Hotter Screamin Demon

Hot Octopus

Hot Octopus

New member
I've got an old Screamin' Demon collecting dust in my parts bin and was thinking of using it in a new project. I'd be modding this- https://shop.fender.com/en-US/squie...porary-active-stratocaster-hh/0320327510.html

I had the Demon in an old Charvel and liked the feel and harmonics of the pickup, but always felt that it lacked balls. I feel like it could totally benefit from something like the 20db preamp booster that EBMM has been putting in their guitars as of late. So, a few questions-

1) Are there any onboard active electronics like the preamp in EBMM guitars that I could hook up to the demon?
2) What about the Blackout preamp? Would it retain the tone/ harmonics/ clarity of the demon, or just sound like any old active blackout pickup?
3) I've also heard that there is a custom shop version of the demon which is wound hotter. Does anyone here have experience with the CS version of the demon? Does it have more balls?
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

1) Yes, there are several onboard preamp options that offer a nice boost. I actually have a NOS Seymour Duncan PASFX setup from GuitarElectronics, if you're interested. It's the Pickup Booster pedal's clean boost circuit in an onboard design (battery + pot + small toggle switch). Offers an adjustable 6db-24db boost without coloring your sound.

2) The Blackout preamp will make the tone 70% "Blackouts" and 30% "Screamin' Demon". It colors the sound heavily and changes the response noticeably.

3) The Custom Shop version, now called the "Original El Diablo" (see my thread HERE) is essentially a blend of the Screamin' Demon and the slightly hotter Custom series wind...more output, less top-end brashness, etc
 
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Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

masta' c said:
1) Yes, there are several onboard preamp options that offer a nice boost. I actually have a NOS Seymour Duncan PASFX setup from GuitarElectronics, if you're interested. It's the Pickup Booster pedal's clean boost circuit in an onboard design (battery + pot + small toggle switch). Offers an adjustable 6db-24db boost without coloring your sound.

2) The Blackout preamp will make the tone 70% "Blackouts" and 30% "Screamin' Demon". It colors the sound heavily and changes the response noticeably.

3) The Custom Shop version, now called the "Original El Diablo" (see my thread HERE) is essentially a blend of the Screamin' Demon and the slightly hotter Custom series wind...more output, less top-end brashness, etc
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Sounds like the blackouts preamp is a no-go. Not really what I'm going for.

How would I order the original El Diablo from the custom shop and not have it confused with the rails "el diablo"? I listened to a few clips of the rails version and its totally not the sound I want. Don't want to order the El diablo and have that rails thing show up.
 
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Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

Hot Octopus said:
How would I order the original El Diablo from the custom shop and not have it confused with the rails "el diablo"? I listened to a few clips of the rails version and its totally not the sound I want. Don't want to order the El diablo and have that rails thing show up.
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Call it the "OG El Diablo" and make it clear you want the hotter Demon, not the rail pickup. These guys know what they are doing and won't make the mistake of giving you the wrong pickup.
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

can the emg pa2 be used with passive pups? i think it can
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

Screamin' Demon with A8, maybe? Or perhaps A9, or double thickness roughcast A5?

I have a friend with an A8 Demon who swears by it.
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

Just use it the way it is. Use a pedal if you need a boost. Or get an amp that has the balls. I have plenty of guitars with onboard preamps but it is easier just using a pedal.
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

DonP said:
Just use it the way it is. Use a pedal if you need a boost. Or get an amp that has the balls. I have plenty of guitars with onboard preamps but it is easier just using a pedal.
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I was gonna say if you need a Duncan, the Pickup Booster would be excellent...bonus: It works with ALL of your guitars - not just one!
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

Fender Eric Clapton midboost gives a 12db straight boost all the time with a 12db of midboost on top of that via the third pot. If it is left on zero, then you get 12db full spectrum boost.

I gotta say, it is quite cool to have single coils that are as loud as vintage humbuckers but still sound like single coils but.....louder!

It will do what you need. You could tape off the leads for the mid pot if you dont want to use it.
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

masta' c said:
3) The Custom Shop version, now called the "Original El Diablo" (see my thread HERE) is essentially a blend of the Screamin' Demon and the slightly hotter Custom series wind...more output, less top-end brashness, etc
Click to expand...
Perfect description and exactly what I would suggest. I want to say mine was 12.1k or 12.7k, but I don't recall
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

You guys have already suggested what I was gonna say...try an A8 in the Demon. It keeps everything about the Demon that you love, but gives it more balls.
The pedal booster is also a great option. I have an onboard booster in one of my guitars which works and sounds great, but only for THAT guitar. You can use a pedal for ALL of your guitars (assuming you have more than one).
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

Clint 55 said:
Double thick A8 will beef it up.
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I've done magnet swaps before but never a "double thick" magnet. can I get a link on where to buy one? Are double thick A8 magnets specificlly sold, or should I use 2 standard sized A8 magnets stacked on top of each other?

Aceman said:
I was gonna say if you need a Duncan, the Pickup Booster would be excellent...bonus: It works with ALL of your guitars - not just one!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered one off reverb.
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

GuitarDoc said:
You guys have already suggested what I was gonna say...try an A8 in the Demon. It keeps everything about the Demon that you love, but gives it more balls.
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I absolutely hated it, though the split tone wasn't bad. And that comes from someone that loves the Demon.
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

I threw an A8 in one of my Demons and it chirped like crazy, then I swapped out the hex screws for some fillsters and it sounded great. Now it sounds like a more open and dynamic version of the Custom. Definitely more snarl than a stock Demon.
 
Re: Hotter Screamin Demon

chadd said:
I absolutely hated it, though the split tone wasn't bad. And that comes from someone that loves the Demon.
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Certainly everyone has their own opinions of what they like and don't like. That's great. Otherwise there would only be ONE pickup on the market. I wasn't expressing my opinion, just stating what effect the A8 would have. But...mute point. Now it looks like the OP bought a booster pedal. Problem solved...the way it should have been.
 
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