59 vs Screaming Demon vs Duncan Custom?

[Tony_H]

Hello folks,

This question is preferably for those who have tried ALL three pups mentioned in the title: the 59, the SD and the DC. I'm considering a new pickup for a guitar that is a single-humbucker, bolt-on, maple body, maple neck, short scale affair with a kind of TOM/STP hardware.

I have tried many pickups in that guitar - a no-name Asian replacement, a DiMarzio PAF, a Gibby 498T, a Gibby 500T, a SD '59, a Duncan Custom, a Duncan Custom fitted with an A5 magnet, and most currently the JB. The '59 sounded the closest to the stock pup but I want something different. The Duncan Custom was the best of them all in terms of overall tonality, but I would prefer something with a lower output - I want the tone to be more "airy" (sorry for the lame description) - a little more highs (a LITTLE really) and a little less output. Right now the guitar is fitted with a JB and that one is pretty cool (and sounds good split), but in the full humbucker mode it's too powerful. Maybe I should add that despite the body and neck material the guitar is not very bright-sounding on its own (the bridge and tailpiece are brass).

Could the Screaming Demon be THE thing for me? Judging from the description on the SD website, it has more growl (i.e. lower mids??) than the '59, and judging from its DC resistance, it has a lower output than the Custom. Both of these traits are what I'm looking for. I don't mind a tad more mids than the 59, although mids are not generally associated with "airy" sound. It's just that to my taste the '59 is a touch too much scooped in the mids.

Can anyone who tried a '59, a Screaming Demon, and a Duncan Custom as well chime in and give me some input? Thanks

Tony

 

[Imp]

Re: 59 vs Screaming Demon vs Duncan Custom?

i've got a lil '59 bridge and the Demon, i'll have a go lol -

the demon is just as SD describes it, if the '59 is 'sharp', the demon is a 'growl'.. im loving it so far.. these are in alder guitars though..

my guess for a maple body would be that the '59 is too bright. the demon may suit, but judging by clips i've heard, a custom or custom custom may be your best bet :burnout:

tom

 

[Tony_H]

Re: 59 vs Screaming Demon vs Duncan Custom?

my guess for a maple body would be that the '59 is too bright. the demon may suit, but judging by clips i've heard, a custom or custom custom may be your best bet :burnout:

tom

Thanks. Well I forgot to mention that I also tried a Custom Custom in that guitar (well, not an original CC but actually the DC with an A2 magnet) and didn't like it very much. The DC really sounded the best ... perhaps I could try something like a 59 with a ceramic magnet??

I'll do a search on this

Thank you. Anyone else?
Tony

 

[Imp]

Re: 59 vs Screaming Demon vs Duncan Custom?

maple bodies are tricky man, they're like black sheep of the pickup-matching business :laugh2:

 

[WICKED LESTER]

Re: 59 vs Screaming Demon vs Duncan Custom?

Hello folks,

This question is preferably for those who have tried ALL three pups mentioned in the title: the 59, the SD and the DC. I'm considering a new pickup for a guitar that is a single-humbucker, bolt-on, maple body, maple neck, short scale affair with a kind of TOM/STP hardware.

I have tried many pickups in that guitar - a no-name Asian replacement, a DiMarzio PAF, a Gibby 498T, a Gibby 500T, a SD '59, a Duncan Custom, a Duncan Custom fitted with an A5 magnet, and most currently the JB. The '59 sounded the closest to the stock pup but I want something different. The Duncan Custom was the best of them all in terms of overall tonality, but I would prefer something with a lower output - I want the tone to be more "airy" (sorry for the lame description) - a little more highs (a LITTLE really) and a little less output. Right now the guitar is fitted with a JB and that one is pretty cool (and sounds good split), but in the full humbucker mode it's too powerful. Maybe I should add that despite the body and neck material the guitar is not very bright-sounding on its own (the bridge and tailpiece are brass).

Could the Screaming Demon be THE thing for me? Judging from the description on the SD website, it has more growl (i.e. lower mids??) than the '59, and judging from its DC resistance, it has a lower output than the Custom. Both of these traits are what I'm looking for. I don't mind a tad more mids than the 59, although mids are not generally associated with "airy" sound. It's just that to my taste the '59 is a touch too much scooped in the mids.

Can anyone who tried a '59, a Screaming Demon, and a Duncan Custom as well chime in and give me some input? Thanks

Tony

sounds to me like your are describing the custom-5?
it is a custom with a little less output and more "airy" from what i have read about it.
and even though it does not have more treble than the custom it has less mids and bass which would make it appear to be treblier

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: 59 vs Screaming Demon vs Duncan Custom?

More mids than a 59 and with a touch more air? I'd try the APH, Pearly Gates, or the Seth.

I tried the Screamin Demon and didn't like it, it wa a bit too abrasive for me.

 

[Imp]

Re: 59 vs Screaming Demon vs Duncan Custom?

hehe im using it atm in a plywood beater guitar, it has the inherent tonality of smacking a hot water bottle :laugh2:

you either love or hate the demon, it looks like.. im using it in a very dull, dark sounding guitar, and its tearing me a new ass, baby

tom

 

[fab.regnaut]

Re: 59 vs Screaming Demon vs Duncan Custom?

I tried The Custom , Demon and Custom5 in the same guitar , a quite dark guitar , your guitar is probbly bright .

Custom: didn't like it too much ice peak treebles and not subtle , in your face .

Demon : very good , very responsive , some bass and treebles just enough , like flat EQ , the attack is huge , this can be sometime anoying for soft licks .

Custom5: a lot of bass but no mud , treebles are not aggressive , mids are neutral , it has the most warmth of the tree and could be ideal in a bright guitar .

 

[Tony_H]

Re: 59 vs Screaming Demon vs Duncan Custom?

I tried The Custom , Demon and Custom5 in the same guitar , a quite dark guitar , your guitar is probbly bright .

Custom: didn't like it too much ice peak treebles and not subtle , in your face .

Demon : very good , very responsive , some bass and treebles just enough , like flat EQ , the attack is huge , this can be sometime anoying for soft licks .

Custom5: a lot of bass but no mud , treebles are not aggressive , mids are neutral , it has the most warmth of the tree and could be ideal in a bright guitar .

Thank you, that's the sort of advice I was asking for. Thanks to others as well though.
Tony