[490r/490t pickups compared to the classic 57's]

All my SG's have Classic '57's! My Gibson "Lucille" has the 490's! = I Love them Both!

 

CB

 

Agreed, the 57's are a fine set. I might even choose the 57's over the 490 set for a 355 or for a big, deep hollow body (like a 400)... maybe.

[490r/490t pickups compared to the classic 57's]

I know this is an old thread but its the kind of thread people will keep coming back to help them shop for pickups and guitars, and I just have to add my 2 cents. The 490 set, neck and bridge, 490R/490T, are in my opinion the best set Gibson makes, and Ill go further: In a Les Paul, SG or thin body ES type guitar there is NO pickup set I would rather have. They have the best of vintage PAF tone with a new-pickup edge to them. I've owned dozens of Gibson guitars over the past 4 decades and most of them I bought used. I found that The guitars which were the best taken care of, set up to play (the best) and the best sounding almost always had a set of 490's in them. That should tell you something -professional and experienced musicians prefer the 490's....I only wish GISBON WOULD MAKE A DOUBLE WHITE/CREME option for them!!!!!