More Invader questions

[Natman]

I know it's been one of the most controversial pickups discussed here, but I really like to do my homework before diving into any gear.

I am interested in a set of Invaders, and I'm getting a little nervous about all the negative reviews it has recieved. SO I want to try and clear up the nitty from the gritty.

Now I know that many folks are using different guitars (trem/hardtail, Fender or Gibson scale, etc.) with different pots too undoubtedly. Some have even wired their 4-conducting buckers wrong without realizing it.

Tone also is very subjective and musical style plays a HUGE role in what sounds "good" or "bad". Having said all this, I'm open to modifying the pickups when they get here (magnets and windings, wiring/pots).

And finally my real question:

*** Who has been able to get good clean tones out of their Invaders THROUGH a good all-tube amp? ...and how did you do it?

(It's just that I want to be able to clean them up because I don't play heavy music all the time)

Thanks!
: popworm:

 

[Zerberus]

Re: More Invader questions

I have. I used the clean channel and turned the knobs

It´s a bit unique in character, but not bad at all IMO....

 

[Shawn Graham]

Re: More Invader questions

I have a Dean ML Undertaker basswood body,500k ohm pots, Invader in the bridge, EMG-HZ H4 in the neck. I get ripping sick metal tones through my Peavey JSX very bass and mid heavy (probably the basswood) and decent cleans. I have EL34's in the power section. There is a little break-up when I pick harder, But if you can't control that, try rolling off the volume a bit and using the neck w/ it. If you are getting a neck Invader also, they are not as hot as the bridge and you shouldn't have any problems w/ the clarity of the clean channel.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: More Invader questions

I got a guitar with an Invader awhile back, and I was dreading what to do with it. I figured they're not worth as much as a "classic" Duncan model at auction, and I've always thought they sounded nasty. So I also thought about using it for a hybrid. But when I got it, I pulled the pole pieces out, and realized that a Dimarzio Super Distortion/Blaze style pole piece threads right in. It's a 10-32 thread. I replaced them with poles I had left over from a Dimarzio, and the pickup cleaned up to the point of being usable. To boot, I might use the old Invader pole pieces as some nifty looking rack screws.

With those fat mushroom poles, I don't know how you'll ever like the clean sound. It's not that it can't do clean, it's just an awkward mix of frequencies and dynamics. It seems to me that it's built to take something like a JCM800 into blistering lo-fi classic metal territory. Like where all the attention is on overdriving the input rather than maintaining note clarity and definition.

The Dimarzio poles are a little taller, so I shimmed the coils to accomodate them. Otherwise they'd bottom out on the baseplate before they were flush with the top. You could also drill out the baseplate so the poles can go through.

 

[bloodswords]

Re: More Invader questions

the 'negative' aspects of an Invader is IMHO really over-hyped. keep in mind that the pickup was conceived to manifest certain tonal ideas, if these are in conflict with what you wish for, there's a simple solution- buy others.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: More Invader questions

That guitar has quite an array of pickups, one with hex poles, a rail and then the huge screws on the invader, lol.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: More Invader questions

I'll admit, I don't like the pickup at all. With the vast array of choices you have, you're so much better off buying another heavy sounding Duncan like the Custom, Custom 5, CC, JB, Distortion, Dimebucker, Screamin Demon.

 

[ex-250]

Re: More Invader questions

i used to dislike my invader, and nearly pulled it out on a few occasions, but as of late its been sounding great. i dont know what changed, but its pretty badass now. and i get decent cleans out of it. not amazing, but im not gonna exprect earth-shattering cleans out of a 16.6k pickup

 

[bloodswords]

Re: More Invader questions

That guitar has quite an array of pickups, one with hex poles, a rail and then the huge screws on the invader, lol.

those are:

*Invader
*HOt Stack
*Full Shred

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: More Invader questions

The Invader is a niche pickup -- it has to go in the right guitar. It's great for a guitar that is really thin/bright and in desperate need of a beef injection. (Fill in pornographic innuendo here and get it over with ________________________________________________________)

 

[3th3r]

Re: More Invader questions

I was never able to get good tones -- clean or dirty -- out of my basswood RG Ibanez with the Invaders. I had both neck and bridge Invaders for a while, and I was never happy. I pulled them out and popped back in the stock Ibanez pickup in the neck and an SD Distortion in the bridge. The Distortion is awesome for heavy gain in this guitar, and the stock Ibanez is passable for cleans in the neck, no worse than the neck Invader.

 

[Natman]

Re: More Invader questions

Hey I gotta ask: of those who replied, who had the Invader in a hardtail guitar, and who was using a tremolo? I'm leaning towards ash/maple body with a wraparound! I also like the idea of cap screws like a Full Shred and possibly magnet swaps or removing some wire.

 

[ibanezrocks]

Re: More Invader questions

It just makes sense to me that if you know you're going to need something more versatile and that you're going to have to modify it to get what you want why not just get something more versatile to begin with and then only modify it slightly to get exactly what you want?
If you're going to change the magnets, poles, and possibly rewind it then you're really not getting an invader at all. One of the customs should suit you better.

 

[Natman]

Re: More Invader questions

Good point, I've tried many things under the sun, and one of the only options I never went for yet is a really high output humbucker. I like the look of the big mushroom cap screws, and the Invader has a reputation for being bitch-ass. Seems like a good explanation right there. Of course I'm anticipating some issues with the clean tones due to reviews I have read. And I love to tinker, so I'm doing my "homework" by bugging all youse guys for theoretical solitions...

 

[ibanezrocks]

Re: More Invader questions

Ok I have a solution you'll really like:
1. Get the invader and put it in that guitar, tinker with it, do whatever you want with it
2. Get another guitar for a good clean tone.
3. Come back here and ask for suggestions for pickups for the clean guitar.

Everybody wins! :dance:

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: More Invader questions

or use another pickup on the same guitar for cleans. That's what switches are for.

-X