Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $115

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$99

$200+

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Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 23, 2026.

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Description

Elevate your guitar's tonal prowess with the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker, a sought-after upgrade for musicians seeking that perfect blend of vintage warmth and modern edge. Designed as the hotter version of the classic pickup, the 498T offers a higher internal resistance, delivering a commanding power output that brings your playing to life. Ideal for the bridge position, it transforms your sound with warm, singing lead tones that cut through the mix.

The 498T is a staple in iconic Gibson models like the Les Paul Studio, Les Paul Standard, and Les Paul Custom, renowned for their rich soundscapes. Its vintage Alnico magnet construction ensures a balanced tonal response, while the 4-wire design allows for versatile coil-splitting options, letting you tap into a universe of sonic possibilities. The sleek chrome cover not only adds a touch of elegance but also enhances the pickup's durability, ready to withstand the rigors of touring and recording alike.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring guitarist, the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker is your ticket to a robust and dynamic sound that remains true to the Gibson legacy.

Key Features:

  • Hotter version of vintage pickup with higher power output
  • Vintage Alnico magnet construction
  • Designed for the bridge position
  • Warm and singing lead tones
  • 4-wire configuration for coil-splitting options
  • Chrome cover for enhanced durability

Product specs

Active No
Wiring 4-Conductor
Output High
Cap Yes
Colour Chrome
Position Bridge

FAQs

What type of music is the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker best suited for?

The Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker is designed for high-output performance, making it ideal for rock, metal, and other genres requiring powerful, cutting tones.

Is the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker wax-potted?

Yes, the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker is fully wax-potted to reduce microphonic feedback and ensure stable performance even at high volumes.

Can the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker be used for coil-splitting?

Yes, the Gibson 498T features 4-conductor wiring, allowing for versatile wiring options including coil-splitting for single-coil tones.

What is the primary position for installing the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker?

The Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker is primarily designed for the bridge position, providing high-output and enhanced midrange response.

Does the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker have a high output?

Yes, the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker is a high-output pickup, offering a powerful and aggressive sound suitable for various high-gain applications.

PlayRockZone

PlayRockZone

Gibson Pickups - 57 Classic - BurstBucker 1 & 2 - 490R 498T - 496R 500T

Video thumbnail for Gibson Pickups - 57 Classic - BurstBucker 1 & 2 - 490R 498T - 496R 500T by PlayRockZone

Gibson Pickups - 57 Classic - BurstBucker 1 & 2 - 490R 498T - 496R 500T

PlayRockZone

PlayRockZone

Video thumbnail for Gibson 498T versus Burstbucker Pro humbucker pickup shootout with SG Guitar by gearmanndude

Gibson 498T versus Burstbucker Pro humbucker pickup shootout with SG Guitar

gearmanndude

gearmanndude

Video thumbnail for Gibson 57 classics vs 490r & 498t - SG, on Kemper Profiling Amp! by KENDRICK

Gibson 57 classics vs 490r & 498t - SG, on Kemper Profiling Amp!

KENDRICK

KENDRICK

Video thumbnail for Gibson High Output Humbuckers: 498T vs 500T vs Dirty Fingers (orig.) by Lasse Lammert

Gibson High Output Humbuckers: 498T vs 500T vs Dirty Fingers (orig.)

Lasse Lammert

Lasse Lammert

Video thumbnail for Gibson 490R and 498T Pickups by Visual Guy

Gibson 490R and 498T Pickups

Visual Guy

Visual Guy

Video thumbnail for Gibson 490R/498T vs Gibson 57 Classic by axedoc2010

Gibson 490R/498T vs Gibson 57 Classic

axedoc2010

axedoc2010

Video thumbnail for Gibson 498T vs 57 Classic + by RJ Electric

Gibson 498T vs 57 Classic +

RJ Electric

RJ Electric

Video thumbnail for Suhr Dough Aldrich Pickups vs Gibson 490R, 498T by Daniel Belensky

Suhr Dough Aldrich Pickups vs Gibson 490R, 498T

Daniel Belensky

Daniel Belensky

Video thumbnail for Gibson 498T & 490R Pickups VS Lollar Imperial High Winds by Jon Monter

Gibson 498T & 490R Pickups VS Lollar Imperial High Winds

Jon Monter

Jon Monter

Video thumbnail for 2019 Gibson Les Paul Axcess Custom Shop // Gibson 498T & 490R Pickups by Igor Alencar

2019 Gibson Les Paul Axcess Custom Shop // Gibson 498T & 490R Pickups

Igor Alencar

Igor Alencar

Video thumbnail for Gibson 490r/498t vs Lollar Imperials by axedoc2010

Gibson 490r/498t vs Lollar Imperials

axedoc2010

axedoc2010

Reviews

PROS

  • Transforms guitar sound to rich, Gibson-like quality

  • Provides excellent clarity and powerful mids

  • Versatile with single coil wiring for diverse tones

  • Perfect for rock and metal genres with high gain

  • Easy installation; fits well in various guitar models

  • Enhances tone definition and presence significantly

  • Offers Gibson sound at a fraction of the cost of a new guitar

  • Delivers impressive performance across clean, distortion, and crunch sounds

CONS

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker.

User experience

  • Owners of the Axcess Custom without a Floyd Rose tremolo expressed high satisfaction, finding it hard to put the guitar down after setup improvements.

    Source
  • Adjusting pickup height and raising pole pieces can significantly impact tonal clarity, particularly for high-gain applications.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Slash Alnico II Pro set is favored for blues rock, noted for its slightly higher output and aggressive bridge tone compared to the standard version.

    Source
  • Unpotted pickups, such as Bare Knuckle Mules, are favored for their tone but are prone to feedback at high volumes.

    Source
  • The 490R/498T set is noted for its versatility, suitable for genres ranging from metal to blues, with a particular emphasis on their suitability for distortion-heavy styles.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Epiphone Probuckers are surprisingly rated highly in blind tests against boutique pickups, offering a true PAF sound despite their affordability.

    Source
  • Totalbender420 regards Ox4 PAFs as the closest match to the original PAF sound, consistently reinstalling them in guitars before resale.

    Source
  • Monty's PAFs are highlighted as a cost-effective alternative, comparable to higher-priced boutique options for achieving a vintage PAF sound.

    Source
  • The 496R is noted for being a hot ceramic pickup, contrasting with the Alnico 5 498T, which is often paired with a 490R instead.

    Source
  • Users have compared the 498T's output and tonal characteristics to a Duncan JB, noting the 498T as smoother but with a tendency for slight brittleness in the low-end.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Replacing stock electronics with vintage-style potentiometers and NOS bumblebee capacitors, combined with Earl Slick "Vintage" humbuckers, resulted in a more authentic PAF tone.

    Source
  • Bare Knuckle Mules unpotted are praised for significantly enhancing tone in a Les Paul Studio, noted as the best modification by one owner.

    Source
  • Some owners recommend swapping stock 300k pots for 500k pots to enhance tonal clarity and reduce muddiness in the 490R/498T pickup set.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 498T pickup is known for its high output and is particularly praised for its dynamic response in high-gain settings, making it ideal for heavy rock and metal.

    Source
  • The 496R and 498T pickup configuration is used on certain Gibson models, including the Steve Jones tribute and USA Gibson Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • One owner had their LP Axcess Custom Plek'd, significantly enhancing playability.

    Source

Other

  • Pickup variance in Gibson models can be notable, with differences in DCR readings affecting tonal output, leading some players to measure and select pickups based on actual specs.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 6 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Alex Lifeson uses Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker

Alex Lifeson

Guitarist

Rush

...
Verified via Spinditty

According to the site his signature guitar contains 498T pickup in bridge position.

See how Paul Landers uses Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker

Paul Landers

Guitarist

Rammstein

...
Verified via Photo

Paul Landers uses a Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker in the bridge position of his Les Paul Studio Ebony, as shown in the user-uploaded photo.

See how Chad Kroeger uses Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker

Chad Kroeger

Singer, Guitarist

Nickelback

...
Verified via Sweetwater

His signature guitar has 498T.

See how Mike Sullivan uses Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker

Mike Sullivan

Guitarist

Russian Circles

...
Verified via YouTube

On the neck pickup of the '57 Les Paul is a 498 humbucker, used for brightness as well as mids.

See how Don Felder uses Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker

Don Felder

Guitarist

Eagles

...
Verified via Spinditty

He uses 498T humbucker.

See how Tommy Thayer uses Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker

Tommy Thayer

Guitarist

Kiss

...
Verified via Epiphone

His signature guitar has 498T pickups.

Genre Usage

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    Gear IQ 17214