Specs on 490R/498T PUs (output, resistance etc.)

Dave Z · Oct 5, 2001

Anyone have Specs on 490R/498T PUs (output, resistance etc.)

Also, these when sold separate from a guitar have 4-conductor wiring.
When you buy a new LP, are all 4 wires run into the control cavity? I'd be interested in fitting a push-pull pot for coil splitting.

thanks in advance!

Robert Sherman · Oct 5, 2001

Dave, I don't have the specs for Gibson stockers. They can be purchased 4 conductor, a new LP will have the standard shielded leads. Allparts does make a CTS long bushing A500K spst pot for coil taps in LPs. Anything sexier will take a bit of modding to the body cavity. I would highly recommend a good after market pup if you were going to yank the originals. There are many pups that will sound better split than the Gibsons, IMHO.

Yelly · Oct 6, 2001

I have removed a set of these from my Standard Plus. When fitted to a new Gibson they come with a single core + braided screen. They're only 4 conductor when bought separately.

My pair will be wired with both coils of each humbucker connected in series. The 498T which was in the bridge position, has a DC resistance of 13.82 Kohm and the 490R has a DC resistance of 7.77 Kohm. Both measured out of a guitar with a DVM.

Out of interest, I replaced them with Classic 57s (8 Kohm). Silly money but a great pickup. I found the 498T too strong for my tastes, although it does have its uses.

Hope this helps!

BrianGWN · Oct 6, 2001

The stock Gibson 490R/498T/496R/500T pickups in LP guitars will only have the traditional single conductor with braided shield cable. You would only get a four wire cable in the pickups if the guitar was made with some type of coil tap feature.

The 490Rs tend to come in at or over 8K, 8 to 8.5K . The 498T usually measures somewhere in the 13 to 14 K range.

Lannes · Oct 6, 2001

While we're at it, does anyone happen to know the specs on the 500t/496r's that come in the Classic?

Thanks

Dave Z · Oct 6, 2001

thanks for the tips, folks!

Al. · Oct 6, 2001

Lannes,

I just measured my 500T / 496R combo from a classic.They have the braided shield single conductor.This 500K measures 15.35K and the 496R is measuring 8.72K.I dont own a classic but I purchased these from a forum member.

Robert Sherman · Oct 6, 2001

Just remember, you can't compare output/performance on the 490/498 to the 496/500 with DC resistance. You can compare the amout of winding, assuming Gibson uses the same wire on both models, but the ceramic magnets in the 496/500 set is gonna have alot more oomph, and tend to be brighter overall.

Specs on 490R/498T PUs (output, resistance etc.)

Dave Z

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Robert Sherman

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Yelly

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BrianGWN

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Lannes

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Dave Z

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Al.

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Robert Sherman

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