Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $90
Budget/Beginner
$99
$200+
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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
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What type of tone can I expect from the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker?
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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.
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Is the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker suitable for high-gain applications?
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Yes, the 496R is designed for high-gain applications, providing clarity and sustain even at high volumes, perfect for aggressive playing styles.
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What type of magnet is used in the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker?
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The Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker uses a ceramic magnet, which contributes to its high output and bright tonal characteristics.
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Can the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker be used in both neck and bridge positions?
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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.
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Is the Gibson 496R Hot Ceramic Neck Humbucker compatible with most electric guitars?
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Yes, the 496R is a standard-sized humbucker and should fit most electric guitars that accommodate humbucker pickups, although minor adjustments may be needed.
Videos
Microdomus
Gibson Explorer - 500T/496R vs EMG 81/60 (Comparison)
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
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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.
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Installing a push/push pot enables coil splitting for additional tonal variety, especially when paired with a DiMarzio 36th Anniversary PAF.
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DiMarzio 36th Anniversary PAF pickups are recommended for more articulate clean tones and a bluesy/jazzy sound profile.
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Custom pickup covers in nickel or gold can be fitted tightly without soldering, enhancing the aesthetic of the 496R/500T setup.
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Adding 1 megaohm pots to the 500T/496R pickups can open up their tonal range, making them brighter and less compressed.
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Comparisons
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Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups are noted for great neck pickup clean tones and versatility with distortion.
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Lollar Imperial pickups, both high wind and low wind, are praised for their clean and high-gain capabilities, offering variety over stock pickups.
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The 500T has magnetic spacers, unlike the 498T, influencing its distinct tonal characteristics and output levels.
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Users compare the tonal output of the 496R/500T to DiMarzio's JB/Jazz set, stating minimal difference in live performance.
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Use cases and applications
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The 496R, when rolled back, can produce excellent blues tones, but may lack versatility for those with only one humbucker guitar.
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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.
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The Gibson 496R/500T pickup set is noted for delivering high output, ideal for southern blues/rock when volume is rolled off.
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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
User experience
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings
656
Artist usage
Add artist
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.
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. "
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.