Pricing and availability

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Reverb
5.0 (1)
$75.00 5 available Used
Thomann
4.8 (62)
$106.00 $105.00 $1.00 · All time low

Average Price: $90

Budget/Beginner

$99

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 23, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup, a musician's secret weapon for achieving that authentic, heavy rock sound. This original Gibson Humbucker is an excellent addition to your guitar setup, whether you're a professional musician or a passionate hobbyist.

Featuring ceramic magnets, this neck position pickup is specifically designed to deliver a powerful output and an impressive sustain. It's perfect for those who prefer heavy rock sounds or play deeper tuned instruments. The Gibson 496R is a driving force behind the music, giving you the power to control your sound and express your unique style.

The pickup comes in a sleek black color, seamlessly blending with your instrument while adding a touch of elegance. It's not just about the aesthetics, though - the Gibson 496R is built to last, ensuring you can create beautiful music for years to come.

Set your music ablaze with the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup.

Key Features:

  • Original Gibson Humbucker
  • Designed for neck position
  • Equipped with ceramic magnets
  • Ideal for heavy rock sounds or deeper tuned instruments
  • Sleek black color

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker
Finish Double Black
Year 2010s
Categories Guitar Pickups

FAQs

What type of tone can I expect from the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker?

The Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker delivers a powerful, bright tone with enhanced highs and tight lows, making it ideal for rock and metal genres.

Is the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker suitable for high-gain applications?

Yes, the 496R is designed for high-gain applications, providing clarity and sustain even at high volumes, perfect for aggressive playing styles.

What type of magnet is used in the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker?

The Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker uses a ceramic magnet, which contributes to its high output and bright tonal characteristics.

Can the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker be used in both neck and bridge positions?

While the 496R is primarily designed for the neck position, it can be used in the bridge position if a bright, cutting tone is desired.

Is the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker compatible with most electric guitars?

Yes, the 496R is a standard-sized humbucker and should fit most electric guitars that accommodate humbucker pickups, although minor adjustments may be needed.

Microdomus

Microdomus

Gibson Explorer - 500T/496R vs EMG 81/60 (Comparison)

Video thumbnail for Gibson Explorer - 500T/496R vs EMG 81/60 (Comparison) by Microdomus

Gibson Explorer - 500T/496R vs EMG 81/60 (Comparison)

Microdomus

Microdomus

Video thumbnail for EMG HET SET vs GIBSON 496R / 500 T by Bob van Lieshout

EMG HET SET vs GIBSON 496R / 500 T

Bob van Lieshout

Bob van Lieshout

Video thumbnail for LES PAUL CLASSIC PLUS 496R AND 500T by COMPARE GUITAR PICKUPS

LES PAUL CLASSIC PLUS 496R AND 500T

COMPARE GUITAR PICKUPS

COMPARE GUITAR PICKUPS

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Classic 500T/496R vs House of Tone TRU-PAFs - Guitars, Songs & Home Videos #39 by Kian Sparkes

Gibson Les Paul Classic 500T/496R vs House of Tone TRU-PAFs - Guitars, Songs & Home Videos #39

Kian Sparkes

Kian Sparkes

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup.

Mods and upgrades

  • Users have highlighted that upgrading Epiphone pickups to Gibson models, like the 496R/500T, can significantly elevate the guitar's sound quality, especially when compared to stock Epiphone pickups.

    Source
  • Installing a push/push pot enables coil splitting for additional tonal variety, especially when paired with a DiMarzio 36th Anniversary PAF.

    Source
  • DiMarzio 36th Anniversary PAF pickups are recommended for more articulate clean tones and a bluesy/jazzy sound profile.

    Source
  • Custom pickup covers in nickel or gold can be fitted tightly without soldering, enhancing the aesthetic of the 496R/500T setup.

    Source
  • Adding 1 megaohm pots to the 500T/496R pickups can open up their tonal range, making them brighter and less compressed.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups are noted for great neck pickup clean tones and versatility with distortion.

    Source
  • Lollar Imperial pickups, both high wind and low wind, are praised for their clean and high-gain capabilities, offering variety over stock pickups.

    Source
  • The 500T has magnetic spacers, unlike the 498T, influencing its distinct tonal characteristics and output levels.

    Source
  • Users compare the tonal output of the 496R/500T to DiMarzio's JB/Jazz set, stating minimal difference in live performance.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The 496R, when rolled back, can produce excellent blues tones, but may lack versatility for those with only one humbucker guitar.

    Source
  • The 500T pickup is preferred for metal due to its ceramic magnet's high output, while the 498T, with Alnico magnets, is better for hard rock with a warmer tone.

    Source
  • The Gibson 496R/500T pickup set is noted for delivering high output, ideal for southern blues/rock when volume is rolled off.

    Source
  • When used with a Les Paul, the 496R/500T set delivers brighter tones, especially with custom 1meg pots, compared to the Custombuckers.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 500T pickup provides a boosted tone without the need for additional pedals, making it useful for high-gain applications.

    Source
  • The 500T pickup is noted for its tight, precise nature, making it more suited to metal compared to the Dirty Fingers pickup, which excels in hard rock and punk.

    Source

User experience

  • Some owners find the 490R pickup to be overly muddy, suggesting that it can be polarizing depending on personal tonal preferences.

    Source
  • It's noted that 496R/500T pickups require volume and tone adjustments to unlock a full range of articulate sounds, especially for non-metal genres.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Adjusting the height of 496R/500T pickups can significantly alter tone, emphasizing clarity or reducing muddiness.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
metal_messiah

Great for a stock neck pickup

This 496R came in my 2005 Gibson Explorer but she had to go & in came a EMG 60.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jimmy Page uses Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup

Jimmy Page

Guitarist

Led Zeppelin

...
Verified via Premier Guitars

The Jimmy Page Signature Les Paul is meticulously crafted to emulate the tones that made Page’s playing legendary. It features Gibson 496R and 500T pickups, paired with a unique set of push/pull controls that allow for series/parallel and coil-split options, enabling players to capture the wide range of sounds Page mastered throughout his career.

See how Buckethead uses Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup

Buckethead

Guitarist, Bassist

Guns N' Roses

...
Verified via YouTube

His signature Gibson had 496R and 500T.

See how Steve Jones uses Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup

Steve Jones

Guitarist

Sex Pistols

...
Verified via Gibson

Source Gibson.com:

"The pickups are two of Gibson’s best humbuckers for playing the type of intense rock and roll made famous by Jones and the Sex Pistols – Gibson’s 496R humbucker in the neck position delivers incredible sustain and cutting power with its ceramic magnet, adding more highs with increased definition and no muddiness at all, while the 498T in the bridge position swaps the Alnico II magnet to an Alnico V, thus making it slightly hotter with emphasis on mid-ranges and highs. The pole pieces on the 498T are also aligned a little further apart to accommodate the spacing of the strings at the bridge, which is different than the spacing of the strings at the neck. "

http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-Custom/Steve-Jones-Les-Paul-Custom/Features.aspx

See how Joe Hottinger uses Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup

Joe Hottinger

Guitarist

Halestorm

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

Joe Hottinger uses a Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup in his Gibson SG Baritone, as confirmed during the Rig Rundown with John Bohlinger on Premier Guitar.

See how Simon (Deceiver) uses Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup

Simon (Deceiver)

Guitarist, Composer

Deceiver

...
Verified via Photo

Simon from Deceiver uses a Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup in his Gibson Flying V guitars. This is evident from the Instagram post by vguitarmaniac, showcasing the gear preparation for their upcoming show.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker Pickup, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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edwin_roberts

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