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490R/498T vs '57/'57+


jthiessen

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As suggested by BigKahune in a different thread, I'm posing the question:

 

-What do you prefer in your SG, 490R/498T or '57/'57+?

 

-What kind of tone do you like to get from them?

 

-What style of music do you play?

 

I am building a guitar that will (hopefully) strongly resemble the tone of an SG, using the same wood and hardware. I am having trouble deciding which pick-ups to install. I play blues and alternative rock. I like groups like The Black Keys and Wilco. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks for Playing!

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My vote is for the 57's. It is my favorite pickup and both my SG and my Sheraton have 57s (although my SG has a 57+ in the bridge). The cleans are nice and rich with just enough of those sweet highs. Your sounds should start with a solid base; your guitar plugged right into your amp should make you melt. If you want dirt or fuzz or a hotter sound, there are pedals for that.

 

I myself play rock, pop, and a little psychedelia. In my sound you'll hear everything from Sonic Youth, to Wilco, to the VU, to T Rex, to the White Stripes, to the Who.

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I have '57 Classics in both my SG and Flyng V. I find them to be more versatile than most of Gibsons other pickups.

 

I play alot of Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock, and Metal. It's nice not having to change guitars everytime I want to play a different style of music. I just add or change the level of distortion I use and I'm good to go.

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For the record, I like the 57s

 

Here's what I'm playing most of the time: my SG as the 490/498 combo, my LP (a Push Tone quick pup changer) has BB pros as well as a pair of P94s (man, those are nice), and my good bud has a 61R SG with 57c/+ combo. So there's a vote and a comment. Oh, my Melody Maker has Mini's and a DiMarzio, but that's another story.

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My SG has P90's and they are staying there. I did swap out the 490/498 pups for 57/57+ in my LP Studio and I'm happy with that. My ES137 Custom has 57's and they sound great. I think the 490/498 conbo sounds a bit harsh and they don't match each other. [biggrin]

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Nothing wrong with the 490/498.

Got 'em in my EDS-1275 double neck and they're heavenly.

 

Most of the rock you hear on the radio was done with them, they were the standard issue pickup for years.

 

I had two Les Pauls with them.

 

That being said, I'm convinced that the 57 Classic is the way to go - I love 'em!

57+ is quite a bit higher output, so be careful lumping them together as the same thing.

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For me 57s win hands down...... although the 490 is nt bad in the neck. I Didnt like the bridge 498t finding the clean sounds no where near as good as the 57+ and overdrive too mid bias for my tastes. I find the 57s give more of a classic sound.

 

Having said that I think the 498t in a Les Paul is much better suited than a 498t in an SG.

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