NGD Invader Hardtail

[GeorgeB]

Well, actually I didn't need yet another guitar ... then I bumped into a terrific Invader with Saddle-Lock bridge and the HSS pup configuration. In specs and finish it was very close to what I would have choosen anyway for a custom build so I *had* to pull the trigger on that one. Invaders flew under my radar because I always was like 'Floyd Rose, meh'... didn't know they come with hardtails also, so this was a real surprise.



She's about 10 years old and happens to be in absolutely mint condition, really like new and honeyburst ash body with a maple neck is one of my dream finishes. She needed a good setup including some work on the frets and a neck re-seat, though. The neck, supposedly a #3, feels excellent to my hand, I had feared it might be too shallow, sort of shredder neck, but it's not.

This is one damn serious power strat. It looks beefier than a Legacy body, it's built beefier and it sounds beefier, too (have a Trib S-500 to compare to). SUSTAIN to no end with only very few soft spots, with a piano-like top end, thanks Saddle-Lock bridge. Very great clarity and note separation, and it stays in tune perfectly. The Jeff Beck bridge pup is normally not my favorite (too much mids) but in *this* guitar it has enough top end and also a deep tight bottom. The twin blades are a good compliment to that, and the coil split on the JB allows for additional sparkle when needed. I modded the tone pot so I can dial in various amounts of mid/treble bleed with the volume rolled-back, sort of bass control as there is no PTB with two pots like in Legacy's etc.

Power chords and drop-tuned riffing as well as hot leads are a pure joy but what that Invader really likes most is slower complex chordal stuff with only moderate crunch, every note and every playing detail is clearly heard (including any lack of skills), this where the guitar excels at. Sustain duration is on par with any Les Paul but the character is very unique, also different from my ASAT Super with it's super hot sc MFD pups (that's where its name came from?)...

Invaders -- let alone hardtailed ones -- really seem to be sort of an underdog guitar but now I'm one of those happy few in the know. Outstanding quality, playability and sound.

[Fumble fingers]

sweet !! ... I been paying attention to Invader's lately too

[HowlinWolf]

Congratulations, that's a great looking Invader for sure! Nice rundown of the guitar as well . I'm the opposite of you in that I think 'Floyd Rose, yay!' ... But I'm sure with the saddle lock bridge the sustain is superb and the guitar is solid as a rock, so enjoy your amazing Invader!

[GeorgeB]

Thanks. Yes 'solid as a rock' is what comes to mind instantly. I'll try to make nice outdoor pictures next... the neck, to my surprise, is slightly flamed, very nice (wasn't visible on the seller's pics).

G&L's keep amazing me, I'm now at 6 total (3 basses, 3 guitars, two of each kind being US made).

[Salmon]

That is G E O R G E O U S man!

[Ledergeist]

Honeyburst sounds the best.....

[Sprinter 92]

Great looking, Invader! I had a '97 Invader for a few months and it was nice. Mine was honeyburst too.

[darwinohm]

George, that one is a find! Absolutely stunning. Probably quite rare. I have had on FR on a guitar and they are not for me either.-- Darwin

[Case24]

Beautiful Invader there George! I have to get a G&L with a Saddle Lock Bridge next.

[HowlinWolf]

Honeyburst sounds the best.....

That's new to me, but I won't challenge that statement because... well look at that honeyburst on that fine looking guitar!

[HowlinWolf]

Great looking, Invader! I had a '97 Invader for a few months and it was nice. Mine was honeyburst too.

Pretty sure that's cherryburst or cherry sunburst, however they call it, due to the red outline along the body of that Invader. And might I add that the Interceptor looks super cool, you don't see that one too often!

[GeorgeB]

Thanks for all the comments!

Thursday she'll hit the stage for the first time, at least for a few songs

[tdiers]

Beautiful guitar, Congratulations!

[GeorgeB]

Well, the Invader didn't get playing time on that recent gig and a follow-up on saturday. Why? Space in the van was at a premium and we decided to bring only one backup axe for both of us guitarmen. The other guy is a die-hard strat player so we agreed to use the Invader as the backup (yep he digs it big time, as much as I do), me playing the PRS Bernie Marsden (a Les Paul killer for sure) which also sat slightly better in the mix. None of us broke a string....
She *will* get gig time, I promise.

[darwinohm]

Bummer George! We can wait a bit, maybe I can relate to the room situation. Kari and I are usually full up when going to a gig. -- Darwin

[fianoman]

If it ever goes missing, you won't have to look too far George! I bet your strat player will be looking for one of his own soon.

[jeffmarshall67]

awesome!

[GeorgeB]

LOL!
I introduced him to G&L a while back (had never heard of the brand before) and everytime I hand one of my G&L basses and guitars over to him to try he starts to smile after a few seconds of playing

BTW, anybody know how the Gotoh blades will sound with coil splitting? They're not prepared for it in the stock wiring but it looks feasible to rewire them and the toggle switch has three decks with only one used for the bridge pup split so that would be an easy mod to get more traditional sounds from those neck and middle pups.