Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

KeYz666

New member
I have a Screamin' Demon on an ESP LTD which I absolutely love. The pickup is phenomenal in standard tuning, but I have some doubts in it's ability to hold up to low tunings. I recently picked up an Ibanze artist which I plan on keeping in C or C# standard.

The Full Shred is praised as for being great for low tunings but I think it lacks some of the full bodied sounds from the demon. Is there a go-to pick up for those that want to play in drop tunings while still maintaining balanced mids without shrill highs?

Music styles range from blues to heavy metal. Certainly would like a chugging rhythm sound while being articulate enough for single string picking. Probably not going to be doing sweeps or play above the 12th fret when using the bridge.

Suggestions?
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

have you actually played the full shred or are you just going off what you've heard about it?
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

Only what I've read and heard from videos, sadly I don't have the opportunity to play any of these pickups before I purchase them.

Other pickups that are on my radar are the black winter, invader, and Nazgul. Nazgul sounds more and more like it might be the one.
 
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Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

Did you try the Demon with drop tunings? It sounds great for drop D, IME. If it is a tightness and clarity factor, look at your amp settings as well. They all factor in.
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

well.. the full shred is amazing for low tunings. It can be a bit shrill in the highs where you are in standard EADGBE tuning, but when you tune lower and get that added thickness, heft and growl, the full shred turns into a precision machine. Really tight lows, balanced midrange and cutting highs that are clear and expressive without ever being shrill.
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

I really dig the dimebucker for drop tunings. It stays tight and the shrill high end goes away the further down you tune. It's a really gutsy pup in drop C and beyond. I like it in mahogany more than anything.
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

Stick an A8 in it and it will be fine for drop tunings.
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

The Full Shred is excellent for low tunings. It sucks in E though.
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

Screamin' Demon in drop C tuning:

 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

I would think a Demon would be excellent in low-tuned.
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

The Demon works just fine for drop tunings. Stays tight and defined.
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

I think my Demon actually sounds better with low tunings as well.
I use it in Drop C most of the time. Don't dismiss it so quickly.
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

The screaming demon does sound pretty awesome in low tunings, I tuned down another guitar I have to Drop C and it sounds bad ass. I don't think I can rationalize having two guitars with the same pickup though, I think it makes sense (on paper at least) to have different pickups for each guitar.

I guess I'm conflicted, stick with what I know and love or diversify for variety...
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

The Demon sounds excellent tuned down to B standard. Cood depth on the bass strings while retaining clarity all across the board.
The Full Shred is an excellent choice too. Very tight with more midrange cut.
 
Re: Screamin' Demon-esque Pickup For Down Tuning

I didn't like the SH10 in my baritone. I tuned down a step from standard baritone and thought it was shrill too. For low tunings, I like really low output pickups. It sounds weird, but I've had luck with the GFS double lipstick PU. a regular Gibson PAF works well too.
 
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