. Hello guys, I just got a Gibson Classic 57 pickup second hand. Search engine wont find "490t or 57 plus" so I apologize if its in this site somewhere. A: There definitely are differences. If I am going with a Gibson guitar, with humbuckers, I am going with the '57 Classic Plus in the bridge and regular '57 Classic in the neck. If you like this, and wanna buy me a coffee, I mean...I won't say no! OK, I did some more research and found an answer. How would a 490t compare to a 57 plus in the bridge in a Sg. They sound great but so different in different guitars. Discussion in 'Just Pickups' started by telbert twang, Feb 24, 2009. Jun 10, 2012 The Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup mimics those late-1950s humbuckers that received a few extra turns of wire. This is a nice comparison thanks for sharing! If you offered me a pair of either I would take the '57's (classic neck, classic plus bridge) only through what I have read is a vintage lower output type PAF. They're a bit hotter than my SD Seths . I had a studio with the 490 and 498 in it. I recommend to lose the tone sucking capacitor. What will I gain by replacing them with Classics in the ES-137? Search engine wont find "490t or 57 plus" so I apologize if its in this site somewhere. My favorite combonation is 57+ bridge and 57 neck. Great pickup, the classic Gibson sound with a bit more punch, I love it! It's the Young Gun versus The Legend! But they’re all described as PAF pickups. I prefer it much more to the Gibson 498T which I got in order to have a little more output than I would on a Gibson 57 Classic. Took the plunge and installed 57 Classic (neck) and Classic Plus (bridge) on both of my ES-137s, replacing the stock 490R/498T combos. The Epiphone isn't solid, it's laminate. Tom Holmes, who also designed the Classic 57 for Gibson, found the ideal number of winds and resistance in my opinion. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 1:30. I voted for Classic 57 Plus! What is alarming about this thread is that you apparently cannot hear the difference between a solid Epiphone guitar and a semi-hollow Gibson guitar. the 500T does sound similar. Anyhow, YMMV, but the two pickup combinations are a night and day difference. Gibson 57 Classic Plus vs 498T Pickups ( Les Paul & SG ) Metal Demo - Duration: 1:30. 1 Options ... 1 Options Sign Up for Gibson News & Special Offers. There's enough bite to crunch under overdrive, but it's clean enough to do jazzy runs on (the neck is killer for jazz). As has been mentioned previously in this thread, the Classics are better defined, and not as hot. Wound a bit too hot for my taste, as well. When I bought my 2016 Gibson SG, I intentionally sought out a pickup wound like the ones in my 68 Gibson SG - around 7.7k - and that's the 490R/490T exactly. The 490T came stock in my 1990 Gibson Les Paul Studio. but, more clarity and greater definition than the SD '59s I have in one of my Super Eagles. Any of you made this swap in your ES-137? I've owned a Gibson Les Paul Standard in the past with the 490/498 combo and I hated those pickups with a passion. Just bought an ES-137 with the stock 490R/498T combo. Thanks! I haven't tried a 59, but even a Jazz sounds a little warm to me compared to a ceramic neck pup like the EMG 60. The Plus is definitely hotter, and slightly less output than the 498T. Press J to jump to the feed. 5 Options Dirty Fingers Pickup $154.99. They sound a lot better with 500K pots. The Modern Classics (490R/498T) are AlNiCo II mags = a little warmer sounding. I have this set up in a LP Standard 2001---best guitar made in years but that is another review. This treatment gave the pickup slightly higher output without sacrificing its rich vintage tone, which helped overdrive tube preamps to a smooth level of saturation without becoming overpowering. Much more smoother and stratty overall. Examples of 1996 and 1997 Les Paul Classic Premium Plus models from the Custom Shop include a flametop in Royal Blue with exposed zebra ’57 Classics, a flametop in Purple with covered ’57 Classics, and two highly quilted tops models with exposed zebra ’57 Classics (emerald green and ruby red). My other McCarty has some boutique pickups - a Wolfetone Marshallhead set, but Gibson's Classic '57s and P90s have always been a home run to me - even against fancier brands. As has been mentioned previously in this thread, the Classics are better defined, and not as hot. Thanks for visiting. I took the 490r and the 498t out of my LP and put in the 57 and 57+ because I thought they were better matched. The Classic '57s have a more balanced, sweeter tone to my ears. Took the plunge and installed 57 Classic (neck) and Classic Plus (bridge) on both of my ES-137s, replacing the stock 490R/498T combos. I have a 1994 L5CES with Classic '57s and I find them to be wonderful! I've had them in SGs in the past (that's the best pup for SGs I swear) and now I've got a pair in a PRS McCarty that's voiced a touch on the bright side.