Gibson 490T vs Wolfetone T-top vs Brandonwound TTop

[syscokid]

The thread, New Guitar Gibson Medallion “V”, has slightly derailed into a discussion about replica Gibson T-Tops. Therefore, my copious amounts of GAS is forcing me in seeking for more info.

I have one guitar that I would like to experiment with a swap at the bridge pickup position. It’s a 2002 Gibson SG Special Faded that I refinished with a greenish dye and Tru-Oil. She still has the stock 490R/490T pickups, and IMO, it all sounds inspiringly good. But what if a nice T-Top at the bridge takes it to another level?

Looking for opinions, facts, experiences between the three that I listed…

 

[DirtySteve]

I've no experience with the T-Top, but out of the Gibson pickups I have tried, the 490T is the only one I liked.

 

[66 Galaxie]

I like that set of pickups, I mostly go for hotter pickups.

 

[fitz]

She still has the stock 490R/490T pickups, and IMO, it all sounds inspiringly good. But what if a nice T-Top at the bridge takes it to another level?

I also have no personal experience with the T-Tops.
Basic specs are A5 mags and a 7.5k wind.

I've had 490T/R sets in a few of my Gibsons.
They work better for me in the Studio LP (modern weight relief) and V (thin mahogany body) than in the Tribute LP (classis weight relief).
Specs are A2 mags and 8.2/8.0 winds.
I seem to like the 490's in brighter/lighter guitars.
My SG has a 57/57+ set.

If you're looking for "another level" in the bridge, perhaps consider the 498T with A5 mag & 14.2k wind.
There're also a few hot ceramic mags like the 500T and Dirty Fingers.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

My only TTop is in the 76 Custom. Different guitar than my 490 loaded ones, hard to say. The unpotting, while likely making it more responsive and dynamic, does create some higher gain squeal so again, kinda hard for me to judge.
So it seems the T Tops do not have a neck or bridge version, they are the ssme.
As I rarely use neck pickup it might be inetersting to change it out and put in another git bridge spot.

 

[JeffB]

490s, R or T are darker and thicker than any T top. The 490T is slightly wider spaced so it actually has a little more resistance than he R spaced version.

Used to be a bunch of talk online (and it was just talk) that a 490R with an oriented A5 mag (short or full length) was the same thing as a T top but it's not. It sounds pretty decent in some guitars and some prefer the mag swap over the standard A2, but it's def not a T top. I've done that several times with the 490s I still own.

The mag swap on a 490 might give you a better idea about trying a T top though. If it's too bright or thin in your guitar , then you may want to steer clear of an actual T top. What value pots are in your SG @syscokid ?