Gibson 498T Hot Alnico 5 Treble Humbucker Pickup (Black)

Gibson's 498T Hot Alnico 5 is a high-output bridge humbucker™ engineered for hard rock and heavy applications. Built on the foundation of Gibson's 490T design, the 498T upgrades to an Alnico 5 magnet and adds balanced winding geometry across both coils. This combination shifts the frequency response into the upper midrange, delivering enhanced crunch and presence without sacrificing harmonic clarity.

The pickup measures 16.5 cm in depth, 12.7 cm in width, and 6.35 cm in length, fitting standard bridge positions across most solid-body electrics. Four-conductor wiring enables flexible coil-splitting configurations for those seeking tonal versatility beyond the standard output. The Alnico 5 magnet structure produces a more aggressive magnetic field than lower-grade alternatives, translating to increased output headroom and quicker amplifier saturation–ideal for rhythm work that demands definition even at high gain.

The 498T excels when paired with high-impedance amplifiers and distortion-forward signal chains, where its pronounced midrange presence cuts through dense mixes. Bridge placement ensures the pickup captures the string's attack and sustain characteristics most effectively, making it a reliable choice for lead tones requiring both power and articulation across a wide dynamic range.

Features

• Alnico 5 magnet for high output and aggressive response
• Four-conductor wiring supports coil-splitting and series–parallel switching
• Bridge position humbucker™ with enhanced upper-midrange frequency emphasis
• Depth: 16.5 cm; width: 12.7 cm; height: 6.35 cm
• Balanced dual-coil winding design for sustained crunch
• Increased output compared to Gibson's 490T predecessor
• Optimised for hard rock, metal, and high-gain applications
• Standard solid-body electric guitar bridge pickup compatibility