Neck pickup to match Invader - Volume drop ?

[Racko]

Let's say I want a neck pickup (other than the Invader neck) to go with my guitar that already has a Invader in the bridge, will there be a difference in volume when I switch to the neck pickup (because the Invader has a lot of Output) ? Jazz Neck or Full Shred for example.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Shadow78]

Re: Neck pickup to match Invader - Volume drop ?

Hello,

I had a similar issue when I was playing the Invader. I originally had a '59 with it and it was more than hot enough for the Invader. But, what I found was that the midrange difference between the two pickups, to my ears, was enough to make me perceive a volume drop between the two. I prefer a pickup with more mids in it anyways to open up the sound of guitar.

There are a few pickups that will work, the '59 being one. The Full Shred is another, the Jazz, the APH-1 even the pearly Gates. It really depends on the tone you are looking for and the construction of the guitar. What woods are in the guitar? Body, fretboard? Is it Hardtail or does it have a trem? What amp are you using? Is the guitar bright or dark sounding? Things to consider too before you pick a pickup. I still get it wrong sometimes! For instance, in my experience, if you put a bright pickup like the Full Shred in a bright guitar it can be sterile and overkill...but, on the converse, the '59 can be so dark and scooped sounding on a LP that the neck position sounds like mud or there's a sock over it.

It does depend on what tone you like too...if you like bright or a darker sound, go for it. I'd suggest a pickup that has more mids and less of a scoop to open up the neck position a bit more. In my experience, it tends to allow more of the tone to reach you ears and sounds louder overall than one that has more of a scooped EQ. Hope that helps! If you can, post more about the guitar construction, amp you're using and so forth. That makes a huge difference. Cheers!

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Neck pickup to match Invader - Volume drop ?

I bought an invader set. Mine is a perfect match and the neck sounds great for metal cleans and leads.

 

[Racko]

Re: Neck pickup to match Invader - Volume drop ?

Thanks for your replies guys, really appreciated !

I play a Schecter that has Mahogany Body and Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, TOM Bridge with String Through Body, I find this guitar rather dark sounding (especially with the Invader ... ). I play it on a Blackstar HT Studio 20 Combo at the moment. I'm looking for a tone to play Nu Metal and Heavy Metal in Drop C or C# mainly, not too dark though, I like to hear every note that I play, even when tuned low.

Right now I'm really unsure about what my next move is going to be. I can keep the Invader in the bridge and only add a neck PU to complete my guitar or I can change the whole set for something new. I was thinking about the Mayhem Set (Distortion b and n) or Lace Nitro Hemi Set or Fastback Beard Combers (I don't see a lot of review, so maybe). The thing I dislike about the Invader is the emphasis on the low end, it tends to sound muddy in my guitar if I don't dial my amp the right way (that leaves me less freedom of amp settings...) and I don't think I need all that output necessarily. Lace Pickups and Fastback Pickups are more expensive but if they can get the tone that I want, I'm willing to pay the extra $ to get a set. I just don't hear as much reviews about them, so I don't really know if they will fit my needs...

Thanks again for the responses ! I will continue my quest to find my tone !

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Neck pickup to match Invader - Volume drop ?

The Invader is just dark.. I use mine in an LTD H1001NT mahogany with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard thru an EVH 5150iii.
I really gotta crank my highs and turn the presence to about 3 o'clock to get it to sing. I also have to lower my resonance and lows to keep it from being boomy. Once dialed in however, it's metal bliss. I don't play much metal but I grew up on Metallica and Pantera type stuff and the Invader set nails that. I get on a kick from time to time and that's the only reason I own the LTD..

 

[Mincer]

Re: Neck pickup to match Invader - Volume drop ?

Yeah, the Invader is dark, although the neck Invader really isn't. However, getting a pickup that balances will not stop you from thinking that it doesn't work in your guitar. I would probably replace both pickups with something you like. My thought is that the Mayhem set is great, but EQ-wise, it is a night and day difference with the Invader...it is a very bright set. I would actually go with the Pegasus/Sentient set given the low tunings and the style of music.

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Neck pickup to match Invader - Volume drop ?

Yeah, the Invader is dark, although the neck Invader really isn't. However, getting a pickup that balances will not stop you from thinking that it doesn't work in your guitar. I would probably replace both pickups with something you like. My thought is that the Mayhem set is great, but EQ-wise, it is a night and day difference with the Invader...it is a very bright set. I would actually go with the Pegasus/Sentient set given the low tunings and the style of music.

I was in the middle of eating turkey and forgot to mention the neck.
Yes, the Invader neck is not dark at all. I love mine and it's probably the best match I found to my Invader bridge.
I didn't try anything other than the Jazz with it but it didn't match and I figured if it wouldn't the 59 and PG wouldn't either.
The Invader neck takes gain really well and does well at metal cleans.

 

[Racko]

Re: Neck pickup to match Invader - Volume drop ?

Wow just read the Pegasus/Sentient description and I really feel they will fit my needs. They are a bit pricier than other SD pickups though ... probably because they are more recent. Going to look if the budget can allow it XD