What's the difference between the Painkiller and the Aftermath?

[A Call For Repentance]

What's the difference between the Painkiller and the Aftermath? I've recommended to go for an Aftermath in Drop B, and Painkiller in Drop C for variety. Now I'm starting to question things and wanted to know whether I've been recommended one of each, just for the sake of having alternative sounds, rather than being recommended just 1 kind of pickup to suit what I actually play. Both guitars are Mahogany btw. i have another thread on what pickups would be best for my guitar, but I've started to thread to really get to the bottom of the differences between the 2 pickups, so i can finally make up my mind. I see they're both have Triple Ceramic Magnets, but the Painkiller has a more increased mids over the Aftermath, but seem identical in regards of Bass & Treble. I remember Tim telling me, the increased mids helps add definition with the down tuning, and that's why he wouldn't recommend the Miracle Man for either of my guitars. The Aftermath and the Painkiller just seem exactly the same besides the mids, double poles, and the fact the 'Metalcore' is replaced with 'Shred' when comparing the styles listing in the 'Applications'. Sorry for rambling on, but if someone could give me as much info they can. And if I've left anything out that you might need to know, please ask.

Cheers

I POSTED THIS IN THE GUITAR & AMPS SECTION BY MISTAKE, IF A MODERATOR COULD PLEASE DELETE THAT THREAD, THANKS

[Transcend]

THe painkiller has a more saturated and aggressive sound in the upper mids & highs and the bass has more impact than the aftermath but not in a bad way

[Nolly]

I can understand the confusion based on the descriptions you often see of the two, but they are quite different beasts when you actually try them out.
The best way I can think to differentiate them is that the Painkiller has a more naturally "dirty" sound, with a crazy snarl and deeper low end chug. The Aftermath's sound is "cleaner" (I don't mean lower in output, just that the notes have a cleaner edge to them) and the midrange voicing seems broader than the Painkillers very focussed mids.

I agree with Tim's recommendation, despite originally suggesting the Miracle Man to you.

[A Call For Repentance]

I can understand the confusion based on the descriptions you often see of the two, but they are quite different beasts when you actually try them out.
The best way I can think to differentiate them is that the Painkiller has a more naturally "dirty" sound, with a crazy snarl and deeper low end chug. The Aftermath's sound is "cleaner" (I don't mean lower in output, just that the notes have a cleaner edge to them) and the midrange voicing seems broader than the Painkillers very focussed mids.

I agree with Tim's recommendation, despite originally suggesting the Miracle Man to you.

So Aftermath for Drop B and Painkiller for Drop C/ D Standard?

[Nolly]

Yes, I think that would be a good set up - the Aftermath's leaner low end and cleaner gain will prevent things getting out of control in the lower tuning, while the Painkiller should cut nicely in the other guitar, while providing a bit more low end beef to counter the slightly higher tuning,

[A Call For Repentance]

Yes, I think that would be a good set up - the Aftermath's leaner low end and cleaner gain will prevent things getting out of control in the lower tuning, while the Painkiller should cut nicely in the other guitar, while providing a bit more low end beef to counter the slightly higher tuning,

Thanks very much. the other question I had tho was, If I'm playing in D Standard, I've heard the Painkiller doesn't sound as good in higher tunings, so wouldn't D Standard be a little bit high?

[Nolly]

Thanks very much. the other question I had tho was, If I'm playing in D Standard, I've heard the Painkiller doesn't sound as good in higher tunings, so wouldn't D Standard be a little bit high?

No, D standard in a mahogany instrument should be plenty low enough