David Garner
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2014
- Messages
- 1,143
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I have come over the past 6 years roughly to appreciate the 498t/490r set in my 93 Standard. I didn't like them at all at first, mostly because I wanted a more vintage tone. I migrated to unpotted PAF styles, but then I got a second LP that had those in it, and went a little through the wringer looking for the right pickups for that guitar.
In the meantime, I didn't like that both of them sound so much alike. They're different guitars, but they covered largely the same ground, and I wanted something that was more of a sonic contrast while still being able to cover the same basic ground. That way I can use one to back up the other, but each will have its own niche.
Anyway, that led to me putting the 498t/490r set back in the 93. I'm really liking it. And it occurred to me, what most people say they don't like about the 498t in particular is the upper mids. Same thing people say they don't like in the JB. So I ordered a mid-80s model JB from Reverb. JB-L, so not the coveted JB-J, but still a good winder. Then I found a good deal on a 59 neck and ordered it too. I'm going to install them once they arrive.
The JB is a 4 conductor, so I also ordered a push/pull pot to install for the bridge tone control so I can split it. Will report back, but I'm hoping to love it. If not, I bought them used so I can flip them.
In the meantime, I didn't like that both of them sound so much alike. They're different guitars, but they covered largely the same ground, and I wanted something that was more of a sonic contrast while still being able to cover the same basic ground. That way I can use one to back up the other, but each will have its own niche.
Anyway, that led to me putting the 498t/490r set back in the 93. I'm really liking it. And it occurred to me, what most people say they don't like about the 498t in particular is the upper mids. Same thing people say they don't like in the JB. So I ordered a mid-80s model JB from Reverb. JB-L, so not the coveted JB-J, but still a good winder. Then I found a good deal on a 59 neck and ordered it too. I'm going to install them once they arrive.
The JB is a 4 conductor, so I also ordered a push/pull pot to install for the bridge tone control so I can split it. Will report back, but I'm hoping to love it. If not, I bought them used so I can flip them.