I know this is a fender forum. That aside, I have a Gibson SG that I would like to modify the stock pickups to be push-pull singlecoils. They are the stock 490R and 498T humbuckers. I will have a guitar luthier do it for me but I would like to know if this is possible and also more knowledge of the parts necessary to do so(pentiometers? 250k and 500k). Any advice or general imformation will be greatly appreciated. And yes I own a ton of Fender gear and love it to death. But of course, gotta have a Gibson or two.

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2007 USA Deluxe Strat,
2007 Gibson SG Special w/ a Bigsby B5
2006 MIJ Strat,
2008 Champ 600,
2009 Blues Jr.,
TS9
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EHX Holy Grail Reverb
BOSS RC-20XL Loop Station
BOSS DS-1
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Your objective can be done. It involves adding a wire to the 'link' wires which joins the two coils of the pickup. This additional wire would in turn be connected to an on-off switch where another coming out of it would be soldered to the ground of your guitar's circuit. Throwing the switch would then short out one of the humbucker's coils thereby allowing only one of the two to then work. Note that this will also kill the humbucking effect too. This mod can be done with both pickups being affected by the throw of one switch or independently by having two switches, one for each pickup. Premising you don't have an SG and you don't want to drill additional holes in your guitar, one or two 500K push/pull pots (depending on whether you want one or two switches) is what's required.

As to the pots, in your particular situation, 500K pots are surely your best bet. Full output of either pickup should certainly have the 500K. Due to the high output of the 498, even split, a 500K would still be more appropriate. On face value, the 490 split would be better with a 250K as it is a more moderate output pickup. However, the fact that the 490 would be in the neck dictates you wanting a clear, single coil sound so you would actually be better off with the 500K. Lastly, and there is really nothing you can do about this: With both pickups on at the same time, regardless of coil combination, 'technically', 250K pots are more appropriate. Yet, Gibson has been using 500Ks all along in this situation and so, based on the composition of the guitar itself and what I've said above about the 490's split tonality in the neck, the same would apply here too. Hence and again, 500Ks are the way to go. The stock capacitors can be left alone as well.

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I'm now almost positive that Martian has a huge party inside his head when he sees something like 'pickups' or 'wiring issue.' He feeds off of it! It sustains him!


-The Screamin' J

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2008 Squier bullet stratocaster modified with Rumpelstiltskin pickups -> Dunlop GCB-95 Original Crybaby -> Fender Vibro Champ XD

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I might be wrong but I thougt that Gibsons 490R's and 490T's already had the extra wires coming of the pickups for use in coil tapping or parallel switching. I should add if you buy them factory instaled I think are two wire and you have to add the wire so are yours stock?

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

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And I believe his percentage of "Brain Farts" is very small!

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My other guitar is a Strat.

I wish I could say that orville. You try to remember them all but BRRRFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!! Sometime I have to have them in front of me

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

The ones that are factory installed in Gibson guitars are the single conductor braided; the ones sold separately in their, "jewel cases" are the four conductor configuration. The OP has the single conductor braided:

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I thougt thats how they were I no the last time I replaced SG pickups for some one they came as 4 conductor when ordered and they were Gibson's replacements. I have 3 in my draws right now 2 are two conductor and the 3.rd has the 4 wires but they are 490's

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Thanks for the very extensive explanation.

_________________
2007 USA Deluxe Strat,
2007 Gibson SG Special w/ a Bigsby B5
2006 MIJ Strat,
2008 Champ 600,
2009 Blues Jr.,
TS9
Vox Wah
BBE Soul Vibe
EHX Holy Grail Reverb
BOSS RC-20XL Loop Station
BOSS DS-1
Crybaby Wah

You're quite welcome!

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