X2N or Invaders

pJchulip · #1 12-06-2007, 05:31 AM

hello there i was wondering if anyone tried either the x2n or invader humbuckers or perhaps both. what are you takes on it and what kind of sound did you get out of it? im curious cause i want to find a new sound for my guitar i have some kind of rg with emg 81/85. not sure what model since i bought it used the only thing i know is that it was made in japan in 99. also whats the difference between f spaced and non f spaced. thanks a bunch!

Stygian · #2 12-06-2007, 07:07 AM

Hi. F-spaced is for Floyd Rose equipped guitars, or those with similar style trem systems. The pole pieces are meant to be better spaced (further apart, I think) to accommodate the string spacing. And from there, you should know the difference between the two styles.

I've tried an X2N in my Ibanez RG 5xx. It thought was not a well balanced pickup for the basswood guitar body, and it resulted in a tone that was heavy in the low-end and overall dull. In the right body wood, the X2N is a great sounding metal pickup, such as in an alder guitar body. The X2N, by the way, only comes in one "spacing" type, because it is a rail design so the spacing no longer applies.

If you're not familiar with the tonal differences of guitar body woods, they can make a big difference. This should help you (with charts and text): http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/option..._bodywoods.cfm

pJchulip · #3 12-06-2007, 07:20 AM

hey thanks a lot. what are you using now? i was looking for something that would be well rounded in treble and bass. still be able to scream on lead. i guess i just want a magic pick up. basically ive only tried some seymour duncan(dont remember the model but it came stock on my friends guitar) and the emgs i have now which i like more. the only thing is that it seems to lack that round sound and only excells in treble when you hit those high notes. unless you switch to the neck of course.

**moebius** · #4 12-06-2007, 09:50 AM

I like the sound of the X2n in my JS-1, which is basswood.

GuitarGuru · #5 12-06-2007, 10:01 AM

I'm a Duncan guy, but I hated the Invader. It's a loud, cold, noisey pickup. I had old X2N's in a Basswood body and they were ok but still not my taste.

Stygian · #6 12-06-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moebius

I like the sound of the X2n in my JS-1, which is basswood.

I liked it, I just had trouble making my playing stand out, because there was so much low-end. What does your X2N sound like in the JS-1?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pJchulip

hey thanks a lot. what are you using now? i was looking for something that would be well rounded in treble and bass...

I've tried 4 pickups total in my RG: 1) stock MIJ pickup, good tonal balance, but weak for metal 2) Dimarzio X2N 3) Seymour Duncan JB, almost balanced, but a bit much on the treble end. And the fourth one, which is in there now, a Bill Lawrence L-500XL. It sounds similar to the Duncan JB, but seems like there's more output and more mid-scooping. They're sharp looking and well priced, the only trouble is I had to shave the plastic from my pickup ring to get it to fit, and they're also deep pickups, so you can't have too many wires in the humbucker cavity. That aside though, it's not perfect but I'm happy enough with it that I'm keeping it in my guitar and don't plan to change it. The Duncan JB wasn't bad neither, in my experience at least.

brothersnowgone · #7 12-06-2007, 08:12 PM

I have an invader in a 570/550 frankenstein guitar. It's definately loud like guitarguru said. I don't find it noisy at all. Cleans up ok, but really performs better distorted.

**moebius** · #8 12-06-2007, 10:39 PM

In my JS the X2N has plenty of chunk with some piercing highs. It has a bit more low end than the Fred, but much more gain.

pJchulip · #9 12-07-2007, 03:51 AM

sounds like they put out quite a bit for being a passive pickup

**moebius** · #10 12-07-2007, 10:54 AM

x2n is one of the highest output pickups out there that is passive. At least for Dimarzio.

Salamander In The Sun · #11 12-07-2007, 12:22 PM

Never tried the Invader, but I adore my X2N. IMO, there isn't a better pickup available for heavy styles of music.

waylay00 · #12 12-07-2007, 01:28 PM

I have an X2N in my RG550, and I regret putting it in there. To my ears, it has a very dull, lifeless, and non-organic tone.

Salamander In The Sun · #13 12-07-2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waylay00

I have an X2N in my RG550, and I regret putting it in there. To my ears, it has a very dull, lifeless, and non-organic tone.

Do you have it adjusted too close? Maybe you could swap the old ceramic magnet with an alnico one.

I just love mine so much. On the other hand, mine isn't a regular X2N, it's an old X2N Power Plus (previously owned by Jeff LaBar of Cinderella, no less). Don't know if that's any different than a regular one or not, though.

SeanB · #14 12-07-2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salamander In The Sun

Do you have it adjusted too close? Maybe you could swap the old ceramic magnet with an alnico one.

I just love mine so much. On the other hand, mine isn't a regular X2N, it's an old X2N Power Plus (previously owned by Jeff LaBar of Cinderella, no less). Don't know if that's any different than a regular one or not, though.

Maybe it's Magic!

Wish I had a magic pickup!
*steals the magic X2N*

Salamander In The Sun · #15 12-07-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanB

Maybe it's Magic!

Wish I had a magic pickup!
*steals the magic X2N*

Maybe!

I know I've said it a million times before, but I just can't get over it. It's made my rig so much more simple since I've owned it. My X2N has eliminated the need for both overdrive and distortion pedals. It's even made playing easier.

Pinch harmonics no longer require any kind of effort, sustain has been massively increased, it's ungodly loud, palm muting is super thick and chunky, it creates a wall of sound when used for rhythm, and cuts through the mix extremely well for lead work, etc.

I just can't find any reason to fault it. Honestly.