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Average Price: $115
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$99
$200+
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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
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What type of music is the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker best suited for?
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The Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker is designed for high-output performance, making it ideal for rock, metal, and other genres requiring powerful, cutting tones.
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Is the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker wax-potted?
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Yes, the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker is fully wax-potted to reduce microphonic feedback and ensure stable performance even at high volumes.
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Can the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker be used for coil-splitting?
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Yes, the Gibson 498T features 4-conductor wiring, allowing for versatile wiring options including coil-splitting for single-coil tones.
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What is the primary position for installing the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker?
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The Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker is primarily designed for the bridge position, providing high-output and enhanced midrange response.
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Does the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker have a high output?
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Yes, the Gibson 498T Alnico Humbucker is a high-output pickup, offering a powerful and aggressive sound suitable for various high-gain applications.
Videos
PlayRockZone
Gibson Pickups - 57 Classic - BurstBucker 1 & 2 - 490R 498T - 496R 500T
Reviews
PROS
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Transforms guitar sound to rich, Gibson-like quality
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Provides excellent clarity and powerful mids
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Versatile with single coil wiring for diverse tones
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Perfect for rock and metal genres with high gain
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Easy installation; fits well in various guitar models
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Enhances tone definition and presence significantly
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Offers Gibson sound at a fraction of the cost of a new guitar
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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
Use cases and applications
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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.
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Unpotted pickups, such as Bare Knuckle Mules, are favored for their tone but are prone to feedback at high volumes.
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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.
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Comparisons
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Epiphone Probuckers are surprisingly rated highly in blind tests against boutique pickups, offering a true PAF sound despite their affordability.
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Totalbender420 regards Ox4 PAFs as the closest match to the original PAF sound, consistently reinstalling them in guitars before resale.
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Monty's PAFs are highlighted as a cost-effective alternative, comparable to higher-priced boutique options for achieving a vintage PAF sound.
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The 496R is noted for being a hot ceramic pickup, contrasting with the Alnico 5 498T, which is often paired with a 490R instead.
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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.
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Mods and upgrades
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Replacing stock electronics with vintage-style potentiometers and NOS bumblebee capacitors, combined with Earl Slick "Vintage" humbuckers, resulted in a more authentic PAF tone.
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Bare Knuckle Mules unpotted are praised for significantly enhancing tone in a Les Paul Studio, noted as the best modification by one owner.
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Some owners recommend swapping stock 300k pots for 500k pots to enhance tonal clarity and reduce muddiness in the 490R/498T pickup set.
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Features and functionality
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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.
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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.
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Setup and maintenance
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One owner had their LP Axcess Custom Plek'd, significantly enhancing playability.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 6 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
According to the site his signature guitar contains 498T pickup in bridge position.
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.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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