Coil splitting 490R and 490T

[briluster]

I'm really interested in the new 2014 Les Paul Studios. (Although I've read many comments about a lack of interest in the new 2014 line from members.) I note they have 490R/490T pickups with push/pull pots to coil split, and I've seen the same pickup combination on other Gibsons that have coil splitting (the LPJ Pros come to mind). Is there something about this combination when splitting the coils compared to other pickup combinations, like 490R/498T?

Does anyone have experience with coil splitting these specific pickups?

 

[briluster]

Anyone?

 

[LtKojak]

Anyone?

Nobody knows what you're asking...

 

[Classicplayer]

There may be not enough 2014 models in the hands of players to give you an answer at this point.

I have a 490R/Burstbucker Pro in my 2010 Studio Deluxe and they have the coil tap feature. At first I did not think that feature useful to me. Now that I've dialed in and tweaked both pickups, I'll take that statement back. I think the key is getting those pickups raised up close to the strings. I did just that so that my high e-string almost makes contact with it's respective pole screw on the bridge pup when that string is fretted at the last fret. I adjusted the 6th. string side up for a balanced sound. I did almost the same with the 496R, although there is a good 1/16th of an inch between the high e-string and the fret when fretted at the last fret. Again, I raised the 6th. string side up for a balanced sound.

This, believe it or not, makes quite a difference. Now the coil taps on both pickups actually works for me. YMMV.

Classicplayer

 

[briluster]

Nobody knows what you're asking...

Yeah, I guess I wasn't very clear exactly what I was asking about those pickups. I was really wondering if any members have had experience splitting the coils of a 490R and/or 490T, and how they sound compared to other humbuckers with the coils split.

 

[briluster]

There may be not enough 2014 models in the hands of players to give you an answer at this point.

I have a 490R/Burstbucker Pro in my 2010 Studio Deluxe and they have the coil tap feature. At first I did not think that feature useful to me. Now that I've dialed in and tweaked both pickups, I'll take that statement back. I think the key is getting those pickups raised up close to the strings. I did just that so that my high e-string almost makes contact with it's respective pole screw on the bridge pup when that string is fretted at the last fret. I adjusted the 6th. string side up for a balanced sound. I did almost the same with the 496R, although there is a good 1/16th of an inch between the high e-string and the fret when fretted at the last fret. Again, I raised the 6th. string side up for a balanced sound.

This, believe it or not, makes quite a difference. Now the coil taps on both pickups actually works for me. YMMV.

Classicplayer

That's a good point. I guess since I had seen the 490s with coil splitting in the 2013 LPJ Pro lineup, I thought maybe it was a common or good pickup combination for one who wants coil splitting capabilities in a LP. Plus, with it being a somewhat common pickup combination (such as with the old SG Fadeds), I thought there might be a number of members who could chime in.

Hopefully over the next few months as they really roll out the new Studios, I can hear some feedback on these pups with the coils split.

 

[donthewatcher]

I also raised the pick up on my ephiphone les paul ptp (probukers) with coil tap it sounds close to my Gibson LPJ (490r/498t) im thinking of putting that combo into my epi to see if I can get the crazy sustain /bite
my current gear : gibson 2013 LPJ (490/498t)
ephiphone 2012/13 les paul plus top pro (probuckers)\coil split
squire bullet strat (Texas special single coil)
DEAN vendetta (slash seymor duncans)
squire telcaster (dimarzio chopper/wang king)
1991 fender American standard precision bass

 

[kevinpaul]

My Brian Moore has factory coil split, with the neck coil and bridge coil on. I get it talking like a Tele.

 

[entresz]

I do. My L6-S reissue came with the 490R and 498T as the stock pickups. As humbuckers they were ok, but not my cup of tea. I'm a jazz and blues guitarist, they were better for heavier stuff then what I play.

As for coil splitting, the neck pickup was not great. Quite muddy, which is generally the opposite of what one would expect from shutting off a coil. The bridge pickup sounded pretty good split though. Kind of tele like, but not quite if that makes sense.

Combined they have a nice bit of twang. A little bit gretsch like in some ways.

 

[briluster]

Thanks, entresz. I guess that doesn't bode well for the pups in the new Studios since the one that you found to sound good isn't one of them. Hopefully there'll be more input as they roll out into stores, and eventually into customers' hands.

 

[leewaun]

I have the new 2014 Les Paul Studio with the 490R/490t pickup set and today was playing it using the coil taps and I was just floored at how good it sounds. I had a Sig t les paul and it had coil splitting which just didn't sound well. The 2014 coil taps stay at volume and sounded really good. I was surprised just how useful this feature really is. My 2014 studio is in my avatar.