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ok folks which one of these pickups would you suggest in a ltd viper mahogany body and neck with rosewood fretboard.

Custom.

I would go with one of the custom series. They're all good just depends on your taste and which magnets you like. I've tried the custom and custom custom and I prefer the CC. I play similar types of music, aka hard rock/metal. A JB would be good too, but it has a different vibe and sound than a PAF type pup like the customs. (I love the JB personally, that and the CC are my two favorite bridge Duncans) Imo the invader is too muddy and lacks highs. What amp(s) are you using? This will determine your pup choice as well as the guitar woods.

By a Large margin the XL500 will blow the others clean off the map. Reason why? Not only does it do Metal and Rock like a champion but, it does alot of other stuff like a true champion also!!!

I voted Invader because it's my all time favorite pickup for Metal. But it's pretty dark and depending on your amp, possibly too dark for a mohogany guitar.
But honestly I think even if you've got a Mesa Mark IV with the low end boosted you can still get clarity on rhythms and solos from a SD Invader.

ROck ON!!!

BTW, the Invader in a Mahogany body with a rosewood neck will sound like mudd with no clarity! The Iommi, good pickup with TONS of clarity! It as precise as any pickup I have ever played! You better not make a mistake when playing one of these!!!! I have never played the Anderson! Here is how I would rate them for you and what you are looking for,

#1 XL500
#2 Iommi
#3 Anderson
#4 Invader

BTW, some folks have already suggested the custom. Its a great pickup and its my favorite Duncan hands down! I just like the versatility a Lawrence give ya!

Finally a pickup thread where theodie didn't criticise the mighty JB

own the same amp as you and with the anderson h3 in my former washburn idol guitar i was able to achieve a very hard rock sound,almost metal.
the JB gets me to the almost hard rock sound with the same amp´s distortion.
the invader has nothing to do with the H3 ´s sound but IHMO very powerfull but easier to get into total mud.


Originally Posted by SuneFinally a pickup thread where theodie didn't criticise the mighty JB

Thank god someone has the sense to not make it an option!!!!! LOL!!!!!!


You are a good man moon!!!!

An alternative for quot;clarity amp; tonequot; under conditions of mighty overdrive is go for a mid output and let the amp do the work...

I have a (Bill and Becky) BL L500XL and L500R in an early 90's SG and they sound good through a Marshall style amp. The XL is clear and has decent output. The R is clear and stays clear even when you turn the volume down.


Originally Posted by chillI have a (Bill and Becky) BL L500XL and L500R in an early 90's SG and they sound good through a Marshall style amp. The XL is clear and has decent output. The R is clear and stays clear even when you turn the volume down.

Somewhere I read or heard the L500XL was very bright and somewhat harsh/shrill-y. Is this so or is it round and smooth in spite of its high output and fame as a metal p/up?

Judging from Dimebag's sound, I'd say the highs might be a bit too like icepicks, unless of course that was just the way he eq'd his gear... opinions?

thanks for the input guys. so far it is between the invader and the 500xl. I am leaning toward the bl. I emailed them and becky wrote back and she is so damn nice. she was tellin me different combos and the new picksups they came out with. and thanks theodie. A jb never crossed my mind on this one. I will admit i do like them in certain guitars for certain things. just not my thing tho.

Duncan Distortion? I am surprised nobody has mentioned it. I think it has an awsome clarity to it even with its high output.

i have been checking around on specs and such. and so far its between the bl 500xl with a bl 609 humbucker size p-90 neck. or the anderson h3 with i have no idea in the neck. I would like try the iommi i just dont want to spend that much on a pickup. I have tried some of the custom series pickups and didnt really care for them. i did have the distortion in an epiphone sg which sounded good. but I want something different. It will be easier for me to get more gain now since i traded my peavey for a vox valvetronix 60 watt head and cab.

I am telling you, The XL500 is a winner!! If you get one from Bill and Becky it is a safe bet! Not only is it a great sounding pickup, its one of few pickups that goes up in value after you get it! I have seen them on Ebay go for over $100 used!!!

out of those def the XL.. great lead.. not sure about rythym but ive only heard clips.. Iommi is overpriced for its sound and if you have an alder body the invader sounds horrible

yeah i was planning on getting both pickups from them. becky is the one who told me about the 609 for the neck.

get the bill and becky 500 xl one,just forget about the anderson h3(better than invader by far) for the neck...too much mud,id stick to a cleaner neck pickup.
your choice

What about the toni iommi i heard that it was good for clean and dirty and had a nice thick sound (like good black sabbath)