Screaming Demon problem?

toneseeker

toneseeker

New member
I have a Screamin Demon that one of my friends gave me, and I gave it a shot. I put it in my les paul (limba body and neck) since that is the only humbucker guitar that I have at the moment. I also know it was designed to work with maple, but I wanted to try it out and see how it sounded.

When I fired it up, the low E and A strings have this buzzy sound around the notes, but the other four strings sound fine. Is this normal, or could there be something wrong with the pickup?
Any ideas?
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

toneseeker said:
I have a Screamin Demon that one of my friends gave me, and I gave it a shot. I put it in my les paul (limba body and neck) since that is the only humbucker guitar that I have at the moment. I also know it was designed to work with maple, but I wanted to try it out and see how it sounded.

When I fired it up, the low E and A strings have this buzzy sound around the notes, but the other four strings sound fine. Is this normal, or could there be something wrong with the pickup?
Any ideas?
Click to expand...

That is a very strange symptom and I dont think it is the pup.
A defect in the pup would affect all strings. sounds like could be those two strings? try changin em and if that dont work send me the pup.:cool2: LOL
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

Sounds like you could have a preamp tube going bad or something, don't know how a pickup can create that kind of buzz. It may accentuate certain frequencies that cause it to come out more though.
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

I'm thinking guitar setup or pickup height if it just started... Never had just 2 strings develop issues after only a pickup swap!

Do you have the pickup height too close to the strings on the bass side? Try lowering it a bit and see if the problem goes away.

Fret buzz could also be due to low action, down-tuning (looser strings), frets needing attention, backbow/relief issue (i.e. truss rod adjustment) or neck warping. I'd also check the angle of the string over the nut and make sure the nut hasn't worn down too far on those two strings.

Were the strings changed and/or was anything else adjusted at the time the swap was done? Also, are you sure the person who did the installation made good solder joints and that all your componentry (pots, wiring, etc.) is in good order?

I'd start with lowering the bass side of the pickup a little and see if the problem goes away...let us know.
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

It may have enough more of a frequency that resonates with something in your room.

I've had cardboard boxes sitting on a shelf erratically rattle when I hit particular notes (at low volume). Extremely irritating to track down, as the shelf acted as a sound board and dispersed it, very tough to tell where it was coming from, seemed like the whole wall. And it only started after changing pickups...

Fret buzz and rattle, truss rod rattles, vibrato springs, even sometimes run into preamp microphonics or capacitor squeals that only show up after a pickup starts feeding the amp a different frequency. Bad solder joints making things sound odd is another fun one. Debugging what is interacting and figuring out how to fix it can be loads of fun.
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

The pickup is the only thing I can think of. It wasn't doing it before, and it didn't do it after I swapped the other pickup back in. WEIRD.

I did this a while back. Unfortunately, it was not a preamp tube, since I have an SS amp at the moment.
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

toneseeker said:
The pickup is the only thing I can think of. It wasn't doing it before, and it didn't do it after I swapped the other pickup back in. WEIRD.

I did this a while back. Unfortunately, it was not a preamp tube, since I have an SS amp at the moment.
Click to expand...

you have demons in your pu!:approve:
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

toneseeker said:
:omg::laugh:
Click to expand...

the problem you are having will requier a exorcisism:saeek:
I have never heard of the symptoms you are having,you said this just started after the new pickup was installed so recheck all the wiring,check the height of the pu,and all else fails call this guy,

images
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

Maybe it is a guitar problem, but you can only hear it with the bright super clear Demon.
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

I've had this happen before and have found it's related to a cold solder joint. Maybe try re-flowing the joints again, especially the ground. Hopefully this helps!
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

I've come across something similar as what you're describing. Lowering the action and/or reducing pickup height fixed it for me. The lower strings have greater mass and thus are affected more by the pu's magnet.
You're former pickup could have a weaker magnet, which would explain the problem you're encountering with the SD.
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

The Demon doesn't hide much. If you went from something hot and dark, or even from an A2 PAF, you'll hear much more fret noise and finger noise than you did before. This is why I'm calling fret buzz. Adjust your truss rod and/or action and see if it goes away.
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

telekaster78 said:
I've had this happen before and have found it's related to a cold solder joint. Maybe try re-flowing the joints again, especially the ground. Hopefully this helps!
Click to expand...

That could have been it! The only problems I could figure was the pickup or my soldering. Thanks.
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

El Supremo said:
I've come across something similar as what you're describing. Lowering the action and/or reducing pickup height fixed it for me. The lower strings have greater mass and thus are affected more by the pu's magnet.
You're former pickup could have a weaker magnet, which would explain the problem you're encountering with the SD.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't think it was a weaker magnet, since what I swapped out was a Custom. But, I could have had it a little too close to the strings. I know the Custom liked to be set lower.
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

I've got a PAF pro in there now, and I believe I will swap it out for another round with the Screamin Demon, and make sure my solder joints are good!
And, take the time to set the height on it.
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

This may be a long shot, but worth a look. Check the tuners. Make sure they are snug. If you have modern 10mm tuners with a top nut, make sure that is not loose on both of them. Like I said, could be a long shot, but could cause a buzz that you describe that sounds like it's too low action.

Play the guitar through the amp clean, no distortion. Does it happen then?
 
Re: Screaming Demon problem?

Ok, it was my wiring. Haha

I put it in a project guitar, and it works fine.
BUT, it is not what I was looking for, so
I think I will put a post in the trading post,
to see if anyone wants to buy it or trade.
 
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