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I have a Gibson '67 RI V that came with the 500T/496R pu's, and thought they sounded too thin. I swapped them out for a set of Dimarzio Evolutions i had laying around and still find the tone way too bright and thin. I play through a Marshall TSL60 and use it in an early 80s style metal band. I have an SG w/ Rio Grande BBQ/TX set that I love, so I was thinking about getting another set, but thought about something a little more aggressive. I was looking at the Gibson Iommi, the Duncan Custom, the BBQ, and something from Bare Knuckle, likely the Warpig or the Nailbomb. Any suggestions for a pickup to boost the bottom end and give a serious crunch?

Early 80s? I hear the Distortion does that (Randy Rhoads). But I'm not sure because I don't much about the TSL.

What kind of 80s metal? Metallica? Slayer? Dio? (Holy Diver!) Randy? EVH?


Originally Posted by TolEarly 80s? I hear the Distortion does that (Randy Rhoads). But I'm not sure because I don't much about the TSL.

What kind of 80s metal? Metallica? Slayer? Dio? (Holy Diver!) Randy? EVH?

Yeah, I was thinking about the DD, but often see it compared to the 500T/EVO style hot and bright pickups.

The band is more Slayer/Metallica than Dio/VH. A reporter from Revolver magazine recently said the cd sounds like Kill Em All with Ozzy singing. But i really want a crunchy thick tone, don't get too hung up on the time period!

JB, Distortion, or Custom for the bridge
59, or Jazz for the neck.

doesn't get much fatter or hotter than an Invader.


Originally Posted by superpeteYeah, I was thinking about the DD, but often see it compared to the 500T/EVO style hot and bright pickups.

Your right, I have heard that too. Not sure now

Super Distortion = Randy Rhoads.

Do It!

Dude, if you thought the 500T was thin, I would not go with the JB, Custom, or Distortion! You will need the Custom Custom or the Invader!!!!!! It depends on how hot you want that thang! If you want balls to the wall metal, go for the Invader. If you want to be versatile, go for the Custom Custom!


Originally Posted by theodieDude, if you thought the 500T was thin, I would not go with the JB, Custom, or Distortion! You will need the Custom Custom or the Invader!!!!!! It depends on how hot you want that thang! If you want balls to the wall metal, go for the Invader. If you want to be versatile, go for the Custom Custom!

Is the invader strictly rhythm only?

I love my Custom Custom! I think about getting new bridge pickups, but I can't part with that pickup. I will need another guitar to try other bridge pickups!

Get the Invader or the Tone Zone(which I havent used but sounds promising). The Invader will solo fine.

Any pickup can be used for lead or rhythm, it just depends on how well you think it works in a certain application.

The invader in my H-207 kinda balances out the naturally bright character of the guitar, so all ya hear is big, fat, heavy metal tone.


Originally Posted by TolIs the invader strictly rhythm only?

There are different people with different answers to that question.

I say no, it can be used successfully for rhythm or lead players.
I've had a few different invaders in different guitars, and currently have one in my '87 Charvel Model 2.

Rock On!


Originally Posted by TolIs the invader strictly rhythm only?

I love my Custom Custom! I think about getting new bridge pickups, but I can't part with that pickup. I will need another guitar to try other bridge pickups!

It really depends on your guitar most of the time. The Invader is a great pickup but it dosent offer the best clarity unless your guitar is very bright sounding. Also, I have noticed the Invader has a bit more clarity with a tube amp than a modeling or solid state unit. Most of the time I would say the Invader is a rhythm pickup though.

V's and SG's tend to have more midrange....getting a pup that is more mid heavy (like a JB , distortion, and Custom) will help ya cut through but certainly won't give ya more low end..(the custom has a slight bass rolloff, and the distortion is not too dissimilar to a 500T)

If you want some great low end and a clearer general sound go with a 59 in the bridge (or perhaps a C-5 if ya want a little more output). I'd stay away from anything Alnico2.

Classic Fat low end from a V= Michael and Rudolf Shenker. Their pups for those classic sounds? late 60,70s and early 80s stock Gibson PAF styles.


Originally Posted by JeffBV's and SG's tend to have more midrange....getting a pup that is more mid heavy (like a JB , distortion, and Custom) will help ya cut through but certainly won't give ya more low end..(the custom has a slight bass rolloff, and the distortion is not too dissimilar to a 500T)

If you want some great low end and a clearer general sound go with a 59 in the bridge (or perhaps a C-5 if ya want a little more output). I'd stay away from anything Alnico2.

Classic Fat low end from a V= Michael and Rudolf Shenker. Their pups for those classic sounds? late 60,70s and early 80s stock Gibson PAF styles.Michael Schenker used the DUncan custom for years. His new dean pickups sounds pretty much identical to the custom.


Originally Posted by Archer_of_FishMichael Schenker used the DUncan custom for years. His new dean pickups sounds pretty much identical to the custom.

In the late 80's yes...On the first McCauley Schenker group album (1987) he used a combo of Schaller and Duncan pups...but all of his classic sounds from the UFO and Michael Schenker Group era were stock gibbos.


Originally Posted by JeffBIn the late 80's yes...On the first McCauley Schenker group album (1987) he used a combo of Schaller and Duncan pups...but all of his classic sounds from the UFO and Michael Schenker Group era were stock gibbos.UFO era Schenker was all T-Tops in a V throgh a hot Marshall and a wah, right?


Originally Posted by JeffBV's and SG's tend to have more midrange....getting a pup that is more mid heavy (like a JB , distortion, and Custom) will help ya cut through but certainly won't give ya more low end..(the custom has a slight bass rolloff, and the distortion is not too dissimilar to a 500T)

If you want some great low end and a clearer general sound go with a 59 in the bridge (or perhaps a C-5 if ya want a little more output). I'd stay away from anything Alnico2.

Classic Fat low end from a V= Michael and Rudolf Shenker. Their pups for those classic sounds? late 60,70s and early 80s stock Gibson PAF styles.

Bro, he wants to fatten up the guitar, not make it even brighter and thinner. The 59 and Custom 5 are both very bright pickups.


Originally Posted by Benjy_26UFO era Schenker was all T-Tops in a V throgh a hot Marshall and a wah, right?

...depends on which V he was playing, he had quite a few....but yeah all gibson pups....1987 NMVs. Around 1980-1981(after UFO) he had Rivera mod some of his amps.

Odie,

Yes, they are bright, they also have less midrange and more pronounced/rounder bass than a custom/jb..which will quot;fattenquot; the tone up (at least as my definition goes)...if he wants to thicken his sound then by all means...add some mids with custom/jb, etc. IME, the Custom will add prominent low mids which will thicken the guitar up but there is a rolloff in the bass frequencies that keeps it from sounding as quot;fatquot; as a PAF style. The JB/Distortions are mostly treble and high mids and are hardly quot;fatquot; in my opinion.

A 59 is also less bright IME than a 500T.

Well, thanks for all the advice everyone. I really like the tone I get with a BBQ in an SG, so I was thinking of getting another one of those. Does anyone know how a Super Distortion compares to a BBQ?