Aftermath lacking low end?

[Contrition.Josh]

I'm currently on the verge of buying my second set of great BK pickups, and this time i think i'm going for the Aftermaths. I also have a set of Miracle Men in a Gibson Les Paul Studio, which works great. Since my band has evolved into much more "modern metal" territory, we have since droptuned to drop C, and i've bought a Schecter Hellraiser FR, to accommodate the new changes in our style. Going with the trend, it would seem that the Aftermaths would suit my needs quite perfectly, but i'm a bit concerned if it still has enough low end to achieve some killer breakdowns, or just generally have a bit of punch? Just speculation, so it would be awesome if anyone had experience they could share.

On another note, do people think its worth waiting a bit for the "Blackhawks" which at least sound like something interesting?

For reference, the sound i'm going for, is generally in the ballpark of Lamb of God, Avenged Sevenfold, bit of Djent-y Red-Seas-Fire-y tone.. even though we're 6-string.. and some general ability to go clean and instrumental ala Muse, Porcupine Tree.  I know it probably sounds kinda all over the place, but any help would be great!

[Attica!]

I'm really interested in the release date of the BlackHawks, and what music theyre good for :)

[Slartibartfarst42]

Can't comment on a lot of the styles mentioned because it's not my thing but I did recently make enquiries about something a little like a Seymour Duncan Invader but much better. I mention this because that's what Synyster Gates uses in A7X. I wanted something that sounded really big and thick, with plenty power and great fluid lead tones and the best option for that was a Warpig. Tim assured me that the alnico version of the Warpig was very versatile so that may suit you well.  However, the pickups you mentioned like Aftermaths and Blackhawks are nothing like the Warpig and nothing like Synyster Gates tone as they're super tight and in the case of the Aftermath, quite dry sounding.

[Attica!]

Can't comment on a lot of the styles mentioned because it's not my thing but I did recently make enquiries about something a little like a Seymour Duncan Invader but much better. I mention this because that's what Synyster Gates uses in A7X. I wanted something that sounded really big and thick, with plenty power and great fluid lead tones and the best option for that was a Warpig. Tim assured me that the alnico version of the Warpig was very versatile so that may suit you well.  However, the pickups you mentioned like Aftermaths and Blackhawks are nothing like the Warpig and nothing like Synyster Gates tone as they're super tight and in the case of the Aftermath, quite dry sounding.

How good would you say the Invader is at playing A7X music? Do you think they're the best to get closest to an Invader, but better sounding?

EDIT: Sorry I meant the Warpig lol

[Roobubba]

The aftermath can still pump out some serious lows in my hands, it's an awesome pickup.

[Slartibartfarst42]

How good would you say the Invader is at playing A7X music? Do you think they're the best to get closest to an Invader, but better sounding?

EDIT: Sorry I meant the Warpig lol

Well, it's difficult to say as after a conversation with Tim, I decided to go a different route. Having discussed my aims with Tim I decided to leave the Holydiver in my Jackson but saturate it more with an overdrive pedal. However, I'm doing this as it gives me a bit more flexibility in my tone but my discussion with Tim about the Invader brought up a couple of interesting points. The pickup closest to the Invader in many respects in the Painkiller but of course, the voicing is very different. If, like me, you referenced an Invader because you liked the way it was thick, fluid, powerful bottom end and aggressive without it being excessive, the A-Pig was put to me as the best option. An overdriven Holydiver does a lot of this but it is noticeably more polite than the Invader as the distortion is much smoother, which in a way is disappointing but equally gives the pickup greater versatility.

[ericsabbath]

I'd pick the miracle man, but since you already have that one, a c-bomb should work as well
the aftermath has enough low end, but it's less bassy than a cold sweat, for example, which is a brightish and not bass heavy model

[Contrition.Josh]

I'd pick the miracle man, but since you already have that one, a c-bomb should work as well
the aftermath has enough low end, but it's less bassy than a cold sweat, for example, which is a brightish and not bass heavy model

Hmm well i just dusted off the old LP with the miracle men, re-strung it and actually realized how much low end i was dealing with back when it was my regular guitar, so i guess i can manage with a reduction in the low range, i'm just curious if it still can pack a decent punch, and not just a high-mid-y kick..  bearing in mind that we play in drop C, a bit of low end is present anyways. For me, the clarity and versatility is really appealing.. just sad if it doesnt also punch a bit if need be.

[Roobubba]

I'd pick the miracle man, but since you already have that one, a c-bomb should work as well
the aftermath has enough low end, but it's less bassy than a cold sweat, for example, which is a brightish and not bass heavy model

Hmm well i just dusted off the old LP with the miracle men, re-strung it and actually realized how much low end i was dealing with back when it was my regular guitar, so i guess i can manage with a reduction in the low range, i'm just curious if it still can pack a decent punch, and not just a high-mid-y kick..  bearing in mind that we play in drop C, a bit of low end is present anyways. For me, the clarity and versatility is really appealing.. just sad if it doesnt also punch a bit if need be.

I'm in Drop A on a 6-string baritone with an aftermath, and that low end thunk to the chest is something I like to keep in my tone if I can get away with it in the band context. I've also had a miracle man and a black dog in the same guitar. For me, the added clarity and upper mid aggression that the AM brings to the table is superb, and easily outweighs the drop in low mids compared to the MM. The difference in low end thump is ***easily*** corrected on the amp's EQ in my hands. There was plenty of bass from the black dog, but not so much "AAAAAAAAGGGHHHHH" grindy aggression, if you get my drift :) The miracle man is also smoother than the aftermath for me, but I do run the gain quite low as I've got big strings pushing out a lot of signal, pre-boosted into the front end of the amp. Palm mutes that shake your bones are still very possible with the aftermath, and they sound fantastic, but I should say that they're not *quite* as satisfying as with the miracle man.

Roo

[Contrition.Josh]

I'm happy that you guys could reassure me a bit, and i just purchased a set of Aftermaths that i'm looking forward to getting in the mail in a little while! Lets hope its as amazing as i've made it out to be in my own mind, haha.. i'll post my reaction when i get them installed :p

[Loomer]

What amp and rig are you using?

How many cabs?

(no matter what anyone says, you always need more cabs.)

[Contrition.Josh]

What amp and rig are you using?

How many cabs?

(no matter what anyone says, you always need more cabs.)

i'm running through a Marshall JVM 410H, and going to get a good cab some time soon.. currently i have a cr@ppy marshall cab, but gonna upgrade to an Engl cab or something. Probably just one :p

[Loomer]

Well, there's your problem then. The cabinet really is one of the most important things to consider if you want low-end punch.

Soon, I'm gonna be playing over a rig that consists of a Mesa Oversized Recto 4x12, a Marshal JCM800 400W 4x12, and a Marshall 1152 2x15 bass cab.

Now THAT will produce punch.

[Kiichi]

Well, there's your problem then. The cabinet really is one of the most important things to consider if you want low-end punch.

Soon, I'm gonna be playing over a rig that consists of a Mesa Oversized Recto 4x12, a Marshal JCM800 400W 4x12, and a Marshall 1152 2x15 bass cab.

Now THAT will produce punch.

Then again you donīt have to go that far, cause basecally no one besides you needs that much punch^^
But a good half stack (4x12") is kinda the minimum if you want real punch. Two propper 2x12" would work great too I think.

[Loomer]

Well, there's your problem then. The cabinet really is one of the most important things to consider if you want low-end punch.

Soon, I'm gonna be playing over a rig that consists of a Mesa Oversized Recto 4x12, a Marshal JCM800 400W 4x12, and a Marshall 1152 2x15 bass cab.

Now THAT will produce punch.

Then again you donīt have to go that far, cause basecally no one besides you needs that much punch^^
But a good half stack (4x12") is kinda the minimum if you want real punch. Two propper 2x12" would work great too I think.

You're right. Mine is absolute overkill, but that's just to "fill in the blanks" since we have chosen to go without a bassplayer. A single, good quality 4x12 really is more than enough. If you want that "THUNK" I'd steer clear of the Marshall 1960 series though. I know the danish market is chock full of 'em, but they really aren't all that good.