Seymour Duncan SH-12 Screamin' Demon Black Pickup
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- Brand new in original box
- Full Seymour Duncan manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- 11102-80-B
Description
Seymour Duncan SH-12 Screamin' Demon Black Pickup
The SH-12 Screamin' Demon captures a punchy, articulate voice with enough aggression for modern rock and metal tracking while maintaining the definition needed to sit cleanly in a dense mix. This medium-output humbucker balances clarity and drive, performing equally well as a lead voice cutting through the mix or as part of a versatile multi-pickup session setup. Hand-built in Santa Barbara with Seymour Duncan's proven construction methods, it's a reliable workhorse for recording engineers and home-studio producers who demand responsive dynamics, solid output, and minimal tonal coloration across takes.
Tone & Output Character
The medium output level and 10k ohms DC resistance position the Screamin' Demon in an ideal recording sweet spot between vintage warmth and modern bite. An Alnico 5 bar magnet paired with slightly overwound coils produces snappy transients and defined harmonic content that articulates well in both clean-amp and high-gain tracking sessions, translating clearly to tape or DAW.
Construction & Materials
Built with a nickel silver bottom plate and vacuum wax potted for squeal-free performance, this pickup resists feedback and microphonic noise across gain levels during sustained recording takes. The mixed pole-piece design—one row of standard adjustable screws and one row of shorter Allen head screws—allows fine-tuning of individual string response and output balance, useful for dialing in consistent levels across multiple passes in the studio.
Key Features
- Medium output level for balanced aggression and articulation
- 10k ohms DC resistance
- Alnico 5 bar magnet with slightly overwound coils
- Mixed pole pieces: adjustable screws and Allen head screws for string-by-string tuning
- Nickel silver bottom plate
- Vacuum wax potted construction for squeal-free performance
- 4-conductor lead wire for multiple wiring configurations
- Available in standard humbucker or Trembucker spacing
- Hand built in Santa Barbara, CA
- Black finish
The SH-12 combines Seymour Duncan's exacting hand-built quality with versatile wiring options and responsive tone that records well across genres and studio applications.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The SH-12 Screamin' Demon is a versatile studio humbucker that delivers punchy, articulate tone with enough presence to sit well in modern rock and metal mixes without muddying the picture. Its medium output and balanced harmonic content work equally well at clean and high-gain settings, and the 4-conductor lead wire opens up series, parallel, and split configurations for session flexibility. Hand-built construction and vacuum potting ensure consistent, noise-free tracking across multiple takes.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Modern Rock
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Gigging
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What genres and styles is the SH-12 best suited for?
The SH-12 excels in modern rock, metal, and hard rock, as well as studio sessions where articulate, high-gain tone is needed. It is not designed for jazz, blues, or folk playing.
How does the SH-12 compare to other Seymour Duncan humbuckers?
The SH-12 sits between the warmer SH-4 JB and higher-output options, offering a sweet spot of clarity and drive with medium output and 10k ohms DC resistance. It's comparable in approach to EMG 81/85 designs but with a warmer, more articulate character.
What makes the mixed pole-piece design useful?
One row has adjustable screws and the other has Allen head screws, allowing you to fine-tune individual string response and output balance to match your instrument and playing style.
Is the SH-12 prone to feedback or noise at high gain?
No—the pickup is vacuum wax potted with a nickel silver bottom plate, which resists feedback and microphonic noise across all gain levels and volume settings.
What wiring options does the 4-conductor lead wire support?
The 4-conductor configuration supports series, parallel, and split wiring, giving you flexibility to voice it differently depending on your control scheme and tonal goals.
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