Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Surface on November 13, 2014, 04:42:44 PM

Title: Swamp Ash, Walnut top on a 7 strings and after all, I don't like my Aftermath
Post by: Surface on November 13, 2014, 04:42:44 PM
So to be as much straightforward as I can.
I've got a Custom Blackat build for me almost a year ago, broke one finger right before I got it... broke another one quite right after the other one was restored  :cool:
So this beast did spent some time in its case.
Now, after a couple of weeks playing again I've come to the bitter conclusion I was completely wrong by choosing an Aftermath for the bridge... I hate it, to say the least.

The guitar has a bolt on 27" rosewood/ebony stripe neck, ebony fretboard, swamp/ash body and a spalted walnut top.
I play quite heavy stuff, but I need a lot of character coming from my guitar and the ability to keep the leads almost 80's like... my main guitar for the last 7 years or so was a Gibson Les Paul with a warpig in the bridge, so I'm practically brainwashed by that particular massive sound.

Thing is, my 7 string sounds so beautiful played acoustically...warm,defined, TONS of sustain...but once plugged into an amp it's just flat and lifeless when using the bridge pup...and I really hate the high end of the aftermath.
Oh and don't bother explaining how to set up my guitar... the Aftermath just doesn't work for me, I tried everything I could to make it sound its best.

So any suggestions?

I like the feel from the really high output humbuckers like the warpig, but I'm not quite sure what to expect from it in this kind of guitar.

Title: Re: Swamp Ash, Walnut top on a 7 strings and after all, I don't like my Aftermath
Post by: MerlinTKD on November 13, 2014, 09:44:17 PM
Never played an Aftermath myself, but they're always described (and sound to me!) tight, fast, dry, and, oh yeah, TIGHT!  :wink: If your ash guitar is anything like mine, it's pretty tight already (you said defined, so I'm thinking so), so yeah, the Aftermath may be too much of a good thing.

I'm gonna guess... Holy Diver? Especially if you're looking at 80's-type leads. Or maybe a Crawler? I dunno, I'm gonna stop guessing and let folks with more experience chime in!  :grin:
Title: Re: Swamp Ash, Walnut top on a 7 strings and after all, I don't like my Aftermath
Post by: Surface on November 14, 2014, 02:15:20 PM
I was also thinking about the holy diver haha, but don't know if the amount of output would satisfy me.
Curious about what other people would recommend.
Title: Re: Swamp Ash, Walnut top on a 7 strings and after all, I don't like my Aftermath
Post by: Yellowjacket on November 14, 2014, 02:28:29 PM
Uh, you want 80s lead tone?  Holy Diver.

If you want a more modern tone, great thick leads, tight and ballsy rhythm with a smooth top end, and great cleans and low gain tones, try the Juggerset.  It sounds like it would be creamy enough for you, especially in a bright guitar like that one.
Title: Re: Swamp Ash, Walnut top on a 7 strings and after all, I don't like my Aftermath
Post by: Alex on November 15, 2014, 08:24:02 PM
Uh, you want 80s lead tone?  Holy Diver.

If you want a more modern tone, great thick leads, tight and ballsy rhythm with a smooth top end, and great cleans and low gain tones, try the Juggerset.  It sounds like it would be creamy enough for you, especially in a bright guitar like that one.

Juggernaut would have been my recommendation too. It does very nice lead sounds too.