The Gibson 490T Humbucker is a Gibson other. Close alternatives include the Seymour Duncan Screamin' Demon and the EMG JH Het Set. It pairs well with the Synergy SL2 Module and the Friedman BE-Mini Head.
Gibson 490T Humbucker
Gibson · other
The Gibson 490T is a humbucker pickup best known as the bridge-position pickup in the B.B. King Lucille signature ES-355, built to King's own specifications with a slightly overwound Alnico design that pairs traditional humbucker tone with a touch of extra edge and articulation. King's Lucille was designed without f-holes to cut down on feedback, and paired the 490T bridge pickup with a 490R in the neck position, along with a six-way Varitone switch and stereo output for extra tonal flexibility. The 490T on its own delivers a harmonically rich, growling bridge tone with enough clarity to stay articulate at higher gain, distinct from hotter, more compressed modern humbucker designs.
- clarity
- modern
- articulate
- blues
- bridge tone
- warmth
- classic rock
- gain
Genres the Gibson 490T Humbucker is commonly used in
- Jazz
- Classic Rock
- Blues
- Alternative Rock
- Metal
- Rock
Amps that pair well with the Gibson 490T Humbucker
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Synergy SL2 Module gives it high gain to fill it with
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Friedman BE-Mini Head brings the high gain it's missing
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head
Egnater
tonal matchEgnater Tweaker 88 Head's low gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Ceriatone 2202H gives it high gain to fill it with
Friedman Jose LTD
Friedman
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Friedman Jose LTD brings the high gain it's missing
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 gives it high gain to fill it with
Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass
Vox
tonal matchVox Mini SuperBeetle Bass's fuzzy fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Bad Cat Lynx 50 brings the high gain it's missing
Pedals that stack with the Gibson 490T Humbucker
Tone City Dry Martini
Tone City
tonal matchInto Gibson 490T Humbucker, Tone City Dry Martini is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
tonal matchAshdown Geezer Butler Signature's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Gibson 490T Humbucker delivers it
Fender Hammertone Overdrive
Fender
tonal matchFender Hammertone Overdrive is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Gibson 490T Humbucker gives it exactly that
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
tonal matchInto Gibson 490T Humbucker, Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
tonal matchGibson 490T Humbucker leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform ProCo RAT 2 wants
Catalinbread MontaVillian
Catalinbread
tonal matchInto Gibson 490T Humbucker, Catalinbread MontaVillian is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz
Behringer
tonal matchInto Gibson 490T Humbucker, Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
AnalogMan Beano Boost
Analog Man
tonal matchInto Gibson 490T Humbucker, AnalogMan Beano Boost is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
See all alternatives to the Gibson 490T Humbucker (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Gibson 490T Humbucker?+
The closest matches in character are the Seymour Duncan Screamin' Demon, the EMG JH Het Set, the Acoustic 270 Amplifier Head.
What pairs well with the Gibson 490T Humbucker?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Synergy SL2 Module, Friedman BE-Mini Head, Egnater Tweaker 88 Head — The transparent tone has headroom to spare — Synergy SL2 Module gives it high gain to fill it with.