Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .
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Price
Average Price: $112
Standard/Professional
$99
$200+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Gibson 490T Humbucker". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Gibson 490T Humbucker is a masterstroke of modern engineering, merging the revered tones of the '57 Classic with a contemporary twist. Designed for the bridge position, this pickup delivers a midrange boost that injects your sound with an aggressive edge without sacrificing the iconic humbucker warmth. The 490T is a versatile powerhouse, equally capable of producing soulful cleans or unleashing raw, energetic rock tones. Crafted with an Alnico II magnet, it ensures a smooth frequency response across the entire fretboard, making it a favorite among guitarists who crave both precision and power.
Whether you're a seasoned performer or an aspiring rocker, the 490T caters to your every need. Its four-conductor wiring opens up a world of tonal possibilities, allowing for series, parallel, or split-coil configurations, giving you the freedom to explore and shape your unique sound. Wax potting eliminates unwanted feedback, even at high volumes, ensuring your performance is always clean and clear. Pair it with the 490R neck pickup for a perfectly balanced tonal partnership that covers the entire sonic spectrum.
Key Features:
- Inspired by Gibson's Classic '57 with a midrange boost for a modern edge
- Alnico II magnet for smooth frequency response
- 4-conductor shielded wire supports various wiring configurations
- Wax potted to minimize microphonic feedback
- Average DC Resistance: 8.2K
- Chrome cover with double black bobbins
- Calibrated for bridge position with spaced pole pieces for string alignment
Product specs
| Type | Humbucker |
| Position | Bridge |
| Active/Passive | Passive |
| Magnet Material | Alnico II |
| Number of Conductors | 4 wire plus shield |
| DC Resistance | 8.2K |
| Connectivity | Soldered |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Covering | Covered |
FAQs
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What type of sound can I expect from the Gibson 490T Humbucker?
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The Gibson 490T Humbucker offers a warm, vintage tone with enhanced upper midrange response, making it ideal for classic rock and blues genres. Its Alnico II magnets provide a smooth and balanced sound.
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Is the Gibson 490T Humbucker suitable for high-gain music styles?
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While the Gibson 490T Humbucker is designed for a vintage sound, it can handle moderate gain levels well. For higher-gain styles, you might consider pairing it with an overdrive or distortion pedal for additional saturation.
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Can the Gibson 490T Humbucker be used in any guitar?
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The Gibson 490T is designed for bridge positions in electric guitars with a humbucker routing. Ensure your guitar has the appropriate cavity space and wiring setup for installation.
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How does the Gibson 490T Humbucker differ from the 498T?
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The Gibson 490T offers a balanced, vintage tone with Alnico II magnets, while the 498T provides higher output and more aggressive midrange, suited for heavier music styles.
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Does the Gibson 490T Humbucker require any special installation tools?
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The Gibson 490T Humbucker requires standard soldering tools for installation. It features a 4-conductor wire setup, allowing for various wiring configurations like coil splitting.
Videos
K’s Music Lounge
Gibson 490R vs 490T/498T pickups - are they different?
Reviews
PROS
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Delivers a rich, bluesy sound perfect for blues and clean tones
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Versatile tones from clean to high gain with no microphonic noise
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Offers a clear, articulate sound that cuts through the mix
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Adds a bell-like chime to clean tones
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Ideal for restoring vintage Gibson tone in older guitars
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Provides a solid clean tone for semi-hollow body guitars
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Perfect for progressive rock, metal, and alternative styles
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Less heat than other pickups, ideal for those avoiding overly hot pickups
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Compatible with a variety of guitar models and styles
CONS
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Distortion tones can be dark and fuzzy for rhythm work
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Lacks the higher energy of the 498T for some users
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May not achieve the exact tone of a 498T for those seeking it
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson 490T Humbucker.
Mods and upgrades
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Users have replaced the black plastic covers with nickel covers, though it requires some effort and modification.
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Some users suggest replacing the stock pickups with SD SH-1 '59 pickups or Bare Knuckle pickups for improved tone and articulation.
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Switching to heavier gauge strings can significantly improve tone, as seen with professional setup and adjustments.
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Features and functionality
Comparisons
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The 490T is considered a modern-sounding PAF, hotter than traditional PAFs but similar to the 57 Classics, which aren't splittable.
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The 490T is often compared to the Burstbucker Pro, with some finding Burstbuckers to be mismatched in sound and difficult to balance between neck and bridge.
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The 490T is seen as too close in output to the 490R, suggesting a better pairing with the 498T for more balanced sound.
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Build quality
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These pickups can sometimes come with a cheap plastic cover and lack humbucker brackets and adjustable pole pieces.
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Use cases and applications
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Owners find the 490T suitable for Slash-style gain, excelling in crunch and mid-level gain rather than high-gain or metal-focused tones.
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Value and pricing
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The 490T is priced around $130, placing it in direct competition with Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio, and EMG, which may offer better value for the price.
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Setup and maintenance
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For those interested in complex wiring setups, a pre-wired harness like the one from Jersey Shore Guitar Garage is recommended for ease of installation, especially for mods like the Jimmy Page wiring.
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Adjusting screw pole heights can enhance clarity and balance; for example, higher D and A poles, with low G pole beneath the bridge pickup bobbin.
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Adjustments to pickup height can affect tone balance; bridge pickups should be closer to strings for more output, while neck pickups benefit from being lower into the pickguard.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson 490T Humbucker, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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