Just got a used Chapman ML2 Pro (single cut..thinner body..mohag/maple w ebony board)..with upgraded pickups..the Peacemakers!..even has the super cool etched covers! It does have coil tap by pulling up the tone knob so added bonus of access to the single coil tones.
Played through my Fractal FM9 into studio monitors..and into ss power amp and 4x12 cab.
To qualify..I would say my musical tastes mostly run to the metal side of things, but current cover band I'm in is mostly hard rock..pop and classic rock stuff. Can say I do like jazz, blues and southern rock as well.
Initial impression was wtf...but as we all know BKPs are super sensitive to height adjustments...they were way too close to the strings for my taste. After a bit of adjustment up and down found a happy spot for my taste. An interesting observation..these pups are chameleon like...the personality changed with the height adjustments. Too close is gainy and aggressive..almost harsh. Too low and they were more relaxed and seemed slightly dark.
Once I found a good spot for my taste I started running through my default licks and riffs.
They are very clear and open sounding. Love the crunch they bring. Overall tone is to the brighter side, but not harsh just well defined. Good balance between highs and lows. As another review mentioned..the low end is controlled, but nothing you can't add to taste for more beef if needed. I find it just right. My favorite BKP is the Abomb..to compare the two the Abomb is more upper mid aggressive whereas the Peacemaker is more center mid grindy but sweet in how it presents them. The Abomb has more beef on the lows. The note of the Peacemaker highs having that girth is correct..full and sweet but still with some cut. I'd also agree with the other review that this pickup is very tight and not overtly forgiving...you'll need your A game technique.
Cleans are really nice... chimey and full. The single coil tones are good as well...the change is mostly in the girth...not as thick but you get a bit more of the quack.
The neck is a gem. Lovely fullness..smooth and sweet. Can cover anything you throw at it.
The funny thing is they are not quite as sensitive to volume knob adjustments as I'm used to with other BKPs...still there but not the same every little adjustment makes a difference..this could be due to the lower DC..I've not used pups in the past lower than 11-13 DC...not always a true measure but does provide a reference point for output.
Overall they worked well on all the material I ran through....balanced..crunchy and well defined.
That's just my first run through after futzing with the height and finding a good level. Will continue experimenting and add to this review if anything else earth shattering is discovered.
Update/additional notes..
Played at loud as f-k practice volume with band tonight. These pups are brighter than I thought at volume. Not piercing or anything, but definite clarity. They are very tight, but I do feel some juice when sustaining longer notes and chords.
I played through my FM9 into a Marshall 9005 100 watt rack power amp into a 4x12 with Texas Heats and Manowars in x pattern. Used my usual Splawn Quickrod model...a super tight amp for sure. As I mentioned..bring your A game or these will make you work. The reward is the nice response and clarity...the mid crunch is addicting. The neck pickup is a beast..very full but sweet note definition. I think a bit more experimentation with height is in order to find my optimal sound.
