Gibson 490R “Modern Classic” Rhythm Humbucker Black 4-Conductor, Potted, Alnico II

Description

Gibson answered the call in the mid to late 1960s for more versatile pickups that could split coils through push/pull knobs and prevent microphonic feedback from occurring when the volume was turned up to maximum levels with the introduction of the revolutionary 490T and 490R pickups. The 490R is a humbucker with the tonal characteristics of an original Patent Applied For, with a slight increase in upper mid-range response.
The mid to late 1960s saw the emergence of a very different type of music coming from the clubs of England. It was an interpretation of the blues that hadn’t been heard before, and it was much harder, more rocking, and definitely louder than anything else before it. As such, this new genre’s players were demanding more powerful amplifiers with increased volume output to satisfy their sonic explorations. This led to a call for a more versatile pickup that could split coils through a push/pull knob and prevent microphonic feedback from occurring when the volume was turned up to maximum levels. Gibson answered this call with the introduction of the revolutionary 490T and 490R pickups (“T” for treble and “R” for rhythm), which have the traditional characteristics of the original Patent Applied For pickups, but with two key modifications. First, a four-conductor wiring scheme allows the 490s to be connected to any push/pull knob, which lets players split the coils and increase versatility. Gibson also introduced wax potting, which does away with any air space, minimizing microphonic feedback. The 490R is a humbucker with the tonal characteristics of an original Patent Applied For, with a slight increase in upper midrange response. The 490T bridge pickup is calibrated to match the 490R, with pole pieces aligned a little further apart to accommodate the spacing of the strings at the bridge, which is different than the spacing of the strings at the neck.

Position: Neck
Magnet: Alnico 2
Wiring: 4-Conductor
Cover: None
Double Black Bobbins
Wax Potted
Average DC Resistance: 8K
Details: Aggressively hot neck position pick up. Perfect with a 490T in the bridge position.