How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

[Inazone]

My wife got me a used `96 Jackson USA DR2 for Christmas (ash body, maple neck, ebony fretboard) and it has a Screamin' Demon in the bridge. My band plays metal along the lines of Dimension Zero or Zyklon, but unlike most such bands, we play in standard tuning, so the right pickup is a major factor in getting a full sound. I use a number of different amps, pedals and rack units for recording, but play through a Peavey XXL for most gigs. Although the Screamin' Demon is fine for soloing, the low end response just isn't right for what I'm trying to do on the rhythm side, at least not without drastically changing my EQ settings.

I have another DR2 and replaced the SD with a Full Shred, and a very similar Dinky Reverse Professional (ash/maple/rosewood) with an Invader. Additionally, I have other guitars with Full Shreds and Invaders, as well as numerous other kinds of pickups. The Full Shred and Invader sound great in ash guitars, but I'd like to try something different. I often see the Alternative 8 mentioned alongside the Invader and the Duncan Distortion for death metal, but our other guitarist uses a Distortion, and frankly I don't care for it at all.

Just for the sake of trying something new without abandoning what I'm accustomed to, would the Alt 8 be comparable to the Invader (strong lows, not much emphasis on the highs) or is it closer to the Distortion?

 

[Varg]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

I've never tried an Alt 8, but you could give a DiMarzio X2N a try out.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

Alt 8 fatter and more muscular than the distortion. Not sure about the invader. I love the alt8 in my jackson sl1

 

[mustaine-who?]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

Distortion has an upper high mid/treble sizzle. Alt 8 has a rounded treble, and big low mids and lows. The mids are voiced very differently between them.

Never tried an Invader...

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

Have you thought about the Custom line? Maybe a Custom 8 due to the trebly nature of the woods in your guitar? I don't have any experience with the Alt. 8, but I'm a big fan of the Custom recently. It can sound huge and powerful, or it can be nice with the cleans as well. It really is a versatile pickup, and I use it tuned down only a half step for hard rock and classic metal.

It doesn't have the screamy nature of the Distortion for sure. It sounds punchier and less abrasive. If it doesn't sound good to you, why not? Had you thought about it? Do you have any experience with it?

 

[Inazone]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

Distortion has an upper high mid/treble sizzle. Alt 8 has a rounded treble, and big low mids and lows. The mids are voiced very differently between them.

This is essentially what I'm looking for. I don't need a pickup with much high end, but the lows and mids need to be nice and full. The Invader does this just fine, so now I'm looking to try a slightly different "flavor" rather than a drastic change. My main issue with the Distortion is in fact the sizzle you mention.

 

[Jolly_Rancher]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

I had an Invader and Distortion in a mahogany set neck guitar, and the Distortion in the neck had more highs and clarity than the Invader in the bridge. The invader is very fat and has no highs at all, unless maybe you try the both coils in parallel wiring.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

This is essentially what I'm looking for. I don't need a pickup with much high end, but the lows and mids need to be nice and full. The Invader does this just fine, so now I'm looking to try a slightly different "flavor" rather than a drastic change. My main issue with the Distortion is in fact the sizzle you mention.

the alt 8 will serve you well sir. i wouldnt be suprised if you like it better than the invader. lets know what happens. oh and dont set it too close too the strings mine is about 3-4 mm away

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

Distortion has an upper high mid/treble sizzle. Alt 8 has a rounded treble, and big low mids and lows. The mids are voiced very differently between them.
Never tried an Invader...

Good to know . . . thanks

I am looking for a HOT bridge 'bucker right now.

 

[Despair]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

You might check out the PATB-2. It's like a Distortion with the sizzle brought under control, and with the upper mids sweetened a bit. Thicker lower mids and more bass, too. And all the rest of the Parallel Axis benefits: improved sustain, reduced string pull, enhanced harmonics, more articulate and better string balance. They're designed to thicken up a thin superstrat with floating vibrato bridge to sound like a beefy Les Paul.

Compared to the stock Distortion, leads sing more than tear, rhythms are more like a broader Invader. Awesome growl for chunky riffs, great thrash rhythm tone, and good leads. Arguably Duncan's best passive pickup for high gain metal.*

If you are more of a lead player, or prefer alnico to ceramic, you should check out the PATB-1b. Not quite as strong for rhythm, but it's a lot more comfortable with lower gain tones, and oddly open feeling for such a hot pickup. Ridiculously responsive.

The Custom 8 and Alt-8 are great pickups as well. Most people who I've heard talk about trying the Custom 8 after the Alt-8 prefered the C8. The Alt-8 has harsher upper mids and a bit more compressed a feel, where the C8 is a bit smoother and more open.

No shortage of good choices, hope you find the one that best suits you in your band.


* [But there's no one best for anything, it's all a matter of taste. Still, the PATB-2 is a contender...]

 

[mustaine-who?]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

Good to know . . . thanks

I am looking for a HOT bridge 'bucker right now.

The Alt-8 is very hot. It also has good articulation. Make sure you're careful with the PuP height, as the A8 mag has lotsa string pull that can kill dynamics and mkae the PuP "blaaaat"...

 

[1b4n3z]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

Sorry to sidetrack just a bit - but I happen to have an Alt. 8 and a Custom here, and I've heard nothing but praise for the Custom8. So - if I switched the magnets, just how awful should the Alternative become with the ceramic magnet? Ordering magnets separately is just too costly up here, so this could be the easiest way to get hold of an Alnico 8.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

The Alt-8 is very hot. It also has good articulation. Make sure you're careful with the PuP height, as the A8 mag has lotsa string pull that can kill dynamics and mkae the PuP "blaaaat"...

Appreciate the info

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

Sorry to sidetrack just a bit - but I happen to have an Alt. 8 and a Custom here, and I've heard nothing but praise for the Custom8. So - if I switched the magnets, just how awful should the Alternative become with the ceramic magnet? Ordering magnets separately is just too costly up here, so this could be the easiest way to get hold of an Alnico 8.

Up here ?

Canada ? Alaska ?

 

[1b4n3z]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

Further yet - the icy emptiness called Finland

Seriously, the local market for guitar parts & accessories is too small for pickup magnets to be readily available and buying off ebay is a bit dire for just testing.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

Further yet - the icy emptiness called Finland

Seriously, the local market for guitar parts & accessories is too small for pickup magnets to be readily available and buying off ebay is a bit dire for just testing.

Understood.
I was in Finland in 2005 and was shocked to see what music stores had.
It was just as bad as over here, in my lame city.

 

[CountFunkula]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

The Custom 8 and Alt-8 are great pickups as well. Most people who I've heard talk about trying the Custom 8 after the Alt-8 prefered the C8. The Alt-8 has harsher upper mids and a bit more compressed a feel, where the C8 is a bit smoother and more open.

Exactly what I wanted to hear!!! And I do mean exactly. I like my Alt 8, but I just wish it was less compressed/more open, smoother, and less harsh. Sounds like the pickup for me definitely.

 

[Inazone]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

My local shop was placing a Duncan order, so I decided to have them order me an Alt 8. It seemed like the right time to try something new. I'll post my impressions once I get the guitar back.

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: How does the Alt 8 compare to the Distortion or Invader?

My local shop was placing a Duncan order, so I decided to have them order me an Alt 8. It seemed like the right time to try something new. I'll post my impressions once I get the guitar back.

Thanks for all the responses.

Good Luck !

Can't wait to read your report and see what you think of them !