I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

[JammerMatt]

I know that in the past I have gone on record as being a Screamin' Demon non-supporter. I've been a JB/Distortion man through and through. I may have even said such things as, "might as well call it a Squeaking Demon, or a Non-screaming demon, etc." Well, I must now go on record as saying that I was... you ready?.... WRONG.

I swapped the Distortion out of my older import Jackson and threw it in the LP to fatten it up. I was just going to go out of habit and toss in the JB as I know it's a slam dunk, but I've already got a JB loaded Jackson. Then I remember I have this Screamin' Demon sitting around doing nothing but squeaking. So I say WTH, I'll try that one again, as I hadn't had it installed since about 2002... and alot has happened since then.

Well, I have to say I really do like this pickup. It is in a 1996 Jackson Dinky MIJ, basswood body I think and maple/rosewood neck w/licensed Floyd. That's where it was originally installed all those years ago and I didn't like it. But alot has happened since. First I have a different amp, second I'm using a tubescreamer in front, and third and most importantly, I've had tons of good advice from the residents of this board... Ben, Joneser, and Zerb I'm shouting out to you!!!!

Anyway, I think the key to the tone is realizing that this is NOT a high-gain pickup, and you need to give it a goose. So you can't expect to be knocked over like a JB. I think you need to work with it a little, but it's worth it. I don't think this pup is nearly as aggressive as the JB, but it seems more articulate with better harmonics. I think I'll keep it in there for awhile. Also, it's a standard spaced pup in a Floyd system, and it still sounds fine.

Anyway, my .02

 

[Xeromus]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

My first duncan pickup was a screamin' demon in an Ibanez and I loved it. I bought it used that way. Of course the dumb idiot who I bought it from purchased it because of the name alone and expected it to be balls to the wall heavy and high output. I find that hilarious.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

I've told you this before, Matt. Life is so much easier if you just agree with me.

Glad you like it!!

 

[MikeS]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

Good to hear!

The Demon is great for the PAF fans who are looking to kick the ouput up a notch. You are absolutly right about it being a little more articulate than the JB (especially on the bottom end). It has a certain rudeness about its tone without being too hot. I honostly will probably never take my TB-12 out of my alder fat strat.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

I use a Scremon Demon in one of my strats and it's great...I Like the fact that it cleans up really well and is a very clear pickup...It's not too high in it's output,but a little bit hotter than a 59,Seth etc...

I replaced the little allen screws with regular screws and it made my SD even fatter...Very much reminds me of a Dimarzio Fred,and I use the Fred pickup also..

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

I've told you this before, Matt. Life is so much easier if you just agree with me.

Glad you like it!!

Ha ha. I KNEW that was coming. I think the combination of using something in front (like a Tubscreamer or something) set about halfway, and using the gain set about halfway, and a fairly mid-heavy EQ setting was the key to getting this pup to work.

Before coming to this place, I was using a Crate 15W with no pre-amp of any kind, and my EQ settings were like 9/4/9 or something like that with the gain to MAX. It didn't work for me then and I was thinking 125 bucks, WTF? But since talking to all y'alls and retooling things a bit, it's tons better. I tell you, pinch harmonics just fly out of this thing. I'm not about to go out and replace all my trusty JBs and Distortions, but this is a nice alternative.

To think I almost sold this thing for $45... shame shame.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

Good to hear!

The Demon is great for the PAF fans who are looking to kick the ouput up a notch. You are absolutly right about it being a little more articulate than the JB (especially on the bottom end). It has a certain rudeness about its tone without being too hot. I honostly will probably never take my TB-12 out of my alder fat strat.

I think that pull-offs are better defined with this pickup. Could be the maple/rosewood neck, though. Whereas my other Jackson (JB equipped) is maple/ebony.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

I use a Scremon Demon in one of my strats and it's great...I Like the fact that it cleans up really well and is a very clear pickup...It's not too high in it's output,but a little bit hotter than a 59,Seth etc...

I replaced the little allen screws with regular screws and it made my SD even fatter...Very much reminds me of a Dimarzio Fred,and I use the Fred pickup also..

I've been reading about this, but am afraid to screw anything up. I'm going to continue to think about it, though

 

[Imp]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

ok, as of last night i proclaim the screamin' demon as BEST stoner rock pickup ever. i can nail some of the typical stoner tones (gonga being the one i was aiming for) with a dimed OD pedal..

its my only full-size SD pickup, and i love it to bits

tom

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

I've been reading about this, but am afraid to screw anything up. I'm going to continue to think about it, though

You won't screw anything up..I always put some teflon tape around the new screws before I install them...It really made the SD ballsier and tamed a bit of the highs for me in my black alder/maple strat.

 

[ranalli]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

Good to hear!

The Demon is great for the PAF fans who are looking to kick the ouput up a notch. You are absolutly right about it being a little more articulate than the JB (especially on the bottom end). It has a certain rudeness about its tone without being too hot. I honostly will probably never take my TB-12 out of my alder fat strat.

Exactly....it's not all out assault like the JB or Distortion. It's sweeter sounding...it's kind of like a PAF that's a little more "HI-FI" or modern sounding. Once you realize it's not a gain monster then you appreciate it....really nice pickup IMO. I would like to try one in a Les Paul at some point.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

You won't screw anything up..I always put some teflon tape around the new screws before I install them...It really made the SD ballsier and tamed a bit of the highs for me in my black alder/maple strat.

Just use your typical slotted screw?

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

ok, as of last night i proclaim the screamin' demon as BEST stoner rock pickup ever. i can nail some of the typical stoner tones (gonga being the one i was aiming for) with a dimed OD pedal..

its my only full-size SD pickup, and i love it to bits

tom

Imp, you're gonna have to get me up to speed. What is "stoner" rock?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

Just use your typical slotted screw?

Exactly....

 

[Imp]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

Imp, you're gonna have to get me up to speed. What is "stoner" rock?

without wanting to get into genre-pidgeonholing, its very downtuned (CGCFAD seems the most common) slightly slower version of riff rock.. very hard to describe every aspect of it, but its all about good riffs and making you nod your head.. i'm crazy on a local-ish band called gonga, there was a thread on the genre as a whole very recently, it's probably still on the first page of whatever forum it's in..

tom

 

[theodie]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

John has mentioned replacing the hex's with slotted screws to tame it down. I am wondering if putting a cover on it will do the same thing. That is, the 6 holes of the cover going over the screw side and the hex side would be covered up by the cover.

Does anyone have an opinion?

 

[Willis]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

I haven't installed my Screamin Demon yet, but I made a custom one at UGD. It's a Screamin Demon/EVH hybrid, so I call it the Screaminly Voiced Harmonics. I don't have a guitar to put it in yet though.

 

[theodie]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

Odie needs a demon!!!! Any one have a good lead on one for a brotha?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

John has mentioned replacing the hex's with slotted screws to tame it down. I am wondering if putting a cover on it will do the same thing. That is, the 6 holes of the cover going over the screw side and the hex side would be covered up by the cover.

Does anyone have an opinion?

The screws removed a bit of the toppiness this pickup has,but it made it stronger overall,or rounder....Tamed isn't a good way to describe the change...Well,I guess taming the highs makes sense...

 

[Gunner]

Re: I need to apologize to Screamin Demon users

I threw the screw poles from a 490R I had laying round gathering dust into my TB-12 on John's advice (thanks bro)- defintely tames the high end, also seems to give a looser feel to it (thru my setup) and emphasis on the growl. Try it, if you don't like it, it's easy eonugh to restore it to original