Gibson 490T

gibson les paul studio

mid output. what i didnt like was the slight mushy sound from both the brdige and the neck versions. for a clearer sound try duncans. the pickup doesnt sound bad, but its like... why? the duncans are cheaper and are more defined. however if you like a bit of mushy sound for southern rock or whatever... this is your best bet.

its a good pickup. but there is better. like a jazz/jb or a 59/jb from duncan.

This pup came standard on my Gibson SG Special Faded. It's the bridge pup. I also review the 490r, the neck pup.

It's output level is that of a basic PAF type pickup, not hot like some other popular pups. Therefore it produces good cleans as well as dirty sounds. I have to say that I love this pup! I've had it for about 4 months and played around 15 live gigs with it and it gives me many great tones. It has lots of highs so using the tone control is necessary IMO, but I count this as an advantage, not a problem. With the tone rolled down (to maybe 7 or 8 give or take), it can have lots of bite and clarity without being too bright. Cleans are wonderful, distortion has that bite that I love. Very good pup IMO!
I've had a Duncan Seth Lover, Dimarzio Virtual PAF, Dimarzio Air Classic, and Gibson Burstbucker Pro, so I've had the opportunity to hear good pups before... these compare favorably, and to my ears are the best of the bunch believe it or not!

Humbucking configuration. Impedance probably about 7.80. I have the chrome cover.

This is on my Gibson SG Special Faded. I bought the guitar used and it had other pickups on it but I wasn't totally happy. First I replaced the neck with a 490 and now I replaced the bridge with the 490T. So it's OEM now except for the chrome covers which I think gives it a traditional and more upscale look.

This is a perfectly reasonable and workable sound for a bridge humbucking pickup. Bright but not too bright with strong mids and, to my ears, a smooth and non-muddy bottom. Not so strong that it overdrives the amp right away. Some people knock it but I'm happy. Sounds like a Gibson. A nice match for the 490 neck position.

This is what I like so I'm staying put. Pricey compared to some replacements but it's what you need for the proto-typical humbucking Gibson sound. Cuts through nicley.

Passive humbucker

Impedance: 8K

I installed this 490T (and a 490R/7K7) in a black chinese Epiphone SG-400, replacing the stock Epiphone neck pickup and a Gibson 500T. The Epi pickups are crap, so I had it just to fill the hole. I have changed the stock bridge for a 500T but that pup is metalhead for me. I was looking for the classic SG sound, but hotter and more versatile than the 57 Classic.

Good output level. As somebody said before, the neck 490T must be set really high to shine. If you have the 490R on the neck, set this one low enough to balance with the bridge 490T.

I??m using it with a 70??s Palmer 40RMS tube combo. I have another SG with P-90s (Gib/neck and a Duncan Custon neck on the bridge). The 490T (and R) tone isn??t so sweet as the soapbars when I play clean, but on overdrive and distortion the tone is definitelly superior, especially in definition. Its middy as the soapbars.

I play alternative, old school punk rock and punked blues, and for these styles the 490T (and R) in the Epi are perfect. I can also do some metal confortably, especially Sabbath and 70??s stuff in general, also Cream, Yardbirds and 60??s garage. In the first rehearsal with the 490 pickups I perceived immediately the cleaness and definition of sound (more than the P-90s and nothing like the 500T muddiness. I heard every mistake I made (must take care now!).

An importante note: uncovered they tended to sound a bit quacky and metallic (something from a Fender Strat came on). To solve this I took the Epi pickups covers and set them (grounded) on the 490 Gibs. What a difference! I didn??t lost a bit of definition and output. The quak problem is solved, and the tones are great even clean.

If they where stollen I would look for another pair immediatelly.

I??ve been playing since 1984. I have many effects and made myself many of them. I just don??t like digital effects and solid state amps.

I love these 490 pups. Would like to taste a 57, but need another SG to try them out, this one already has a heart.

Pickup features: passive chrome covered humbucker
Impedence or other specs: around 8.3 or so (?)

Model of guitar or bass: Cort 1400
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock Mighty Mite
Other pickups on guitar: stock Mighty Mite
Artists using this pickup: ME. Many of the rock stars here on HC turn their nose up at this pickup
You musical style(s): rock-n-roll/punk/blues
Reason for pickup change: Stock Mighty Mite is quite fine in the neck position, but the one in the bridge was thin and weak.

Perceived output level: Hotter than the M M despite reading similar resistance( 8. vs. roughly 8.3) or so, but this is not meant to be a really "hot" pickup.
Tone: Mo' bass and mids than the stocky MM, with a slightly attenuated high end, a little bit o' "ooomph"
Sonic evaluation: The Cort is a small bodied hollow guitar (no center block) and a stop tailpiece. The idea was to come close to Malcolm Young's rhythm guitar sound (on a fish fry budget). Must say, I more or less nailed it. Using a variety of amps - both transistor(gasp)- Crate, Markley, Roland, tube- Traynor, Peavey, Silvertone and "modelers"- Zoom GM 200, Yamaha DG Stomp (funny how all this crap collects...) I find myself using the Crate Powerblock most often. I should note that this pickup splits nicely yielding a useable tone (I usually don't even bother hooking the taps up, it's usually not worth the trouble.) The guitar, despite the name on the headstock, is well designed and reasonably well made, that makes all the difference. On another similarly priced(cheap)guitar(DeArmond), I was not so successful with this pickup - the difference is the distance between the bridge and the pickup, the DeArmond is much closer resulting in a strident tone.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: OLD SCHOOL ROCK-N-ROLLThis isn't a "metal" pickup, but it'll do most things just fine.

Comments: This pickup is much maligned, for no good reason except that it was Gibson's "standard" stock pickup for a number of years. It's a basic, ballsy, no frills, rock and blues pick-up. I like it. This is the bridge pickup for *this* guitar. It's far, far, better than expected. Looks right too. I have a box full of pickups, if this shorts out or another unlikely event occurs, I'll try one of them. I got this pick-up many years ago "by accident" in exchange after I bought one of the defective Iommi's. I would not buy it again because Gibson charges waaaay too much for anything with their name on it. Good solid sound, high price, overall an '8.'(meaning you could do lots worse...)

Pickup features: passive humbucker, gold plated.
Impedence or other specs: check with gibson

Model of guitar or bass: epiphone g-400 les paul custom (sg body)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: epiphone stock usa classic
Other pickups on guitar: 2 usa classics (gold cover)
Artists using this pickup: me
You musical style(s): pop/punk/rock/funk
Reason for pickup change: need something hotter, or so i thought.

Perceived output level: not so hot clean, distortion really sings. pronounced difference.
Tone: distortion quality is nice, but that's it. clean is thin like a burstbucker, no mid.
Sonic evaluation: epiphone sg -> orange twin channel head -> mesa 2x12 custom with eminence swamp thang/cannabis rex.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: good for any music style where no clean is required.

Comments: reminiscent of other lead pickups, distorted solos sound great but clean leaves A LOT to be desired. i'm ebaying this, don't buy this pickup unless you play distorted leads all the time.

Pickup features: Alnico II, four conductor
Impedence or other specs: EXACTLY the same as 57 Classics, save minor details (namely enamel coated wire) and 4 conducter wiring.

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: 57 Classic
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Angus!
You musical style(s): Rock and Roll
Reason for pickup change: Testing a theory based on Spec sheets.

Perceived output level: Same as 57, almost identical if not EXACT.
Tone: Vintage. great stuff, just need a decent amp (and a brain) peoples.
Sonic evaluation: HEY PEOPLE, THE 490s ARE EXACT SPEC OF THE 57s EXCEPT FOR THE ENAMEL COATED WIRE, MAPLE SPACERS, NICKEL SLUGS.
D.C. Resistance, magnet type, etc is the exact same!!! Some of you guys are knocking these and suggesting 57s instead. Morons! Both pickups are great, you need to try out 57s before recommending them, there is virtually no sonic difference! Alnico 2, same windings and same DC. Maybe you need more experience in other guitars, or perhaps a better amp. I am more than happy with my Gibsons... although I have NOT tried the Ceramic pickups (500t), I suspect they may not be to my liking - we'll see.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Most anything

Comments: Just so you people know, this is basically a 57.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul Standard 1998
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: I am replacing this pickup
Other pickups on guitar: 490R
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Alt. rock, blues, RnR - everything
Reason for pickup change: I absolutely believe these standard Gibson pickups are the woprst sounding humbucker I've laid my ears on for a long time.

Perceived output level: Quite loud at normal height. I'd say med/hot.
Tone: Muddy, no sonic chime, flat, boomy
Sonic evaluation: I read everyone elses reviews and had to perform a balancing evaluation. I have replaced my Les Paul pickups with some Golden Age Humbuckers. The standard p/ups were unresponsive, boomy, non-atriculate and really brought my opinion of what felt like a great guitar down. I want to play my expensive piece of wood, not wish it was a PRS! Using Trace Elliot 12R (15watt class A), VC30 by Laney, Sovtek MIG 50 with many pedals. Play mostly my Strat Plus, 1957 Les Paul Special, this Les Paul and a

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock etc...as above

Comments: I couldn't wait to get rid of these things. UI would never put them back into my Les Paul. Thank goodness Gibson is starting to send their Les PAuls out with decent p/ups these days (although you must pay, pay PAYY!!). You want tone - go get a 57 Classic, a Seymour 59, or my p[reference, Golden Age from StewMac! Throw your 490's away!

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: 57 Classic plus
Other pickups on guitar: 57 Classic
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, Jazz
Reason for pickup change: Needed a bigger fuller sound that did not break at the pickup level.

Perceived output level: Hot
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: Fender Twin

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This a bridge pickup

Comments: Although these are the stock pickups found in most Gibson guitars, I discovered that the older the pickup the sweeter the sound. This pickup belonged to a friend of mine that foolishly took em out of a ES-335 FROM THE 70'S What a mistake, I immediatley grabbed them for 70 a piece. But what a big sound I have on my Les Paul.

Pickup features: passive 4 conductor humbucker with Alnico II magnets (I don't like active pickups.)
Impedence or other specs: Absolutely no idea.

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson SG Specials and Epiphone Dot
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Gibson Designed Epiphone Alnico II in Dot
Other pickups on guitar: Gibson 490R
Artists using this pickup: Irrelevant
You musical style(s): Classic rock, power pop, punk, oldies. Very limited heavy metal. No country.
Reason for pickup change: These came stock in the SG Special. In the Dot, I wanted something that sounded better. The Gibson designed Alnico IIs are better than the old Epiphone stock pickups, but still lacking.

Perceived output level: These are Alnico II magnets - which means low to moderate. That's perfect for what I am looking for.
Tone: The 490T has a wrap for having an upper midrange honk. In solid body guitars, it definitely has that. However, if you play with the pole adjustments and the pickup height, you can get a very balanced sounded out of these. a bit
Sonic evaluation: Guitars: Gibson SG Specials and Epiphone Dot Semi-hollow body. Amps: Fender Hot Rod Deluxes; Crate VC 50Hs; or Sunn T50 combo. The Gibson 490T sounds fine in the solid body SG Special. Bring them up high close to the strings or they lack some tonal fullness. With proper pickup height adjustment they really shine. But where these really excel is in the hollow body. In single coil mode, they sound fantastic: clear, dynamic and with amazing presence. In humbucker mode, they are not quite as warm or as clean as the 57 classics, but they are very, very close. A few EQ adjustments and you are just about there. They allow you some very user friendly versatility.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The 490T is designed to be a bridge pickup, and that is where I have all of mine. For the styles of music I play, it is just about the perfect pickup - particularly in the Epiphone Dot, where I can get different tones buy going from single coil to humbucker mode as much as I want.

Comments: Not only would I replace these, I already have an extra set of these sitting in the closet just in case. I've been playing about 24 years, but am nowhere near as good as I should be. Still, the search for the Holy Grail of tone keeps me at it. I have tried tons of different pickups: Gibson 496R/500T; Gibson P94R/T; Gibson 490R/498T; Gibson 57 Classics; Seymour Duncan Custom Custom; Seymour Duncan Alnico IIs; Harmonic Desing Z90s, etc. I've been able to try some excellent equipment. These pickups are in the same league with any of the best I have ever heard. Very nice sounding ONCE YOU TAKE THE TIME TO ADJUST THEM PROPERLY. I'm thinking of buying a second Epiphone Dot and installing a coil tapped set of 490s to have a matching backup guitar when playing live.