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posted on 31-7-2010 at 03:24 AM
Gibson 490R & 498T pickup swap difference
I'm another Agile prospective buyer reading through the dozens and dozens of reviews from happy buyers.
The one I'm going for right now is the AL-3100 in Alpine White w/ GH. I'll want to swap out the pots and cream plastics to black.
Now the important part. I'm reading people are mostly satisfied with the stock Alnico V pups. But I can't find a post on someone reviewing a swap to
the genuine Gibson 490R and 498T pups.
I'd like to know the difference in tone. I mean, I'm sure most of us that are getting AL's are thinking budget LP's. So is it worth the extra $200 in
tone?
I haven't laid a hand on a LP or Agile before so I wouldn't know the difference, and low quality Youtube videos can only go so far.
Thank you.
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posted on 31-7-2010 at 07:49 AM
Stock pups on the 3ks work for me... but if you like the Gibby pups, then use em. I would give the stocks a chance though, since they are eminently
usable IMHO.
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posted on 31-7-2010 at 08:19 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by wdkwang
I'm another Agile prospective buyer reading through the dozens and dozens of reviews from happy buyers.
The one I'm going for right now is the AL-3100 in Alpine White w/ GH. I'll want to swap out the pots and cream plastics to black.
Now the important part. I'm reading people are mostly satisfied with the stock Alnico V pups. But I can't find a post on someone reviewing a swap to
the genuine Gibson 490R and 498T pups.
I'd like to know the difference in tone. I mean, I'm sure most of us that are getting AL's are thinking budget LP's. So is it worth the extra $200 in
tone?
I haven't laid a hand on a LP or Agile before so I wouldn't know the difference, and low quality Youtube videos can only go so far.
Thank you.
a great decision! here's some pics of mine... as you can see, i blacked out the plastic parts as well! the stock alnico V pickups are actually really
good. medium hot and clear with a lot of warmth. they sound like a middle ground between seymour duncan 59s and gibson 57 classics. the gibson 490/498
set will sound different, but not even necessarily better. if you are gonna put down some extra money to improve your sound, i'd sink it into your amp
setup WAAAAAYYY before worrying about the pickups. they're pretty solid.
> good business done with: BigPigDave, lefthandpath, 2manygeetars, jazzhipcat, longingforfire, xSecretBeastx, Sunsnoel, Backinit
>>Member of the Agile Bluezies
>>>Member of the Agile black plastic trim club
>>>>Founder of the AAA (Alpine Agile
Association)
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posted on 31-7-2010 at 08:32 AM
The real Gibson pickups won't be $200 "better" sounding, but a pinch more aggressive I'd wager.
My friend has the same pair in his LP Custom and they just haul ass over his LP with the 57's.
But I like crunch, some people prefer smoother.....YMMV
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The Agile alnico pickups are good. I had an LP with those pickups and the 498t is harsh. Not too many people like that one. The 490r isn't bad but
I doubt it is any better than the stock Agile.
Definitely wait until you get the Agile to make your decision. Heck, the alnico pups are one of the upgrades you're paying extra for.
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posted on 31-7-2010 at 02:31 PM
If you're looking for the "Gibby" tone... you'll need to replace the pots and caps accordingly to go with those gib pickups... I myself wouldnt rely
on the agile stock caps and pots if putting in a set of those pickups -- that's if that's what your lookin for tone wise.
dayum theylive.... enough of that white and black monstrosity!!! Good God that thing made my shorts tighter!!!!
Hey audio guy, can you please turn down the lead singers suck knob?
"We don't stop playing because we grow old - we grow old because we stop playing"
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posted on 31-7-2010 at 04:04 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by BigPigDave
If you're looking for the "Gibby" tone... you'll need to replace the pots and caps accordingly to go with those gib pickups... I myself wouldnt rely
on the agile stock caps and pots if putting in a set of those pickups -- that's if that's what your lookin for tone wise.
dayum theylive.... enough of that white and black monstrosity!!! Good God that thing made my shorts tighter!!!!
hahahaaaa... NEVER enough! here, let me tune her up for ya:
that's the only guitar i have that was actually "girlfriend approved." when i first told her it was coming in the mail she was kinda like "do you
reaaaallly need another guitar?" ...then when it arrived she was like "wow, actually that looks amazing!" ...i was so proud! she prefers
lighter/thinner guitars or i woulda bought her one by now just to have an extra Agile around the house! i do love jammin her Hofner double cut from
time to time though.
> good business done with: BigPigDave, lefthandpath, 2manygeetars, jazzhipcat, longingforfire, xSecretBeastx, Sunsnoel, Backinit
>>Member of the Agile Bluezies
>>>Member of the Agile black plastic trim club
>>>>Founder of the AAA (Alpine Agile
Association)
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posted on 31-7-2010 at 04:16 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by BigPigDave
If you're looking for the "Gibby" tone... you'll need to replace the pots and caps accordingly to go with those gib pickups... I myself wouldnt rely
on the agile stock caps and pots if putting in a set of those pickups -- that's if that's what your lookin for tone wise.
dayum theylive.... enough of that white and black monstrosity!!! Good God that thing made my shorts tighter!!!!
Haha I have the same one except it has black speed knobs and it's a 2000
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posted on 31-7-2010 at 04:24 PM
I have 490s and they're pretty hot. Alot hotter than the stock pickups that come in an Agile.
If you're thinking tone, straight into my 5150II with gain at around 6 I can get the EXACT tone from Masotdon's Blood and Thunder. Youtube it if you
dont know it.
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I just realized I don't have any Agiles. This needs to be fixed.
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posted on 31-7-2010 at 05:15 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by theylive716
Quote:
Originally posted by BigPigDave
If you're looking for the "Gibby" tone... you'll need to replace the pots and caps accordingly to go with those gib pickups... I myself wouldnt rely
on the agile stock caps and pots if putting in a set of those pickups -- that's if that's what your lookin for tone wise.
dayum theylive.... enough of that white and black monstrosity!!! Good God that thing made my shorts tighter!!!!
hahahaaaa... NEVER enough! here, let me tune her up for ya:
that's the only guitar i have that was actually "girlfriend approved." when i first told her it was coming in the mail she was kinda like "do you
reaaaallly need another guitar?" ...then when it arrived she was like "wow, actually that looks amazing!" ...i was so proud! she prefers
lighter/thinner guitars or i woulda bought her one by now just to have an extra Agile around the house! i do love jammin her Hofner double cut from
time to time though.
I didnt read a word you typed...............
Hey audio guy, can you please turn down the lead singers suck knob?
"We don't stop playing because we grow old - we grow old because we stop playing"
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posted on 2-8-2010 at 02:59 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by theylive716
Quote:
Originally posted by wdkwang
I'm another Agile prospective buyer reading through the dozens and dozens of reviews from happy buyers.
The one I'm going for right now is the AL-3100 in Alpine White w/ GH. I'll want to swap out the pots and cream plastics to black.
Now the important part. I'm reading people are mostly satisfied with the stock Alnico V pups. But I can't find a post on someone reviewing a swap to
the genuine Gibson 490R and 498T pups.
I'd like to know the difference in tone. I mean, I'm sure most of us that are getting AL's are thinking budget LP's. So is it worth the extra $200 in
tone?
I haven't laid a hand on a LP or Agile before so I wouldn't know the difference, and low quality Youtube videos can only go so far.
Thank you.
a great decision! here's some pics of mine... as you can see, i blacked out the plastic parts as well! the stock alnico V pickups are actually really
good. medium hot and clear with a lot of warmth. they sound like a middle ground between seymour duncan 59s and gibson 57 classics. the gibson 490/498
set will sound different, but not even necessarily better. if you are gonna put down some extra money to improve your sound, i'd sink it into your amp
setup WAAAAAYYY before worrying about the pickups. they're pretty solid.
great pics theylive. where did you happen to get the pots? and did you do anything wit the caps or wiring? thanks.
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posted on 2-8-2010 at 04:18 AM
I LOVE the bridge 498T in my LP Special, and that was through my unmodded Valve Jr combo. It can be a little hot, I guess, but it seems so easy to
roll off the guitar's volume knob to tame the distortion.
Go hard or go home!!!
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posted on 2-8-2010 at 08:14 AM
Wdkwang: besides changing the plastic trim to black, my al3100 is all stock. The pots, caps, pickups and wiring have all worked out great for me and
haven't given me any reason to swap em out. I'm sure someday ill do some part swapping out of curiousity, but its certainly not necessary to do so for
these guitars to get great tone!
> good business done with: BigPigDave, lefthandpath, 2manygeetars, jazzhipcat, longingforfire, xSecretBeastx, Sunsnoel, Backinit
>>Member of the Agile Bluezies
>>>Member of the Agile black plastic trim club
>>>>Founder of the AAA (Alpine Agile
Association)
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posted on 2-8-2010 at 08:56 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by azimuth
I agree, the 498 is harsh. I had one in my LP Studio and it had too much bite. Depends on what sounds you're going for though.
your amp should have a gain knob that can be turned down
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posted on 2-8-2010 at 09:56 AM
I'll let you know my opinion when my AL 2500 gets here. My current AL 2000 has the p90's. I have a Gibson Les Paul Studio and a Gibson Les Paul
Special and both have the 490 R 498T combo. I like those for the style of music I play, harder edged classic rock, but thats why they make different
pickups. People have different tastes. I really think they are going to sound better than the stock Agile pickups but do not think it would be worth
the $$ those Gibby's cost. I was thinking if I were to change them I will look at GFS pickups. (I'm talking for me) I would not be changing for a
quality issue but rather for a different style. I like hot pickups. We will see how the stock ones are but I suspect they are middle of the road one
size fits all.
My pickup philosophy is this: They are wire and magnets. Different materials and windings can yield different tones and response to playing but
brand name or price has little to do with this. Cheap ones "can" sound good and you can spend big bucks and get something "you" are not happy with.
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posted on 2-8-2010 at 11:09 AM
I know people who play top notch brand-name equipment, but the sound that comes out of the speaker is, how shall I say? Not so great.....
so, yeah, it's all to do with "what you can do with it, and how much you wanna tweak your amp", rather than "this piece is brand x and that widget is
brand Y..."
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posted on 2-8-2010 at 11:22 AM
Here is a side by side review on u tube les paul standard vs AL3k
[Edited on 2-8-2010 by harpmaster]
here is another
[Edited on 2-8-2010 by harpmaster]
[Edited on 2-8-2010 by harpmaster]
I have decided to post bad deals so here it is bad deals with no one
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posted on 2-8-2010 at 01:08 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by azimuth
I agree, the 498 is harsh. I had one in my LP Studio and it had too much bite. Depends on what sounds you're going for though.
And what you're playing through. My Studio can sound very sweet through my Samamp, even chimey. But it can also turn mean if I ask it to. Personally,
I like the 490/498 pickups I can get a little extra edge if I want it.
Remember you have to adjust the amp settings to accomidate and optimise different pickups, it's not one setting fits all.
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posted on 2-8-2010 at 05:52 PM
I feel the same way I would get the guitar and play it before jumping to swap pickups. IMHO
I have decided to post bad deals so here it is bad deals with no one
To many blues harps to list
97 Squire Pro Tone Strat
2003 MIM Fender Strat
AL 2000 White Zbuckers
AL 2500 Blk Seymour Duncans
Arbor AS 230
Douglas SI-13 Floyd
Dillion J 10 E
Epi Les paul Special Alnico Vs
SX SST Car
SX Furian VW P90
SX SST LTD2 Nat B stock Fender Standard pups
SX SST57 short scale lefty (for the Grandson)
1975 Crestwood 335 copy P 90s in parts
Blackheart BH112 Cab
Egnater TOL 50 212 combo
Roland Micro Cube DOA :-(
Fender Mini Tone Master
200 w PA System
The 498T is indeed a harsh pickup, tried it in my Warlock eeuuhh bad results. Right now I'm using it as part of a hybrid pickup with an Alnico 8 but
going to try an Alnico 4 instead, the other half of the hybrid pickup is Agile
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posted on 17-8-2010 at 11:04 AM
i like the pick ups on the agile better than the gibson ones your looking at. the alnico V's on the agile are great. but i would replace the bridge
and the nut. ( don't personally like the black graphtech nut). never been a fan of the 480 or 490, changed every one in any les paul i have owned in
the past. to thin for me.
guitars: 3 fotoflame fender telecasters, 3 red fotoflame strats, hbsf agile al-3100, white agile al-3100, sunburst fender lonestar strat,sx sst white,
kramer focus, too many amps and effects to list
