Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

[NoelH]

Hey folks, Still trying to figure out the best Bridge PU for a '74 Les Paul Special.

Is the Full Shred similar tonally to the Screamin' Demon? The specs look like it would be a slightly higher output 'big brother' to the SD.
Is that accurate? If so, I think that's my best option for this ride.

Thanks!

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

From what I remember, they aren't very similar at all. The Demon has a big thumping bass end where the Full Shred has practically none. They are both a little stiff playing I guess, so that is similar.

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

You might not like a Screamin Demon in a LP. I didn't. It was dull. Sort of like a 59 with a good portion of the high end and some of the bass dialed out.

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

You might not like a Screamin Demon in a LP. I didn't. It was dull. Sort of like a 59 with a good portion of the high end and some of the bass dialed out.

i still want to try a Demon in a LP, but maybe down the road.

As for the OP, The Full Shred definitely has more of a mid pressence than the Demon, hotter, and similar pick attack. the Demon is very open sounding and very scooped whereas the Full Shred is focused and very sensitive to wood type. I have one of the new Charvel DK24 HT ash body and the guitar has a ton of low end, something that the Full shred is not known for.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

Demon was okay in my LP, I really liked it in the two SG's I've tried it in. One of these days I need to try one in a strat style guitar

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

I love the Demon in every guitar I've put it in. It is actually one of my favorite pups for the neck position.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

Demon is one of my favorite Duncans, but I've also had the hit 'n miss experience, depending on the guitar. It has never sounded "bad", but it really comes alive in the right guitar while it can sound a bit boring (good, but generic) in others.

As far as Demon vs Full Shred, if you like one, you'll probably enjoy the other, but the Full Shred is definitely higher output, has less bass, more mids and a slightly fuller sounding top end, though still plenty bright.

I would actually suggest swapping one row of the hex poles in the Full Shred for a row of traditional fillister screws so it looks like the Demon. Not sure why more players don't think to do this, honestly. Subtle difference, but really rounds out the response nicely.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

I've never tried a Full Shred but just looking at the specs, and even the wind difference between the two, tells me they wouldn't be the same. The Demon uses 43AWG wire like the Full Shred but it's not the same wire AND there's way less winds on the Demon. My Frankenstrat has Demon in the neck and bridge. Run it with 300K volume and 250K / .022uf tone. The highs are tamed and the mids are bumped up. It's a unique pickup and not for everyone. Get it dialed in for your particular guitar and it's amazing. There have been times I've contemplated swapping but since I've changed the pots from being all 500K (and no-load tone controls) to what's there now, it sounds as it should sound, to me anyway.

 

[NoelH]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

Interestingly, when I got the guitar 11 years ago, it had a Screamin' Demon in it. I'd like something similar, but with more output. I saw the specs on the Full Shred and thought that might do it. Another thought I've had is the Dimarzio Super 2.
Although, right now at my local 'Seattle Hippie' used guitar store there's Dimebucker that I could get cheaply. But having never tried one, I'm concerned it would have too much bass response. And that's the last thing I need with this ride.
And hey thanks guys for all the help!

 

[ErikH]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

The Super 2 is way different than the Demon. More mids, less lows, though the highs might be close to the same. Think of the Super 2 as a Super Distortion with more highs and a little less lows. It might work for you though. The Dimebucker is a fire breathing monster. Way at the other end of the spectrum from the Demon. If you wanted to try a DiMarzio, my research says the Fred is closest overall.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

Interestingly, when I got the guitar 11 years ago, it had a Screamin' Demon in it. I'd like something similar, but with more output. I saw the specs on the Full Shred and thought that might do it. Another thought I've had is the Dimarzio Super 2.
Although, right now at my local 'Seattle Hippie' used guitar store there's Dimebucker that I could get cheaply. But having never tried one, I'm concerned it would have too much bass response. And that's the last thing I need with this ride.
And hey thanks guys for all the help!

The Dimebucker doesn't have any more bass than the Demon, in my experience. I like both pickups...you might, too!

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

The Super 2 is way different than the Demon. More mids, less lows, though the highs might be close to the same. Think of the Super 2 as a Super Distortion with more highs and a little less lows. It might work for you though. The Dimebucker is a fire breathing monster. Way at the other end of the spectrum from the Demon. If you wanted to try a DiMarzio, my research says the Fred is closest overall.

Out of the box the two don't sound alike. However, A Demon with a ceramic sounds nearly identical to a Super II with slightly better definition.

 

[DonP]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

I have both but in such dis-similar guitars I can't really call it an accurate comparison.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

When I approached MJ about a "hotter" Screamin' Demon, she directed me to the OG El Diablo (not the later twin-blade version by the same name). It's full custom shop, though.

Production-wise, the Full Shred or Custom 5 is definitely the next step and might be just what you're after.

If you get your hands on another Demon, an A8 mag swap definitely adds some power and punch.

The Dimebucker has a surprisingly open and bright sound for a hotter humbucker, so I wouldn't rule it out if you can pick one up reasonably. I like both the Demon and the Dimebucker, so you might, as well.

In all honesty, the absolute best way to keep the Demon's core sound and just give it a little "more" is a clean boost pedal, like Duncan's own Pickup Booster.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

I loved the A2 Demon in my Les Paul. Almost as much as I love the Crazy 8 in my Les Paul. It really compliments the mids of the guitar, and contrary to what you might think, it does not at all turn the bass to mush. Still lower output than any version of the Custom, but a great match.

 

[NoelH]

Re: Full Shred: Tonally similar to Screamin' Demon???

When I approached MJ about a "hotter" Screamin' Demon, she directed me to the OG El Diablo (not the later twin-blade version by the same name). It's full custom shop, though.

Production-wise, the Full Shred or Custom 5 is definitely the next step and might be just what you're after.

If you get your hands on another Demon, an A8 mag swap definitely adds some power and punch.

The Dimebucker has a surprisingly open and bright sound for a hotter humbucker, so I wouldn't rule it out if you can pick one up reasonably. I like both the Demon and the Dimebucker, so you might, as well.

In all honesty, the absolute best way to keep the Demon's core sound and just give it a little "more" is a clean boost pedal, like Duncan's own Pickup Booster.

Oh Geez,
Don't know why I didn't think of this. A Screamin' Demon with an A8! Maybe that's the answer. My all-time favorite pickup in guitars that have more top end (like my 'lawsuit' Destroyer) is a Custom 8. And it's not as though I disliked the SD in that guitar, I just want 'more'. Great idea.