The 2017

When it comes to Les Pauls, the Studio is perhaps as semi-pariah as it gets. The guitar heroes in magazines & videos out there are either strapping on a Standard or a Custom. In guitar stores, if we declare a certain budget consideration to the sales person, he most probably would recommend us an Epiphone rather than the Studio. It's fair to say that the Studio is second fiddle for many pros, a back up guitar in most cases. The only reason why I bothered with the Studio is because it meets my needs without costing more than it should. The Studio you see above is a 2017.

Back in 2017, the Studio was given a slim taper neck carve. I own a Classic that sports a slim taper neck carve as well but this 2017 version of 'slim' is a little flat. That's right, it's a D more than a C & the difference is quite apparent. I have not tried other 2017s which is not a Studio so I might be wrong to conclude that the Studio's slim here is actually an anomaly. That aside, coming back to what I mentioned earlier, this guitar meets my needs & that flat neck element there makes me play 'better'. Actually, it reduces mistakes during play. So the body is not as thick as the Standard but it sounds good overall but I'm quite intolerant when it comes to the neck humbucker's extra wooly tone in OD mode (it's a 490R). As such I use it for cleans mostly. 

Is the Studio worth owning? Anything is worth owning if it serves your needs or you like what it has to offer.

Sounding out: Gibson pickups

So I recently re-installed the 490R/ 496T into my SG Standard. I disliked them to begin with. They were replaced almost immediately after I bought the guitar. I had good results (tone-wise) with the Firebird's mini humbuckers recently & those were off my radar. I had no experience with them prior to the purchase. It was a hit/ miss. It was a miss at the store but after a good set up at home coupled with my choice of amp/ pedals, it was an unmistakable hit.

One of the reasons my Gibson tones sound likeable lately (with Gibson pickups) - my amp. It occured to me that the 490R/ 496T were never plugged into my current lineup of amps; the Blackstar/ EVH/ PRS. This led to the re-installation of those pickups into the SG Standard & they turned out to be splendid.

While at it, I managed to revisit the Burstbucker Pros which are in my LP Standard. These are definitely likeable pickups. In fact, I rank them above the 57s which are supposedly some of the more outstanding performers in the Gibson catalog. I hear lots of vintage vibes from the BBs but they aren't restrained by any attempts to make them historically familiar in terms of voicings. They are simply good-soinding pickups, nothing high output though. OK so this basically provided some reconciliations between having a preferred amp & letting the not so preferred pickups do their thing resting in the knowledge that a good amp will make almost any pickups sound good. Almost because those faulty one don't count. 😅

Checking Standard

Following yesterday's hard case upkeep, it's only right that I attend to its content as well - the Gibson LP SG Standard. 

Got this replaced. It's semi-functional, crackled while in use. When Beez tested it out, it failed to work completely. 

As you can see there, the original Gibson humbuckers are back in place (490R/498T), I'll save the story for another episode. Trying the new set of EHX strings here; more on this soon.

Also back in place are the original reflector knobs. That's right, I switched the 3-way toggle switch tip to the black version. 

Beez at work - everything up & running in 15min at most.

This is Beez's signature of sorts; exposed wires or the ones with a high potential to short-circuit the system, would be sleeved.

As for me, I like to keep things in place so that they won't get in the way when the pickguard is re-fixed into position. 

Things are taking a non-Ibanez turn here. I play them less often lately, I'm now in Gibson mode. The Curleigh era will see deadweight models being eliminated from the catalog so it's a good time to see what's worth getting/ keeping in the mean time. Not planning to binge purchase what's left in stock, I will only be interested in the ones that would likely serve my needs. An example would be the 2016  Explorer T that was acquired recently. I'm no Explorer fan but the 500T/ 496R pickups in that guitar screams heavy music all the way. 

Selling: Gibson 490R/490T pickups (SOLD)

Removed & kept away. I've forgotten they are still here with me. Selling as a set only.

• Selling: Gibson 490R/490T pickups (uncovered, 2-conductor)
• Condition: 8/10
• Self-collect: CCK mrt station
• No reservations/ trades
• Queries/ confirmation: subversion.sg@gmail.com
• Price: $139 (final)

Selling: Gibson 490 humbuckers (covered) (Item SOLD)

These pickups are removed from my Gibson SGJ. They are a pair of covered 490 humbuckers. As you can see here, they were sealed at the factory so they are not removable unless you are willing to surgically remove them. 

• Selling: Gibson 490 pickups (covered)
• Condition: 9.5/10
• Self-collect: CCK mrt station
• No reservations/ no trades
• Queries/ confirmation: dark1349@hotmail.com
• Price: Best offer secures

Gibson: SGJ (2)

The SGJ is equipped with a pair of Gibson's 490R/ 490T pickups. In this case, they are the covered version. I'm not enthusiastic about Gibson pickups maybe that's the reason I'm drawn to Gibson guitars in general but the 5XX & Bursbuckers are absolutely great pickups. The 490s here are Alnico II units which aren't high output. If you do lots of fuzz, I'd recommend you check them out. For those of us who are treading the aggressive distortion path- there are other more suitable pickups for you. Also seen here is the SGJ's 24 fret neck. This does not equal a longer neck as the scale length remains the same. To put it simply, it's not an extension.

For the J-models, Gibson employs its PCB mounted circuitry which I don't fancy. It doesn't allow part replacement. If you have a pot down or wish to have your own coil split pots in there, the whole circuit has to go- DARN.

Selling: Gibson pickups

Gibson pickups for sale...

• Gibson 490R/ 490T, uncovered (screws & springs included)
• Condition: 9/10... Taken off a Gibson Les Paul Junior Special (2 week old guitar)
• Self-collect: CCK mrt station
• No reservations/ No trade
• Queries/ confirmation: dark1349@hotmail.com
• Price: $90 each/ $175 for both... (final)

Gibson: SG Standard (2)

These are the default pickups in my Gibson SG Standard- the 490R & 496T. As you can see, they had been removed from the instrument. Gibson fans might like them for their rounded, creamy tones (especially the neck pickup) but they are not my kind of pickups.

Once again, the Gibson pots & PCB. If your Gibson is a post-2010 model & isn't one to recreate a vintage original specification, it will be fitted with one of this. It makes perfect manufacturing sense in the production line when things would get a little speedier with a ready PCB inserted into the guitar body & final non-solder pickup wires attachment, but if you choose to mod your electronics selectively, you have to forgo the entire assembly. Bummer.

Selling: Gibson pickups- 490R + 498T

The guitar you see above is my Gibson LP Premium Plus with the default pickups...

...but they are now removed & for sale (selling both, not individually). The gold mounting screws will be included. FYI, the list price for the individual pickup is $180 (so that will be $360 for both), please note.

• Selling: Gibson covered (gold) humbuckers- 490R (neck) + 498T (bridge), gold mounting screws included
• Condition: 8.5/10
• Self-collect at CCK mrt station
• No reservations/ trade
• Further queries/ confirmations: dark1349@hotmail.com
• Selling price: $220 ($200 if deal on 8th Oct/ 9th Oct)

 One more time: I'm selling both, not interested in selling one... so the selling price you see there is for both pickups. Thanks for reading.