volume and the tonal character. The stock 498T actually sounds fine in this guitar with my warm Budda amp. The 2 pickups just need to match up a little better and this did the trick - and it was free!
I just put the A5 from my bridge '59 (that was previously swapped out for a UOA5) into my 490R and it balanced out the 490R/498T pickup set nicely in both volume and the tonal character. The stock 498T actually sounds fine in this guitar with my warm Budda amp. The 2 pickups just need to match up a little better and this did the trick - and it was free!
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
Why hasn't Gibson done this years ago? So many players have been frustrated by the 498T/490R pair.
Why hasn't Gibson done this years ago? So many players have been frustrated by the 498T/490R pair.
Gryphon
New member
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
I agree, I've had the stock 490R /498T in my 91 Std since I bought it new. About 2 years ago I swapped the mags back to front, and the 490R sounded a lot better with the A5. I still wasnt satisfied with the 498T/A2 combo so bought a UOA5 as blueman 335 recommends that, and I think its much improved. The pickups are much better balanced and I dont find one much better soundign than the other for any given amp EQ.
So 490R-A5 and 498T-UOA5 seems to be the way to go.
I also run the pickups out of phase to get the Peter Green sound in the middle position. That is easy to do if you are magnet swapping, as all you do is put one back in the other way around.
I agree, I've had the stock 490R /498T in my 91 Std since I bought it new. About 2 years ago I swapped the mags back to front, and the 490R sounded a lot better with the A5. I still wasnt satisfied with the 498T/A2 combo so bought a UOA5 as blueman 335 recommends that, and I think its much improved. The pickups are much better balanced and I dont find one much better soundign than the other for any given amp EQ.
So 490R-A5 and 498T-UOA5 seems to be the way to go.
I also run the pickups out of phase to get the Peter Green sound in the middle position. That is easy to do if you are magnet swapping, as all you do is put one back in the other way around.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
+1 on all counts. The trick with the 498T/490R pair is getting them EQ'd better, as they're really the 'Odd Couple.' I tried an A2 in a 498T in an SG, with 500K's, and it just had too dull of a high-end for me. Not enough cut; it'd be even worse in an LP. UOA5's and A8's have a little more edge and work better in 498T's. 490R's come to life with an A5.
I've flipped a few magnets to get an out-of-phase sound in the middle toggle position. It works really well when the guitar is wired for independent volume controls, as dialing down one PU's volume a few notches brings them mostly in-phase, and you get a warmer, louder tone which is good for solos. If you put the neck volume on 7 for rhythm work, and the bridge's on 10, you have two tone choices for solos: the bridge alone, or with some neck mixed in. Handy and fast on stage, as you're just nudging the toggle. Independent volumes controls are especially good with P-90's, as the 'neck 7/bridge 10' gives you a virtual HB sound when both PU's are on at the same time.
+1 on all counts. The trick with the 498T/490R pair is getting them EQ'd better, as they're really the 'Odd Couple.' I tried an A2 in a 498T in an SG, with 500K's, and it just had too dull of a high-end for me. Not enough cut; it'd be even worse in an LP. UOA5's and A8's have a little more edge and work better in 498T's. 490R's come to life with an A5.
I've flipped a few magnets to get an out-of-phase sound in the middle toggle position. It works really well when the guitar is wired for independent volume controls, as dialing down one PU's volume a few notches brings them mostly in-phase, and you get a warmer, louder tone which is good for solos. If you put the neck volume on 7 for rhythm work, and the bridge's on 10, you have two tone choices for solos: the bridge alone, or with some neck mixed in. Handy and fast on stage, as you're just nudging the toggle. Independent volumes controls are especially good with P-90's, as the 'neck 7/bridge 10' gives you a virtual HB sound when both PU's are on at the same time.
CloneRanger
New member
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
Not to get too contrary with you blueman, but I put a 498T with a weak polished A2 in a 50's Tribute LP Studio (with a distinctly bright-sounding baked maple fretboard), and it has excellent "cut". That LP has something like a 50/50 maple/mahogany sound to it, so the "50's Tribute" aspect of it doesn't apply to its sound...doesn't apply to any part of it, not even the neck, really. One of the best axes I've had for the past 35 years. :13:
Not to get too contrary with you blueman, but I put a 498T with a weak polished A2 in a 50's Tribute LP Studio (with a distinctly bright-sounding baked maple fretboard), and it has excellent "cut". That LP has something like a 50/50 maple/mahogany sound to it, so the "50's Tribute" aspect of it doesn't apply to its sound...doesn't apply to any part of it, not even the neck, really. One of the best axes I've had for the past 35 years. :13:
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
The A2 498T works in the right woods, the brighter the better. For me it was too rounded on top and not worth trying in other guitars; it was easier to just put in an UOA5 or A8 and get more treble that way.
The A2 498T works in the right woods, the brighter the better. For me it was too rounded on top and not worth trying in other guitars; it was easier to just put in an UOA5 or A8 and get more treble that way.
SoCalSteve
New member
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
I'm still liking my 490R with the A5 magnet swap but just picked up a brand new Seth Lover bridge for a price I couldn't pass up ($69.95) to replace the 498T. The Seth is my favorite pickup and I'm hoping it is a good match with the A5 490R.
I'm still liking my 490R with the A5 magnet swap but just picked up a brand new Seth Lover bridge for a price I couldn't pass up ($69.95) to replace the 498T. The Seth is my favorite pickup and I'm hoping it is a good match with the A5 490R.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
Great choice with the Seth, and a great price. Nice work. I'd pair up a Seth and an A5 490R.
Great choice with the Seth, and a great price. Nice work. I'd pair up a Seth and an A5 490R.
SoCalSteve
New member
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
Thanks for the affirmation!
BTW, if anyone is in the market for a Seth, the ebay dealer has 1 left - the caveat is that they have long legs.
Thanks for the affirmation!
BTW, if anyone is in the market for a Seth, the ebay dealer has 1 left - the caveat is that they have long legs.
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
In my les paul standard smart wood made 1997
I put The A5 from 498t on my 490r.. Much better 490r. Loss The muddy.
I put one A8 in 498t and I like it more than with original A5. I don't try yet with UNO A5. I buy lots of magnets almost all Types from cemagmagnets.co.uk . But I don't try other combinations because is not easy Uncover pickups swap The magnet. Put The cover again and wax pot The pickup again.
Many years after...
In my les paul standard smart wood made 1997
I put The A5 from 498t on my 490r.. Much better 490r. Loss The muddy.
I put one A8 in 498t and I like it more than with original A5. I don't try yet with UNO A5. I buy lots of magnets almost all Types from cemagmagnets.co.uk . But I don't try other combinations because is not easy Uncover pickups swap The magnet. Put The cover again and wax pot The pickup again.
Davii
New member
Re: Gibson 498T with A8
I did some mag swapping, but whether the demagnetizer did the trick, or not... DI'd recordings for reamping: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/65jyn96czwhmw/498T
I know, 2013, but hey...
I did some mag swapping, but whether the demagnetizer did the trick, or not... DI'd recordings for reamping: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/65jyn96czwhmw/498T
I know, 2013, but hey...
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