Metalheads, unite!

[AngusYoung01]

Hey all, LONG time no speak!

Right, so I may be in the market for some new pups. I've got an alder bodied Charvel star with a maple neck and FR bridge. Going through a Peavey 3120 and an assortment of pedals. I'm basically after a nice, tight and heavy rhythm sound. I love the Adam D sound, so that kind of Killswitch/Unearth/As I Lay Dying tone is essentially what I'm looking for. I recorded an album recently with an ESP loaded with EMG's and got some great tones, but I'd rather go for BKP's after falling in love with my MM's. High output.

The other thing is lead work. I love Synyster Gates' lead sound, so the pups would have to be fairly middy I guess. The City of Evil type affair ideally, but also the self titled album for reference. Will be running through a CS-2, but still want that level of expression.

For cleans, I like a fairly big, produced sounding tone. Very 80's glam, chorus, reverb, the usual. I'm wondering what you guys would recommend? We're in drop D, so something that would beef it up a little. Haven't had any experience with the Aftermath's yet, but you guys have always been super useful. GO!

[littleredguitars2]

i'm still new to BKP but i'm willing to bet a lot of people will suggest the holy diver.

[darrenw5094]

Painkiller

[Telerocker]

I'm worried the Painkiller is a bit on the bright side for this guitar. I would look at the Holy Diver.

[littleredguitars2]

yeah definitely sounds like it needs something to balance out his already bright tonewoods

[Kiichi]

In my time here there have been basecally two pickups mentioned for the KSE sound: the MM and the Holydiver.
Recently the BH also made and apperance, but those other two still dominate. Between those two it is mostly about where you focus is.

Seeing as you already got a MM, the HD seems very logical on that front. Should also go great with the guitars woods. Dunno about the amp though.

It will also deliver just the cleans you want and get you that SG sound you strife for in the neck.

Basecally win all around.

At this point I also wonder how well the Juggernaut would do here, but I donīt know enough to recommend it, plus I think you want the slighly more organic and old school sound of the HD.
If you were more on the modern side and not looking for those cleans and the SG lead tones the Juggernaut might be interesting thoug has far as I can tell at this point.

[Dave Sloven]

From what I've heard of the Juggernaut clips vis-a-vis the Aftermath ones I'd say that the Juggernaut is a move in the right direction toward the Holy Diver but the Holy Diver is tried and tested and would be the safer choice.