Gibson 500T?

[Rex_Rocker]

I'm about to pull the trigger on one. As you know, I like to try new pickups, but I like doing my research beforehand. I kinda like the idea of a Gibson pickup in my Gibson guitar.

I'm pretty sure I've tried one, but that was way too long ago. I remember liking it, but then again, my taste has changed.

It's 15K-ish and triple ceramic, right? Is it anything like the Black Winter? Distortion?

I've read it being compared to the Custom or the Distortion. Which do you think it most closely resembles?

I'm assuming it's blistering hot? Like X2N kinda hot?

Please give as in-depth insight as you can!

Thanks!

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Its very similar to a Distortion however, not quite as articulate. Super hot. I have one in an 88 LP Custom and im sort of out-growing it (been in the guitar since 1997). With that said, its super awesome for metal, especially Thrash.

I have an extra pair i would like to try in an Alder guitar someday.

 

[hamerfan]

If it's too hot for you, there is a mod I performed. You can swap out one side magnet to a piece of wood or plastic (chop stick). With the chop stick it's still a tiny raunchier the DD, but more in that ballpark.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I like my pickups super hot!

I'm more concerned about the EQ shape. I just swapped out an X2N out of my Gibson because it was too dark. I would really like the 500T to have Distortion-like levels of sizzle and aggression.

 

[beaubrummels]

The 500T I had was great. Even, tight, competitive to a Distortion. I'd dare say it worked better in my LP Studio than my Duncan Distiortion. In fact, the original owner bought it back off me when I wasn't using it any more.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The 500T I had was great. Even, tight, competitive to a Distortion. I'd dare say it worked better in my LP Studio than my Duncan Distiortion. In fact, the original owner bought it back off me when I wasn't using it any more.

How did it differ from a Distortion?

 

[JOLLY]

I like the 500T. They're hotter than hell. The only reason I replaced them in all of my Les Paul Classics was because I was just experimenting with different pickups, and wanted more articulation. They sound great for leads on heavy rock stuff.

 

[Masta' C]

I like my pickups super hot!...I would really like the 500T to have Distortion-like levels of sizzle and aggression.

Then you are headed in the right direction! The 500T is not particularly dark sounding and it's got more sizzle and grit to it than the Duncan Distortion, though that's the Duncan model it best compares with. As others have mentioned, the 500T doesn't have that "modern" level of articulation/clarity, but it's a solid rocker and does metal well!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Amazing! Yeah, I'm interested in it because I know it's seen lots of action in Amon Amarth and Dark Tranquillity records.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

I had a 496R/500T set for awhile that I swapped through several guitars. It's been awhile, but I remember the neck sounding very chimey LP neck in everything, and the bridge being very sizzley, in a totally good way. Both pickups have that Gibson sauce in them, regardless of how absurdly loud they are.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Sounds like a set of pickups I'd like, then!

 

[freefrog]

In my archived data, 500T = 15.,45k and 7,77H, which are high but not spectacular values. That said, its surface magnetic field was 2 to 3 times higher than with a 496R, according to our lab teslameter. So yes, it's a hot pickup.

One thing that I've done with a 500T is pairing it with a switchable humbucking LR network wired in parallel, in order to lower its DCR and inductance to P.A.F. values when needed. As the 500T has an hefty magnetic field, it's not dulled or weakened by the dead weight of the dummy coils. Works well IME. YMMV.

 

[beaubrummels]

How did it differ from a Distortion?

In my LP Studio, the Distortion had a fuzzy/buzzy low end; sounded a bit like Led Zeppelin Rock and Roll through a Marshall plexi sound. The 500T was tighter. In fact the 500T/496R sounded like a loud Jimmy Page set, the neck chimed and the bridge rocked - the first time I played the set I realized why Gibson put them in the first version of the Jimmy Page Sig model and in the early 1960 Standard reissue models (in the 90's? early 2000's?). It's worth noting that same Duncan Distortion in my Jackson SL3X was tighter and brighter than the 500T, sounded like Scorpions Loving You Sunday Morning / Lovedrive all day long. Don't know if that helps, but that was my impression playing the two.

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Amazing! Yeah, I'm interested in it because I know it's seen lots of action in Amon Amarth and Dark Tranquillity records.

DT actually used ALOT of Duncan Distortion loaded Gibsons on Projector, Haven, Damage Done and Character. I am friends with Martin H and to a certain degree, Niklas as well.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Oh, really?! I always thought it was stock pickups on their Explorers/V's. Thanks for the info!

 

[Aceman]

I effing love a 500T

It is MOST like a Duncan Distortion. By "most" I mean extremely similar. I'd never swap a 500T out of a guitar.

Best description I have ever heard - "A 500T is a Distortion best for rhythm, and a Duncan distortion is best for leads". I may have that backwards...

Bottom line almost the same as a DD, and a great metal pickup!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

So my 500T is here! I'll let you guys know how I like it tonight!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Alright, reporting back! The pickup is fantastic. I'm moving the Black Winter I had in my Gibson to my Epiphone, and this 500T replaced it. It's about as hot as the Black Winter, perhaps a bit less, but it's a lot less polished-sounding in a good way. It's got more grind and aggression to it. It's really dirty-sounding. I love it!

 

[Aceman]

Alright, reporting back! The pickup is fantastic. I'm moving the Black Winter I had in my Gibson to my Epiphone, and this 500T replaced it. It's about as hot as the Black Winter, perhaps a bit less, but it's a lot less polished-sounding in a good way. It's got more grind and aggression to it. It's really dirty-sounding. I love it!

Just like you would expect a Duncan Distortion to be.

Angry aggressive metal pickup

tight bottom
punchy mids
screaming highs

 

[Demanic]

One word: Crunchlab.

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