Invader in a Strat...good idea?

[CarniceroX1X]

I have a peavy predator (baisically a strat) thats made out of either alder or ash, not really sure, and has an all maple neck. I got sik of my EMG 81 and wanna put in an Invader. Is this a good idea?

Im into Children of Bodom, Steve Vai, Dream Theater, ARch Enemy, Ozzy, old Metallica.....mainly fast as hell riffs with lots of shredding, although I DO like to switch to a clean sound every now and then.

I was also considering putting in a Custom or a Custom Custom, would that be a better choice?

BTW, this'll be my fist time with Duncans

Thanks for any info you can provide me with!

 

[Diego]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

You have a bright guitar, so the Invader would do OK since it's a dark pickup, they would complement each other.

I think the Custom would do better, though. It's brighter than the Invader and arguably tighter for riffs. And it sounds MUCH better clean.

The Custom Custom isn't what you are after. It's just another sort of pickup that won't meet your expectations.

 

[thucydides]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

I used an Invader in my Strat for years, with a Marshall JCM 800 and a Hiwatt DR504, and I loved it. It had a real sledgehammer effect. Having said that, it seems that from your artist list, groups like Dream Theater might demand something a bit more articulate than the Invader. It isn't the best clean (although the split is nice, but that is a different animal). I haven't used the Custom, but I am finding that with modern amps, using a less "hot" pickup gives me more versatility and articulation. I got into pickups like the Invader (and the DM X2N) years ago because I was using amps that needed a front end jolt to get the drive I wanted. Things have changed since then!

 

[Children of Bodom]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

What Chileanguy said is pretty much correct... The invader is dark and the strat is bright so they would compliment each other... The Invader is not as tight as the custom like he said it has a more open sound.

But arguably the custon line in general can sound a little compressed which is maybe something you dont want to go back to having the 81 in... By the way wait for someone else to post after me because ill probably be wrong...

IMO Go with the Invader. Hetfield used to use it back in the good days of mettalica and you cant go wrong with that, if thats what your looking for. And although it may not have super good cleans I think it has a smooth singing lead and probably what you are looking for on hte exception of dream theatre and maybe vai.

Again I could be wrong so wait for someone else to post. Good Luck!

 

[Kac]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

I've had Invaders in strats, If you want it hard and heavy that's the way to go. You should also consider the .001 cap mod.

Rock On ~ Kac

 

[Children of Bodom]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

What is the .001 cap mod?

 

[Children of Bodom]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

also how would you go about doing this mod?

 

[Tux789]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

also how would you go about doing this mod?

i also am interested

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

My Custom Custom does tight fast riffs very well. Plenty of midrange crunch.

-X

 

[marshallartist]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

I had the chance to play one of those Tom Delong Strat's a few years ago with the Invader in the bridge and it sounded fantastic for heavy rhythms. It was okay for leads, but for shredding I would go with something more articulate like the Custom or Distortion.

The Custom Custom is my favorite pickup but it's better suited for hard/classic rock. It doesn't have the tight lows needed for speed metal or the articulation required for shreading.

 

[Fenderstratp-bassman]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

I think you should go with something more like the Bill Lawrence L-500. I would recommend the Lead model as the model for your wants. This pickup can do great clean work, but excels in distorted tones. It has a darker overtone like the Invader but has more highs and mids for soloing. This pickup also has enough crunch in it for all of your palm muting needs. Did I mention that this is a blade humbucker. Oh and this pickup is passive too. If you want to read more about the L-500 or order form Bill himself (the only way to get a new one) refer to my signature and use the link on there. Another great thing is that this pickup is handmade and only costs around $60 tops. Good Luck with whatever you choose though.

 

[CarniceroX1X]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

Hey thanks for the suggestions

although I am still not decided

and when I said custom custom I meant to to say Custon 5, sorry. Hopefully I could get some input on that.

and for neck Alico II pro or cool rails? I wanna try to get sorta a melodic J. Petrucci sound from the neck. Like a really singing quality

Thanks for any advice you can give

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Invader in a Strat...good idea?

Hey thanks for the suggestions

although I am still not decided

and when I said custom custom I meant to to say Custon 5, sorry. Hopefully I could get some input on that.

and for neck Alico II pro or cool rails? I wanna try to get sorta a melodic J. Petrucci sound from the neck. Like a really singing quality

Thanks for any advice you can give

If you want a petrucci-style sound from the neck pickup...I wouldnt suggest the alnico II pro...doesnt have nearly enough power. The hot rails neck is fat as all hell...great for legato stuff. Only thing is that it doesn't do cleans all too well...though it can be OK when split. The cool rails is a nice compromise...It does cleans very well, and has a pretty fat lead tone too...not quite as fat as the hot rails, but still pretty fat.