S.D. Invader pick up first impressions

LiveeviL2000

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I picked up a project guitar to work on and it came loaded with Invaders in both positions.
I always wondered what they sounded like so here was my chance.
I played around with them last night, not alot but for a little bit. The guitar was tuned to E std then I did a drop D. I played it through my usual rig (DSL40CR Ultra Gain channel with and without my OD as a booster. Here are my initial impressions.

Bridge in E std is really dark, I dont get much high end. It feels like the low end is overpowering. Clarity isnt what this pup does. The neck position is even darker.
Although any kind of harmonics you pull on them are effortless and sounds down right evil. With my TS-9 on WOW!! Every dog in the neighborhood took notice.

In drop D tuning, they sound brutal. Again not much high end but damn it gets almost thumpy. Not a big fan of the neck tone, it gets muddy quickly.

In either tuning though, the bridge position can chug like a champ. But articulation isnt what these pups do.

I didnt mess around with any EQ or anything, I'm sure if I bring up the high end it will sound better.

I like the chug ability and the mean squeals I can get on it, and if thats what its supposed to do, then it does it very well, but overall I'm not impressed with the overall tone. The neck position is just about worthless to me, I couldnt get it to do anything that didnt sound muddy. They seem like a one trick pony to me.

Anyone else have experience with Invaders? I'd love to hear what you think of them. Maybe I'm doing something wrong and can improve on the tone.
@Headache I know you've played around with these before. Is what I'm describing about right to you?
 
I've had quite a few sets of invaders installed into various guitars over the years.

Yes, your evaluation is on point.
I have found that they lack some clarity, but they have sheer output. iirc, it might be Duncan's highest output passive pickup in their whole lineup.

They tend to be a little dark, so they pair well with poplar and brighter woods, or bright amps.
They look cool as hell for sure! My favorite looking pup.

If you want a super hard hitting Korn/Coal Chamber/even Sepultura type sound, they are what I'd reach for.

You can mellow them out by dropping the gain on your OD pedal, and amp, they push so hard, they almost don't need an OD. Adjust the height of this pickup can enhance it quite a bit as well. I'd back it off a little from the strings.
Also bumping your mids and treble on the amp, adding an EQ, and dropping a little bass on the amp will help take those savage beasts.

There are also "Duncan designed" invader look alike pickups that look like the invader, but sound like the sh6 distortion, I had a set of those live in my goth explorer for so many years, they were great.
 
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Hmmm. I have a set in my Mockingbird but not sure which version. I just set EQ as required and mostly use Marshalls so generally have lots of top end. Granted they are not really for clarity. I only can think of one decent video where I am using it with decent sound. Will look for that.
They are dark for sure but loads of output.
 
Hmmm. I have a set in my Mockingbird but not sure which version. I just set EQ as required and mostly use Marshalls so generally have lots of top end. Granted they are not really for clarity. I only can think of one decent video where I am using it with decent sound. Will look for that.
They are dark for sure but loads of output.
That's basically what I was getting out of them. Mind you I didnt mess with the EQ at all last night, I just plugged in and let it rip. I was thinking of keeping them for any future guitars I may want to keep around, but right now I like what I have in all mine.
 
Hey Mitch. Way back I’d looked at getting a Tonelab. At the time I was looking, one of the interesting things was it had a 12AX7 tube in it. Later one don’t seem to have that anymore.
The one I have has the tube in it,, not to sure or up to date on the newer version’s.
I have not been using mine for just over a year now,, but it’s great when I try and get Trower tones.

Thanks
 
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