Gplayerzzz
New member
I've never tried one, but I have heard its "like" a JB. So whats up.
How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
- Thread starter Gplayerzzz
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richard parker
Active member
Re: How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
I have a JB in an old SG and a 498T in an all mahogany set neck Firebird Studio. The 498T is generally fatter and warmer than the JB with less aggressive mids, generally more 'Gibson' sounding though it's a fairly high out put p/u. The JB is louder and edgier. I really like the 498T but I have to say I haven't gigged with it much so I'll reserve a final opinion. The JB is an excellent gigging pickup because it sits perfectly in a mix. For home playing through my Microcube the JB doesn't sound good but it's not really a home player's p/u. The 498T sounds great at home but I've yet to decide whether it can compete with the JB at a gig. For bluesy classic rock and making yourself heard over the band without excessive solo volume boost the JB is hard to beat.
I have a JB in an old SG and a 498T in an all mahogany set neck Firebird Studio. The 498T is generally fatter and warmer than the JB with less aggressive mids, generally more 'Gibson' sounding though it's a fairly high out put p/u. The JB is louder and edgier. I really like the 498T but I have to say I haven't gigged with it much so I'll reserve a final opinion. The JB is an excellent gigging pickup because it sits perfectly in a mix. For home playing through my Microcube the JB doesn't sound good but it's not really a home player's p/u. The 498T sounds great at home but I've yet to decide whether it can compete with the JB at a gig. For bluesy classic rock and making yourself heard over the band without excessive solo volume boost the JB is hard to beat.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
I think a 498T is much closer to a C5 (SH-14) in tone. I use the two interchangeably, usually with A8's or UOA5's in them. To me, the stock JB is too piercing to be of use anywhere, and mine have A2's in them, which smoothes out the top-end, adds mids, and makes it a much richer-sounding PU.
From my experience and many of the posts here, The JB's niche is in hard bright-toned woods. There it often shines. In mahogany however, it can get weird and develop several annoying traits (ice pick spike, farty low-end, etc). Doesn't always do that, but it happens often enough. In it's stock form, it's not a versatile PU that can be used in a lot of guitars for a lot of applications. Because of this, there's a lot of players that do not like JB's. Very controversial PU. There's lovers and haters.
I think a 498T is much closer to a C5 (SH-14) in tone. I use the two interchangeably, usually with A8's or UOA5's in them. To me, the stock JB is too piercing to be of use anywhere, and mine have A2's in them, which smoothes out the top-end, adds mids, and makes it a much richer-sounding PU.
From my experience and many of the posts here, The JB's niche is in hard bright-toned woods. There it often shines. In mahogany however, it can get weird and develop several annoying traits (ice pick spike, farty low-end, etc). Doesn't always do that, but it happens often enough. In it's stock form, it's not a versatile PU that can be used in a lot of guitars for a lot of applications. Because of this, there's a lot of players that do not like JB's. Very controversial PU. There's lovers and haters.
Gplayerzzz
New member
Re: How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
Does the 498 have a lot of bass, or low side? The clips i've heard sounds like it is bright with some high mids. Is there a scoop like the C5 in there?
Does the 498 have a lot of bass, or low side? The clips i've heard sounds like it is bright with some high mids. Is there a scoop like the C5 in there?
Re: How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
Mine gets chunky. I haven't tried a C5, but the 498T doesn't seem too scooped to me.
Mine gets chunky. I haven't tried a C5, but the 498T doesn't seem too scooped to me.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
Because of the A5 magnet, the 498T and C5 are both bright and mid-scooped, and both respond nicely to A8's and UOA5's. To my ears, 498T's are a little brighter, and have that grainy Gibsons sound. They're not too bassy for me, but I can't speak for everyone.
Because of the A5 magnet, the 498T and C5 are both bright and mid-scooped, and both respond nicely to A8's and UOA5's. To my ears, 498T's are a little brighter, and have that grainy Gibsons sound. They're not too bassy for me, but I can't speak for everyone.
guitarzinc10
New member
Re: How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
The 498T is like an overwound paf type pup with a medium-high output. It has a grainy and gritty quality that Gibson pups have and I like that.
Magnet changes can help make the pup match the guitar it's being used in.
I find the 498T(a5) works well in basswood guitars. I have one in the bridge position of a Charvel Model 3. Basswood gives it a slightly different eq than mahogany.
The JB to my ears has a modern, edgier tone although it's been around for a few decades. This is a good candidate for mag swaps too.
For me, the Jb works well in alder and maple bodied guitars. I recently put a JB in a maple Carvin DC with very good results.
The 498T is like an overwound paf type pup with a medium-high output. It has a grainy and gritty quality that Gibson pups have and I like that.
Magnet changes can help make the pup match the guitar it's being used in.
I find the 498T(a5) works well in basswood guitars. I have one in the bridge position of a Charvel Model 3. Basswood gives it a slightly different eq than mahogany.
The JB to my ears has a modern, edgier tone although it's been around for a few decades. This is a good candidate for mag swaps too.
For me, the Jb works well in alder and maple bodied guitars. I recently put a JB in a maple Carvin DC with very good results.
IanBallard
New member
Re: How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
+1. I can't speak for the 498T, since I'm not exactly sure if I've played a Gibson with one, but your description of the JB is right on! Lots of guys talk smack on the JB because, by itself, it's "harsh" or "bright" or "muddy" or whatever adjectives I've seen. However, of all the bands I've played in, as a drummer, bass player, etc... guitars with JB's in them, STAND OUT and really cut in the mix. Blending with other instruments, the JB is a killer pickup. Not for bedroom dudes, that fo sho... but it's stood the test of time for a reason and is played by REAL pros for many years for a reason.
+1. I can't speak for the 498T, since I'm not exactly sure if I've played a Gibson with one, but your description of the JB is right on! Lots of guys talk smack on the JB because, by itself, it's "harsh" or "bright" or "muddy" or whatever adjectives I've seen. However, of all the bands I've played in, as a drummer, bass player, etc... guitars with JB's in them, STAND OUT and really cut in the mix. Blending with other instruments, the JB is a killer pickup. Not for bedroom dudes, that fo sho... but it's stood the test of time for a reason and is played by REAL pros for many years for a reason.
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TeleLubber
New member
Re: How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
I replaced my 498T with a JB in my Les Paul.. I have JBs in 3 of my mahogany bodied guitars.. of course they have maple caps.. played thru Marshall and Fender amps.. sounds good to my ears.. I put the 498T in my LP Jr. and its my primary slide guitar
The JB is a very good classic rock to 80s/90s rock pickup.. and cuts thru well in a live situation.. that being said, I do NOT like the JB Jr.. it just isn't the same IMO
So.. I would say the JB has a more agressive upper mid-range, and fuller low end compared to the 498.. to my ear. I think the 498 is glassier sounding.. and is a good match for the all mahogany body of the LP Jr.
I replaced my 498T with a JB in my Les Paul.. I have JBs in 3 of my mahogany bodied guitars.. of course they have maple caps.. played thru Marshall and Fender amps.. sounds good to my ears.. I put the 498T in my LP Jr. and its my primary slide guitar
The JB is a very good classic rock to 80s/90s rock pickup.. and cuts thru well in a live situation.. that being said, I do NOT like the JB Jr.. it just isn't the same IMO
So.. I would say the JB has a more agressive upper mid-range, and fuller low end compared to the 498.. to my ear. I think the 498 is glassier sounding.. and is a good match for the all mahogany body of the LP Jr.
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TattooedCarrot
New member
Re: How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
I don't hear any mid scoop in the 498T, its all mids to my ears.
I don't hear any mid scoop in the 498T, its all mids to my ears.
richard parker
Active member
Re: How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
Funny isn't it ? I hear the 498T as a very middy p/u but Blueman hears scooped mids. Do we all hear things differently ? If so, there's no point in these discussions is there ?
Funny isn't it ? I hear the 498T as a very middy p/u but Blueman hears scooped mids. Do we all hear things differently ? If so, there's no point in these discussions is there ?
IanBallard
New member
Re: How does the 498T and JB compare/differ?
I dunno if I'd call the JB "scooped". It has a healthy upper-mid presence to my ears, but I've only heard it through a 5150 replica a friend built and a LTD LP-style guitar. The Alder 5150 had a slightly looser bottom and brighter top, where the mahogany version had a bit more bass but more attenuated treble... BUT I was hearing them through different amps at different times so... but I DO recall the upper mids were prominent in both guitars. Kinda "one-notey" but all the recordings I can think of where JB's were involved (including early Van Hagar), the solo tone cuts like a knife and certainly didn't sound overly scooped. However, some VHagar tunes like "Black and Blue", "Best of Both Worlds", the strumming tone seemed more "Stratty" and scooped. So maybe it was the amp settings for those songs. JB's are VERY sensitive to different woods, amps and players, that's for sure. It also, as I said, sounds SO MUCH BETTER blending with a bass guitar, drums, etc, than by itself.
I dunno if I'd call the JB "scooped". It has a healthy upper-mid presence to my ears, but I've only heard it through a 5150 replica a friend built and a LTD LP-style guitar. The Alder 5150 had a slightly looser bottom and brighter top, where the mahogany version had a bit more bass but more attenuated treble... BUT I was hearing them through different amps at different times so... but I DO recall the upper mids were prominent in both guitars. Kinda "one-notey" but all the recordings I can think of where JB's were involved (including early Van Hagar), the solo tone cuts like a knife and certainly didn't sound overly scooped. However, some VHagar tunes like "Black and Blue", "Best of Both Worlds", the strumming tone seemed more "Stratty" and scooped. So maybe it was the amp settings for those songs. JB's are VERY sensitive to different woods, amps and players, that's for sure. It also, as I said, sounds SO MUCH BETTER blending with a bass guitar, drums, etc, than by itself.
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Thunder
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