He definitely has made a lot of progress in the last few months. Tracks are a lot better with less fill noise. Still hoping he will hammer down on his lead playing at some point
I absolutely love a guitar that allows you to hear the extra chord voicings without ruining the gain. To me, this is what makes a pickup stand out above the others. Your demo track sounds great with this guitar! Also, if you programmed that drum track, phenomenal job, Hunter!!!
I agree with you on the fingerboard radius. I had the old version for a few weeks and I loved it, but then I found that my wrist and tendons in my left hand would start hurting after a little while literally every time I played it. Never had that problem before. I wanted to see if I would adjust to it so to speak, but it wasn’t happening. I traded it in, no issues with that since. It’s really a shame because otherwise it ticks all the boxes for me and strikes the perfect balance of being visually stunning but still is a total metal guitar.
That happened to me years ago, ordered an Ibanez Prestige due to the specs and style being appealing but the wizard neck was causing sharp aches in my hand. After a couple months, had to let it go as my issues weren't improving. Really like Mark's PRS, but I have a feeling it would be similar as you pointed out. Bummer huh?
My Mark Holcomb has been my main guitar for the past 4 years now. I love it, it might be my favourite ever. My right hand loves the bridge and scale length, my left hand loves the satin neck and flat fret board. I recently tried an Ibanez Q I loved and found out it has almost exactly the same fingerboard, neck size, and scale length. So these may be the specs for me. My problem with my PRS is that it weighs about 4.5 kg and kills my back to hold or sit with
I have the 7 string. I'd say the Holcomb's are the best metal guitar for the money. But even then the push-pull and those pickups sound amazing. I'm going to eventually spring for the 6 string.
Outside of all the various flavors (bodyshapes, SDs/EMGs/Fluences, Hipshot/tone pros locking/floyds etc) LTDs 1000 series, I'd agree they're probably the best for the money, but with the LTDs coming with stainless frets and locking tuners standard across the line for the same money, I'd have to give them the edge personally.
@Syber the newer Schecter omen elite series punch WAY outside their weight too homie. The 8 string is an absolute monster for under a grand. I got mine and a hardshell for just over 900 bucks. Hell of a deal IMO.
If they came out with a 26.5 or whatever scale that the 7 string has I’d go and get it immediately. I’ll look other places but I’m starting to like the crazy bulbous guitar look. That strat shape is a little boring.
I opted for the 6, and it has been my go-to workhorse for the past three years. I get extremely heavy low end, very clear chords even through a gainy Death-esque tone, and a very comfortable satin neck
I got the original as my first nice guitar and I just didn't jive with it. I was okay at guitar then but I'd only played a few guitars at that point. I didn't know anything when I first started and thought I could like the radius and my ears couldn't point out why I didn't like the sound. After trying a bunch of other guitars and getting better I realized that the pickups and fingerboard radius weren't my thing. It also didn't stay in tune very well. Now that I know what I like, guitar has gotten way more fun. 30" baritone in f standard? Now you got me.
Starting watching your videos in that original Mark Holcomb sig review. Feels like it’s gone full circle with this one. It’s amazing how far you’ve come since then esp in terms of playing and production. Big congrats, man!
I've been batting 1000 on ordering guitars online that I've never had a chance to play. Never returned one. This one I'd have to have my hands on simply because of that insanely flat board. Cool riffage.
Holy nuts. Not only a fantastic demo of the guitar, but that demo track *Stomped*. One of the best you've done IMO. Absolutely fantastic and really brought out the guitar in full force. Loved the Down from the Sky riffage too ;-)
Glad to see the 2nd gen Holcombs are growing on you. It seems to have reached a creative muscle in you that you haven't exercised before. Excellent demo.
To be honest, I disliked previous version only cause of the Alpha and Omega, with Scarlett and Scourge it sounds more…manageable for those us, who does not need to be in such a tight mix as Periphery has with 3 guitars, each has to have a place, make sense for Mark. But then again, it just such a good mix for metal: mahogany, maple, ebony. Special kudos for Mark and PRS for NOT going stainless steel frets, they add additional zing to already bright pickups. They only “meh” I can think of is lack of locking tuners, which is kind for a must have nowadays.
I’ve heard somewhere the bridge pickup has an Alnico 8 magnet as opposed to the typical Alnico-5 or ceramic magnet you find in most Metal oriented pickups. It sounds like it works wonders in a high gain setting given the video, but I’d love to see how it works in even lower tunings.
The first thing I learned playing live was to add back in the treble. A nice warm, bedroom tone is useless if you want to stand out in a mix. I’m not a metal guy (for live playing) and almost always play P90s to get the grind and punch but still cut in the mix.
I think the only difference with the what Mark takes on tour is he swaps in locking tuners. As for the guitar. It looks great. Pick ups are eh for me. But for down tuned stuff they definitely work.
I have the Holcomb SE and thought the same thing as you, why do I suck on this guitar? That flat fingerboard is not too friendly for someone with a small hand and short fingers like me. I have it pretty much worked it out now and of course the wide variety of tones keeps you playing this little beast. BTW... great review as always. I just love your honesty! Keep up the great work!
I'm a rhythm guitarist and love flat radius fretboard and shredder necks. Maybe because I have small hands or something.... not sure. Funny thing is I'm not alone. A bunch of friends have tried my Ibanez and they were shocked how much they loved it.
Comparing my 1st gen Indonesian (2020) Holcomb to the new one, everything is better on the 2023 version. Volume and tone pot feel higher quality. The black nut is way better from the crappy white one (that I replaced on mine), but still not to the level of graphtech. At first I didn't found the new pickup better than the old one, but after a month and bit of pickup height experiment. I recorded a song with the new ones and man I fell in love with them. It is now my favorite guitar. Who could have guessed that the guitar that dethroned my Holcomb is a New Holcomb 😂.
I use the omega on my guitar I built which is shaped like a tele. In my opinion it's my favorite. I compared it to my emg and my dime bag signature pick up. I'm also going through a katana so could be the amp. Also ran it through my petrucci sim and that took me a while to find a tone I liked
I find Mark to have one of the most interesting playing styles in the game right now. Genius and totally unique riffs… stuff like The Way The News Goes and Wax Wings are such amazing listens
It's funny that you say this guitar is hard to play for you because I'm a total beginner and I find this thing an absolute DREAM to play. Up until this point I'd been learning on a Fender 9.75" radius fretboard and when I picked this up my chords immediately felt easier, cleaner, faster, etc. Unfortunately I can't justify this price point yet given my experience level, so I went for the next best thing spec-wise: the LTD TE-200. Maybe shreddy guitars are just my thing, but I don't know if I can see myself ever going back to small radii!
Hunter how do the new Holcomb pickups compare to your tremontis? The 2 negatives I had for my gen 1 holcomb was the flat fingerboard and the pickups werent quite to my liking when clean.
Hey Agu, hope you’ve been doing well! I write you today with a problem I’ve been having, and I trust your opinion I just upgraded my noname chinese 2x12 to basically a pair of Matamp 2x12s and the difference is kind of disappointing. My chinese cab sounds so clear and studio like, and the new ones with ''real'' speakers almost sound fake, like a small practice amp kind of tone, and also kind of distant. any ideas at all? the new cabs are also huge 2x12s with Celestion G12T100s and Eminence Tonkers, so maybe that has something to do with it? I had an Emperor 2x12 with V30s and same issue. Using an Orange CR120 so maybe thats it ?
Awesome review! What would you say would be a good substitute for this guitar with a fretboard that isnt so thin? Looking to buy a 7 string and marks sig version seemed good to go but if the fretboard is gonna have problems for the wrist id rather just buy a different guitar than have to trade this in after a few weeks :(
I don't know who these people with PRS SE guitars not staying in tune are, my PRS SE 277 Semi-hollow is rock solid and so was the SE Custom 24 I used to own.
Wow Kick ass demo! I definitely dig the Modern sound and note separation. But not sure if this neck would be suitable for me b.c i recall it being a very wide neck.
I have the old version, I didn't like the flat 20inch fingerboard radius considering that my main guitar has a 7.25 radius but now I've got used to that 20-inch radius and it's awesome and easy to play, people just need some time to get used to it.
I have the older 7 string version & I love everything about this guitar! I'm a huge fan of the flat radius as it never frets out or buzzes & I find it so easy to play. I'll be specking my 2nd Aristides to have a similar profile to MH's PRS but I can see why some folks aren't a fan of it. The Alpha / Omega set are stellar! Tho tbh, I do find the demo in your vid sound drastically different & very shrill in the high end, apart from the song demo which sounds fantastic! I guess it's either do with the post process mix? A fine vid my fellow djentlemen!
hey what's up man please make a video comparison the 2 pickups sets alpha omega and scarlet scourge. great video man, you look so happy with your new guitar, enjoy it, greetings from mexico
I'll say one thing. I've been able to try all his previous signs in every color that wasn't limited, but this one consistently is always out of stock at all my local music shops. Guess that goes to show how good they are.
Most of these updated models haven't shipped to physical store locations yet due to the recency of their release. Plus the majority of them seem to have sold out online.
I’m still not feeling this guitar. I’m not really a PRS kinda guy though. Your chops are definitely spot on! You throw down! The guitar is just not for me.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Is djent a genre, though?
Its dope man my guitarist has a prs that looks like the old signature one its dope I love my Ibanez with emgs pickups
According to periphery no
no. dumbest thing i've ever heard someone call metal.
It’s a lifestyle!
No. It’s a lifestyle
Probably the best demo track you’ve written
I was just coming down to say the exact same thing. Thank you for already doing it for me!
💯
He definitely has made a lot of progress in the last few months. Tracks are a lot better with less fill noise. Still hoping he will hammer down on his lead playing at some point
Yeah really nailed this one ... riffs to rival Rabea's. Audio dynamite.
I agree. Good stuff hunter
I absolutely love a guitar that allows you to hear the extra chord voicings without ruining the gain. To me, this is what makes a pickup stand out above the others. Your demo track sounds great with this guitar! Also, if you programmed that drum track, phenomenal job, Hunter!!!
Love your channel hunter
I agree with you on the fingerboard radius. I had the old version for a few weeks and I loved it, but then I found that my wrist and tendons in my left hand would start hurting after a little while literally every time I played it. Never had that problem before. I wanted to see if I would adjust to it so to speak, but it wasn’t happening. I traded it in, no issues with that since. It’s really a shame because otherwise it ticks all the boxes for me and strikes the perfect balance of being visually stunning but still is a total metal guitar.
That happened to me years ago, ordered an Ibanez Prestige due to the specs and style being appealing but the wizard neck was causing sharp aches in my hand. After a couple months, had to let it go as my issues weren't improving. Really like Mark's PRS, but I have a feeling it would be similar as you pointed out. Bummer huh?
My Mark Holcomb has been my main guitar for the past 4 years now. I love it, it might be my favourite ever. My right hand loves the bridge and scale length, my left hand loves the satin neck and flat fret board. I recently tried an Ibanez Q I loved and found out it has almost exactly the same fingerboard, neck size, and scale length. So these may be the specs for me.
My problem with my PRS is that it weighs about 4.5 kg and kills my back to hold or sit with
Dude, probably the best sounding modern metal pickups I've heard.
Great riffs btw
ola's review of the new john brown schecter sounds insane
I have the 7 string. I'd say the Holcomb's are the best metal guitar for the money. But even then the push-pull and those pickups sound amazing. I'm going to eventually spring for the 6 string.
Outside of all the various flavors (bodyshapes, SDs/EMGs/Fluences, Hipshot/tone pros locking/floyds etc) LTDs 1000 series, I'd agree they're probably the best for the money, but with the LTDs coming with stainless frets and locking tuners standard across the line for the same money, I'd have to give them the edge personally.
@Syber the newer Schecter omen elite series punch WAY outside their weight too homie. The 8 string is an absolute monster for under a grand. I got mine and a hardshell for just over 900 bucks. Hell of a deal IMO.
If they came out with a 26.5 or whatever scale that the 7 string has I’d go and get it immediately. I’ll look other places but I’m starting to like the crazy bulbous guitar look. That strat shape is a little boring.
I opted for the 6, and it has been my go-to workhorse for the past three years. I get extremely heavy low end, very clear chords even through a gainy Death-esque tone, and a very comfortable satin neck
Ive never played a 7string, so I think I'll do the 6. @@davidgsings5064
Love the A Day to Remember riff
I got the original as my first nice guitar and I just didn't jive with it. I was okay at guitar then but I'd only played a few guitars at that point. I didn't know anything when I first started and thought I could like the radius and my ears couldn't point out why I didn't like the sound. After trying a bunch of other guitars and getting better I realized that the pickups and fingerboard radius weren't my thing. It also didn't stay in tune very well. Now that I know what I like, guitar has gotten way more fun. 30" baritone in f standard? Now you got me.
Highly based opinion
Starting watching your videos in that original Mark Holcomb sig review. Feels like it’s gone full circle with this one. It’s amazing how far you’ve come since then esp in terms of playing and production. Big congrats, man!
Been waiting for this for a long time. Keep it up, Hunter!
All that track needed at the end was a pitch down like in the track Everything Is Fine! from the new album. Sick riffage!
Seth Morrison also plays a stock Holcomb se on tour and in the studio.
I want a full version of this song pls. If you don't wanna have it anymore, I'd like to have it :D
I've been batting 1000 on ordering guitars online that I've never had a chance to play. Never returned one. This one I'd have to have my hands on simply because of that insanely flat board.
Cool riffage.
I sold my Jim Root V4 Jazz and bought this 2023SE. Its incredible. Its really good at clean and heavy. I looooooooooove it.
PRS guitars sound and play amazing. Picked up a used se floyd.. this thing shreds. Short scale necks rule...
Man i love the purple Holcomb Burst! Im a fan of purple over blue usually anyways...
Holy nuts. Not only a fantastic demo of the guitar, but that demo track *Stomped*. One of the best you've done IMO. Absolutely fantastic and really brought out the guitar in full force. Loved the Down from the Sky riffage too ;-)
Dude…this has to be the sickest jam I’ve heard you play. So badass!
Beautiful guitar. For whatever reason, it reminds me of a heavier version of Sammy Hagar-era Van Halen. I'd love to try one sometime.
Been watching a lot of PRS stuff since I got my 24-08 recently and the algorithm brought me to this vid. Really like your channel. Subscribed.
Glad to see the 2nd gen Holcombs are growing on you. It seems to have reached a creative muscle in you that you haven't exercised before. Excellent demo.
Sounds huge man. Great demo.
Ridiculously good song writing ability. The content creation is spot on!
To be honest, I disliked previous version only cause of the Alpha and Omega, with Scarlett and Scourge it sounds more…manageable for those us, who does not need to be in such a tight mix as Periphery has with 3 guitars, each has to have a place, make sense for Mark.
But then again, it just such a good mix for metal: mahogany, maple, ebony. Special kudos for Mark and PRS for NOT going stainless steel frets, they add additional zing to already bright pickups.
They only “meh” I can think of is lack of locking tuners, which is kind for a must have nowadays.
I was debating on buying this but seeing no stainless steel frets really disappointed me
Absolutely Sick Bitchin' Awesome Demo track!
I own this guitar and it had been my best friend for 4 years now. Absolute beast of a guitar
I’ve heard somewhere the bridge pickup has an Alnico 8 magnet as opposed to the typical Alnico-5 or ceramic magnet you find in most Metal oriented pickups. It sounds like it works wonders in a high gain setting given the video, but I’d love to see how it works in even lower tunings.
The first thing I learned playing live was to add back in the treble. A nice warm, bedroom tone is useless if you want to stand out in a mix. I’m not a metal guy (for live playing) and almost always play P90s to get the grind and punch but still cut in the mix.
I think the only difference with the what Mark takes on tour is he swaps in locking tuners. As for the guitar. It looks great. Pick ups are eh for me. But for down tuned stuff they definitely work.
Amazing demo, this is one of your top 5
Your demo track was fantastic bud👍🏻
I remember how much you didn’t like the first Mark Holcomb PRS signature, so I was very surprised when you grabbed this one.
Fuck dude. This was a solid demo track. Well done!!!! Fuckin rockin
Only problem I have with these is that they dont have locking tuners. PRS makes SE locking tuners, why not throw those on this?
I have the Holcomb SE and thought the same thing as you, why do I suck on this guitar? That flat fingerboard is not too friendly for someone with a small hand and short fingers like me. I have it pretty much worked it out now and of course the wide variety of tones keeps you playing this little beast. BTW... great review as always. I just love your honesty! Keep up the great work!
How does it compare to the DW CE 24 🤔
Both pickups for similar purposes, satin necks, etc
I'm a rhythm guitarist and love flat radius fretboard and shredder necks. Maybe because I have small hands or something.... not sure. Funny thing is I'm not alone. A bunch of friends have tried my Ibanez and they were shocked how much they loved it.
I want a version WITHOUT binding. The regular SVN not having binding is why I went with it instead of the Holcomb 7.
just give it white pickup rings and it looks great
Killer demo track. Nicely done.
The chug test sounds like A day to remember
Was thinking of buying one of these but decided on a used Dustie Waring CE instead.
Amazing demo track!!!
Comparing my 1st gen Indonesian (2020) Holcomb to the new one, everything is better on the 2023 version. Volume and tone pot feel higher quality. The black nut is way better from the crappy white one (that I replaced on mine), but still not to the level of graphtech. At first I didn't found the new pickup better than the old one, but after a month and bit of pickup height experiment. I recorded a song with the new ones and man I fell in love with them. It is now my favorite guitar. Who could have guessed that the guitar that dethroned my Holcomb is a New Holcomb 😂.
I use the omega on my guitar I built which is shaped like a tele. In my opinion it's my favorite. I compared it to my emg and my dime bag signature pick up. I'm also going through a katana so could be the amp. Also ran it through my petrucci sim and that took me a while to find a tone I liked
I find Mark to have one of the most interesting playing styles in the game right now. Genius and totally unique riffs… stuff like The Way The News Goes and Wax Wings are such amazing listens
Found one at the Tom Lee's in Downtown Van and it caught my eye right away.
1100$ for a guitar without locking tuners bugs me probably more than it should. but at-least it looks cool!
you’re getting better at this demo track thing 😉
I've always loved your demo tracks, but this one in particular was phenomenal. An absolute banger.
Hmm idk i had no trouble keeping se models in tune though it has been years since i have gotten one
Hi Hunter I always wanted to know whats that thing just after the nut of the guitar and what's it use for?
Nice Job man! Awesome Track! How did you get those sweet clean ambient tones?
Neural DSP Plini plugin haha
It's funny that you say this guitar is hard to play for you because I'm a total beginner and I find this thing an absolute DREAM to play. Up until this point I'd been learning on a Fender 9.75" radius fretboard and when I picked this up my chords immediately felt easier, cleaner, faster, etc. Unfortunately I can't justify this price point yet given my experience level, so I went for the next best thing spec-wise: the LTD TE-200. Maybe shreddy guitars are just my thing, but I don't know if I can see myself ever going back to small radii!
Hunter how do the new Holcomb pickups compare to your tremontis? The 2 negatives I had for my gen 1 holcomb was the flat fingerboard and the pickups werent quite to my liking when clean.
Awsome video! What cab Are you using? 😊
Hey Agu, hope you’ve been doing well! I write you today with a problem I’ve been having, and I trust your opinion
I just upgraded my noname chinese 2x12 to basically a pair of Matamp 2x12s and the difference is kind of disappointing. My chinese cab sounds so clear and studio like, and the new ones with ''real'' speakers almost sound fake, like a small practice amp kind of tone, and also kind of distant. any ideas at all? the new cabs are also huge 2x12s with Celestion G12T100s and Eminence Tonkers, so maybe that has something to do with it? I had an Emperor 2x12 with V30s and same issue. Using an Orange CR120 so maybe thats it ?
Love it man!
Tasty riffs🔥🔥🔥
I liked the ADTR riff! Cool! 👍
That demo track turned out pretty sick.
I have the seven string version of this guitar and I absolutely love it.
Maybe do a versus with the bareknuckle juggernauts
Kicked major arse !!!!!
sickest proggy mix of the week. loved it
Oh shit, A Day to Remember lol
What's the name of the song though?
@@jacobrollins7290 The Downfall of Us All
@@thisguy2973 do you recognize the riff at 9:24?
alpha/omega pickups smoke those all day
Dude!!! Downfall of us all was one of my first riffs when I fist started playing. That was awesome!!!
I just picked this up and I absolutely love how flat it is. I have a feeling this will be my go to from now on
How are those whammy riffs working?
Awesome review! What would you say would be a good substitute for this guitar with a fretboard that isnt so thin? Looking to buy a 7 string and marks sig version seemed good to go but if the fretboard is gonna have problems for the wrist id rather just buy a different guitar than have to trade this in after a few weeks :(
You ask if you suck, point out you aren’t comfortable with the fingerboard radius, and then write/play one of your best demo tracks ever.
I have the 7 string version coming on Wednesday and I’m beyond excited!
How do you like it?
Demo track gave me a little wes borland too
I don't know who these people with PRS SE guitars not staying in tune are, my PRS SE 277 Semi-hollow is rock solid and so was the SE Custom 24 I used to own.
Sounds great, did you write all the drums for the track or use samples?
Wow Kick ass demo! I definitely dig the Modern sound and note separation. But not sure if this neck would be suitable for me b.c i recall it being a very wide neck.
Best demo track, absolomb vibes a little
I struggle with those flat fretboards too
3:05 wait, aren’t rounder boards supposed to be better for chording? Have I had the wrong idea this whole time?
I have the old version, I didn't like the flat 20inch fingerboard radius considering that my main guitar has a 7.25 radius but now I've got used to that 20-inch radius and it's awesome and easy to play, people just need some time to get used to it.
I have the older 7 string version & I love everything about this guitar!
I'm a huge fan of the flat radius as it never frets out or buzzes & I find it so easy to play.
I'll be specking my 2nd Aristides to have a similar profile to MH's PRS but I can see why some folks aren't a fan of it.
The Alpha / Omega set are stellar! Tho tbh, I do find the demo in your vid sound drastically different & very shrill in the high end, apart from the song demo which sounds fantastic! I guess it's either do with the post process mix? A fine vid my fellow djentlemen!
I have it and love it, the only things I’ve changed are the tuners to the SE locking and the nut, other than that this guitar is phenomenal
Can you explain the whammy noise you were making? As in what you are doing for that? Thabk you!
Sounds fucking great man! i ordered the 7 string to try it out.
Edit: You´re a great player dude!
hey what's up man
please make a video comparison the 2 pickups sets alpha omega and scarlet scourge.
great video man, you look so happy with your new guitar, enjoy it, greetings from mexico
Where did you get that string mute??
@9:24 what's the name of this riff? Sounds so fimiliar
aerials soad
And even the soad song u mentioned is toxicity how wrong can u get u high or something @@Obsess16
I own a gibson les Paul and an ESP E-II. I am wondering if this guitar could be a good alternative to my rig.
how these compare with prs tci s in 08 models ? for jazz blues old rock ,, easy kind playing
Damn...that demo though 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I bet the big fretboard radius would feel more natural on the 7 string version.
Are the pickups passive or active?
I'll say one thing. I've been able to try all his previous signs in every color that wasn't limited, but this one consistently is always out of stock at all my local music shops. Guess that goes to show how good they are.
Most of these updated models haven't shipped to physical store locations yet due to the recency of their release. Plus the majority of them seem to have sold out online.
@The Dude makes sense
I went from a Telecaster to this and am having trouble bonding with it. Getting used to the neck has been the biggest change for me
What’s your tuning ?
I’m still not feeling this guitar. I’m not really a PRS kinda guy though. Your chops are definitely spot on! You throw down!
The guitar is just not for me.
Sick brotha