Invader or Alternative 8?

[Jason30]

Im looking for a super hot, powerful bridge pickup for my Epi Les Paul. The Invader is a ceramic bar pickup and the Alternative 8 is of couse an Alnic8
Which one of these will work the best for both overdriven/distortion as well as being played with no distortion or overdrive? I like a beefy, full bridge pickup tone.. not thin sounding..

[astrozombie]

Invader. It's a little over the top though. What kind of amp do you have?

[Jason30]

Invader. It's a little over the top though. What kind of amp do you have?

I play through a Fender Super Reverb

[dr. ad]

i'd look at the alt 8 but the invader's a proven go-to pickup if you want your pre-amp to sh1t itself
what style of music are you playing and what pickups do you already have?

[LatsMcGee]

Ceramics and LPs go together peas and carrots my friend.

[Franknfilms]

Ceramics and LPs go together peas and carrots my friend.

Agreed, you should try the custom. Invader and Alt8 are not exactly versatile and I always find that a medium output pickup is better for metal (you're playing metal right?), especially if you're playing rhythm. I got a duncan distortion thinking I absolutely needed crazy output to play metal which is just not the case, take Lamb of God for example (59 bridge). Just thought I'd put in my two cents since I've been down that ultra high gain pickup road before and don't intend to go back. If you're looking to thrash with that fender amp you'll probably need a pedal, a pickup change won't really do anything for you in that department.

[Rowan]

I've heard some great live tones from Invader loaded LPs. I love the Alt 8 but I don't know how they react in a LP. The custom is a great pickup but I never liked the lead tones, not fat enough for me. The SH-6 distortion is another option to consider if you want to smash people's faces.

[andrew11]

Having used both in my alder body maple neck ebony fretboard Jackson. I'd have to say for high gain metal my fav is the invader( currently in the Jackson) the thing screams and the bottom end is amazing. Power chords have never sounded better. With that said, the invader is a one trick pony it only does metal so if it's your only guitar I'd go with the Alt8 a little more versatile. But If you want a all out metal machine Invader is your pickup. If you can afford it try both, that's what I did. I was asking myself the same question a 1 year ago.

[FluffChop]

Im looking for a super hot, powerful bridge pickup for my Epi Les Paul. The Invader is a ceramic bar pickup and the Alternative 8 is of couse an Alnic8
Which one of these will work the best for both overdriven/distortion as well as being played with no distortion or overdrive? I like a beefy, full bridge pickup tone.. not thin sounding..

The Alt8 in a Les Paul has the exact qualities you mention. It's as beefy as Bonox and it's got huge fatness to it. The Invader I have never tried but if it's anything like my DiMarzio Mega Drive then it's a too much is just right pickup.

[Jason30]

i'd look at the alt 8 but the invader's a proven go-to pickup if you want your pre-amp to sh1t itself
what style of music are you playing and what pickups do you already have?

I currently have a Custom 5 in the bridge, with a 57 classic in the neck.. for some reason the 57 is hotter than the custom 5

[Jason30]

Im playing a bluesy style, which will require some HOT lead licks and bends, if this helps. The amp i have is a fender super reverb

[Rowan]

Im playing a bluesy style, which will require some HOT lead licks and bends, if this helps. The amp i have is a fender super reverb

You'll be playing lots of lead? Alt 8 for certain then.