Putting in 496R & 500T in an Epiphone LP

[Centropolis]

I bought a used Epi Gothic LP as a project guitar to learn to do the electronics stuff in a guitar. One of the first thing I want to do is to replace the pickups myself. I bought a used set of Gibson 496R and 500T pickups off a guy. They are very high output PUs and I have a concern.

Now I knew they were high output PUs when I bought them. I am wondering if it'll be hard to dial in a decent clean sound with these pick ups because of their high outputs? Or do they have a relationship at all?

Sorry in advance if this is a lame question... :)

[infinitemonkey]

I put a set in a MIK Tokai LP and they were okay. The 496R in the neck actually sounds okay for quiet blues. Plus, you can always roll off the volume knob.

If you're only looking for occasional cleans, I'd say you'll be okay, but if cleans are your number one priority, then, these are probably not the best pickups.

[Stratin2traynor]

I put a set of 490r (neck) and 498t (bridge) in an Epi Les Paul. At first I didn't like the high output that much because it was boomy and not to clean. However, I lowered the pickups and that cleaned things up a lot. It was very boomy before and now it has a bit more of a vintage and airy vibe. I know there are many many arguments about pickups and how each "special" pickup sounds different from the next but to my ears, these sound just fine - you just have to adjust the height.

[buddroyce]

The Gibson 496R and 500T are ok pickups, but they're not really that clean as someone previously mentioned. Lowering the pickup will help a lot with getting better clean tones as it will lower the output the pickup has. You may be better off just getting rid of those and putting in a good versatile set of Dimarzios or Duncans.

[Centropolis]

The Gibson 496R and 500T are ok pickups, but they're not really that clean as someone previously mentioned. Lowering the pickup will help a lot with getting better clean tones as it will lower the output the pickup has. You may be better off just getting rid of those and putting in a good versatile set of Dimarzios or Duncans.

Well, I tried selling them on Craigslist once but no one wanted them. Actually, I asked for a trade with someone for a set of more vintage sounding PUs but I got no replies.

Also, I didn't pay too much for these $100 for the two. I would only be able to buy one new PU if I sell these. haha

[fullscale]

I'm wondering why you bought the pickups you did? You didn't say what kind of tone you're looking for. I have a hardly used set of Epiphone LP pickups with chrome covers if you're interested, I put EMG ZW's in mine not long after buying it. Though my pickups might be the same as what came in your guitar. On the underside of them they have stickers saying what guitars they go in...

[fullscale]

Sorry, didn't read your last post very carefully!

[Budda]

just keep the pickups low and they wont be overdriving the cleans

[Steve_F]

The 496 will probably be ok, but I'm pretty sure the 500 was designed to be like the 498 only higher output....and the 498 is already pretty high output to begin with. The other posters have pretty much covered the basics already, adjust the heights, and manage your guitar's volume knob.

[bagpipe]

Those are the pickups which come stock in my Les Paul Classic. First thing I did was toss them and replace them with some nicer, low output PAFs. I never had any joy getting any kind of nice clean tone with those. Probably great for playing Crazy Train etc but nothing doing for clean sounds.

[Diablo]

Funny. I have those pickups in my Gibson Explorer and hate them, even though I play mostly high-gain and overdriven music. I just find them (the 500T) most notably, too muddy and dirty sounding without enough definition.
I've gotta replace them with something else one of these days.

In my Epi ZW LP, I put in the EMG ZW 81/85 set...they arent bad, but not as hot of a pickup as I expected. I've heard hotter passive pickups. Marketing hype IMO.

[buddroyce]

In my Epi ZW LP, I put in the EMG ZW 81/85 set...they arent bad, but not as hot of a pickup as I expected. I've heard hotter passive pickups. Marketing hype IMO.

You might want to try the EMGs with the 18v mod (running two 9v's in series). The extra voltage brings up the amount of headroom available and really makes the EMG's really shine. I recommend that mod to all my clients with EMGs and no one has ever gone back to using the old 9v system.

[Diablo]

Thanks for the tip, I'll do a search to find out whats involved in doing that. I dont wanna blow anything up (or do I???):)
I actually sold another guitar with EMG 81's in it a couple months ago (ESP LTD KH603) just beacuse of the lack of "hotness" in those pickups....Otherwise a phenomenally versatile guitar.