Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: In absentia on April 25, 2012, 06:59:37 AM

Title: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: In absentia on April 25, 2012, 06:59:37 AM
I know I could buy the Gibson, but BK has me with the quality of service. I play rock, and prog, but really, I just want to get close to the 498t. Doesn't have to be exact.
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: itamar101 on April 25, 2012, 08:24:09 AM
I had the Gibson 498T in my les Paul studio. I hated it, it was very muddy and quite unresponsive. I rate it as one of gibsons worst pickups. unfortunately the neck pickup (the 490R) was even worse. I may be wrong though, most complaints about this pickup come from Les Paul users.

Anyway, BKP equivalent would be much better as they are always praised for their articulation and responsiveness.
BKP don't really have anything equivalent to that pickup but in terms of character and magnet type an output a rebels yell or emerald bridge should do the trick. They'll both be slightly brighter though. Id say that the higher levels of saturation in the rebel yell would make it your best bet and it sounds similar but so much better (IMO) than the Gibson.
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: In absentia on April 25, 2012, 01:03:28 PM
I had the Gibson 498T in my les Paul studio. I hated it, it was very muddy and quite unresponsive. I rate it as one of gibsons worst pickups. unfortunately the neck pickup (the 490R) was even worse. I may be wrong though, most complaints about this pickup come from Les Paul users.

Anyway, BKP equivalent would be much better as they are always praised for their articulation and responsiveness.
BKP don't really have anything equivalent to that pickup but in terms of character and magnet type an output a rebels yell or emerald bridge should do the trick. They'll both be slightly brighter though. Id say that the higher levels of saturation in the rebel yell would make it your best bet and it sounds similar but so much better (IMO) than the Gibson.

Oh, I am sure the tone would be better. Output wise, is really where I want to get. My other guitarist has the most incredibl sounding LP I have ever heard and it has a 498 in the bridge. I have heard other 498s I didn't like, but his is definitely sweet. Any opinion on the Black Dog 'bucker for that sound?
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: HTH AMPS on April 25, 2012, 01:58:38 PM
I use one of these in my Flying Vee and its just a perfect rock pickup, maybe its just 'right' for that guitar - it's fat and grindy.

The Holy Diver sounds like it'd be closest from the clips I've heard.  Even the Nailbomb is in the ballpark.

Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: ericsabbath on April 25, 2012, 02:02:02 PM
probably the crawler, maybe an abraxas
nailbomb if you wanna go heavier
the diver and rebell yell have a lot more upper midrange bite and articulation than the 498t
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: TheyCallMeVolume on April 25, 2012, 02:31:58 PM
Yeah there is no way the RY and 498 are anywhere near the same.
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: Philly Q on April 25, 2012, 02:47:30 PM
Looking at all the BKPs with AV magnets and DC resistance in the 12-15k range, of the ones I've tried I'd say the Crawler's probably closest to the 498T.  The Rebel Yell is much brighter and leaner in the bass.
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on April 25, 2012, 04:16:19 PM
The ones I would look at are Emerald, Rebel Yell, Nailbomb and Crawler since they share a similar gauge of wire (albeit plain enamel rather than the Gibson's polysol) and the alnico 5 magnet

Depending on the guitar the Rebel yell doesn't end up too bass light
I've just put a pair in an all mahogany thin bodied LP and they are rather tasty in that!
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: Philly Q on April 25, 2012, 05:04:29 PM
I've just put a pair in an all mahogany thin bodied LP and they are rather tasty in that!

Is that the (oh so fine) sunburst one?  What was in it before, Cold Sweats?
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: Alex on April 25, 2012, 05:21:03 PM
Alnico Nailbomb I'd say, although it won't be as muffled as the 498T.
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: In absentia on April 25, 2012, 06:07:29 PM
Alnico Nailbomb I'd say, although it won't be as muffled as the 498T.

 I havebeen back and forth between the A Bomb and the Black Dog. I don't want my guitar to lose it's singlecut character (prs singlecut), but still want to be able to rock!

 I play porcupine tree, Tool, AIC, and the like. Has to be able to clean up, and get as heavy as those bands. I know that Cantrell, and Adam Jones use Duncan JBs in their guitars, so that might help.
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: Philly Q on April 25, 2012, 06:11:58 PM
I play porcupine tree, Tool, AIC, and the like. Has to be able to clean up, and get as heavy as those bands. I know that Cantrell, and Adam Jones use Duncan JBs in their guitars, so that might help.

I believe the Holydiver has often been mentioned when the topic of Adam Jones comes up.
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: ericsabbath on April 25, 2012, 06:18:15 PM
the nailbomb does tool pretty well too
it has the subtle upper mid scoop and crunchy character of earlier tool records
but the diver gets closer to newer tool and specially jerry cantrell

if you want more of an aggressive edge and power, like helmet or old silverchair, nailbomb is the way
if you want buttery mids like Jerry's recorded and live solos, you want the holy diver
black dog sounds more like soundgarden, with that low output feel, but thick and growly
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: In absentia on April 25, 2012, 06:20:56 PM
the nailbomb does tool pretty well too
it has the subtle upper mid scoop and crunchy character of earlier tool records
but the diver gets closer to newer tool and specially jerry cantrell


Thanks guys, this seems to be the consensus pickup to check out.
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on April 25, 2012, 06:26:48 PM
I've just put a pair in an all mahogany thin bodied LP and they are rather tasty in that!

Is that the (oh so fine) sunburst one?  What was in it before, Cold Sweats?

No - it's a new one - dot inlays in a rosewood board

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Feline%20Lion%20Special/DSC03685.jpg)

Less of a tarts handbag than the one I call mine (which does indeed have Cold Sweats
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: richard on April 25, 2012, 08:14:41 PM
I replaced the 498/490 set in my Firebird Studio with RYs on Tim's recommendation. The Gibsons turned to total mud at gigging volume. The RYs have great clarity at high volumes and can take a lot of gain while retaining definition. I play mine through a single channel Cornford and have found that the mid control on the amp is the real key to fine tuning the RYs. I usually have all my EQ set about midway. Take the mid up a notch for a fat smooth sound, turn it down a little for a more classic biting rock sound.  Wonderfully versatile pups. Not one trick ponies like the SD JB in my other Gibbo.
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: Philly Q on April 25, 2012, 10:47:36 PM
Less of a tarts handbag than the one I call mine (which does indeed have Cold Sweats

I wouldn't call it a tart's handbag!  :lol:  The only real bling on that guitar is the inlay.
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on April 25, 2012, 11:18:11 PM
Less of a tarts handbag than the one I call mine (which does indeed have Cold Sweats

I wouldn't call it a tart's handbag!  :lol:  The only real bling on that guitar is the inlay.

Here is a before paint comparison:
mine
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Feline%20Lion%20Special/PICT0002.jpg)
New one
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Feline%20Lion%20Special/DSC03685.jpg)

and here's mine with paint on
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Feline%20Lion%20Special/lionspecialfull2.jpg)
Title: Re: Bareknuckle equivalent to Gibson 498t?
Post by: Philly Q on April 26, 2012, 01:40:56 AM
Every time I see that, I can't get over how good the colour looks with the binding and zebra pickups.  :)

Interesting how the colour of the mahogany in the two guitars is quite different.