Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

[blueman335]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

And you tell me this NOW?

I could've offered you at least two sets a month of those since september 1999.

That's a lot of p'ups... do you have so many guitars? I'd be very happy to supply for you... but not as much as my customers!

:lmao:

 

[peterr89]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

I like the 498t in an
http://www.centplay.com/affiliate/id_139/

 

[blueman335]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

I like the 498t in an SG

By itself, it's okay. Problems manifest themselves when it's paired with a 490R. Then you have a bright, thin bridge and a warm, dark neck, and it's difficult to get an amp EQ setting that'll work well for both PU's. You usually have to dial in the amp for one PU and then use that one all night. If you set the amp for the bridge, the neck is mud; dial it in for the neck, and the bridge is sharp enough to cut glass. This is frustrating to a number of players. High-end American-made guitars should not have such a high rate of PU replacement. There's really no excuse. If you spend a grand or two (or three) for a guitar you shouldn't be thinking 'Those PU's gotta go.' Gibson should have been in tune to this years ago and corrected it.

It's hard to believe that the company that invented HB's and P-90's has been overtaken by so many aftermarket PU makers, in variety, innovation, and tone quality.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

the company that invented HB's and P-90's has been overtaken by so many aftermarket PU makers, in variety, innovation, and tone quality.

The company known as Gibson today has nothing to do with the company that got Seth Lover on board to design what we all know as "Patent Applied For".

Since then, it's been acquired at least three times. Also, they always thought of p'ups as a "necessary evil" to be able to sell their instruments. It's been always a Gibson "tradition" to ask somebody to design a p'up and then cheap'em out getting subpar materials to save a buck.

Specs? We're Gibson. We don't need no stinking specs! :banghead:

 

[formula73]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

By itself, it's okay. Problems manifest themselves when it's paired with a 490R. Then you have a bright, thin bridge and a warm, dark neck, and it's difficult to get an amp EQ setting that'll work well for both PU's. You usually have to dial in the amp for one PU and then use that one all night. If you set the amp for the bridge, the neck is mud; dial it in for the neck, and the bridge is sharp enough to cut glass. This is frustrating to a number of players. High-end American-made guitars should not have such a high rate of PU replacement. There's really no excuse. If you spend a grand or two (or three) for a guitar you shouldn't be thinking 'Those PU's gotta go.' Gibson should have been in tune to this years ago and corrected it.

It's hard to believe that the company that invented HB's and P-90's has been overtaken by so many aftermarket PU makers, in variety, innovation, and tone quality.

Keep in mind, all this comes from people who absolutely refuse to use their guitar's tone controls under any circumstances.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

Keep in mind, all this comes from people who absolutely refuse to use their guitar's tone controls under any circumstances.

Not quite, but I think guitars should be EQ'd so both PU's sound their best with the tone pots on '10'. Turning down tone pots doesn't give the same sound as using a 250K or two. Even with 250K's, 498T's are still kind of thin. I just think they sound better with warmer magnets, especially if they're paired with a warm neck PU.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

This was not intended to be a thread full of snarky opinions on Gibson pickups. The OP obviously knows what he wants. What good does it do to tell him that what he wants is **** (in your opinion)?

 

[mremic01]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

Not quite, but I think guitars should be EQ'd so both PU's sound their best with the tone pots on '10'. Turning down tone pots doesn't give the same sound as using a 250K or two. Even with 250K's, 498T's are still kind of thin. I just think they sound better with warmer magnets, especially if they're paired with a warm neck PU.

I think it's interesting that so many people describe them as thin. I have more experience with them in SGs, but to me they sound more full, but looser with some potential for mud if you're not careful. I would certainly say that everything in the Custom line sounded more detailed when I compared my tweaker SG with my stock one, but I kept finding that the 498T just sounded the biggest, even compared side by side with a ceramic Custom. Of course, the Custom in my LP sounded even bigger than the 498T in my SG, but a LP is always going to have that ballsier quality.

For the OP, I've heard mixed things about Wilkinsons, so I'd avoid them unless you're willing to take the risk. GFS tend to have a good reputation for decent sounding aftermarket pickups that are dirt cheap so those are worth a look. If you're willing to look for used pickups (or pay full price for new Duncans), a Custom or Custom 5 would work great for what the 498T does in the bridge, and a 59 would be a better match in the neck than a stock 490R. There are many more options, but as far as doing the 490R/498T thing (and doing it better), that's a good place to start.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

The OP obviously knows what he wants.

Well, considering his second question was asking about EPIPHONE p'ups, I think I have plenty of grounds to beg to differ, don't you think? :scratchch

 

[blueman335]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

Well, considering his second question was asking about EPIPHONE p'ups, I think I have plenty of grounds to beg to differ, don't you think? :scratchch

You can't get anything by Kojak! :cool2:

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

Well, considering his second question was asking about EPIPHONE p'ups, I think I have plenty of grounds to beg to differ, don't you think? :scratchch

You can't get anything by Kojak! :cool2:

The OP's second post doesn't change anything. He knows that 490/498 is the "reference" tone, with or without that post. He was just curious whether Wilkinson or Epi pickups would be a good way to get it.

How does, "Is there a budget way to get the 490/498 sound" reasonably turn into multiple posts on how crappy the 490/498 are, and what magnets, pots, etc. they need to sound good (in you all's opinion)? Just give it a rest already. If someone wants to do something that you wouldn't do yourself, you don't need to repeatedly, sarcastically, and arrogantly attempt to make them feel like an idiot for it.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

If someone wants to do something that you wouldn't do yourself, you don't need to repeatedly, sarcastically, and arrogantly attempt to make them feel like an idiot for it.

Sorry you feel like this. I just was being thorough...

 

[formula73]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

Sorry you feel like this. I just was being thorough...

You were being condescending. Back off the "I know everything" wagon and accept that it's not always "my way or the highway." Jesus.

Thorough?

WHY are you looking for those p'ups? Stock, they're the worst-sounding Gibson p'ups known to mankind, and I'm being gentle in my description.

Pfffpffpppffffft. That's me scoffing.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

WHY are you looking for those p'ups? Stock, they're the worst-sounding Gibson p'ups known to mankind, and I'm being gentle in my description.

Allright, so Kojak exaggerated a little, what are we gonna do, shoot him? :eyecrazy:

 

[formula73]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

Allright, so Kojak exaggerated a little, what are we gonna do, shoot him? :eyecrazy:

Nope, just a we wittul cup check.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

what are we gonna do, shoot him? :eyecrazy:

You can try by sending my way one of your extremely venomous, eight-legged friends...

Wait a second... I thought WE were friends, Rick? :scratchch

 

[andregarcia57]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

I'm happy for a lot of knowledge, rssss
more the focus of my topic is still in question.

I think the 498T are bad or not only my ears can tell, because it's me who's playing,
I apologize

would like to know more about my question.

anyone have a good tip similar pickups 498T and 490R?

thanks!!!

 

[andregarcia57]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

seymour duncan sh-14 works well for 498T bridge style?

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

I think a lot of the dislike for the 498t/490r pickup set comes from the fact the they are so NOT RIGHT together. They are two extremes that do not compliment each other. Set your amp up for the Neck, and the bridge is too harsh and bright. Set it up for the bridge, and the neck is muddy.

Here are the pickups I've tried (keep in mind I'm talking about trying them in an SG, since that is the set you are talking about. I do not like this set at all in my Les Paul)

Bridge: 498t, Duncan 59b, Demon, JB, Custom, Customcustom, C5, UOA% custom, C8, Dimarzio SuperD, Timmons, 36th, Paf Pro, Tone zone.

Neck: 490r, 490r with A5, Duncan Seth, Demon, 59n, PG, Jazz, Dimarzio Paf pro, 36th, paf

What I settled on: 498t in the bridge, Duncan 59 neck

I want Clapton to AC/DC in my SG, and this is the best combination I've found for me.

Running it through Marshall 100, 50, and 60 watt tube amps, and Fender and Vox tube combos. Some people on the forum seem to think that other's opinions differ from their's because they are uninformed or inexperienced, not because tastes differ from person to person. If only one opinion was "right" folks, we would only have one ice cream flavor.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Wilkinson similar 498T and 490R

Pfffpffpppffffft. That's me scoffing.

Ok. Take two aspirins and call me in the morning.