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Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Nickel Pickup Set vs Seymour Duncan Invader Black Pickup Set
The Phat Cat Nickel is a vintage-voiced P-90-character pickup optimized for blues, jazz, and classic rock, while the Invader Black is a high-output ceramic humbucker built for metal, hard rock, and heavy gain. Choose the Phat Cat for warm, articulate vintage tones; choose the Invader for aggressive, punchy high-gain applications.
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Specs side by side
| Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Nickel Pickup Set | Seymour Duncan Invader Black Pickup Set | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.00 | $229.00 |
| Brand | Seymour Duncan | Seymour Duncan |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Nickel Pickup Set
- ✓ Authentic P-90 warmth and woody character in humbucker-compatible size
- ✓ Lower output (8.0/8.5 kOhm) stays articulate and musical at moderate to high gain
- ✓ Reverse-wound neck pickup cancels hum in parallel operation
- ✓ Hand-built with Alnico 2 magnets for smooth, vintage-friendly response
Why choose Seymour Duncan Invader Black Pickup Set
- ✓ High output (7.2/16.8 kOhm) and ceramic magnets deliver aggressive punch and sustain
- ✓ Three ceramic bar magnets and overwound coils cut through dense mixes
- ✓ Compressed attack and thick low end suit heavy genres and high-gain rigs
- ✓ 4-conductor wiring enables flexible switching and trembucker/humbucker compatibility
Frequently asked questions
What is the main tonal difference between these pickups?
The Phat Cat Nickel emphasizes warm, woody fundamentals with articulate midrange and smooth treble, voiced around a 6.05 kHz resonant peak ideal for vintage blues and jazz. The Invader Black prioritizes punchy mids, thick lows, and articulate highs with a compressed attack designed for heavy gain and modern rock/metal applications.
Can either of these work across multiple genres?
The Phat Cat Nickel is explicitly designed for blues, jazz, and classic rock and unsuitable for metal. The Invader Black is engineered for metal and hard rock but remains versatile enough for rock and alternative; it is not recommended for jazz or blues.
What do the DC resistance numbers mean for my playing?
Lower DC resistance (like the Phat Cat's 8.0/8.5 kOhm) produces cleaner, more articulate tones at moderate gain. Higher DC resistance (like the Invader's 7.2/16.8 kOhm imbalance) generates more output and sustain, favoring high-gain amplification and heavy styles.
Are both sets truly hand-built?
Yes, both the Phat Cat Nickel and Invader Black are hand-built in Santa Barbara, California, and both use vacuum wax potting to eliminate microphonic feedback.