JohnnyReb Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Hey guys. I posted about my interest in the LP studio 50s tribute a while back. After doing some mind boggling research and never finding a straight answer I will ask here I like a clean classic tone, and play blues and country. I don't care much for distortion or metal ( like the music just don't care to play it). I really like the chuck berry Gibson sound. Ok so the 50s tribute has 490r and 497t humbucker pickups in it. I'm not too proud to admit I don't know jack about pickups. My concern is I read so much that there great for metal ect. I search YouTube for sound examples and there always distorted and playing heavy stuff. After reading and researching I'm worried that these pickups are going to be too hot for me. I don't want a fuzzy high drive sound when trying to play clean. I do read that the burstbuckert pros are great for that classic tone. They would prob be right up my alley but sadly the 50s tribute only comes with the 497t combo. The faded worn LP studios have a burstbucker I believe but I don't like the faded worn finish. I can't afford to get into the 1300 range for the regular finish with burstbucker so it looks like I may have to try the 497t and try to live with it So anyway what do you guys think about the 490 497t combo? I play mostly at the bridge for treble but I'm afraid these are too hot for a classic clean tone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eracer_Team Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 put your tones at 5, put your volumes at 5 and adjust your amp for a nice clean head room. sounds like jazzy/blues to me, need grit, turn it up towards 10. just my thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcy Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Studio-50s-Tribute/Specs.aspx I gave you the straight answer this morning and I do know jack about pickups... This guitar does not have humbuckers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyReb Posted April 18, 2012 Author Share Posted April 18, 2012 Ok, so explain to me why Gibson.com and every place I look at them online say they are humbuckers????? Who is wrong here....Gibson and the retailers, or you? I tried to copy and paste it but it won't allow me for some reason. And I know I'm not drunk or on dope so I am reading it correctly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyReb Posted April 18, 2012 Author Share Posted April 18, 2012 Ok after clicking your link that isn't the same guitar. May be a older version or something. The one I'm looking at is les Paul studio 50s tribute w/humbuckers. 490R and 497T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcy Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Then stop asking about the Les Paul Studio 50s Tribute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackflag Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 There is a 50's tribute with humbuckers now, so the OP is correct. Personally, I don't like those two pickups...especially for the sound you're trying to get. But they're easy enough to change, and you can sell them on the fleabay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcy Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 My apologies then. I wasn't aware they were making a 50's Tribute Studio with hunbuckers. Personally I'd hunt down the P-90 model for blues and country as I think single coil better suit the style. That said you can play any style with any pickups. 490s won't sound distorted on a clean amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingers galore Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 You will get excellent clean tones out of those pickups by turning the volume down. I have the first run of this guitar with the rosewood fretboard. I get great cleans by rolling off the volume. Les Paul Studio '50s Tribute Humbucker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old mark Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 The stock 490 pickups are Gibson's take on a "modern" version of the PAF...I think they sound just great with a slight adjustment. Get a screwdriver, plug in the guitar and adjust the height of the pickup till the sound you hear is right to your ear. I start with the neck pup, then just adjust the bridge pup so that the volume of both pickups is balanced at full on position. If you want to tailor them further, adjust the pole pieces...lowering them to the top of the cover-even slightly below-will give you a very clean, jazz/blues tone and raising them gives you a biting treble/chimey sound. I think they are great pickups, an th me there is no need at all to replace them. I have the identical set in an Epiphone Dot, and they are really fine sounding. mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 The stock 490 pickups are Gibson's take on a "modern" version of the PAF...I think they sound just great with a slight adjustment. Get a screwdriver, plug in the guitar and adjust the height of the pickup till the sound you hear is right to your ear. I start with the neck pup, then just adjust the bridge pup so that the volume of both pickups is balanced at full on position. If you want to tailor them further, adjust the pole pieces...lowering them to the top of the cover-even slightly below-will give you a very clean, jazz/blues tone and raising them gives you a biting treble/chimey sound. I think they are great pickups, an th me there is no need at all to replace them. I have the identical set in an Epiphone Dot, and they are really fine sounding. mark +1 To the OP: I have the '50s tribute HB model and those pups clean up beautifully. I'm a rock and metal kind o' guy but roll off or clean your amp settings, add in a smidge of analog delay and chorus and you're in clean heaven. If you want jangle in your cleans get the P90 version shown in the pic above. A spot of slap back analog delay and you're in rockabilly and country territory. P90s also grit and growl nicely when you add in some distortion so are great for classic rock or punk too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markini Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Actually I have a 2010 LP Tribute with the P-90s (single coil) and played through my Fender tube amps, I can get a very very clean sound, I can fingerpick it too and it sounds very acoustical. I can also over drive em for distort and get some heavy metal. The P-90s seem to be very versatile. I also have Classic Custom with 57' pups (HBs). I have to turn down the volume and the tones on the amp to get a nice clean sound. But she really purrs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Hello! I agree with Markini. P-90s are great for every kind of music. You can get nice cleans, great bluesy tone with a tube screamer. Even on high-gain they sound right! They are probably the best sounding Gibson pickups. I best enjoy my 50's Tribute P-90 version with TS-10 set: Gain at 2, both Tone and Level at 5, and a Vox Wah. With a Regent tube amp - of course! :) Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blazer Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 I to have the original 50's Tribute gold top with P90's and if you can find one grab it .It would probley suit your needs best.I've been playing with cleaning it up and then getting the grit back with the guitar volume and the different tones is amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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