Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $118
Standard/Professional
$99
$200+
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Budget
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Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Gibson 498T Pickup". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Gibson 498T Pickup is a powerhouse of vintage-inspired tone, designed to transform any guitar into a rock machine. Known as the "Hot Alnico," this pickup is a high-output evolution of the classic 490T, offering a more aggressive and dynamic sound. Featuring an Alnico 5 magnet, the 498T is crafted to emphasize upper midrange frequencies, delivering enhanced crunch and sustain that are perfect for hard rock and high-gain applications. Whether you're crafting powerful leads or thick rhythms, this pickup ensures single-note clarity and a robust tonal presence.
The 498T is meticulously designed with pole pieces aligned to match bridge string spacing, allowing for optimal string response and even tone. The four-conductor wiring provides versatile options for series, parallel, or split-coil operation, giving you the freedom to tailor your sound further. Plus, its fully wax-potted construction keeps microphonic feedback at bay, even at high volumes, making it a reliable choice for live performances and studio sessions alike. This pickup isn't just about raw power—its natural clarity also shines through when the gain is dialed back, offering beautifully lush and defined clean tones.
Key Features:
- Alnico 5 magnet for powerful response
- High output with enhanced midrange and sustain
- 4-conductor wiring for versatile configurations
- Fully wax-potted to reduce microphonic feedback
- Pole pieces aligned for bridge position string spacing
- Ideal for rock, hard rock, and high-gain styles
Product specs
| Type | Humbucker |
| Position | Bridge |
| Active/Passive | Passive |
| Magnet Material | Alnico V |
| Number of Conductors | 4 wire plus shield |
| DC Resistance | 14.2K |
| Connectivity | Soldered |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Covering | Covered |
FAQs
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What type of music is the Gibson 498T "Hot Alnico" Treble Humbucker Pickup best suited for?
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The Gibson 498T is ideal for rock and metal genres due to its high output and enhanced upper midrange frequencies, which provide a powerful and aggressive tone.
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Is the Gibson 498T Pickup suitable for coil splitting?
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Yes, the Gibson 498T features a four-conductor wiring design, making it suitable for coil splitting to achieve both humbucking and single-coil tones.
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What is the magnet type used in the Gibson 498T Pickup?
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The Gibson 498T uses an Alnico V magnet, known for its strong magnetic field and ability to produce a punchy, dynamic sound.
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Can the Gibson 498T Pickup handle high-gain amplification?
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Yes, the Gibson 498T is designed to handle high-gain amplification, making it an excellent choice for players who require a pickup that can maintain clarity and definition under heavy distortion.
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What is the DC resistance of the Gibson 498T Pickup?
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The Gibson 498T Pickup has a DC resistance of 14.2K, which contributes to its high output and robust tonal characteristics.
Videos
Charlie Coe
Seymour Duncan Pegasus Sentient vs Gibson 490R 498T - Les Paul Custom Pickup Shoot Out!
Reviews
PROS
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High-quality construction with a nicely plated chrome cover
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Transforms guitars with rich, full-bodied sound reminiscent of classic Gibson
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Versatile sound with clarity and powerful mids, excellent for rock/metal
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Easy installation into various guitar models without hassle
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Offers a wide range of tone variations when wired as single coils
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Provides a noticeable leap in tone definition and presence
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Balances mids, lows, and highs effectively for versatile play
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Inspires better playing with its dynamic and clean sound
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Makes older guitars sound new, enhancing their value significantly
CONS
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May not suit players looking for a purely heavy metal sound
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson 498T Pickup.
Comparisons
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The 498T pickup is compared to the Seymour Duncan JB for its punchy and dynamic sound, with some preferring the JB for its clarity.
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The 498T is considered shrill by some, leading to replacements with Duncan Custom and Seth Lover pickups for improved tone.
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Some users find the 498T similar to other hot humbuckers but slightly prefer its tone over the 500T and Dirty Fingers.
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The DiMarzio Super Distortion is noted as having more mid-range thump compared to the darker-toned 498T, which can influence preference based on the type of music played.
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The Super Distortion, despite its name, isn't solely for metal; it's historically used in 70s rock, famous for players like Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley.
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Mods and upgrades
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Adjusting pickup height and raising pole pieces can significantly improve clarity and tighten sound for the 498T.
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Swapping magnets in the 498T and 490R can address issues with shrillness and woofiness, resulting in a more balanced sound.
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For those seeking thicker bridge tone, swapping the 490R's magnet to an Alnico 5 can enhance tightness, pairing well with a Super Distortion bridge pickup.
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User experience
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A user noted that the 498T in a 2022 LP Custom was 80% satisfactory for metal tones but lacked low-end clarity, prompting a switch to SD 59'/JB pickups.
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The 498T in a '91 Studio and Standard is favored for high gain applications, suggesting long-term satisfaction with its performance.
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One user reports their 05 LP Classic with 490/498 pickups as a “modern classic,” praised for its recording appeal and touch sensitivity with overdrive.
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Features and functionality
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The 498T is praised for its harmonically rich and dynamic output, making it ideal for high-gain genres like hard rock and metal.
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Setup and maintenance
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Users recommend swapping stock 300k pots for 500k CTS pots to enhance the tonal quality of 490R/498T pickups.
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Use cases and applications
4.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
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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.
Mike Hranica uses a Gibson 498T humbucker on his First Act Custom guitar, according to Premier Guitar's rig rundown.
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 498T Pickup, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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