• From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Topic: I want to change my bridge pickup

on my Gibson LP Studio......

The 498T sounds two thin and weak. I've tried adjusting the pickup height, no difference, and twiddling with the amp controls hasn't helped.

The weird thing is, is that through my Fenders it sounds fine, but through the Jet City JCA20, the bridge pickup sounds to weak...to the extent that its unusuable, I've played purely on the neck pickup since December, except when playing through the Fenders.

Any suggestions for a new bridge pickup?

  • Registered: 2010-12-30
  • Posts: 49

Re: I want to change my bridge pickup

I LOVE the Burstbucker 3.  It's extremely hot, but well-balanced.  I hope this helps!

AndreS wrote:

on my Gibson LP Studio......

The 498T sounds two thin and weak. I've tried adjusting the pickup height, no difference, and twiddling with the amp controls hasn't helped.

The weird thing is, is that through my Fenders it sounds fine, but through the Jet City JCA20, the bridge pickup sounds to weak...to the extent that its unusuable, I've played purely on the neck pickup since December, except when playing through the Fenders.

Any suggestions for a new bridge pickup?

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: I want to change my bridge pickup

Another cool Gibson pickup that gets over looked is the 500T.  I've had that pickup in V's and les paul classics and if your trying to get a Jimmy Page thing going I think its a better pickup for the job then a BB3.  What's your Fender?  I've heard that Jet City respond good to hot pickups and the weak pickups sound well weak.  Most Vintage style Fender amps do not have mid circuits in them its like you have an amp with the mids at

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: I want to change my bridge pickup

AD3THREE wrote:

Another cool Gibson pickup that gets over looked is the 500T.  I've had that pickup in V's and les paul classics and if your trying to get a Jimmy Page thing going I think its a better pickup for the job then a BB3.  What's your Fender?  I've heard that Jet City respond good to hot pickups and the weak pickups sound well weak.  Most Vintage style Fender amps do not have mid circuits in them its like you have an amp with the mids at

They are the Champion 600 and the Super Champ XD.

The next amps I get will either be a Ceriatone Overtone or some Marshall tube or Fender reverb somethting.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: I want to change my bridge pickup

Ceriatone makes great stuff marshall and fender better then marshall and fender from what I've heard now days.  People are always telling me if they swap electronic pots and caps out they get better sounds.   Thats something to think about.  You could also consider taking the magnet out of the pickup for something smoother sounding like a Alnico II, I think 498T either have a Alnico V or a ceramic magnet that could thin out the sound but get you more power.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: I want to change my bridge pickup

AD3THREE wrote:

Ceriatone makes great stuff marshall and fender better then marshall and fender from what I've heard now days.  People are always telling me if they swap electronic pots and caps out they get better sounds.   Thats something to think about.  You could also consider taking the magnet out of the pickup for something smoother sounding like a Alnico II, I think 498T either have a Alnico V or a ceramic magnet that could thin out the sound but get you more power.

Already swapped for RS upgrade kit.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: I want to change my bridge pickup

If your brave try the magnet trick they cost about $5 from Allparts.com you just remove all the adjustable pole pieces (6 screws) and then loosen the 4 screws holding the bobbins on the back plate.  Its wax potted so you'll have to use some force to pop it out of place.  The wax is only for the coils so your ok with doing this it will not make your guitar have any more microphonic feedback then you already had.  Then just slide in the new magnet.  you might need a pole checker from stewmac.com if you don't want that Peter Green/Gary Moore out of phase les paul sound.  If you don't care put it in and don't worry about it.  Very cheap way to revoice your sound without breaking the bank for a new pickup.

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