LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

[_Gob]

First I'd like to say that this is my first post here, so forgive me if this is in the wrong area etc. (I'm an Admin on another forum and I know that can be a bit annoying).


My first "real" guitar purchase was an LTD Viper-256. It's served me well, and there's nothing wrong with it. But I've gotten the urge to breathe new life into it, starting with the pickups.

So, there's an old epiphone SG (one of the black starter kit ones) that's been in the house forever, with a Seymour Duncan pickup in it. After unscrewing it and flipping it over this is what I find:

(lets see if that image works, if not..)

SD logo, Made In USA, and the following numbers/letters on the sticker:


INM90
TB12 0196

A little investigation leads me to TB12; the Screamin' Demon trembucker. (if anyone knows what the other numbers and letters mean, I'd be interested in what they are)

Now this pickup isn't really what I'm looking for for the LTD, but I heard of people putting it in the neck position. And from this video it sounds pretty great and like something I'd be interested in trying. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfbrlale9j8

It is a trembucker, and it didn't seem to have any problems in the bridge of the Epi, so it shouldn't have much of a problem in the neck of the LTD, right?

Next, if that does work out, what would you recommend I put in the bridge? I'm looking at the Black Winter and the Nazgul, but I'm sure there's some others I glossed over too. With this guitar I'm going for mostly down tuned, clear "modern" metal sounds, but with a slight dirty edge to it. Keep in mind I go mostly through an Orange OR15 DI'd into Impulse Response cabs. Almost always in a home recording situation.


That was kind of long winded and maybe ramble-y. Just kinda getting my thoughts out there and seeing what y'all think.

Thanks!


EDIT: the LTD is all Mahogany. also (and this isn't a priority,) but the LTD has a coil split, would that work with these pups, or is that some extra work that I probably don't wanna do? :nervous:

 

[_Gob]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

Ignore the part about the trembucker. The pickup is a trembucker. ("2.25 between E pole pieces), but the LTD has the same measurements as the Epi for the pickups. "2.25 on the bridge, and ~"2.15 on the neck (measured with digital calipers).

Knowing that, the SD would still work in the neck position, correct? even with that slight difference in measurements?

(sorry if this is all wicked obvious info. I'm pretty new to pickups, at least modding and swapping them.)

 

[Aceman]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

Greeting!!!

Viper - cool axe. And of course Duncans will but some pep back in it's step.

My recommendation:

#1 Check the spacing in the neck, It SHOULD work, but might not. If the neck spacing is OK, then I suggest:
- Demon in the neck, Black winter in the bridge. Wicked cool combo.

The trem spacing is mostly (mostly, but not always entirely) an aesthetic thing. Bottom line is that if the pole is close enough, you are fine. I have never NOT been able to raise a pole touch here or there and get the song/tone regardless of trem or not. right now I have a Custom Custom regular spaced dialed in on a Flooded Superstrat. But the neck can be a little less forgiving. No problem in the bridge.

#2 If it doesn't line up at all....

Put the Demon in the bridge, and get your choice of a Whole Lotta, a Pearly Gates, an A2P or even a Jazz for the neck.

 

[Lampy H]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

The Demon should work fine in the neck, and I think it would sound good for what you're looking for. I hear the Black Winter is the epitome of "clean, modern" distortion, but I haven't played one.

Welcome to the forum. I have two LTDs, including a red Viper 256. New pickups do wonders for them.

 

[_Gob]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

Greeting!!!

Viper - cool axe. And of course Duncans will but some pep back in it's step.

My recommendation:

#1 Check the spacing in the neck, It SHOULD work, but might not. If the neck spacing is OK, then I suggest:
- Demon in the neck, Black winter in the bridge. Wicked cool combo.

The trem spacing is mostly (mostly, but not always entirely) an aesthetic thing. Bottom line is that if the pole is close enough, you are fine. I have never NOT been able to raise a pole touch here or there and get the song/tone regardless of trem or not. right now I have a Custom Custom regular spaced dialed in on a Flooded Superstrat. But the neck can be a little less forgiving. No problem in the bridge.

#2 If it doesn't line up at all....

Put the Demon in the bridge, and get your choice of a Whole Lotta, a Pearly Gates, an A2P or even a Jazz for the neck.

The Ace pic tells me you're a man I should trust

After grabbing some measurements with calipers, it seems like, in the neck position, the strings will be within the pole pieces. Not perfect, but seems close enough to me.

 

[_Gob]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

The Demon should work fine in the neck, and I think it would sound good for what you're looking for. I hear the Black Winter is the epitome of "clean, modern" distortion, but I haven't played one.

Welcome to the forum. I have two LTDs, including a red Viper 256. New pickups do wonders for them.

The red one is the same one I have too. Kinda debating on whether or not to sand it all down and totally change it, but that's a whole other topic.

I'm leaning towards the Black Winter's for sure. I like big distorted chords that retain note definition. From some of what I've heard, they sometimes can sound a little trebly and "squeaky"(?). But I figure the guitar is pretty thick mahogany, plus the Orange is voice a little darker than most, so it shouldn't be an issue. (or maybe I'm talking out of my ass).

 

[_Gob]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

Blah. This whole thing is gonna have to be put on hold for the moment.

My car is on it's deathbed and I can't really justify dropping $100 on a pickup now

I guess that gives me time to record some stuff for a Before and After video though. I do plan to update this thread in the future, whenever that time comes.

 

[Aceman]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

Used...ebay.

 

[_Gob]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

Used...ebay.

There were a few on Reverb for $70-$80, so that'll probably be the route I take when I get some extra cash.

I'm suddenly GASing for a camera too though... no idea why. And I've been needing some decent studio monitors for a while.

Yeah, them priorities though...

 

[Demanic]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

If you're short on cash, try the Demon in the bridge. You might like it there. Then go with one of the other suggestions for the neck. I will add the Full Shred to that list.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[_Gob]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

90% chance I've got a new car on the way. So spending is at a minimum for a bit. But I'm still planning on getting to this project. There will be video/Soundcloud links when that time comes too.

 

[Diego]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

The Demon is an acquired taste in the bridge and badass in the neck.
In the bridge, rhythm tones are TIGHT but leads sound kinda stiff and thin.
Try it both ways and see how you like it.

 

[Lampy H]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

I didn't care for the Demon in the bridge. It was a bit thin for my liking.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

The Demon is one of the best neck pups available!

I too think it is a bit thin sounding for leads in the bridge.

 

[_Gob]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

I might just say f' it and pull the trigger on a new Black Winter. Sure there's a few used, but most are standard spacing and blah blah blah.

I was recording the other day and it really hit me how dull and muddy the stock pickups are. The weather has been nice, so my car's been hanging in there, so I'm gonna be irresponsible, pick up a paycheck this weekend and go for it.

Anyone interested in a before/after? Soundcloud/Youtube?

 

[R3-AUA]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

Holy crap! I started a somewhat similar thread! I too am looking for a replacement pair of humbuckers for my Viper 256 as I think the stock pups are a little on the muddy side.. I am definitely interested in a before/after sound clip!

 

[_Gob]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

Holy crap! I started a somewhat similar thread! I too am looking for a replacement pair of humbuckers for my Viper 256 as I think the stock pups are a little on the muddy side.. I am definitely interested in a before/after sound clip!

I didn't forget about this!

I forgot to do a before clip of the neck, (I'm sure I have something recorded sitting around I can pull up though.) First time changing a pickup and soldering and I surprised myself, its really not that bad and aside from one joint, they're all pretty clean. Even did the push/pull. I'll report back asap with how it works and sounds. But for now tapping with a screw driver, I'm getting signal.

In all honesty the hardest part was feeding the new pickup wires through, and realizing that loosening the bridge pup so I could see would make everything easier.

 

[_Gob]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

Recording a little demo of this today.

Right now it's Demon in the neck, stock pickup in the bridge. Going through an OR15 (the one in my avatar) and through a DI into some IR's. (These ones specifically. Not sure which I'll use yet, but I'll be sure to make note of it).

Thinking I'll do a mono track, then double tracked L and R, and maybe add drums at the end for context.

 

[Aceman]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

It was a bit thin for my liking.

I too think it is a bit thin sounding for leads in the bridge.

We all have different opinions, and that's cool. George Lynch, and his legion of fans disagree, though!

 

[_Gob]

Re: LTD viper-256 (total overhaul, Screamin' Demon)

Thinking I'll do a mono track, then double tracked L and R, and maybe add drums at the end for context.

Splitting this in two. First will be a video (ended up being like 8mins, so I'll try to cut what I can) of just different pickup settings, messing with the volume knob, gain etc.
Second will be just two little quick things I made to get some idea of how it performs in context. i.e.: double tracked, drums added, and lead.