JB vs 498T

SFW

SFW

New member
How simular are these pickups? From Gibsons description, I would guess very simular. I'm thinking about picking up a 498T for my Les Paul, but if it sounds like the JB, I already have that covered. I played a standard with the 498T in it a few years ago (2007?) and seem to remember liking the way the pickup sounded. Any help would be great. I play hard rock if that matters.
 
Re: JB vs 498T

IMO the 498t has a bit better clarity but sounds a bit brighter and tinny. The JB has thicker mids and cuts better in the mix. I swapped out my 498t in my Studio for a JB
 
Re: JB vs 498T

To me, the 498T is like a ruder and grainier Custom 5, which is why the C5/59 set is popular for LP's.....because it's clearer and more refined.

The JB will be smoother, more midrangey, and have more buttery highs for solos. The 498T will have tighter lows, less mids, and crunchier high end.
 
Re: JB vs 498T

Gearjoneser said:
To me, the 498T is like a ruder and grainier Custom 5, which is why the C5/59 set is popular for LP's.....because it's clearer and more refined.

The JB will be smoother, more midrangey, and have more buttery highs for solos. The 498T will have tighter lows, less mids, and crunchier high end.
Click to expand...

So the 498t is like the duncan distortion,if I read your description well. I think that its an adequate comparison by the way.
 
Re: JB vs 498T

No, the Duncan Distortion is hotter and more percussive than the 498T and has thicker mids as well.
 
Re: JB vs 498T

Gearjoneser said:
To me, the 498T is like a ruder and grainier Custom 5, which is why the C5/59 set is popular for LP's.....because it's clearer and more refined.

The JB will be smoother, more midrangey, and have more buttery highs for solos. The 498T will have tighter lows, less mids, and crunchier high end.
Click to expand...

+1. Good descriptions. For my use, the C5 is usable as is, little bright but nice crunch. The JB needs an A2 to warm it, as it's brightness is sometimes in the form of an unpleasant spike (in some woods).
 
Re: JB vs 498T

Well, my experience with both is such.

When playing chords, the JB made me feel like I wanted to play my high strings a lot. It seemed to resonate nicely on the high E and B strings. It's great for soloing too, as it's very articulate (just don't mess up). Has a better clean tone.

The 498T did not have the same feel. It seemed to have a smoother midrange, but it's still bright overall. It'll definately cut. Definately has some crunch to it. The cleans weren't as warm as I'd have liked them to be. It's definately made to rock.

That's what I can tell you.
 
Re: JB vs 498T

To my ears, the 498t is a bit muddier than the JB, and has thicker mids. Nicer lows than the JB, but my ideal pickup is in between the two.
 
Re: JB vs 498T

Gearjoneser said:
To me, the 498T is like a ruder and grainier Custom 5, which is why the C5/59 set is popular for LP's.....because it's clearer and more refined.

The JB will be smoother, more midrangey, and have more buttery highs for solos. The 498T will have tighter lows, less mids, and crunchier high end.
Click to expand...

This here. The 498t has much more in common with the Custom5 than the jb. My first pickup replacement was a 498t with a Custom5 and I liked the Custom5 much better. Clearer and cleaner, yes, but also a tighter and more percussive low-end and chiming highs.
 
Re: JB vs 498T

it seems the 498T has a fat sound and i think that for shred it is not the best

but there is not a lot of choice with gibson pups

500t
dirty fingers : maybe a good mix between modern and rock
 
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Re: JB vs 498T

C5 and 498T are very close on paper, 43ga wire A5 symmetric coils, nearly the same DCR. In practice, the C5 is a bit hotter and more clear, the 498T is a tad darker and a tad less hot.
 
Re: JB vs 498T

Remember that if you have tried the 498T in a Gibson production guitar, chances are that it has 300k volume pots in it. Are they that dark with 500k pots?. I have one in an SG Std., and have yet to upgrade to 500k volume pots, which most guys say brings out a better sound in both the 490 neck and 498 bridge sounds.

Al
 
Re: JB vs 498T

For singing leads: JB

For nasty, gutsy, gritty rhythm: 498T

Split the difference, assuming your guitar has strong mids: C5

Used to hate the C5, until I put it in an SG. Now I recognize it for the great all-rounder it can be.
 
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