What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
- Thread starter Chuck_Norris
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V
Varg
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Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
Exactly. Theyre playing tuned WAAY down low, yet you can still hear what theyre doing. A great advert for Invaders IMO.
Exactly. Theyre playing tuned WAAY down low, yet you can still hear what theyre doing. A great advert for Invaders IMO.
Chuck_Norris
New member
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
I've done some additional research, read hundreds of posts and listened to some soundclips. Here's my conclusion so far:
Invader:
Seems to be the heaviest Duncan pickup. Sick output, enormous bass and low mids
but
tends to sound a bit muddy and is not ideal for lead work, some also said that it's harder to get harmonics out of it
Alt 8:
Sledgehammer bass, big low mid growl, very hot, more articulate than the Invader, nice lead tone
but
very strong magnet pull, some didn't like the mid voicing of this pup.
PATB-2:
Insane output, very heavy, lots of compression, nice low mid growl, best lead tone of the 3, some say that it's a good compromise between the Distortion and the Invader. The PATBs were originally designed to beef up floyded guitars so it might be a good choice for my Ibby.
From what I've read and heard the PATB-2 seems to be the safest bet for me. It combines most of the qualities I like and seems to have (almost) no downsides. It might be not as heavy as the Invader but it makes up for it with other qualities (like the lead tone, articulation).
The next best thing would be to try out the Alt 8 since lots of people recommend it.
What about this Alt 8 mid voicing issues?
I've done some additional research, read hundreds of posts and listened to some soundclips. Here's my conclusion so far:
Invader:
Seems to be the heaviest Duncan pickup. Sick output, enormous bass and low mids
but
tends to sound a bit muddy and is not ideal for lead work, some also said that it's harder to get harmonics out of it
Alt 8:
Sledgehammer bass, big low mid growl, very hot, more articulate than the Invader, nice lead tone
but
very strong magnet pull, some didn't like the mid voicing of this pup.
PATB-2:
Insane output, very heavy, lots of compression, nice low mid growl, best lead tone of the 3, some say that it's a good compromise between the Distortion and the Invader. The PATBs were originally designed to beef up floyded guitars so it might be a good choice for my Ibby.
From what I've read and heard the PATB-2 seems to be the safest bet for me. It combines most of the qualities I like and seems to have (almost) no downsides. It might be not as heavy as the Invader but it makes up for it with other qualities (like the lead tone, articulation).
The next best thing would be to try out the Alt 8 since lots of people recommend it.
What about this Alt 8 mid voicing issues?
Chuck_Norris
New member
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
I would agree with you if my guitar was a thick bodied LP or something similar. But my Ibby is really thin AND has a floyd so it needs a fatter sounding pickup with rounder highs.
I own and love the Distortion in my other guitar (LTD AX-2E) and it's absolutely brutal for downtuning but the Ibanez just needs more beef.
I would agree with you if my guitar was a thick bodied LP or something similar. But my Ibby is really thin AND has a floyd so it needs a fatter sounding pickup with rounder highs.
I own and love the Distortion in my other guitar (LTD AX-2E) and it's absolutely brutal for downtuning but the Ibanez just needs more beef.
V
Varg
Guest
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
There are a couple of cool threads about beef in the Off-Topic section, but I think the Invader would be just what you need.
There are a couple of cool threads about beef in the Off-Topic section, but I think the Invader would be just what you need.
Chuck_Norris
New member
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
And here, poor fool, I stand once more, // No wiser than I was before.
- J. W. Goethe -
And here, poor fool, I stand once more, // No wiser than I was before.
- J. W. Goethe -
V
Varg
Guest
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
You have had recommendations aplenty, there is only ONE way to find out what you need.
Try it yourself.
Pick the one that you think seems the best and try it.
You have had recommendations aplenty, there is only ONE way to find out what you need.
Try it yourself.
Pick the one that you think seems the best and try it.
Chuck_Norris
New member
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
You're absolutely right.
Thank you all for the recommendations. I think I'll start with either the Invader, the Alt 8 or the PATB-2.
You're absolutely right.
Thank you all for the recommendations. I think I'll start with either the Invader, the Alt 8 or the PATB-2.
LP82
New member
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
I tried an Alt 8, didn't like it. Highs were too smooth for me and the overall tone was not what I was looking for. Just tried a PATB2 and so far it has everything I'm looking for in this particular guitar. Tuesday nights rehearsal will tell for sure, but I think I found the pickup with the qualities I've been looking for. If it passes the rehearsal test, then I'll be getting two more for my other alder guitars.
I tried an Alt 8, didn't like it. Highs were too smooth for me and the overall tone was not what I was looking for. Just tried a PATB2 and so far it has everything I'm looking for in this particular guitar. Tuesday nights rehearsal will tell for sure, but I think I found the pickup with the qualities I've been looking for. If it passes the rehearsal test, then I'll be getting two more for my other alder guitars.
Chuck_Norris
New member
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
Omg I'm still torn between the Alt 8 and the Invader! The tone chart suggests that the Alt 8 is basically an Invader with more highs. Is that true? I'm looking for a pup with crushing rhythm tone AND singing lead tone. From what I've heard so far, the Alt 8 should take me there. Last opinions?
Omg I'm still torn between the Alt 8 and the Invader! The tone chart suggests that the Alt 8 is basically an Invader with more highs. Is that true? I'm looking for a pup with crushing rhythm tone AND singing lead tone. From what I've heard so far, the Alt 8 should take me there. Last opinions?
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
I'm not so sure you're going to get the best of both in one pup. You may have to give one for the other, with one being less than perfect.
I don't see the invader sounding like the alt 8. Invader is more compressed and darker, with a harder attack. Alt 8 is more open and a little sweeter, and I'm guessing not as agressive overall (remember, my alt 8 experience is in neck, not bridge). Yes, it has a bit more highs and a bit less mids. I guess overall I'm just thinking of the alt 8 as a strict metal pickup; more hard rock pup that can pass for metal when needed?
If I were you, I'd try invader or PTB2, based on how it's described here and how it sounds on the SD samples.
I'm not so sure you're going to get the best of both in one pup. You may have to give one for the other, with one being less than perfect.
I don't see the invader sounding like the alt 8. Invader is more compressed and darker, with a harder attack. Alt 8 is more open and a little sweeter, and I'm guessing not as agressive overall (remember, my alt 8 experience is in neck, not bridge). Yes, it has a bit more highs and a bit less mids. I guess overall I'm just thinking of the alt 8 as a strict metal pickup; more hard rock pup that can pass for metal when needed?
If I were you, I'd try invader or PTB2, based on how it's described here and how it sounds on the SD samples.
Chuck_Norris
New member
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
Have you had any experience with it in the bridge position? 'Cause that's where I'll drop it in.
Have you had any experience with it in the bridge position? 'Cause that's where I'll drop it in.
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
No. But having played around with pups between bridge and neck, the differences I'm mentioning apply in both positions. Yes, the position change alone will have an affect, but overall not enough to prevent me feeling comfortable saying the alt 8 does not sound like the invader.
I think at this point it's time you bit the bullet and tried one, as was mentioned already. Almost all of the suggested pups are easily resaleable, so you wouldn't lose much if you had to sell and try another.
No. But having played around with pups between bridge and neck, the differences I'm mentioning apply in both positions. Yes, the position change alone will have an affect, but overall not enough to prevent me feeling comfortable saying the alt 8 does not sound like the invader.
I think at this point it's time you bit the bullet and tried one, as was mentioned already. Almost all of the suggested pups are easily resaleable, so you wouldn't lose much if you had to sell and try another.
oldschool thrasher
New member
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
i like the jb. the distortion was to harsh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZVg3BN23Q4o
the les paul at the end of this clip has a jb. the other two have emg's. all tuned to D.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c72jERqzfU8
i like the jb. the distortion was to harsh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZVg3BN23Q4o
the les paul at the end of this clip has a jb. the other two have emg's. all tuned to D.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c72jERqzfU8
Chuck_Norris
New member
Re: What I'm looking for in a perfect Metal pickup. Recommendations?
I've ordered the TB-15 Alternative 8. Don't know why but I have a good feeling about it. If I don't like it, I'll get the Invader. Thanks for your help!
I've ordered the TB-15 Alternative 8. Don't know why but I have a good feeling about it. If I don't like it, I'll get the Invader. Thanks for your help!
