I got another CS JB!

[Rex_Rocker]

I was missing the old CS JB I had before, so I decided to treat myself with another to start the year off.

Man, what a killer killer pickup. I don't know what they sprinkle at the CS, but it's definitely got the mojo. I just finished installing it, played for a while, and I'm loving it. It replaced a regular production JB from 2025 on my Les Paul Tribute, and it sounds like an idealized JB in many ways. The higher end seems smoothed out a tad, and the attack is less ratty. The lower mids seem less stuffy, so the focus of the bottom-end feels different. It's bolder, and while there is definitely not more low-end, it feels thumpier, probably because of what's going on up top too. Don't get me wrong, though. It still sounds like a JB, aggressive upper mid emphasis, squishy feel, and all.

I did notice a few things, though. I'll try to post pics later, but first, the insulation on the wire seems like a different color. The production JB is kinda dirty copper-y, while the CS JB seems red-er. I haven't had a Black Winter in a while, but it reminds me of that. Maybe not as bright red, but more leaning towards that. I also noticed they used differenet screws for the adjustable poles. The production JB has little vertical triangular indents towards the bottom of the screws. The CS JB does not. The other stuff, I already knew about. This is supposed to be based on the Ant JB, so the bobbins are butyrate, and they seem a tad hazy compared to the very glossy black bobbins on the production JB. The magnet is roughcast, and although it is supposedly aged, I don't think the outuput dropped at all compared to the production JB on my DI's. The baseplate has no engraving, and it has long legs.

I just wanted to share because I feel so excited. I'm not getting rid of this pickup anytime. It's by far my favorite-sounding pickup ever.

 

[jeremy]

glad you got another one for yourself! sounds like its a keeper

 

[Rex_Rocker]

glad you got another one for yourself! sounds like its a keeper

Thank you! I'll definitely try to hold on to this one! The last one, I didn't really want to get rid of, but I traded the guitar I had it in, and I felt lazy and didn't want to swap it out for something else. I regret that.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Also, I know thte 490R isn't very well-regarded, but I kinda like it, especially matched with a JB. Both have got the kinda rolled off high-end, something going on in the high-mids, and neither have a super deep low-end. They kinda get along well.

 

[Mincer]

Is this one you had custom ordered, or did you buy it 2nd hand?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Is this one you had custom ordered, or did you buy it 2nd hand?

I did not custom order it, but I bought it new. It's a Long and McQuade limited edition pickup. It's the same one I got last time, but that one was in a trade. I still have the old box. I bought this one off the store.

Last time, I emailed the CS about it, and they told me it's an Antiquity JB, but without the aged looks.

TBH, if I ever custom ordered something, it wouldn't be far off from this. Sonically, I think this pickup is perfect for me. If anything, I'd like the "blackened" treatment for aesthetics, but I'm sure that would change the tone too, so I don't know.

 

[Sam SG]

Also, I know thte 490R isn't very well-regarded, but I kinda like it, especially matched with a JB. Both have got the kinda rolled off high-end, something going on in the high-mids, and neither have a super deep low-end. They kinda get along well.

I hear ya. Ive been torn for years on my 490r/t set. They lack in certain areas but accel in others. Id hate to loss what they do well to gain what they lack. So i continue to hem and haw

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I hear ya. Ive been torn for years on my 490r/t set. They lack in certain areas but accel in others. Id hate to loss what they do well to gain what they lack. So i continue to hem and haw

I don't have a lot of experience with the 490T, to be honest. My Les Paul Tribute came with one from the factory, but I swapped it out very quickly because I'm not into those kinds of bridge pickups for the most part. From what I remember, I prefer the 498T, which I actually do like quite a lot. That being said, I wouldn't mind trying one out at some point just to see. I do like Gibson pickups in general for the most part. I like the 500T, the 498T, the 490R, and the Burstbucker Pro.

 

[Mincer]

I did not custom order it, but I bought it new. It's a Long and McQuade limited edition pickup. It's the same one I got last time, but that one was in a trade. I still have the old box. I bought this one off the store.

Last time, I emailed the CS about it, and they told me it's an Antiquity JB, but without the aged looks.

TBH, if I ever custom ordered something, it wouldn't be far off from this. Sonically, I think this pickup is perfect for me. If anything, I'd like the "blackened" treatment for aesthetics, but I'm sure that would change the tone too, so I don't know.

Yeah, many retailers are ordering Custom Shop Limited Runs like that. I think it is actually cheaper than ordering directly from the Custom Shop.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yeah, many retailers are ordering Custom Shop Limited Runs like that. I think it is actually cheaper than ordering directly from the Custom Shop.

I'm not sure how much is ordering off the Custom Shop here in Canada, but I think this one was worth the money. I was really missing the old one that I had. I actually wasn't planning on buying it again since the production JB fits me quite well already, but I went to the store to get some strings and look at the pretty new guitars, and they had this lying around. I had to have it.

I don't think it it's twice as good as a regular JB, as the price would suggest, but this and the other one I had before are the best among the JB and JB-inspired pickups I've had.

They also have a matching neck pickup which they mention is a '59, but I'm not sure what the deal with that one is. I don't know if it has an aged magnet as well. I'm pretty happy with how it pairs with the 490R, honestly, so I don't think I'll get that one.

Seymour Duncan - Limited Edition Maricela ''MJ'' Juarez Bridge Pickup - Black

Seymour Duncan - Limited Edition Maricela ''MJ'' Juarez Bridge Pickup - Black

www.long-mcquade.com

 

[Sam SG]

I don't have a lot of experience with the 490T, to be honest. My Les Paul Tribute came with one from the factory, but I swapped it out very quickly because I'm not into those kinds of bridge pickups for the most part. From what I remember, I prefer the 498T, which I actually do like quite a lot. That being said, I wouldn't mind trying one out at some point just to see. I do like Gibson pickups in general for the most part. I like the 500T, the 498T, the 490R, and the Burstbucker Pro.

I spent allot of time on heights and exactly how much tilt.
Its a lower output pickup but when right leads seem to flow very well for me in my SG. I have 2 axes with these. A 2017 Faded SG that is really warm and resonant and the 490t works well.
I also have a 2022 Tribute SG and that guitar is more trebly and less warm that one could use a hotter bridge pup. May try WLH set in that one but the 490r sounds great.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I spent allot of time on heights and exactly how much tilt.
Its a lower output pickup but when right leads seem to flow very well for me in my SG. I have 2 axes with these. A 2017 Faded SG that is really warm and resonant and the 490t works well.
I also have a 2022 Tribute SG and that guitar is more trebly and less warm that one could use a hotter bridge pup. May try WLH set in that one but the 490r sounds great.

I suppose you wanna stay in the PAF realm? Because if not, I think the 498T might work in there too!

 

[Sam SG]

I suppose you wanna stay in the PAF realm? Because if not, I think the 498T might work in there too!

Yea i like the openness of the paf ish pickups....even if the 490s arent true pafs.
I have a few guitars with hot bridges so dont need that.
For me i have toyed with buying pups but in the end by the time i rip off the bridge and batwing guard and resetup and tweak is it really gonna be a big enough inprovement to warrent that. Sure i can see less compression and slight bit more openess( mainly the 490r) out of a $300set of boutiquey pafs...but the amount of work its close enough and on the bridge i actually like the 490t's compression.