A Tale of Three Guitars:

[Sp8ctre]

Sorry...yes...that's the one...totally stock, 100% mahogany, carved, quilted mapel top, abalone inlay/binding, Tone Pros locking bridge, Grover tuners, EMG 81/85. I paid $1,145.00 for it brand new in 2005 and never had to do anything to it....

I had a similar model with the sustainiac pickups and a Floyd Rose. It was a Sweetwater exclusive. It had electronics troubles and I sent it back.
It was a great playing guitar and I've always wanted another one...now may be the time...

 

[Col Mustard]

my recommendation is: if you've got a set of '57s, put them in the SG. Especially if one of them
is a '57 Classic Plus. An SG with '57 Classic pickups is one of the best guitars you'll ever find.
Get rid of the PCB and install good wiring harness, like plenty of us have already said. Once you've got
the '57s in the SG with a good traditional wiring harness, you'll have an instrument you might not sell.

The Schecter needs nothing, it sounds great. Leave it alone.

Put the 490T in the Strat and watch it get a whole different life. Or use the 490R...
Either one would smooth that Strat out a lot. A Gibson pickup adds a fine unique voice to a Fender guitar.

I said earlier that each of these instruments has its own voice, which might be useful for different songs or
performances. That's still true if you follow my recommendations, only more so.

 

[Inspector #20]

my recommendation is: if you've got a set of '57s, put them in the SG. Especially if one of them
is a '57 Classic Plus. An SG with '57 Classic pickups is one of the best guitars you'll ever find.
Get rid of the PCB and install good wiring harness, like plenty of us have already said. Once you've got
the '57s in the SG with a good traditional wiring harness, you'll have an instrument you might not sell.

The Schecter needs nothing, it sounds great. Leave it alone.

Put the 490T in the Strat and watch it get a whole different life. Or use the 490R...
Either one would smooth that Strat out a lot. A Gibson pickup adds a fine unique voice to a Fender guitar.

I said earlier that each of these instruments has its own voice, which might be useful for different songs or
performances. That's still true if you follow my recommendations, only more so.

Good advice, Colonel....

I'm going to keep the PCB for now and I am eager to try the New for 2017 490's with Quick Connects in the SG....since its a drop-in affair.

Videos to come!

 

[Inspector #20]

my recommendation is: if you've got a set of '57s, put them in the SG. Especially if one of them
is a '57 Classic Plus. An SG with '57 Classic pickups is one of the best guitars you'll ever find.
Get rid of the PCB and install good wiring harness, like plenty of us have already said. Once you've got
the '57s in the SG with a good traditional wiring harness, you'll have an instrument you might not sell.

The Schecter needs nothing, it sounds great. Leave it alone.

Put the 490T in the Strat and watch it get a whole different life. Or use the 490R...
Either one would smooth that Strat out a lot. A Gibson pickup adds a fine unique voice to a Fender guitar.

I said earlier that each of these instruments has its own voice, which might be useful for different songs or
performances. That's still true if you follow my recommendations, only more so.

Colonel, not sure you heard my other video???.....490T same amp/effect settings but with volume and tone rolled back...???

 

[smitty_p]

The Stratocaster has a GFS Double Slug 13.9k Humbucker. I installed it for some drop-d metal band session work. It's way too bright clean, that's for sure. It was free from a buddy...part of a GFS loaded pickguard...LOL

The tone wasn't really showcasing these instrument's best, but the purpose of the shootout was to keep everything equal.

Yes, I-Pad...I'm terrible with the I-pad...I only use it right now until I get my recording software set back up...

Is the pickup in the neck?

This is one of those odd decisions for me. In a way, I liked the Strat the least. But, I opted for it as my second because it felt like it had the nature of tone that would have worked well, but needed to be massaged with some settings. But, that may be going beyond what you asked. The reason I go into it that much, though, is that my Strat can sound very different depending on the pickup selection (neck, middle, bridged, etc.) and control settings I use.

Like I said, the SG had more subtlety to it.

 

[jtcnj]

YOU sound great Robert, with either in your hands.
They all sound similar, but a little different. The SG did sound a little brittle / harsh at times.

 

[Inspector #20]

Is the pickup in the neck?

This is one of those odd decisions for me. In a way, I liked the Strat the least. But, I opted for it as my second because it felt like it had the nature of tone that would have worked well, but needed to be massaged with some settings. But, that may be going beyond what you asked. The reason I go into it that much, though, is that my Strat can sound very different depending on the pickup selection (neck, middle, bridged, etc.) and control settings I use.

Like I said, the SG had more subtlety to it.

All bridge pickups in the shootout. My 87 Squire is heavy! Almost uncomfortable!

 

[Inspector #20]

YOU sound great Robert, with either in your hands.
They all sound similar, but a little different. The SG did sound a little brittle / harsh at times.

Thank you, Man...the settings were not appropriate for the song, but I felt keeping them equal would allow the instruments' differences come through...

 

[Inspector #20]

Is the pickup in the neck?

This is one of those odd decisions for me. In a way, I liked the Strat the least. But, I opted for it as my second because it felt like it had the nature of tone that would have worked well, but needed to be massaged with some settings. But, that may be going beyond what you asked. The reason I go into it that much, though, is that my Strat can sound very different depending on the pickup selection (neck, middle, bridged, etc.) and control settings I use.

Like I said, the SG had more subtlety to it.

I am eager to hear it with Gibson's 57 Classics!

 

[smitty_p]

All bridge pickups in the shootout. My 87 Squire is heavy! Almost uncomfortable!

Honestly, my guess is that for the type of playing you were doing, if you had used the neck position on the Strat and rolled back the volume and tone a touch, it would have been quite sweet.

 

[Inspector #20]

Honestly, my guess is that for the type of playing you were doing, if you had used the neck position on the Strat and rolled back the volume and tone a touch, it would have been quite sweet.

490T bridge pickup. Identical amp and effect settings. 500k pot on stock Gibson PCB with tone and volume rolled back a little...around 8 on the top hats...

 

[Col Mustard]

yes, I did listen to the 490t with the tone rolled back, and it sounded more like what I would use if for.

But I stand by my statement. The only point I can see in switching one 490 for another is if you believe
(as I do) that something is wrong with your new guitar's wiring to make it squeal like that.
To me, that should not be happening, and should be a warranty issue.

But if you have a Gibson SG (one of the world's best guitar designs) AND you have a set of Gibson '57 classic
pickups, (one of the world's best production pickups)... to me it's like a no-brainer to put them together.
Match made in heaven IMHO.
To me, that is worth voiding your warranty to obtain. I did it with my SG special, and absolutely love the
combination.

I took the 490s out of my SG and installed them in my step daughter's Epiphone Les Paul special ll.
the Gibson p'ups were a definite upgrade to that guitar, and to my ear, they sound better in the Epiphone than
they did in the SG. So they've found their place in the world, and a Gibson 490 seems like a great upgrade for
a Squier Strat as well. Or for a Telecaster neck p'up.

 

[Inspector #20]

yes, I did listen to the 490t with the tone rolled back, and it sounded more like what I would use if for.

But I stand by my statement. The only point I can see in switching one 490 for another is if you believe
(as I do) that something is wrong with your new guitar's wiring to make it squeal like that.
To me, that should not be happening, and should be a warranty issue.

But if you have a Gibson SG (one of the world's best guitar designs) AND you have a set of Gibson '57 classic
pickups, (one of the world's best production pickups)... to me it's like a no-brainer to put them together.
Match made in heaven IMHO.
To me, that is worth voiding your warranty to obtain. I did it with my SG special, and absolutely love the
combination.

I took the 490s out of my SG and installed them in my step daughter's Epiphone Les Paul special ll.
the Gibson p'ups were a definite upgrade to that guitar, and to my ear, they sound better in the Epiphone than
they did in the SG. So they've found their place in the world, and a Gibson 490 seems like a great upgrade for
a Squier Strat as well. Or for a Telecaster neck p'up.

A while back, I played a 2017 Gibson Les Paul Tribute with the "redesigned" 490's. I loved the quiet signal and another benefit is the 2017 490's have the quick connect harness.

I've changed my negative opinion of the PCB from a tonal standpoint. I played the 2017 Les Paul Tribute back-to-back with our bone-stock original (well worn studio workhorse shown in attached images) 1979 Les Paul Custom and I think the 2017 sounds both richer and fuller, not to mention much quieter.

Yes...the PCB may not be as easy to solder in pickups, but unless you are good at soldering, the PCB will have a cleaner signal path than poor solder joints and the capacitors can also be changed out too if you desire.

Did you read the post in Pickup Pantry about Gibson's modifications to the 490's (and others) for 2017??? You should check out the specs from Gibson that I posted. I'm eager to try them.

The 57 Classics are also nee take outs, but are the solder-in models.

I got interested in SG's because Angus Young played one and I loved his tone, but the reality is, the SG may just not be for me.

I guess after playing Stratocaster-style bodies for 30 years that I've grown accustomed to the feel. I like the lightness of the SG and its tone is pleasing to me, but its still not yet a really comfortable guitar for me to play.

I feel most comfortable with my old Stratocaster Squire, but like the tone the least. Hopefully, the 57 Classics will change that.

I am in the process of building my "dream Strat."

It will be made from Warmoth parts...Mahogany, early large body profile, hardtail, wide 50's bridge, Gibson humbuckers, 1 volume, 2 tones, 24-3/4" scale, large headstock, mahogany neck, ebony board, 6230 SS Frets crowned to .030" and perfectly set up.

This, I think, is what I should have done years ago....

 

[Inspector #20]

yes, I did listen to the 490t with the tone rolled back, and it sounded more like what I would use if for.

But I stand by my statement. The only point I can see in switching one 490 for another is if you believe
(as I do) that something is wrong with your new guitar's wiring to make it squeal like that.
To me, that should not be happening, and should be a warranty issue.

But if you have a Gibson SG (one of the world's best guitar designs) AND you have a set of Gibson '57 classic
pickups, (one of the world's best production pickups)... to me it's like a no-brainer to put them together.
Match made in heaven IMHO.
To me, that is worth voiding your warranty to obtain. I did it with my SG special, and absolutely love the
combination.

I took the 490s out of my SG and installed them in my step daughter's Epiphone Les Paul special ll.
the Gibson p'ups were a definite upgrade to that guitar, and to my ear, they sound better in the Epiphone than
they did in the SG. So they've found their place in the world, and a Gibson 490 seems like a great upgrade for
a Squier Strat as well. Or for a Telecaster neck p'up.

There are things I like about the SG, I guess its just too soon to say which way the wind will blow????

 

[Col Mustard]

I built myself my dream bass: A fretless J-bass made with Warmoth parts.

I had a great experience. Warmoth is expensive, but excellent to deal with. They give accurate specs on
the products they sell, and when my parts arrived, everything fit together perfectly. It was a pleasure to
do this project, and I ended up with a beautiful bass that really complements my fretted instruments.

 

[Inspector #20]

I built myself my dream bass: A fretless J-bass made with Warmoth parts.

I had a great experience. Warmoth is expensive, but excellent to deal with. They give accurate specs on
the products they sell, and when my parts arrived, everything fit together perfectly. It was a pleasure to
do this project, and I ended up with a beautiful bass that really complements my fretted instruments.

View attachment 1919 View attachment 1920 View attachment 1921 View attachment 1922 View attachment 1923 View attachment 1924 View attachment 1925 View attachment 1926 View attachment 1927 View attachment 1928

Awesome....!!!! Beautiful craftsmanship.

I don't like playing bass, but I'm good at it. I was hired to do some bass tracks recently and the band asked me to sign on with them. Rumour is we will open for Robert Cray in Downey on march 11, 2017 if nothing changes. I was playing a borrowed bass, so I found an Ibanez on Craigslist locally for $60.00...Intonation was spot on...plays good!!!

 

[Inspector #20]

490T bridge pickup. Identical amp and effect settings. 500k pot on stock Gibson PCB with tone and volume rolled back a little...around 8 on the top hats...

Here is the same tune, same amp but with the 490T & 490R played in unison with both tone pots rolled off about 1/2 and volume pots wide open.

Posting this as a reference point for when I swap in the 2017 Gibson Revised Specification 490's....

 

[WavMixer]

I gotta agree with Goo that they all sounded good. Once again the proof is in the pudding, tone is more about the player than the instrument being played.

 

[Inspector #20]

I gotta agree with Goo that they all sounded good. Once again the proof is in the pudding, tone is more about the player than the instrument being played.

This above-posted video will probably be the last one with the "Pre-Revision" Gibson 490's....

Wavy,

Compare the video above, played on both the 490T/490R simultaneously, and the video in post #73, played only on the 490T....and critique the tone for me.....What do you hear differently???

 

[Inspector #20]

After much debate, and an entire day of shielding, pickup swaps and general fine tuning, I have reached a conclusion.

I have only one guitar that I can truly trust - my 2005 Schecter C1 Hellraiser. It has performed well both live and in the studio....and I have never had to modify it in any way - its still totally stock.

My 1987 Stratocaster Squire is a good guitar and I will always keep it for sentimental reasons. Its a great guitar.

The Gibson SG, sadly, just isn't working out. It would be a great bedroom guitar, but not for recording or live gigging. Even a pickup swap with genuine Gibson pickups was disappointing - the Squire actually has better, more balanced tone.

So, time to move past all this nonsense and concentrate on writing and recording....there has been enough time spent trying to make a brand new Gibson SG equal the usefulness of a 1987 squire Strat.

I'm done with this....