What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
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Funkfingers
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Re: What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
498T/490R is standard offering. If you can, take DC resistance meter readings. Post the figures here.
498T/490R is standard offering. If you can, take DC resistance meter readings. Post the figures here.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
498T/490R means a bright, thin bridge and a warm, dark neck; two of the most mismatched PU's you can find in a guitar, and the source of much frustration to players, who are challenged to find an amp EQ that can work for both PU's. If this is what you have, you can easily modify their EQ (as I've done) by putting a warmer magnet in the 498T (A8 or UOA5) and a brighter magnet in the neck (A5, A4, or A3). Then they match up nicely and sound much better.
498T/490R means a bright, thin bridge and a warm, dark neck; two of the most mismatched PU's you can find in a guitar, and the source of much frustration to players, who are challenged to find an amp EQ that can work for both PU's. If this is what you have, you can easily modify their EQ (as I've done) by putting a warmer magnet in the 498T (A8 or UOA5) and a brighter magnet in the neck (A5, A4, or A3). Then they match up nicely and sound much better.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
Answer: Whatever pups you like besides the ones that are in there.
For the record: I think the 490/498 is an ok set. Absolutely nothing wrong with either. As said though, not the best pairing in the world, and there are way better pups for whatever you specifically want to do. Still, overall, there isn't nything you can't play with that set. Just take a lot of knob turning, peddles, eq, blah blah blah. And they won't play well for switching on the fly or together. It's the generic pup set that just doesn't sound great for anything. The 500T - love it or hate it - it at least can ROCK if that's what you want...
I have to defer to my mag swapping brethren on the mag changes. On the cheap, posts suggest that the swap will do a lot. In the long run, I'd be changing pickups though.
May I suggest for a pup change:
A PG set - Have Mercy; Texas PAF AWESOME! Rev Billy G approved.
A PG neck and 59 Bridge; Ultimate LP PAF neck pup plus a classic bridge PAF. Just PAF awesomeness in an LP.
An A2P set - Get your SLASH on. And a lot of other cool fat LP sounds.
A PG and a Custom - Ultimate LP neck with a smokin bad@$$ mega- bridge for PAF on Steroids ROCK!
A 59 and a Distortion - A Metal classic. Old school PAF cleans in the neck, and screaming bridge with more crunch than a bag of Fritos!
A 59 and a Custom - PAF neck, and SUper PAF neck.
An A2P neck and PG bridge - Ultra Fat neck, Ultra bright bridge, A2 mag smoothness on all the highs, and a fantastic balance on "both" on. Wide range!
A PG neck and an A2P neck - Bright neck, Fat bridge. Opposite of the above pair. Closest range LP. Great for keeping consistent from neck to bridge. Narrowe range but still A2 sweetness on top!
Jazz set - highly underated pair great for all sorts of things. More modern sounding set. Clear, tight, and awesome.
There are really too many Duncan choices to have enough LP's for all the awesome.
Answer: Whatever pups you like besides the ones that are in there.
For the record: I think the 490/498 is an ok set. Absolutely nothing wrong with either. As said though, not the best pairing in the world, and there are way better pups for whatever you specifically want to do. Still, overall, there isn't nything you can't play with that set. Just take a lot of knob turning, peddles, eq, blah blah blah. And they won't play well for switching on the fly or together. It's the generic pup set that just doesn't sound great for anything. The 500T - love it or hate it - it at least can ROCK if that's what you want...
I have to defer to my mag swapping brethren on the mag changes. On the cheap, posts suggest that the swap will do a lot. In the long run, I'd be changing pickups though.
May I suggest for a pup change:
A PG set - Have Mercy; Texas PAF AWESOME! Rev Billy G approved.
A PG neck and 59 Bridge; Ultimate LP PAF neck pup plus a classic bridge PAF. Just PAF awesomeness in an LP.
An A2P set - Get your SLASH on. And a lot of other cool fat LP sounds.
A PG and a Custom - Ultimate LP neck with a smokin bad@$$ mega- bridge for PAF on Steroids ROCK!
A 59 and a Distortion - A Metal classic. Old school PAF cleans in the neck, and screaming bridge with more crunch than a bag of Fritos!
A 59 and a Custom - PAF neck, and SUper PAF neck.
An A2P neck and PG bridge - Ultra Fat neck, Ultra bright bridge, A2 mag smoothness on all the highs, and a fantastic balance on "both" on. Wide range!
A PG neck and an A2P neck - Bright neck, Fat bridge. Opposite of the above pair. Closest range LP. Great for keeping consistent from neck to bridge. Narrowe range but still A2 sweetness on top!
Jazz set - highly underated pair great for all sorts of things. More modern sounding set. Clear, tight, and awesome.
There are really too many Duncan choices to have enough LP's for all the awesome.
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Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
Well Doc, I go through phases. I went through pawn shop guitar pup swap madness in the early 90's. Then i finally settled on the few I loved. Mostly Les Pauls, ceramic bridge stuff, and PAF necks - mostly the PG. But I had all sorts of Duncan stuff (and many DiMarzio's) back in the day. I read a lot, tried a lot. Then I found this place. I originally once upon a time had a discussion with MJ about the PG/CC combo (didn't know it at the time!)
I go through phases of pickup lounge posts as well. I appear to be on an upswing. ANyway, I have had all of those combos listed above in a Les Paul at some time or another. Never had the JAzz set - but I defer to Jolly on that one. And I do dig the Jazz. Put a neck in the bridge once just for kicks.
Anyway - thanks Doc. Especially for turning me to the Dark side with a magnet! I'm never gonna be MAg swap crazy like some guys. I can hit the target out of the gate with right pup. But....I may never take that JB8 out of my Silverburst Caddy.
And I am currently writing at least three books! Might have done quite a bit of writing being a professional educator, presenter, and getting a PhD etc....
So few people say things with Pizzaz (<= flagrantly stolen from Steve Martin)
Well Doc, I go through phases. I went through pawn shop guitar pup swap madness in the early 90's. Then i finally settled on the few I loved. Mostly Les Pauls, ceramic bridge stuff, and PAF necks - mostly the PG. But I had all sorts of Duncan stuff (and many DiMarzio's) back in the day. I read a lot, tried a lot. Then I found this place. I originally once upon a time had a discussion with MJ about the PG/CC combo (didn't know it at the time!)
I go through phases of pickup lounge posts as well. I appear to be on an upswing. ANyway, I have had all of those combos listed above in a Les Paul at some time or another. Never had the JAzz set - but I defer to Jolly on that one. And I do dig the Jazz. Put a neck in the bridge once just for kicks.
Anyway - thanks Doc. Especially for turning me to the Dark side with a magnet! I'm never gonna be MAg swap crazy like some guys. I can hit the target out of the gate with right pup. But....I may never take that JB8 out of my Silverburst Caddy.
And I am currently writing at least three books! Might have done quite a bit of writing being a professional educator, presenter, and getting a PhD etc....
So few people say things with Pizzaz (<= flagrantly stolen from Steve Martin)
Re: What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
One more question.
If I were to keep the bridge pickup there, what would be a good replacement neck pickup to match? To be balanced, I'd want something brighter, probably with an A5 magnet. So I'm guessing the
'59 neck would be the best pick?
One more question.
If I were to keep the bridge pickup there, what would be a good replacement neck pickup to match? To be balanced, I'd want something brighter, probably with an A5 magnet. So I'm guessing the
'59 neck would be the best pick?
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
You can get a bright neck PU by simply putting an A5 in your 490R. I've done it to mine and it's a much better PU. Like a '59N but not as bassy.
You can get a bright neck PU by simply putting an A5 in your 490R. I've done it to mine and it's a much better PU. Like a '59N but not as bassy.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
Why not try an A8 in your 498T?
Why not try an A8 in your 498T?
CloneRanger
New member
Re: What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
If those readings are correct, they will both be interesting, unorthodox neck pups; especially with weakish A2 mags... :naughty:
If those readings are correct, they will both be interesting, unorthodox neck pups; especially with weakish A2 mags... :naughty:
Re: What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
BOB,
Thanks for sharing that about yourself. Helps me to better understand where you're coming from.
You're certainly welcome for the mag, but it sounds like I've failed if I haven't gotten you totally addicted (we "pushers" have our goals, you know).
Good luck on those books. Hope you get them published.
SPUDS,
I always like to do things the cheapest, easiest way first. Changing the mags in both of those pups that you already have is certainly the cheapewst thing to try before replacing them and may just get you the tone you're after. If not, go ahead and replace one or both of them and you really haven't lost anything (a couple bucks and a few minutes of your time), but you've gained some precious knowledge of what some mag changes can do to your tone.
BOB,
Thanks for sharing that about yourself. Helps me to better understand where you're coming from.
You're certainly welcome for the mag, but it sounds like I've failed if I haven't gotten you totally addicted (we "pushers" have our goals, you know).
Good luck on those books. Hope you get them published.
SPUDS,
I always like to do things the cheapest, easiest way first. Changing the mags in both of those pups that you already have is certainly the cheapewst thing to try before replacing them and may just get you the tone you're after. If not, go ahead and replace one or both of them and you really haven't lost anything (a couple bucks and a few minutes of your time), but you've gained some precious knowledge of what some mag changes can do to your tone.
tubecrunch
New member
Re: What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
Check the pots. Mine came with 300k. 500k will help that 498r. If u don't try a mag swap at the bridge, the next logical step is dynamite. I'm still scarred by that pickup.
Check the pots. Mine came with 300k. 500k will help that 498r. If u don't try a mag swap at the bridge, the next logical step is dynamite. I'm still scarred by that pickup.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: What stock pickups would be in a '92 Gibson Les Paul Standard?
+1. You nailed it Doc. I've learned a lot on this forum over the years, but this is the single best advice I've ever gotten. Start off with easy and cheap solutions and work your way up. Many times you'll get what you want for a few dollars, or even for free. Another way I've seen it worded is: 'Work with what you have.' Too many guys get caught up and start throwing money at a problem...and often just create new problems. Think about what you want to accomplish and take it in stages. Slow down and be analytical. If a part, or all of a PU's sound isn't to your liking, DO NOT automatically rush out and buy another PU (which is often no better of a choice). Figure out exactly what it is that you don't like, and what you want instead. Adjust your PU and pole piece heights first; it's amazing how many times that solves the problem. Then look at magnets and pots. Every HB and P-90 has a dozen or more personalities; you've seen one with the stock magnet. Until you try another magnet or two, you have no idea of what else that PU has to offer. Here's an example: Like many guys I bought several JB's since they've been so heavily promoted (not a good reason to buy a PU as I've since learned), and quickly soured on them and sold them. Just didn't work in mahogany for what I want to do. After-the-fact I saw threads about putting in an A2. I happened to find a lone JB (one I missed when selling them off), put an A2 in it, and it's a completely different PU. Great in mahogany: warm and full, no ice pick. Fixes everything I didn't like about stock JB's. I'm very glad I didn't give up on JB's. What I learned was that I don't like JB's with A5's; every other magnet in them is on the table for discussion.
+1. You nailed it Doc. I've learned a lot on this forum over the years, but this is the single best advice I've ever gotten. Start off with easy and cheap solutions and work your way up. Many times you'll get what you want for a few dollars, or even for free. Another way I've seen it worded is: 'Work with what you have.' Too many guys get caught up and start throwing money at a problem...and often just create new problems. Think about what you want to accomplish and take it in stages. Slow down and be analytical. If a part, or all of a PU's sound isn't to your liking, DO NOT automatically rush out and buy another PU (which is often no better of a choice). Figure out exactly what it is that you don't like, and what you want instead. Adjust your PU and pole piece heights first; it's amazing how many times that solves the problem. Then look at magnets and pots. Every HB and P-90 has a dozen or more personalities; you've seen one with the stock magnet. Until you try another magnet or two, you have no idea of what else that PU has to offer. Here's an example: Like many guys I bought several JB's since they've been so heavily promoted (not a good reason to buy a PU as I've since learned), and quickly soured on them and sold them. Just didn't work in mahogany for what I want to do. After-the-fact I saw threads about putting in an A2. I happened to find a lone JB (one I missed when selling them off), put an A2 in it, and it's a completely different PU. Great in mahogany: warm and full, no ice pick. Fixes everything I didn't like about stock JB's. I'm very glad I didn't give up on JB's. What I learned was that I don't like JB's with A5's; every other magnet in them is on the table for discussion.
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