UnderTheFlame83
New member
Which in your opinion is the better pickup for down tuned metal chugging?
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The Invader vs X2N
- Thread starter UnderTheFlame83
- Start date
Totally depends on the guitar's qualities IMO.
I find both of these pickups to "need" the right guitar.
Invader is great in a crisp/bright/snappy type guitar. Maple/Alder/Ebony is where it shines, but any maple-based neck-thru with an ebony board should be a good fit.
X2N works best in something with a warmer softer nature, like is often the case with basswood or mahogany bodied bolt-ons that have no maple-tops. It likes rosewood boards better IMO.
For downtuned chug I would generally say X2N in the right guitar is better, but an Invader done right can work too if the string setup isn't both huge and loose at the same time.
D'activator-X is a good sub for guitars that like Invaders, and a Distortion is a good sub for a guitar that likes the X2N.
I find both of these pickups to "need" the right guitar.
Invader is great in a crisp/bright/snappy type guitar. Maple/Alder/Ebony is where it shines, but any maple-based neck-thru with an ebony board should be a good fit.
X2N works best in something with a warmer softer nature, like is often the case with basswood or mahogany bodied bolt-ons that have no maple-tops. It likes rosewood boards better IMO.
For downtuned chug I would generally say X2N in the right guitar is better, but an Invader done right can work too if the string setup isn't both huge and loose at the same time.
D'activator-X is a good sub for guitars that like Invaders, and a Distortion is a good sub for a guitar that likes the X2N.
ICTGoober
Well-known member
Personally, I would choose something else entirely - but since I have experience with both, I'll weigh in.
I owned a Les Paul for many years with 3 X2N's installed. It wasn't capable of anything close to a delicate or subtle sound. It was basically a diesel engine on wide open throttle all the time - completely obnoxious and overpowering. You could barely use the Kahler that was installed because any significant reduction in string tension welded the strings to the magnets. It's strength was metal power chords that filled nearly the whole sound spectrum - best used in a trio. It would walk all over a second guitar or a keyboard.
Invaders were closer to civilized. They had some definition, but I wasn't crazy about the top end - they seemed brittle to me in the trebles. They were still rock only pickups, less capable of subtlety but could still sing if played correctly. The magnetic pull was still too strong in my opinion - not suitable for vibrato action, but fine for hardtails played aggressively. I was glad I tried them out for awhile, but never again.
I owned a Les Paul for many years with 3 X2N's installed. It wasn't capable of anything close to a delicate or subtle sound. It was basically a diesel engine on wide open throttle all the time - completely obnoxious and overpowering. You could barely use the Kahler that was installed because any significant reduction in string tension welded the strings to the magnets. It's strength was metal power chords that filled nearly the whole sound spectrum - best used in a trio. It would walk all over a second guitar or a keyboard.
Invaders were closer to civilized. They had some definition, but I wasn't crazy about the top end - they seemed brittle to me in the trebles. They were still rock only pickups, less capable of subtlety but could still sing if played correctly. The magnetic pull was still too strong in my opinion - not suitable for vibrato action, but fine for hardtails played aggressively. I was glad I tried them out for awhile, but never again.
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80's_Thrash_Metal
Slightly_Glazed_Believer
Either one will work, depending on how well you adjust your amp, the X2N is a wailing bitch and does super well for leads.
the invader is dark and chugs very well.
To me the choice would solely be based on if you were playing leads or just rhythm.
the invader is dark and chugs very well.
To me the choice would solely be based on if you were playing leads or just rhythm.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
You can chug with a D-Activator n neck pickup and switch to the X2N for leads if you adjust the amp correctly. And the two together give a great clean sound with the volume rolled back.
48K DCR w/ double ceramic. Can I get it unpotted?
Erlend_G
New member
lol
with a magnetic metal cover, hovering on top like a bell. XD
(like the P90s in my Epi. Sounded astonishing all clean, but squealed like a pig with even moderate gain. Filled it up with silicone... that complex treble was gone though :/ )
80's_Thrash_Metal
Slightly_Glazed_Believer
Oh great....thanks Mincer!
Another pickup I have to buy and try out!
How does it compare sonically to the 14?
Also why is more expensive than most of the others?
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
first off, for down-tuned chug fest, I wouldn't choose either of them.
First choices: EMG/Blackouts/Active
Next: Distortion/Black Winters/D-activators
I am down with Dave74's assessment. LOVE the X2N. Have a friend with an Invader in a maple neck Strat. Awesome....
But - between the two...
I'll go X2N. it's the more even voiced of the two, IMO. But it is an obnoxiously loud pickup. Maybe not SLUG levels....but still.
First choices: EMG/Blackouts/Active
Next: Distortion/Black Winters/D-activators
I am down with Dave74's assessment. LOVE the X2N. Have a friend with an Invader in a maple neck Strat. Awesome....
But - between the two...
I'll go X2N. it's the more even voiced of the two, IMO. But it is an obnoxiously loud pickup. Maybe not SLUG levels....but still.
It is more of everything (including price) because it is a Custom Shop pickup. It really is the ultimate doom/fuzz pickup.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
I guess the other thing with these types of hbs is you can back them off from the strings quite a bit and they'll still sound fine.
Hm, it would be interesting to know what the D-Activator X neck model is like in the bridge, having been designed as a lower output variant of this type of hb.
Hm, it would be interesting to know what the D-Activator X neck model is like in the bridge, having been designed as a lower output variant of this type of hb.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
^^ Yeah, I believe DiM themselves recommend this for expanding the X2N's palette.
Talking of hot, ceramicky with non-conventional poles, there's also the Jupiter. Someone in the thread about them seem to like them quite a bit, particularly the ability to clean up and split sounds.
Talking of hot, ceramicky with non-conventional poles, there's also the Jupiter. Someone in the thread about them seem to like them quite a bit, particularly the ability to clean up and split sounds.
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
If you want to bring ceramic buckers that are obnoxious, can chug, but also clean up astonishingly well, then you *have to* mention the Dimebucker. It's a great pickup to split for cleans.
UnderTheFlame83
New member
I bought a white Invader cheap to see how it compares to the X2N. I have 3 guitars so far with the X2N (one is a 7 string) and output wise they're pretty close. Invader is much darker than the X2N and not as good for soloing. Less mids and high end. If I had to choose one after trying both it would be the X2N. As for down tuned chugging both are working well. I may try the Invader in poplar and basswood next to see how much a difference it makes.
It would be better in Poplar generally-speaking. Basswood can often have the affect of softening the attack which can "over-smooth" the Invader.
Poplar IME lends a somewhat deadened harder midrange that really benefits from the oomphy smooth lower-mids of the Invader.
