Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

[sosomething]

Solve this riddle, gents.

SG Standard.

Stock pickups are 490R and 498T.

Neck pickup is fine. Ignore.

Bridge pickup (498T - 13.14kΩ) is too hot, upper mids too brittle, no ass to it.

Coil tapping not a concern.

Natural tone of the guitar is clear and balanced; very even. Not overly bright or dark compared to other all-mahogany 24.75" scale set-necks. Noticeably present pick attack.

Goal for the bridge pickup: Stay within comparable output range of the neck pickup (490R, about 8.0 kΩ) for balance. Perhaps a little hotter. Figure your range here is between 9.0 - 12.0 kΩ. Less high-midrange focus to EQ, more low-mids and bass. Clarity. Versatility. Must clean up nice with volume knob.

shoot.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

I have a CC in my '61 SG/LP reissue, but that's probably too hot for your purposes. Try a Seth Lover. They sound awesome.

Good luck

 

[JeffB]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

500k pot if it does not have one. 500k opens a 498 up big time.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

500k pot if it does not have one. 500k opens a 498 up big time.

A 500k pot would make a too hot, too bright, brittle-sounding pickup less so?

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

The higher the pot value, the less is bled off, so a 1Meg pot will be like having the pickup wired straight to the jack. A 500K pot would reduce its tonal qualities by half. A 250K pot would reduce it by 3/4.

Most people who use a 250K pot with a JB do so to tame the harshness.

However, I'd look into either a 496R or a Custom model, or even a 59. If you find the 59 too weak, put a ceramic in it.
Or make a 59/x hybrid.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

Won't make it less bright, but I hear more cut off than just highs with 250-300K pots, maybe it's enough to make you like it, I kinda doubt it.

I think you want a Brobucker.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

Try a Seth Lover. They sound awesome.

+1. Or if you want a potted PU, an A2Pb.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

P-Rails in a Triple Shot mounting surround.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

Won't make it less bright, but I hear more cut off than just highs with 250-300K pots, maybe it's enough to make you like it, I kinda doubt it.

I think you want a Brobucker.

+1. Or if you want a potted PU, an A2Pb.

It'll have to be potted - high gain in a band situation, so we can't have microphonics happening everywhere.

These are both very solid suggestions, thanks!

P-Rails in a Triple Shot mounting surround.

It's an SG Standard. I'm not real keen on gluing triple shots onto a pickguard. A P-Rail is great product, but I'm thinking a nice mid-output traditional humbucker is the way to go here.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

Sorry, but I think you'd have to go to Dimarzio for those specs. Either a PAF 36th anniversary or Tone Zone. The Tone Zone may have a lot of output, but it could easily balance with the neck pickup. You just would have to have the pickup lower than most pickups in the bridge of a SG (which in my opinion would be better; as I think stock the bridge pickup is always too high on a SG, and I get more sustain when lowered and softer high end).

Or as an alternative you can try the 59/Custom hybrid or the Whole Lotta Humbucker, but I think they wouldn't be as close to what you want as the Dimarzios (though you know your guitar more than any of us).

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

490t. the 490 pair is gibson's best sounding humbucker set imo, and they sound their best in an sg.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

You don't need a new pickup. Put either an A2 or A8 mag in it to fatten it up

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

490t. the 490 pair is gibson's best sounding humbucker set imo, and they sound their best in an sg.

It seems Gibson always puts the 'wrong' pickups in their guitars. They have so many pickups that sound much better in an SG but they put ones that usually don't suit it very well.

 

[MojoMonster]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

Leather strap...
Oh, wrong forum.

Just for sh*ts and giggles, tho, Antiquities or +1 on the Seth Lover.

 

[Kam]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

Custom 5 works great in an SG.

If you're into it the mag-swapping thing, the Custom 8 is godly in those guitars. You and I (from what I've heard, anyway) have pretty similar tonal tastes, and the C8 was the best thing I ever did for my old SG. Thick, chunky, plenty of balls, plenty of clarity, plenty of tasty low-mids. I had it paired up with a '59 in the neck and there was nothing that guitar couldn't do. I know you're not interested, but it splits really well, too. I haven't split it in an SG, but the one in my Pacifica can get really Stratty.

The '59/Custom Hybrid could be a good choice too, if you think the Custom family will be too hot. Come to think of it, the regular old '59 in the bridge was really excellent in my SG too, though it sounds like it might be a bit bright for you.

Disclaimer: I've never played a 498T, so I can't compare. Those are just my experiences.

 

[Kam]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

It's an SG Standard. I'm not real keen on gluing triple shots onto a pickguard. A P-Rail is great product, but I'm thinking a nice mid-output traditional humbucker is the way to go here.

You wouldn't have to glue it. The pickup mounting screws would hold it just fine.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

I'd probably go with a '59/Custom hybrid, but that's me. Or I was actually thinking of Kam's suggestion of the A8. While I realize that not everybody is up for taking things apart I'm that crazy SOB that'll do it. From all the 498Ts I've played I think the A8 might have the tonal shift you desire.

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

I have a CC in my '61 SG/LP reissue, but that's probably too hot for your purposes. Try a Seth Lover. They sound awesome.

Good luck

I think it would be just about right, CC is the one

-----
Not sent from a PC......or a red delicious.....but from a robot with a human appearance.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

A 500k pot would make a too hot, too bright, brittle-sounding pickup less so?

It wont do anything for the output but it demphasizes the extreme high mids. The stock 300k pots make them sound constipated.

But, assuming you want to stick with 300k, and you just hate the pup, the Custom5 and 59b are the only two Duncans that IME benefit from the stock pots. I really enjoyed the c5 in my Vs with 300k pots. The constipation effect works well to tame the extreme highs and lows and effectively makes them sound fuller in the mids. Same same with a 59b in a couple paulas and a explorer.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Replace the 498T in an SG standard with...?

You can get a Brobucker potted when you order it, mine was.