This is an old thread but this is a great topic to keep going with....
It is hard to believe my story with a 2010 Gibson SG Standard ends with 5 stars for the 490T pickup in the bridge slot. It started with the 498T....didn't like it...shrill and too hot....then a Gibson 57 Classic plus...no mojo, not hot enough...then a Dimarzio Saturch8...now this pickup had nice tone, but way too hot...caused microphonic feedback at high gain. At this point i was getting frustrated and thought about selling this guitar. But then i read some Gibson Forum stories by several people that swore by the 490 pickups in their SG's and Les Pauls saying they had the best tone overall for these guitars. Didn't buy it at first, but had nothing to lose. I put the 490T in the bridge....WOW!! I was blown away at how good this pickup sounded clean, crunchy, and high gain...just everything you could want...articulate, hot, medium, or clean...it really does it all. I mainly play progressive rock/metal, rock/blues, alternative rock. Works great for all these styles. Save yourself a lot of trouble and expense...just put the 490 set in your SG, or leave them there...you won't regret it...the 490R in the neck position is amazing as well...great tone, smooth, sweet, nice mids and high end chime without overemphasized high end. So newer does not mean better....the 490's have stood the test of time....and for Gibson SG's at least, they still sound the best.
Joel
fromApril 5, 2021Music Background:
Punk Rock
