Guise. Right now I'm using a pair of Peavey Butchers with various different boost pedals in front to get them into more saturated territory, but I'm seeking to simplify and downsize my pedals. As a result, I'm looking for an amplifier or two that can get gainer on its own. I currently have two Butchers and a VTM, and while the VTM and one of the Butchers (strangely gainier than the other) is almost there, it's not quite saturated enough to keep the pick attack where I'd like it. So I guess my question is if a more powerful pickup would remedy this, or if I should look into either modifying the amplifiers I have or even looking into a different one altogether. I've heard lots of good things about the Marshall JCM900 SLX, but I have a slight Marshall aversion. Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks, guys.

What is current pickup?

DiMArzio Super Distortion.

Could always try an active pickup. Sort of sacrilege in some eyes but I don't see the problem. Also try the paperclip trick to set the pickup hight just in case its sucking the string sustain.

If you're comfortable to work on an amp to mod it I could look over the schematic and makes some suggestions if you'd like.

Looking at the butcher its pretty much a cock on copy of the JCM800/2203 with the exception that the second gain stage cathode resisitor is 5k8 rather than 10k.

I'm unfamiliar with the paper clip trick.

The VTM is, essentially, a JCM800 clone, so I wouldn't even think of getting another amp, unless, of course, it were an actual JCM800.

For boosts, go with a tubescreamer.

For pickups, stay away from actives. They may be good for prog/tech death metal stuff, but sound like ass for doom. Super Distortions are a great choice imo, so unless you really just don't like the sound of them I'd keep them in there.

Other things you might want to try to get yourself a good doom tone would be to roll the tone back on your pickup. Also, kill the mids on your amp for a good 80s sounding tone.

Killing mids = worst idea ever.

EMGs sound great for doom, but their transparency makes playing that sounds like ass sound like ass. If you eq out the mids, that will cover playing like ass though. Also, rolling back the tone is doom tone for people who aren't in a band with a drummer and a bassist, because those things being present making noise make you inaudible with tone rolled back.

Tubescreamer is a mid boosty overdrive pedal, so adding mids and then EQing them out again is a rubbish suggestion.

Or you can crank your mids and get a harsh, abrasive, scratchy djent tone with no sustain.

To the OP,

You also might want to try some different speakers too.