Gibson 496R/500T or EMG 60/81?

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jlb32

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I really like the Gibson 496R/500T set but just can not decide on if I want to keep them or go with the EMG 60/81 setup.

I am doing some mods to my Gibson Explorer and just looking for personal preferences.
 
Those are totally different sounding pups. I couldn't stand any of the Gibson pick ups I've ever tried so my suggestion would be to get the 81
 
Replacing the 496r/500t in my Explorer was the best thing for that guitar.
It went from boring and bland to amazingly responsive, sweet and powerful.
I put a Godwood set in it.
My favorite guitar to play now.
 
I actually have both sets of those pickups, but have them in LPs and not an Explorer. I used to play the EMG loaded guitar more, but have preferred the 496R/500T loaded guitar moreso in the last 5-6 years.
 
I think the 496T/500T works fine in an Explorer but as others have mentioned, it is just kind of there. You don't realize that until you try other pickups in it. I would be curious how a Suhr Aldrich sounds in that guitar because it kicks ass in a Les Paul.
 
napalmdeath":2bsq39ki said:
Neither. Duncan Distortions.
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I’d second this...or a pair of dirty fingers if you can find them. EMGs are great at what they do, but you can find more dynamic pickups out there. Personally, I have two sets installed in two of my LPCs, but the other two have passives (one has a set of 57 Classics, the other has the JB/59 setup).
 
make sure the pots you are using for the gibson pickups are 500k and not 300k . This makes a big difference. try that first.
 
The Anderson H3+ stomped all sorts of ass in the bridge of my '16 Explorer T. Paired nicely with the stock 496R, too.
 
Jalen "78" bridge With an A5 instead of the A2 and a Jalen "super classic" in the neck FTW

Probably never heard of Jalen I know. I hadn't either till a couple months ago. The "78" is now my all time favorite pup its not just good for VH, Its just good .
 
LPMojoGL":3v3ok8fp said:
Replacing the 496r/500t in my Explorer was the best thing for that guitar.
It went from boring and bland to amazingly responsive, sweet and powerful.
I put a Godwood set in it.
My favorite guitar to play now.
Click to expand...

this! WCR FTW!
 
Thanks guys, all great suggestions.

The Explorer currently has the stock 496R/500T in it. I like them ok in the Explorer but the 496R/500T pickups in my Gibson Les Paul just kill and sound amazing.

Not sure what the difference is other than pickups vary some?
 
jlb32":jj03d0al said:
Thanks guys, all great suggestions.

The Explorer currently has the stock 496R/500T in it. I like them ok in the Explorer but the 496R/500T pickups in my Gibson Les Paul just kill and sound amazing.

Not sure what the difference is other than pickups vary some?
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Does the LP have a maple top? different FB? Also the shape of the guitar has alot to do with it.
 
acalaf said:
make sure the pots you are using for the gibson pickups are 500k and not 300k . This makes a big difference. try that first.
Click to expand...
10,000% get new pots and a cap first. Gibson 300k pots muddle everything up
 
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