I have a Dean Vendetta XMT with the standard dean neck and bridge humbuckers. I was wanting to know if I could buy the SH-6 Distortion for the bridge and leave the dean neck hums while I saved up for the SH-8 Invaders for the neck? Also, does anyone know if this is a good combination? I love the sound of the Distortion at the bridge and the Invaders at the neck so that's why I really want this setup. But I wasn't sure if it would work out nicely. Also I used to tone matcher on SD's website and they suggested the Invaders or the Distorions. But I kinda want one of each. Can anyone help me?
SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
- Thread starter Ephman
- Start date
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
I've heard of Invader bridge with Distortion neck, but don't think I've run across the reverse.
You probably want a TB-6, though, given the guitar has a vibrato bridge and thus almost certainly is fender/floyd spaced.
Or if you want something a bit thicker & hotter, check out the PATB-2 Parallel Axis Distortion. A bit smoother for leads than the conventional Distortion, with a massive growl for rhythm & riffs. My favorite all-around out of the Invader & Distortion family of hot bridge pickups.
But if what you want is that screaming harsh bite, stick with the TB-6. [Yeah, I know some people manage to keep the harshness under control, like Gus G. Not the most common result, though!]
I'm only familiar with the Invader bridge, though, so can't comment on how the neck would balance with a different pickup. Fairly low risk if you are buying used & flipping if it doesn't work, or if you can make use of the 21 day swap guarantee (buy from an authorized dealer who supports that, if that's the route you want to go).
If you try it, report back with how it works out!
I've heard of Invader bridge with Distortion neck, but don't think I've run across the reverse.
You probably want a TB-6, though, given the guitar has a vibrato bridge and thus almost certainly is fender/floyd spaced.
Or if you want something a bit thicker & hotter, check out the PATB-2 Parallel Axis Distortion. A bit smoother for leads than the conventional Distortion, with a massive growl for rhythm & riffs. My favorite all-around out of the Invader & Distortion family of hot bridge pickups.
But if what you want is that screaming harsh bite, stick with the TB-6. [Yeah, I know some people manage to keep the harshness under control, like Gus G. Not the most common result, though!]
I'm only familiar with the Invader bridge, though, so can't comment on how the neck would balance with a different pickup. Fairly low risk if you are buying used & flipping if it doesn't work, or if you can make use of the 21 day swap guarantee (buy from an authorized dealer who supports that, if that's the route you want to go).
If you try it, report back with how it works out!
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
Thanks guys! Maybe I will go with Invader Bridge and Distortion neck.. But if I find a shop with the swap guarantee I'll probably try the other way out seeing as no one else seems to know what it sounds like. Ii I do so I will certainly post a Follow up on how it sounds.
Thanks guys! Maybe I will go with Invader Bridge and Distortion neck.. But if I find a shop with the swap guarantee I'll probably try the other way out seeing as no one else seems to know what it sounds like. Ii I do so I will certainly post a Follow up on how it sounds.
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
Hey do any of you think that GFS Crunchy rails would be any good? They're a ton cheaper and I'm kinda on a low budget. I think I could get neck and bridge GFS crunchies for the price of one Invader or Distortion. If it's pretty close to the quality I'll probabaly go with that.
Hey do any of you think that GFS Crunchy rails would be any good? They're a ton cheaper and I'm kinda on a low budget. I think I could get neck and bridge GFS crunchies for the price of one Invader or Distortion. If it's pretty close to the quality I'll probabaly go with that.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
GFS Crunchy Rails are decent for the price. There's nothing wrong with GFS pickups from a quality standpoint, though they are not quite as nice as the USA-made Seymour Duncans, DiMarzios, etc., but they are close. Most GFS models, including the Crunchy Rails, are produced by Artec in Korea, who also makes the Giovanni and UK "Entwistle" brands, as well as many OEM models for Ibanez and a few others.
If you want the Distortion sound, take a look at the HB-103 set (neck and bridge) from the Duncan Designed series. Basically a Distortion set, but made overseas (probably by Artec, as well!). You could easily find a set of Duncan Designed pickups for ~$60 on eBay.
Also check out the "Detonator" pickups. They are very similar to the HB-103 set, but with Invader pole pieces and sold through Guitar Center and musiciansfriend.com.
If you really want a killer set on a budget, I've got a set of Entwistle "HVX" pickups in the Trading Post section for $49 shipped! Very nice pickups brought over from the UK...12K w/ Ceramic mags...and great for everything rock/metal!
GFS Crunchy Rails are decent for the price. There's nothing wrong with GFS pickups from a quality standpoint, though they are not quite as nice as the USA-made Seymour Duncans, DiMarzios, etc., but they are close. Most GFS models, including the Crunchy Rails, are produced by Artec in Korea, who also makes the Giovanni and UK "Entwistle" brands, as well as many OEM models for Ibanez and a few others.
If you want the Distortion sound, take a look at the HB-103 set (neck and bridge) from the Duncan Designed series. Basically a Distortion set, but made overseas (probably by Artec, as well!). You could easily find a set of Duncan Designed pickups for ~$60 on eBay.
Also check out the "Detonator" pickups. They are very similar to the HB-103 set, but with Invader pole pieces and sold through Guitar Center and musiciansfriend.com.
If you really want a killer set on a budget, I've got a set of Entwistle "HVX" pickups in the Trading Post section for $49 shipped! Very nice pickups brought over from the UK...12K w/ Ceramic mags...and great for everything rock/metal!
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Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
They have an excellent clean sound, work amazingly well split (single coil mode) and were designed for rock/metal. They have 12 adjustable pole pieces and ceramic mags, which keeps them tight. Pinch harmonics are easy and they sustain for days.
I got them for a project that I ended up bailing on because I needed the funds for Christmas. So, I'm letting them go for less than I paid. If you want a "new" set within your budget, it would be hard to do better! Like I said, same company makes the Entwistles that makes the GFS pickups. Alan Entwistle in the UK designs them and then has Artec build them to his specs.
Edit-
Here's a link to his website page about them:
Click Here
Also, do check out the Duncan Designed HB-103 and Detonator sets, as well.
By the way, are you in the U.S.?
They have an excellent clean sound, work amazingly well split (single coil mode) and were designed for rock/metal. They have 12 adjustable pole pieces and ceramic mags, which keeps them tight. Pinch harmonics are easy and they sustain for days.
I got them for a project that I ended up bailing on because I needed the funds for Christmas. So, I'm letting them go for less than I paid. If you want a "new" set within your budget, it would be hard to do better! Like I said, same company makes the Entwistles that makes the GFS pickups. Alan Entwistle in the UK designs them and then has Artec build them to his specs.
Edit-
Here's a link to his website page about them:
Click Here
Also, do check out the Duncan Designed HB-103 and Detonator sets, as well.
By the way, are you in the U.S.?
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Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
I included a link to the manufacturer's page in my last post. However, my actual "for sale" post can be seen here: HVX
I'm also in the U.S. and my $49 asking price is out-the-door with shipping included!
By the way, what type of metal do you play? What kind of amp are you using?
I included a link to the manufacturer's page in my last post. However, my actual "for sale" post can be seen here: HVX
I'm also in the U.S. and my $49 asking price is out-the-door with shipping included!
By the way, what type of metal do you play? What kind of amp are you using?
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
The XMT is the lightweight paulownia one with a tremolo. I've tried just about every pickup in the XM model (stringthrough bridge), so I'm pretty familiar with bridge pickups in that guitar. (I also tune to open C and open B, and have an idea of what death metal should sound like.)
First off, you're going to need a more "obnoxious" amp. Otherwise, you're going to be chaining pedal after pedal trying to tweak that Frontman into anything decent sounding.
While most people will down them, modeling amps have come a long way. The Peavey Vypyr series, Line 6 Spider, or Vox amps will all get a decent sound at a reasonable volume.
The GFS Crunchy Rails and Crunchy PAT will do what you're looking for.
Another good one is the Duncan Designed/Performer Detonator (HB108). The TB-5 Duncan Custom works well, as does the TB-6 Distortion. I had an SH-8 Invader in another paulownia guitar, it was ok, but not the greatest.
For Dimarzios, the X2N and Evolution worked well, as did the Steve's Special. Nothing wrong with keeping the Dean neck pickup stock. It's actually ok sounding.
The XMT is the lightweight paulownia one with a tremolo. I've tried just about every pickup in the XM model (stringthrough bridge), so I'm pretty familiar with bridge pickups in that guitar. (I also tune to open C and open B, and have an idea of what death metal should sound like.)
First off, you're going to need a more "obnoxious" amp. Otherwise, you're going to be chaining pedal after pedal trying to tweak that Frontman into anything decent sounding.
While most people will down them, modeling amps have come a long way. The Peavey Vypyr series, Line 6 Spider, or Vox amps will all get a decent sound at a reasonable volume. The GFS Crunchy Rails and Crunchy PAT will do what you're looking for.
Another good one is the Duncan Designed/Performer Detonator (HB108). The TB-5 Duncan Custom works well, as does the TB-6 Distortion. I had an SH-8 Invader in another paulownia guitar, it was ok, but not the greatest.
For Dimarzios, the X2N and Evolution worked well, as did the Steve's Special. Nothing wrong with keeping the Dean neck pickup stock. It's actually ok sounding.
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
Now I feel really good having someone that has a guitar very similar to mine telling me what they think sounds good and works well. I like obnoxious amps. Could the Line 6 Spider, Peavey Vypr, or Vox amp work with a distortion pedal? I'm looking to have an amp that is compatible with one. If not will one of those amps take the place of a distortion pedal? Also, do you know the difference between the Crunchy PAT and Crunchy Rails? Thank you for your advice and help!
Now I feel really good having someone that has a guitar very similar to mine telling me what they think sounds good and works well. I like obnoxious amps. Could the Line 6 Spider, Peavey Vypr, or Vox amp work with a distortion pedal? I'm looking to have an amp that is compatible with one. If not will one of those amps take the place of a distortion pedal? Also, do you know the difference between the Crunchy PAT and Crunchy Rails? Thank you for your advice and help!
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
No need for a distortion pedal with those amps, BUT a green overdrive pedal helps tighten the sound up. The Digitech Bad Monkey is a good one if you can't afford a Tube Screamer. I've owned a Vypyr, Spider III, and a floor model Vox modeler, and I'd probably recommend a Vox over the other two.
The Crunchy Rails is slightly higher output, but if you've got tons of gain on tap, they're going to sound pretty similar. I actually like the Crunchy PAT after I swapped an A8 magnet into it. Plenty of gain, but with a slight organic tinge to it. The Crunchy Rails does look cooler though.
No need for a distortion pedal with those amps, BUT a green overdrive pedal helps tighten the sound up. The Digitech Bad Monkey is a good one if you can't afford a Tube Screamer. I've owned a Vypyr, Spider III, and a floor model Vox modeler, and I'd probably recommend a Vox over the other two.
The Crunchy Rails is slightly higher output, but if you've got tons of gain on tap, they're going to sound pretty similar. I actually like the Crunchy PAT after I swapped an A8 magnet into it. Plenty of gain, but with a slight organic tinge to it. The Crunchy Rails does look cooler though.
DeanSweden
New member
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
hey, I've got an Invader for $50 including shipping, juat waiting for its next home
hey, I've got an Invader for $50 including shipping, juat waiting for its next home
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
I agree the crunchy looks better. I think I'll go with that because well it's the one that was recommended to me first. & as far as the amps go I am looking for a good one for the money. I am kinda wanting to spend maybe no more than $175 with tax and shipping on an amp but I would like a decent one. Nothing too fancy needed. I'm no pro. Haha. I've looked at all of those amps I just didn't know which was the most bang for the buck!
I agree the crunchy looks better. I think I'll go with that because well it's the one that was recommended to me first. & as far as the amps go I am looking for a good one for the money. I am kinda wanting to spend maybe no more than $175 with tax and shipping on an amp but I would like a decent one. Nothing too fancy needed. I'm no pro. Haha. I've looked at all of those amps I just didn't know which was the most bang for the buck!
Re: SD Distortion and Invaders Pickup Combo
Thank you for the offer, but, for me, I think I will be going with the Crunchys. Maybe someone else reading this will hit you up though. Never know. In all seriousness though thank you very much
hey, I've got an Invader for $50 including shipping, juat waiting for its next home
Thank you for the offer, but, for me, I think I will be going with the Crunchys. Maybe someone else reading this will hit you up though. Never know. In all seriousness though thank you very much
