Aftermath vs. Juggernaut on a Chapman ML-7 T

[SimonOst]

So I recently got a pretty sweet piece of wood, namely the Chapman ML-7 T. It is a swamp ash tele-style 7 string. Though I kinda like the built-in pickups (not bad for the actual price I paid), I want to exchange them for a nice set of BKPs!

As for the sound I'm looking for: My band plays progressive metalcore/deathcore with some djent influences on Drop-G# (in the style of Architects, Northlane, Breakdown of Sanity, Upon a Burning Body, just to name a few) but I also like more "classical" bands from this genre, as Killswitch Engage, All that Remains etc.

So I'm basically looking for a pickup that can give me that nice, chugging, djentish mid-sound, but that is also versatile enough to provide me with at least a decent amount of classical metalcore tone, focused on strong highs and lows. I threw an eye on both the Aftermath and the Juggernaut and I am kind of stuck right now, so I'd really be happy about any opinions or even experiences :-) .

From what I read and heard, the JN has a nice focus on mids and low mids, making it basically the ideal pu for any djent-ish styled music. The AM seems to be a lot stronger in the high areas, while having a more aggressive tone to it. I guess this would also make the AM a bit more versatile and better suited for non-djent metal... However, from some samples I found in the internet, I have the impression that the AM tends to sound a bit more... fuzzy in comparison, probably due to the highly aggressive output.

Is this just a price I have to pay, or am I wrong after all? Any suggestions?

[Yellowjacket]

Juggernaut bridge pickup gets plenty heavy and will do metal.   It is a darker, smoother pickup with more emphasis on the mids and low mids.  The Jugger-bridge is surprisingly tight and it also has a great feel / lead tone and sounds really good clean as well.  I love mine, and I have them in a 6 string & a 7 string guitar.  For my approach to playing, this is my go-to set for metal and progressive music.

(I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the Rebel Yell bridge / VHII neck combo for rock music, especially in a mahogany neck / body instrument) 


Just be aware that 7 strings tend to get quite tubby in the low end in general.  When I use my 7 string, I prefer to use a boost pedal to tighten things up. 

[Yellowjacket]

(Consider the Impulse pickups as well as the Juggernaut pickups)

[SimonOst]

Thanks a lot for the response! But since 7 strings tend to get a bit "muddy" in the lows, wouldn't that rather speak for the AM? And the Impulse is actually a nice idea, I came across that a few days ago. I'm afraid however that you have to tweak your eq a lot with that one because it seems to have a comparably low output?

Cheers!