Invader vs BL 500XL

caprae

caprae

New member
Son has a Fender Showmaster Blackout with a Pearly Gates Plus (B) and 59 reverse polarity (N) (that's how H-C described them). B***wood body, rosewood fretboard, 3 position switch.

He's looking at an Invader for the bridge. I've heard they can be on the muddy side for lead work. I'm recommending a Bill (and Becky) Lawrence 500XL.

If you've had experience with these two pickups, what can you tell me about how they would fit in this guitar.
 
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Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

I will report back tomorrow, they are WORLDS apart!!!!!

Tell us what kind of sound/output level you are looking for.
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

Invader is muddy on the low end in my opinion, not the leads...However it is important to note that neither the invader or the 500XL do well in cheap wood bodies. Personally I like the invader better but they really are extremely different sounding pickups. The 500XL is much more crunchy and high mid/treble oriented, great for leads. The invader is focused on the bass and low-mids and it has a bit of a grind to it. It is the most extreme pickup you will find...
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

Music wise: he's into learning Slipknot, Living Sacrifice, Zack Wilde and Metallica.

Amp wise he is looking at the Spider II 112 - possibly an Orange Crush 30R (currently has a VOX Valvetronix AD15VT).
 
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Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

why change pickups if he's going to play thru those cheap beginner amps ?


I don't like the invader myself, too much focus on the bass and not enough clarity, the BL 500 XL or even the duncan custom/distortion/JB is better for that.
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

For those bands I would say the 500XL would suit him better. A duncan distortion would be the other pickup to consider.
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

The Invader is lacking clarity and the XL has tons of it! The are totally different. The XL inst the super output monster everyone thinks it is, yeah, it has plenty on tap but, not as much as the Invader or even a Distortion. The XL is VERY transparent and you really want to have a good axe/amp to take full advantage of it. Its a great pickup and its probally the most versatile pickup made but, like the Invader, I dont think its the right choice here. My suggestion is, since he has a smaller and cheaper amp and you want to play metal, get a Duncan Livewires heavy metal and be done with it. It will make the Invader seem vintage in comparision and it will make EMG's sound like childerns toys in comparision. It will make that Line 6 Spider CRAZY or any other amp for that matter!
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

I should have added that he isn't playing in a band - this is practicing in his bedroom. I can't have a Half Stack up there.
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

theodie - just read the description. How does this work? Is it two 9 volt batteries?
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

I can attest to how insane the Livewire Metal set is, seriously when playing clean you put your volume to a good level with your neck pickup...switch to the bridge and it's like you turned your amp all the way up, lol.

Also, if it has basswood you might want to look at Dimarzios because they seem to be designed for that wood.



oh...and Living Sacrifice owns \m/
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

More questions, theodie. If we threw a Peavey Classic 30 into the mix, would you stick with these?

Also, I see the set (neck and bridge). He only has one vol. and one tone. Would you hook these up as two volume and forget the tone?

I'll have to open the back and see what kind of room he has.
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

What you do with the volume and tone is up to you. Depends on what you want. As far as the Classic 30, you will not need a pedal to get a good amount of distortion out of the Classic 30 with a Live wire Heavy metal. Seriously!
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

Just showed my son this thread. He didn't think we could put active pickups in this guitar. We'll be taking a look to see if it will fit. If so, we'll probably get the matched set.

I really appreciate your help on this. I feel we are now going down the right path.
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

caprae said:
Just showed my son this thread. He didn't think we could put active pickups in this guitar. We'll be taking a look to see if it will fit. If so, we'll probably get the matched set.

I really appreciate your help on this. I feel we are now going down the right path.
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Make sure you can fit 2, 9 volt batteries in there and if you can, you are good. You should be able to fit them in somehow. I wouldnt worry that much about the routs for the pickups, Fenders usually have room.

I would recomend a Heavy metal in the bridge, and a Classic in the neck! The Heavy metal in the neck will probally be way to much and you might as well have something different in there.
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

The classic is pretty low output compared to the metal, I was actually kind of surprised at how low the output actually was.
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

D-EJ915 said:
The classic is pretty low output compared to the metal, I was actually kind of surprised at how low the output actually was.
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Seriously, that low???? Is it that low or, just in contrast to the HM????????
 
Re: Invader vs BL 500XL

It's not high output at all, definitely lower output than the JB copy in my 7 string. I have it wired correctly and all, it's kinda weird, lol.

On the thing online it says it's moderate output or whatever and I'd agree with that.
 
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