Are my 498T and 490R Real???

[RMosack]

I have a '94 Heritage Cherry Sunburst Standard. Last year, I replaced the stock pickups with a set of 4-conductor SD '59s to do the Jimmy Page wiring mod. FWIW, it turned out great!

I've been storing the original pickups for a while, but I took a look at them last week. They don't look the same on the bottom. One of them has a bottom plate with the Gibson name engraved into it. The other is simply a flat, plain plate. (I need to take a meter to them to determine which was supposed to be the bridge 498T and which was supposed to be the neck 490R.)

Shouldn't they both say Gibson on the bottom? Is it possibly that the plain one is not my pickup?

 

[DonP]

I thought all modern Gibson pickups (490R, 490T, 498T, 496R, 500T) were stamped "Gibson USA" in the bottom plate.

 

[FuzzWas]

My 57's don't say gibson on the bottom! I wouldn'y worry about it.

how do they sound?...thats the question

 

[grinder]

both of mine had Gibson USA stamped on the bottom, both were wax potted if that helps you any.

Yes, it's possible that the plain jane is not your pickup. The pickup fairies may have replaced your stocker with a Woolworths Rawk Steddy early 30's unmarked pup.
It happens.


(just gys man)

 

[Phil M]

My 57's don't say gibson on the bottom! I wouldn'y worry about it.

how do they sound?...thats the question

Harsh in the bridge, muddy in the neck. They're a 498T and a 490R, after all! :lolspin :lolspin :lolspin

he he he, Sorry HERC, I couldn't resist...

 

[DonP]

My 57's don't say gibson on the bottom! I wouldn'y worry about it.

how do they sound?...thats the question

You'll notice the 57 Classic was not in my list of "Modern" pickups. It is a "re-issue" pickup, not a "modern" pickup, and as such, it tries to look as much like the "original" as possible. Hence, the PAF sticker and no stamp, because the original 57 had a sticker and no stamp.

Same applies to Burstbuckers. They are re-issues also and try to look like an actual 57 humbucker.

How do the 490R/498T sound? I have a pair in my 1998 SG Standard, so remember to take into account this a solid mohagany guitar with no maple cap (darker). I think they sound awesome. They are my favorite heavy metal pickup for playing Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, KISS - typically any bands that used a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the 80s. Sure the 490R neck is muddy as hell, but it's perfect for playing anything thick and heavy off of Master of Reality (sweet leaf, children of the grave, etc).

I would not use this combo for AC/DC, early Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy (boys are back in town) or any time you want to "hear each string" in a distorted chord. I prefer the 57 Classic for this type of tone.

Realize I have an awesome 2002 LP with BB V's, and a LPPP with BB 2 and 3. I love both of these guitars, but the SG just gets the job done when it comes to metal.

 

[RMosack]

Real or not???

It may be true that some view them as harsh (bridge) or muddy (neck). I originally posted to get some clue as to whether they MUST or must not say "Gibson USA" to be my pickups. Like I said, one is stamped, but the other isn't.

I bought the guitar brand new from Centre City Music in San Diego (great prices) back in January of '95. I assume they came from the factory with stock pickups. The wiring looked like it hadn't been touched. When I had the pickups changed for SD '59s, the tech boxed up my old (original hopefully!) pickups for me. I was surprised to see that one doesn't have the "Gibson USA" stamp.

Does anyone know for certain if all 498T/490R series pickups had the stamp? :hmm

 

[58Lover]

All of the 490R/T, 496R, 500T, 498T come with a "Gibson USA" stamp on the backplate, to answer teh question.

 

[Great King Rat]

DonP "How do the 490R/498T sound? I have a pair in my 1998 SG Standard, so remember to take into account this a solid mohagany guitar with no maple cap (darker). I think they sound awesome. They are my favorite heavy metal pickup for playing Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, KISS - typically any bands that used a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the 80s. Sure the 490R neck is muddy as hell, but it's perfect for playing anything thick and heavy off of Master of Reality (sweet leaf, children of the grave, etc).

I would not use this combo for AC/DC, early Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy (boys are back in town) or any time you want to "hear each string" in a distorted chord. I prefer the 57 Classic for this type of tone. "

I agree with you 100%. Having a 490R/498T gives you lots of options I have them in my LP and I use my P-90 SG for evrything else. I am not sure why forum memebers are disliking the 490's

Reagrds,