Help identifying humbuckers

[17Goldtop]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here and I’m just honored to be among the Les Paul family now.
Apologies if this has been asked (I searched the forum and couldn’t find this exact question) but I’m just wondering if someone could help me identify some humbuckers?

I recently purchased a 2017 50s Tribute Goldtop.
Despite some negative reviews, I found this particular guitar to have “that mojo” and it’s quickly becoming a #1 instrument.

I’m not the original owner, and neither was the seller.
Apparently the previous owner removed the covers from what are described as 490R and 498T humbuckers.

They sound great to my ears, but I’ve been a Strat-only guy for 25 years.
I’m not really comfortable working on the electronics of Gibson instruments yet, so I haven’t taken them out.

I searched for pictures of these pickups uncovered, and yielded a lot of different results.

My pickups seem to be missing the pole pieces, is that normal or are these a swap out?

This forum seemed like such an active, welcoming, well-informed (and forgiving) community so I figured I’d ask the experts here.

I’ll get some better photos uploaded soon.

Thanks for any input, and I’m really stoked to be part of the Les Paul family!

**edit**
I’m starting to think the pole pieces were removed to achieve certain sonic properties, just based on more research.

 

[Central Scrutinizer]

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of Les Pauls!

If stock, the pickups should indeed be 490R for the neck and 498T for the bridge.

 

[none2low]

Welcome and congrats on the new guitar!!

Can't tell you what pickups those are based upon those picture (you'd need to remove them from the guitar to see the baseplates) but most definitely somebody has removed the screws. I can't say I've ever seen that done before but they are easily replaced.

Here's a link for the screws you need.

Humbucker Screws

Once you have them, just carefully screw them back in until basically flush with the top of the bobbin and then adjust to taste.

 

[17Goldtop]

Thank you all for the replies and great information. I really appreciate your input and time!
Will update as I learn more, just in case anyone could benefit from what I find.

 

[ARandall]

Thats a trick if you're wanting a more singlecoil sound. Maybe (like you) the previous owner was more of a Fender guy and didn't like the full humbucker tone.

 

[Central Scrutinizer]

Woah!
Did not look at the pictures obviously to notice the screws were out!
Sheesh. What’s that about!

I just looked up the model on the Gibson history site to find out the pickup models.

I need to pay closer attention.

 

[Bobby Mahogany]

(...)
I need to pay closer attention.

Or change your username!

 

[17Goldtop]

Woah!
Did not look at the pictures obviously to notice the screws were out!
Sheesh. What’s that about!

I just looked up the model on the Gibson history site to find out the pickup models.

I need to pay closer attention.

I didn’t even notice it myself until a couple of days after I bought it

 

[17Goldtop]

Thats a trick if you're wanting a more singlecoil sound. Maybe (like you) the previous owner was more of a Fender guy and didn't like the full humbucker tone.

It definitely has that out-of-phase honk.
It’s like single coils with massive sustain, feels so much fatter but not as aggressive as the humbuckers on my old LP Studio from 08 or so.
Loads of presence,
Honestly I’m really enjoying this very unique sound.
I haven’t played anything quite like it.
Thanks for your reply too, I really appreciate the knowledge!

 

[17Goldtop]

Hey everyone, just wanted to update this post.


I installed these screws today and everything went smoothly.
I feel like the sound is a lot more clean, with more bite.
Less out-of-phase.

It’s not really as noticeable of a difference; it is and it isn’t at the same time, if that makes any sense?

Only played for about 10 minutes since installing them, so I’ll see if I notice anything playing with my band.

I subscribe to the belief that tone is mostly in the player (hands, fingers, soul, etc) and like Keef said, “Give me a few minutes and I’ll make them all sound the same!”
That being said, I think I will leave them in for sure.

The gold screws are a bit gaudy I guess, but I like them. I included a picture of the ones I used.

Thanks again to everyone for the advice!

 

[17Goldtop]

I’d also like to give a special thanks to user @ErictheRed for his most excellent guide regarding humbucker pole piece spacing.

Here’s a link to the thread below, I found it to be insightful. Rock on

How to Properly Set the Pole Piece Height on Humbuckers

Changing the pole piece height in your pickups can dramatically affect your sound, so I've created this guide to explain how to best set the pole piece height on standard humbucking pickups. This simple adjustment can do wonders to improve clarity and balance the string-to-string output of your...

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