Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

[Buzzin_Cousin]

So what do you guys think about the Screamin Demon? I've had one, the unbranded one from the late 80's early 90's, in the neck of a alder body LP for awhile. Cleans are good, really good there, but I usually live on the bridge with dirt and gain. I'm thinking about putting it in the bridge of a number of my guitars, but it got me thinking in general, what is the opinion of this pickup? They are $105 or 120 new, and I don't hear much about them as opposed to some other SD offerings.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

It's my favorite humbucker. I have it in a mahogany Strat (bridge position.) Solid lows, scooped and fast almost single-coil type chime and response, and singing, horn-like leads. Relatively uncompressed/dynamic, tight, punchy pickup with great cleans. That said if you want a more traditional vintage or high-gain pickup, this isn't it. It's almost like a humbucker for people who don't like humbuckers.

 

[Buzzin_Cousin]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

It's my favorite humbucker. I have it in a mahogany Strat (bridge position.) Solid lows, scooped and fast almost single-coil type chime and response, and singing, horn-like leads. Relatively uncompressed/dynamic, tight, punchy pickup with great cleans. That said if you want a more traditional vintage or high-gain pickup, this isn't it. It's almost like a humbucker for people who don't like humbuckers.

Even though you gave a thoughtful response, can you explain a bit more? You have a mahogany strat, is that basically an LP platform soundwise? I have an alder body LP, it's in between an LP and strat in the mix...
Solid lows in a bridge pickup is a BIG plus in my opinion. And I do like the chime of a single coil, as well as the 'shimmer' is what I refer to in a humbucker (equal to chime in a single coil). When you say singing horn like leads, do you mean it would be good for jazz? Like it cuts through loud and clear, not necessarily with volume?

Regarding " traditional vintage or high-gain pickup", aren't those extremes? So the Screamin Demon is in the middle....of that analogy?

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

It's 25.5" and has a maple neck, so not very Gibson-like. Haven't tried it in a Les Paul, I'm a Strat/Superstrat player for the most part. It's a very clear pickup that stands out in the mix, but "jazz" doesn't come to mind because it's a bright pickup; not as bright/bassless as something like a Jazz bridge or "obnoxious" like a JB, but voiced toward brightness. When I say "solid" bass I mean tight, not loose like a JB or buzzy like a Distortion or a lot of higher output pickups. Yes, it's a very middle-path pickup, even though its mv output is lower than most humbuckers it "feels" hot in certain respects, but as mentioned is not very compressed. I think for all those reasons people feel it's a "weird" pickup... But so is the JB IMO, and it's a classic too.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

I have one in a Kramer at the moment. It's like a 59 for metal? It's a PG with even more highs and balls? Its the moderate output pickup for people who want a loud pickup?

I like it a lot. With judicious use of a well toned tone knob/cap, you could do a lot with it. Or, just rock out and don't worry.

 

[MkIII Renegade]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

The Demon sounds like one of the most misnamed pickups in history, although I've been tempted by it lately.....

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

I agree with it being misnamed. It is a great pickup, but it is not high output nor in your face.

I've had it in Alder and Basswood Strats as well as a Basswood Iceman. Every single one responded extremely well to the volume knob–great pickup for one of those 80s Shredsticks with just a volume knob because the volume knob really shapes the pickup (from a growl to super smooth.)

I switched from the JB to the Screamin Demon–I feel like the two have similarities as far as harmonics are concerned, but the Screamin Demon is not as edgy as the JB.

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

I have had the Demon in 2 different Les Pauls. It started out in the bridge of a 1991 standard, which probably has a weight relieved body. It would cut through any mix. It would be impossible to NOT be heard. The Demon has an upper midrange EQ bump. So I wouldn't say its bright, but more of a midrange focus that cuts trough. So no ice pick type sounds at all. TIGHT, punchy lows, great for speed riffs. Nothing is gonna get muddy here. Your technique, or lack of, will be exposed. I had a hard time switching back and forth with the Jazz in the neck. I solo a lot on the neck pickup and I would go from being heard to lost in obscurity on the neck. So I pulled it and replaced with a '59 in that guitar.

The Demon moved on to a 1989 LP standard, which probably does not have a weight relieved body. The Demon took on a different demeanor. It became less out front and more subdued. So in a sense it took on the characteristics of the guitar. Acoustically this LP is much darker than the 1991, so hence the change. I paired it, this time, with another Demon in the neck. No problem switching and getting lost at all. Perfect pair, but almost wish I had ordered a custom shop version that was a bit under-wound. Would be great to get a bit more highs and less output in the neck, but I really shouldn't complain. I also have to say that all the great qualities of the Demon in the 1991 LP carried over to the 1989, only it sounds a bit more vintage in the '89 and a bit more modern in the '91.

I now plan on buying another Demon to put in a 1990 LP standard that is almost identical to the 1991 in sound. This time I will pair it with a Full Shred Neck. If that don't do it, a custom shop order will be in the works.

hope this helps?

Its a great pickup that bridges the gap between Vintage and Modern, and moderate output and high output pickups.

 

[chadd]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

Some very different descriptions, but all very accurate in my book. It's an incredibly versatile pickup, really underrated and often maligned for the name that misleads people. It stays articulate, even with a ton of gain and stays nice and tight on the low end. It may not be the perfect pickup for every situation, but it can do just about anything reasonably well.

 

[Buzzin_Cousin]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

Ok so going with the misnamed theme, what name should it have been given?

A lot of great responses here, but I'm not as sophisticated ear as some of you have with pickup differences. My favorites are the hot rails, DiM Super Distortion, and Pearly Gates.
I feel like the more I get into it, the more I will pick up on the nuances of other pickups like the 59, Jazz, Seth Lovers, etc.

It's kind of like getting into wine, I used to not be able to explain what I was tasting.

 

[MkIII Renegade]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

Ok so going with the misnamed theme, what name should it have been given?

Mr. Scary?

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

Ok so going with the misnamed theme, what name should it have been given?

A lot of great responses here, but I'm not as sophisticated ear as some of you have with pickup differences. My favorites are the hot rails, DiM Super Distortion, and Pearly Gates.
I feel like the more I get into it, the more I will pick up on the nuances of other pickups like the 59, Jazz, Seth Lovers, etc.

It's kind of like getting into wine, I used to not be able to explain what I was tasting.

So compared to a PG, the Demon is like the A5 version. so added tightness and bass. Still got the upper mid sizzle and cut going on as the PG, just more controlled overall.

 

[SJ318]

Re: Screamin Demon Bridge Pickup

Hi,
As far as level of output, what would you compare it to? Louder than a Seth? About the same as a 59/Cust?
Say, maybe about the same as a WLH? It sounds like a great pickup.
Thanks,
Steve B.