Questions about using Screamin’ Demon in neck

[Birdman642]

How does a Screamin’ Demon sound in the neck position? I’ve been really curious about it. How does it sound compared to a Jazz or a ‘59? I know it’s a little hotter than those, but what’s it like?
I generally use my neck pickup for solos, or cleans, how would it work in that application?
FWIW, I play Melodeath/Metal stuff, so high gain is employed along with tuning down to D standard/Drop C

 

[jeremy]

i think it would suit you well. its clear even under gain, a bit more output than the jazz or 59, not boomy on the bottom, fairly even sounding

 

[Birdman642]

i think it would suit you well. its clear even under gain, a bit more output than the jazz or 59, not boomy on the bottom, fairly even sounding

Does it have a similar kind of articulation to the Jazz? Is it bright? I’ve never used a Demon in any context, so I’m not really sure what to expect.
The thing I like about the Jazz is that it has a sort of chime to it, and doesn’t get clubby on fast runs

 

[ErikH]

Does it have a similar kind of articulation to the Jazz? Is it bright? I’ve never used a Demon in any context, so I’m not really sure what to expect.
The thing I like about the Jazz is that it has a sort of chime to it, and doesn’t get clubby on fast runs

You bet. I use the Demon in bridge and neck in one of my guitars. It’s plenty clear and articulate. It’s oriented in the same direction as it would be in the bridge in my setup. If a clean neck pickup with more kick is what you want, the Demon is a great option.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I'd say it's as tight as the Jazz yet less chimey. It has bite, but with less of a bell-like character.
That might be because it's a little hotter and compresses a bit, or because it isn't as scooped in the mids.

Definitely bright enough to do well at the neck though.
And the flipside of higher output & more midrange is great neck lead tone - articulate and sustainy.

Haven't tried it downtuned myself, but it seems not to be very picky about how it's used.
Works well in differently voiced guitars and pairs well with various other pickups.

 

[misterwhizzy]

I think the Demon is drastically under appreciated around here.

 

[Birdman642]

I think the Demon is drastically under appreciated around here.

I’m excited to try it out. I’ve heard good things

 

[maug2122]

The Screamin' Demon is probably one of Seymour Duncan's most versatile pickups, infact, it's probably the most versatile pickup ever.
Other great medium powered humbuckers that are great in the neck position are ;

Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates
* Dragonfire Modbucker 11.05k ohms
* Bill Lawrence XL 500 11.28k ohms

These pickups brand model have inconsistent k ohms ratings.

 

[Birdman642]

The Screamin' Demon is probably one of Seymour Duncan's most versatile pickups, infact, it's probably the most versatile pickup ever.
Other great medium powered humbuckers that are great in the neck position are ;

Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates
* Dragonfire Modbucker 11.05k ohms
* Bill Lawrence XL 500 11.28k ohms

These pickups brand model have inconsistent k ohms ratings.

Didn’t Dave Mustaine use a XL 500 in the early days? Back when he was still using Jacksons?

 

[Mincer]

I think the Demon is drastically under appreciated around here.

Actually, there are tons of threads about it here that sing its praises in the neck and bridge positions.

 

[GuitarDoc]

You can't go wrong with the Demon. I agree with what's been said so far. It's a great, very versatile pup for the neck and one of my very favorite neck pups. It is clean, articulate, evenly EQed, handles gain very well. It is more similar to the Jazz than the 59...like a Jazz on steroids (just a bit, but not overdone).

 

[misterwhizzy]

Actually, there are tons of threads about it here that sing its praises in the neck and bridge positions.

I just meant that I find many, many, many more threads about the Custom, the JB, the 59 set, etc. As far as recommendations go, I don't think the Demon makes it anywhere close to the top five most recommended. I don't think it belongs in the top five, but it seems to me like it's a better fit for many more situations than it's given credit for.

 

[LLL]

I vote for the Full Shred neck, but that's just me. 500K vol pot, tone pot out of circuit:

 

[Artie]

I vote for the Full Shred neck, but that's just me. 500K vol pot, tone pot out of circuit:

Those were both good, but the "clean" was outstanding. Nice licks.

 

[GuitarDoc]

That's the warmest Full Shred neck I've ever heard. Sounds similar to the Jazz. Must have very warm settings on your amp/processor.
The Demon should sound even warmer than that. That's one of the reasons I love the Demon in the neck...its warmth plus a bit more oomph for neck leads.

 

[IMENATOR]

Actually, there are tons of threads about it here that sing its praises in the neck and bridge positions.

I thinnk the problem has always been its name. It is so misleading.

 

[IMENATOR]

I vote for the Full Shred neck, but that's just me. 500K vol pot, tone pot out of circuit:

I have a Full Shred neck, it is fantastic for the super clean and the leads, it does have a single coil vibe. The rhythm with mild overdrive is good, the Jazz is nice too, but none sounds like a single coil when you back the volume, very good and enjoyable but not as magical as an SSL-1 for example. In that regard I would really try the Demon in the neck for split sounds, everybody claims it has one of the best split coil sounds around in SD catalog.

 

[IMENATOR]

I know this is in the bridge position but it kind of demonstrates how competent it is as a split for single coil sounds. I still don't know why I have not got one myself.

 

[LLL]

That's the warmest Full Shred neck I've ever heard. Sounds similar to the Jazz. Must have very warm settings on your amp/processor.
The Demon should sound even warmer than that. That's one of the reasons I love the Demon in the neck...its warmth plus a bit more oomph for neck leads.

IIRC, the clean is through a '66 Fender Deluxe and the dirt is my modded-to-68-plexi 50 watter - line'd out, speaker iRs etc.

Pretty standard settings. But both these amps are naturally well balanced EQ wise out of the box and seem "thicker" sounding than later, newer amps of similar type.

Would you believe that the tone pot (500K) was out of the circuit? (therefore should be making the tone even brighter... yet it isn't unbearably bright... the magic of the right amp circuits at play).

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Never knew the Demon was the first official SD signature pickup. (Since the JB was never an authorized signature model.)