I had an 'SG' w/490's in it and sold it just to up-grade to an 'SG w/57 Classic's.and glad I did, The '57's have such a better TONE, no comparison really. The 490's are Gibson USA's cheapest priced Pickups and are just LOUD and HARSH, no personality you could say. The '57's are hands down much better pick-up's. I also played both Guitars thru a MARSHALL DSL40 in Classic 'Green' Channel w/OCD Pedal and they both sounded muscular but the '57's are everything the 490's wish they were. I realize thats vague but putting words to sounds isn't my strong suit but if you have any kind of ear for music you will hear the difference between the two pick-up's....for anything short of a Custom-Bucker I am going for the '57s every time.
FWIW,I am almost sorry I sold the SG w/490's in it as it was a great Guitar to beat the $#!T out of and not care what happened to it if it got stolen at a gig etc etc. I paid $600 for it new @ GC in 2016 and it was a damn good guitar for that price. The SG Standard w/57's was new too when I got it but was more than double the price @ $1299 which is a bargain these days.....and it is a Bad-A$$ Axe for sure.....I've no regrets with it at all, in fact, I love that Guitar...and I play that Open 'A' on HWTH or Won't Get Fooled Again and to me it sounds better than the recordings thru a new Marshall Jubilee w/the 2X12 Cabinet.......MAN, I am so glad I got rid of that 'SG' Faded and the DSL and bought a REAL England, U.K. , Bletchley Factory MARSHALL...The difference between a Faded SG w/490 R & T and a Standard SG w/'57's thru a real U.K Marshall Jubilee are extremely, extremely noticeable. For the $2200 differences in costs it sure should be more than blatantly obvious too. ...and sometimes I really do get what I pay for.