Seymour Duncan JB vs. Gibson 498T | Is it worth upgrading pickups?
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- Опубліковано 4 сер 2020
- Hello folks!
In today's video I shootout the SH4 (JB) from Seymour Duncan and Gibson's 498T pickup. Feel free to leave your thoughts and feedback in the comments! Check out my channel for more gear-related videos :)
I used STL Tonehub for the guitar tones in this video, will use my Vox AC15 in later videos I promise!
Gear used:
Sony a6300
1999 Gibson Les Paul Studio
Ernie Ball 11-54 Beefy Slinky's
Apollo Firewire Duo
Pro Tools 11
STL Tonehub John Feldmann Pack
Ive played a 498t/490r combo in an sg for 25 years. To this day it is still one of my favorite pickup sets. Articulate and well rounded. Blues, classic rock, indie, or metal. They do it all. I appreciated the honesty in your video. Good job man.
i like the 490t too for that reason. any feedback on the 500 ceramic?
@@gibs8412 The 500t isn't as versatile as the 498t. The 500t has a bit more high end bite and output (HOT). It is a firebreather of a pickup for heavier tones. I have a set in my Explorer and Les Paul. They fit my style of playing. Some think they are harsh but to me it depends on the application. For metal tones, I prefer them to lots of other pickups.
@@michaelglass3993 I got the 496/ 500 set in my Paul. Honestly I couldn't really tell the difference between these. My main guitar is a L Sensor Strat. So my amps are sorta set up for this guitar. Les Paul just smokes whatever I plug into. It's loud so I lean on it that way. Sounds so good through my Boogie.
Same here. Love the 498/490 combo and I play classic rock, hard rock and 80's metal. Works fantastic.
I didn't hear a difference, given I'm hearing this on my phone. After using SH4's for nearly 40 years - I have them on a Studio and Standard from 1990 and 1996 respectively, a rebuilt early 80's JBJ in the Studio and a late 80's JBJ in the Standard, my guess is you'd really not hear a difference in the room that mattered if you took the covers off the stock Gibsons.
You gotta remember though, Gibson puts the 490r/498t in their Les Paul Customs for 4-5 grand, so that combo is pretty iconic
498t is my favorite bridge pickup ever ❤
Yeah exactly! And they once decided they were an considerable upgrade over T-Tops and the Original PAFs.
@@jesterjigs9914I just put a 498t/490r set in my Epi Jerry Cantrell wino LP Custom and they are absolutely amazing. Wouldn't use anything else, and I have tried a lot of different pups over the years and always came back.
took out the 498t's for the JB's after a week I put back the 498's. I have a 1999 Gibson Les Paul Standard. The JB's lacked low end. I paid $50 to have it put in, but I took them out myself. This is an excellent video comparing both. . Good job!
The 498T has got to be one of the most underrated pickups out there. People think they are cheap because they are in Gibson's less expensive guitars (like Les Paul Studios) but they kick ass.
Nope..les paul custom use 498T too
Absolutely not the case. They are criminally underrated. I have a 2008 Gibson Les Paul Studio. It chugs like a mf.
I have the original Patent NO. T top P/ups in my 73 Les Paul Custom, and I would no more change them, than I would change my 498 T and 490 R in my 2005 SG Standard. If anything make sure you have 500k pots because that well make a big difference in how your pickups sound.
They are also in the LP customs models.
They come in les paul customs also
I completely agree. The JB has a slight more clarity/definition, but if you take the cover off the 498T, it would sound much like the JB for no extra expense.
Great video! I’ve always been partial to Gibson pickups in Gibson guitars. To me they just work together so well
Both sound really good. You can never go wrong with a JB!
Btw.... Nice string butler! I love those things!!
loving the binding! I want to do this to my studio
I have Les Pauls with both and have played both extensively in live and studio settings.
The JB is a great pickup for live stuff because it’s really hot but also very stable (more on that in a sec), so it sounds good through a variety of amps and can often get enough gain even on its own unless you need a lot. But despite the high output, it’s also dead quiet (this is the “stable” part). I play a 50w Marshall and have zero feedback problems. It never squeals. 100% controllable.
That said, the 498T produces better tone, IMO. It’s just a lot more balanced and with a wider range; the JB is a lot boxier by comparison. And I’ve found this to be especially apparent in the studio. Not to say that you can’t get good tones out of the JB in a studio setting, but I’ve consistently found that my guitars with 498ts always sound better.
So the JB is the layup; it’s great live and it will sound good in a wide variety of situations. But it loses some range in achieving that amazing balance and consistency, and that range is what the 498t has.
great demo, appreciate the effort! both cool pickups.
Hey thanks Simon you really answered my question. I have a Les Paul Standard with a Burstbucker 61R in the neck which is stock and a JB in the Bridge. I also have a Les Paul Classic that came with the Burstbuckers 61R and 61T stock but I'm putting a Gibson 498T in the bridge of the Gibson Les Paul Classic. And as for gigs, I'm 54 so I don't really have any high hopes past the usual small bar gig, but dude you're way younger and I hope you really have an amazing experience as a musician, just go for it and never give up. Thanks and take care. Mike.
Such a great comparison..and your commentary is PERFECT. It removes the hype and gets to the point: for 150 bucks..where is the best way to spend my money. Often the marketing makes it's confusing..but your video clears away the fog. WELL DONE. Liked and subscribed.
I put a JB in my Les Paul and TBH I think it was a waste of money, the difference in tone doesn't justify the cost, the 498t was a good pickup already.
I agree, I bought a duncan JB to put in a Jackson Dinky and it is still sitting in the box on a shelf. After scouring some comparison video's the stock jackson high output humbuckers sound every bit as good as the JB. I will save it for a future Ibanez, they have horrible stock pickups and I always change them out.
I think that, if you’re thinking of spending money on changing pickups, you should pick the replacement based on sound, not on reputation. If the pickup you have already does the job you want, then there’s no need to change, but if it doesn’t give you the sound you want, then it can be worth buying something different. Like going from low-output A2 humbuckers to high-output ceramics is probably more worthwhile than just paying money for slightly different low-output A2s.
Also, if you can buy used, and sell the ones you take out, it’s better value than buying new pickups and keeping the originals in a drawer (obviously).
Well done! I’ve got both. You made some great points concerning their usage, and their frequency spectrum. Thanks again! Subscribed!
Great objective and educational video, thanks for doing this comparison for all us newbies. Your playing was great and the fact that you wrote it, is most impressive. I personally thought the JB sounded quite a bit better to my ear, more clear and pronounced, less fuzzie (probably not professional guitar language, but that is what I hear). That said, I can appreciate your points and logic to putting it back stock. Either way it's fun to tinker/experiment with stuff.
Great video. To my ear, the 498T was warmer and fuller; I preferred it in all samples except the heavy distortion, where I felt the highs of the JB cut through clearer. As I'm not a high distortion player, 498T would be my choice.
(Thanks. This is now a change I don't need to do with my Gibson, I was contemplating JB swap, but your test as shown me I prefer the stock - cheers!)
Great video mate , yeah that’s why we play Gibson coz we want that classic Gibson sound that most recording such as sabbath , kiss , zeppelin , etc etc used to make classic sounding songs , yeah a jb would be nice in a Jackson or Ibanez but I like to keep my Gibbo standard , I’m partial to dirty finger pickups also .
Great video. I just got a Gibson tribute with the 490t/490r and control board thing. Swapped out for a 498t/490r with CTS pots and ditched the control board. Sounds amazing :)
There's one major component that was overlooked here and that's the covered pickup versus uncovered pickup aspect of this comparison. The JB does sound crisper, more present and more raucous in this demonstration compared to the 498t, but I bet if you were to compare an open coil 498t to the same JB in this video the differences would start to get narrower and narrower very quickly. To my ears, the JB was a little bit more to my taste here, but the 498t is still a solid pickup and if I bought a Gibbo that came with one stock I'd leave it in.
There's also a difference in magnet type and strength, pickup height, and adjusting pole slugs one string at a time that can change the sound of a pickup, along with pots and caps. I had a set of 57's, a Classic and a Plus I put in an epiphone and always hated them, until I adjusted the height and changed out the caps, now they sound incredible. I did the height adjustment on my 79 Standard and those 490 and 498 combo sing.
wow this review got so real, so fast! nice lol :D definitely an audible difference - much more clarity in the JB
Good comparision, gives a good idea of the difference, The way you amp them and settings. 498T better than I thought.
Nice video. I have a LP Std that I swapped burstbucker pros out for 59/JB and I’m glad I did. I have a 2019 SG that came with 490R/490T and I swapped that 490T out for a 498T which sounds great. Glad I did that for what I play. Still debate if I should put a JB in that as well....
I love that stock combo. Got a lot of pickup mods, Dimarzio and SD but those are staying in that guitar too
Honestly I've had both and they both sound great it all depends on your taste but even the covers make a difference if you have covers on the 498T I would remove the pickup covers and it actually makes it sound a bit better to my ears.
Seymour Duncans seem to have pretty strong magnets. When I swapped all my SD Pickups with rough cast magnets I liked them all better.
So IMO the JB is probably the greatest pup you’ll find to replace any pup you don’t like. But would never consider replacing the 498 set with anything at all. I’ve had a less Paul studio that I’ve had for 25 years back in my younger days. I went through the pick up stage thinking I could make it sound better and going through about 10 different sets of very expensive pick ups I always ended up going back to the original set and still to this day have it. Nothing was able to beat them.
I had a LP studio some years ago with covered pickups, ended up removing the covers and cleaning the wax, made 498T a bit brighter and gave the guitar more bite. This is my favourite bridge pickup. I’m about to put one in a 2022 LP classic, and redo the whole electronics.
I heard some people swap the A5 magnet for a ceramic one with interesting results, may try that in the future.
Agree - Great video. I love the 490R and 498T combination vs Seymour Duncan JBs, to me they just seem more dynamic and versatile across the rock/blues spectrum.
Great video and comparison. The isolated guitar track at the end was worth doing. The 498t sounded better for my tastes.
Smart video and a good point. Im a huge fan of the jb , but the gibbie was real close, so you do have to think about cost vs reward. I got an old strat that was hotrodded with a duncan invader in bridge. The invader was too aggressive for me, so i went to a repair buddy and he offered a jb as a trade. Well yea that was perfect for me, and didnt have to buy it. Too many just want to swap pups out instead of workin em. Alot of people dont like hilo trons from gretsch.(low voltage) i love em, its relative cause if you put amp behind them, they scream. Cool video, thanks!
Have a 59/JB in my Les Paul and a 490/498 in my SG. Love them both!
Thank you man!
I have two Gibson Les Paul Studio's one has a 498T in the Bridge and the one I got for Xmas has the 490t and honestly 498T is. A WAY better sounding pickup vs the 490t. The 498 definitely seems to cut thru better.
I have a framus Xg D series where the previous owner had swapped the stock jb with a 498T. I was fuming it wasn’t mentioned, until I plugged the guitar in and played it. 498T is a solid sounding pickup
I like both. No need to buy a JB if you have a 498T. BUT if you have a 490 or another pickup with lower output from Gibson, it will totally be worth it!
Nice demo
This is a great video. I have Duncans on my Japanese Les Pauls and 498s on my Studioand i love it both. Duncans are more clearer and has more presence on it, while the 498 is more airy and has this "open" sound. It all depends on what is your style and need.
exactly what I ear from Gibson pickups in general, there's no specific focus no matter what magnet is used. Maybe not what I would use for parts which requires a lot of articulation (i.e. progressive metal), still, these pickups are very versatile
I swapped out the 498's that were in the Epi Les Paul Standard I traded for some Duncan 59's because I didn't like how dark they were. I always buy used pick ups so I don't spend a bunch of money on upgrades but I do get quality stuff, I also have a Dimarzio Super Distortion from an Epiphone SG I had and I might try it in my Les Paul
498T all the way. I keep all my Gibsons and Epiphones running Gibson pickups.
Agreed
Just bought another LP Studio, and am pleasantly surprised with the 498t. As you say, in a room it fills out sound well.
I'll keep the 490 in the neck, but at some point will swap the bridge out for hot ceramic - even if it's a 500t. Probably will be a SD Nazgul
I bought that shirt at the gig when I saw them at he Monsters of Rock Tour in 1988. I also met Kirk at the airport once when my wife was on the same plane as him. Short guy, long hair.
i like the 498
498 has character like no others. My 99 SG has 498/490 and never felt the need to change them.
Dude you saved me like-3-500. I've been playing EMG for years, my favorite is the Hetset. Just bought an LP studio and I don't really like the Gibson pups but I think maybe it's just that I'm not used to them. Also the Duncan's sound awesome but I don't see paying for the negligible difference when a few eq tweaks could probably dial it in.
in the clean strumming it seemed like the 498t had more of a dynamic range and was peaking more on the harder strums, whereas the JB was more controlled and uniform. At least in this comparison.
That is the case
EQ profiles are pretty similar (I’ve owned and played both in my same LP).....So of course they’re very similar. Currently have a Suhr Doug Aldrich in my LP.....but the 498T might make another appearance.....gonna hold on to it.
yeah I was surprised how similar the two pickups were!
This is great, thanks a lot!
There is a hair more treble response from the JB, definitely. I’m leaning towards the 498T though, especially in my bright-sounding koa top Les Paul Custom.
Again, thanks. This is just what I needed.
Have you tried the Super Distortion?
I have definitely been curious to try a super distortion! They look super cool as well :)
I prefer the JB, brighter and more versatile.
Nice video...I'm with you...I have a 498 490 set in my Korean epiphone les paul custom ...it really has a gibson character...dont want to change them. My strat has hotrails and a 59jr and does a great job of heavy tones...just acquired a jb in a trade...might build a guitar around it as it is a top sounding pickup and worth loading into an axe...
Yeah the JB is definitely a easy choice for building any guitar with some solid driven tones, it's hard to make it sound bad in any guitar 😂
I do think the 498T sounds better solo, and particularly in the moderate-gain examples. However, for distorted rhythm parts, it's hard to beat that "wash" of sound from the JB in my book. One of my favorite sounds to come from an electric guitar, period. [Refer to the part played at 2:30).
With the cover off the Gibson I doubt there'd be any noticeable difference, apart from the JB''s slightly greater output. I've used SH4's for nearly 40 years in anything that would take them - currently a rebuilt early 80's JBJ in my 1990 Les Paul Studio and a late 80's JBJ in my 1996 Standard. I haven't bothered to change the neck pickups, just whipped the covers off.
I've been thinking for some time that both the SH4 and the stock neck pickups are both too hot, and the stock bridge pickups would be too. My thoughts are veering towards a SD 78 at the bridge - about 9k and Alnico II as opposed to 16k and Alnico V for the SH4, matched with an SD Jazz at the neck. Tone, rather than power - after all, you can always add gain rather than use an overly powerful pickup to drive an amp - that's really old-school.
I did the same to my Les Paul black water, changed both pickups to Bare Knuckle Juggernaughts, loved them, but it was no longer a Les Paul, going back to stock pickups
love your playin man
Gibson studio is my favorite guitar in the world.... love it
I have 490/498 on a custom build Fly V, and I like it although sometimes seems too bassy. But in this video with earplugs I couldn't hear a real difference.
I think they sound very similar and with this I wouldn't change one for the other! I prefer the 498t. I had one in an SG and love it. It has more of an open/sizerling tone and more p.a.f.
They're very close. With gain they sound practically identical. Clean the JB is a bit brighter (less muddy), but the difference is marginal.
Sizerling?
Late to the game. I preferred the 498T on the heavier rhythm stuff and the JB on the lead parts. 498T sound more balanced overall. It got harsh, but not overly harsh. Perfect for standard rock stuff and using for studio stuff. The JB is a beast and will cut through most and, as you said, good for a live setting if you're into that. But at the end of the day it's really the kind of player you are. Standout and cut through like a knife (JB) or play your role and shine through like an angel descending from the good place.
You can't trade a $150.00 pickup for a $150.00 pickup and call it an upgrade.
Yeah, it’s definitely just a crossgrade....something you do if you’re looking to massage a little more treble/midrange/presence/etc. into the guitar.
It’s an upgrade based on usage not just price. I love both pickups personally
Typically a JB goes for $90
The clarity of the JB compared to the 498T is better
498T/R is as good as anything in the market. It can more than hold its own. And swapping is not an upgrade. You are not talking a 200bucks china made guitar here. It's a preference issue. But great vid!
That's a great tone. I'm interested to know you signal chain, amp, and settings.
Thanks! At the time I believe I was using the STL Tonehub Plugin, with the John Feldmann pack. Probably the "Ink" preset.
Hey dude, where can I get that same desk you have behind you? also. 498t is my all time favorite. played 57 classics for years then switched back to 498t. it might be because my first les paul had a 498t in it and its engrained in my mind. I do however like a 57 classic in the neck. I think that a couple pickups sound better to me then the 498t but the 498 feels better.
Hey man! It’s a yorkville studio desk, it’s a Canadian brand (I live in canada)
I found that a Duncan Distortion gave me more of the sound and bite I wanted. That’s not to say I discarded the 498T; in fact, my daughter has an LP copy that is going to receive an upgrade with that pickup - easily increasing the guitar’s performance
I've a Fender HH strat that I'm planning to put upgrade with the Gibson 498T/490R combo. It'll become a Fibson
i have the 490/498 pickups in my CS Les Paul Custom. The 498 is just hot and sharp for my taste. I'm going to put a set of Slash 2.0 in the guitar and hope that solves it.
498t has more low mids, better fits in mix, if you use it with tube screamer it give you chuggy tone with great resonance. Sh-4 great pickup for budget guitars, thats all) You can try Dimarzio ToneZone it is simillar to 498t but a little complex.
ironically this video sold me on the jb lmfao
Whew! Me too, thought I was the only one.
Yeah, I don’t understand what anyone is talking about. The JB seems to SMOKE the 498t. Adds darkness and character, squally energy. Love it. I’ve always meant to run a JB in something and now I will for sure. Lol
Me too!
jbs are for rocking , the 498t are for cleaner crunchy sound ,, that you can also achieve with the JBs so :D
seymour it is
what strings are you using? (brand/gauge)
For the cleans I prefer the JB, but there's something in the distorted character of the 498t that is clearer and more pleasant sounding.
I agree, I think just in the case of Gibson guitars, the 498T sounds really natural and like it was made to go in a Les Paul. Whereas JB is just an overall go-to for most other brands of guitars when thinking of upgrades etc
Hello Simon. I also have a similar LP. Actually, NOW it's similar after some changes. It's a LP "Classic" in Ebony, you know, with the cream binding, cream plastics, zebra pickups and those ugly "kidney bean" tuners. I now have ALL the Gibson plastics in black, keystone buttons (like yours) and nickel pickup covers (to hide the zebra striped pickups...ugh). Anyhow I've yet to see another guitar like it till now. However, yours has a String Butler. I also thought of doing that. How are you liking that String Butler?
The big difference is the low cut on the JB. Probably makes it easier to dial out the woof on most amps. Otherwise very similar.
I guess I’ll just have to go down as “I couldn’t hear the difference”
Maybe I could in person? But I mean, the very last example, I cannot hear a single change in tone. Regardless 498T is what I play and what I will stick with 👌🏻
I have a 2005 gibson lp standard that came with burstbuckers. It was so thin and generic sounding I almost returned the guitar. But then.... The mods happened. 498T in the bridge, 57 classic in the neck, vintage 1960s Black Beauty tone caps and a Kluson USA ABR-1 bridge with raw brass saddles. And now..... W O W ! ! ! It still looks stock as the pickups are both nickel covers but everyone who hears it is like damn bro, how do you get that sound?? Kinda sounds like Randy Rhoads and Slash at the same time.
I have the jb im my epi and a Gibson with the 500t and there very similar, I wouldn’t change one for the other id probably change one to a 57 classic or something but the these two are very close and like you said its balry a different for the amount of money they cost
Two great pickups. The 498T, I'm hearing more lower mids and less "snark" than the JB. I had no idea they were so close. Also I think if you spent the money, and it's even a little bit better to your ears, use the JB. Better is better, no matter how you slice it. I personally prefer the fatness of the 498T, the "snark" thing always seemed like an L.A. thing to me - not my bag; the JB is possibly the best pickup in the world for that. GOOD JOB!
Yes your right , do you still have the split coil ? i was thinking of changing my pickups and going with the 920D wiring and do away with the split coil , i don't use it ..never liked split coil ,what do you think ?
I don’t think split coil humbuckers are great, I’d much rather just have a dedicate strat or tele for that job
I was just thinking about putting a 498t into my Edwards(LPC style)guitar. I was noticing it didn’t sound as good as my Gibson sg so that is the plan.
I preferred the JB. It has a sweetness many others lack.
I dig what you're saying. It's better for soloing smoothly and elegant squealies but unless you put a ceramic magnet it's a bit overbearing for all around work.
@@andreil1234 A JB with a ceramic magnet is a Duncan Distortion.
@@andreil1234I prefer the DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup nowadays. It's pretty versatile.
I use both...they are very close indeed. I prefer the gibsons though...they have a little bit more bite and midrange scream, while the JB's sound a little bit more civil and scooped. 'bigger' if you will, but with less "wail". You can only really tell the difference when you play them yourself in front of the amp, it's so close all the differences kinda vanish on recording.
I love the 498t. It's one of the best pickups out there in my opinion. And honesty, you switched pickups but you didn't necessarily upgrade because the 498t is about $100 by itself. It's not a cheap pick-up. It's a very good pickup. As a general rule, only change for pickup if I'm not satisfied with the one in there. I never do it blindly just because I want to see if one sounds better. You can throw away a lot of money that way.😊
Do you remember what preset on the Feldman pack you used?
probably "Ink"
the jb was better, more present. how did you get the studio to look like a les paul custom with an sg special neck?
I think the JB's sound a little bit better, but I really don't prefer either set. I'll take a set of P90's or '59 PAFs and not sound like 90% of everyone out there.
I swapped a Ibz 6 for a Jb and it really cleaned up. But the 700t in my sg can't be touched
498T for sure! If I were gonna get a Seymour Duncan Pickup, A JB(jazz blues not jeff beck) would be almost last if not last on my list. It would probably be right above or below SD blackouts. Only cuz I hate active pickups. I do have a SD Nazgul in my one guitar and I like it. Def has good definition and clarity. I only bought it cuz it was a steal I found on my local Craigslist. I prefer Dimarzio’s mostly. Really though if it sounds good to you then it is good, right?!
The 498T and the JB are two slightly different flavors of the same thing. The JB has a scooped mid, heavy bottom, and clear ringing top. Someone who does a lot of drop D or Gojira style octaves might really dig that. The 498T has a midrange bump and less top end. Someone who plays a lot of 80's hair metal or ols school Priest might really dig that midrange bump. You're hanging out in the midrange and you want a clear and unified chord tone. You don't want to hear just bass and high end. Depending on your style these subtle differences really shine through. If you play in a cover band and do a ton of different genres just stick with whatever you have.
Honestly the 498 sounded great and the JB might be a bit brittle. I had the 498 for about twenty years until I switched from Gibson to Ibanez.
I prefer the 498t, but that JB did sound a little better in the mix, not by much though.
I have a jb in my lp LP custom but with that I'll say the 490 t is still a great pick up
He is talking about 498T
in the last 'band' example i figured i like the JB more in a band context. cuts better to me, but well, think its a matter of taste and if you wouldnt listen back to back you wouldnt notice too much of a difference :) , both will get the job more than done
Love seymour duncans but i have grown to love gibson pickups in my gibsons
geez they're pretty close. both sound great. JB has the slightest amount of extra/more open high end. very helpful video. cheers
Thanks man! Yeah I agree completely :)
Perhaps it’s the cover which removes some of the high.
@@rschua7 that's exactly what I thought too.
The Jb is too treble heavy for me. I had it for about a year in my Les Paul Traditional (2012 model )and struggled every day to avoid an icepick sound.
I had upgraded from the 57 classic which really didn't cut it for me. I ended up settling on the Slash seymour Duncans which have so much midrange growl and just the right amount of upper mids to cut through the mix. I also have a Les Paul studio (2002) model that has the stock 498T on it. I love that pickup so much and have never touched it and would never take it out of a guitar.
Did you try using the tone knob on your guitar?
@@matt926uk1 For sure, the tone knob worked to remove treble, but I prefer a pickup that sounds good with all the knobs up all the way.
@@danielbarza8600 ah fair enough. I'm thinking about putting a JB in a jackson guitar I have but im a bit worried it will be too bright with the 500k pots I have in there.
That Gibson 498 T compressed mid range is total 💘💝💖💗💓❤💯💪👍
I have a Gibson SG and the sound of the pickups is warm and dynamic.
I can't imagine swapping out the original Gibsons.
I also have a good copy LP that I put Gibson pickups in.
Those cost me a hundred quid, so my LP sounds like a Gibson
for an expenditure of 350 sterling.
Those low mids were powerful in the 498T
Where the Seymour Duncan shines is in the mix it cut through and is more articulate in the mix. The stock sounds muddy especially in the mix. Most guitarist playing by themselves love the warmer tone but that is not what you want in a band setting. That said people mod based on sound boards and because of artists but context is the key. It also depends on the amp you use and pedals.
If you want to drastically change the voicing of your guitar, you need to change the space between the bridge and the P.U.
Results may vary though.
It is as drastical as picking/strumming near the bridge or closer to/on the fretboard.
My personal point of view is that changing the same type of P.U. for another doesn't have enough effect to justify the purchase and bother doing the mod.
Gibson are very expensive (to me) guitars with high-end hardware. I don't know why anyone would automatically assume they need "uprgrading". The only thing I would do is maybe replace one pair of volume and tone knobs with series/parallel switches for more diverse tones.