Not loving my SH-5, what next?

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Lammchop93

New member
Hey all. I have a PRS Tremonti Custom SE (mahogany body, maple top, rosewood fretboard, tremolo system). I replaced the PRS 245 pickups with a sentient in the neck and an SH-5 (custom) in the bridge. I LOVE the sentient, but something about the custom isn't quite doing it for me. I do think it's an improvement over the 245, but it's still missing something. I'm mainly a rhythm player. I usually play in drop C#. The Custom has a great tone for power chords, but i feel like when I strum out chords or play small fills within a rhythm, it all just kind of mushes together. There doesn't seem to be much separation/articulation between notes, and it just sounds kind of muddy. I really like a heavy "chunk" tone, and I play a lot of palm muting riffing. The custom doesn't seem to have enough "balls" to it, and seems like a little too much high end for me. Amp wise I am using a Peavy 6505+ combo amp. I'm leaning towards giving the Pegasus or 59/Custom Hybrid a try. What do you all think?

Thanks in advance!
 
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Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

Look at lower output with more string articulation.
Can't recommend a SD (I play Dimarzios)
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

Although I have not used this pickup, I believe that SD matches the Pegasus bridge with the Sentient neck in a set. Pegasus is supposed to be good for prog and has more articulation. I liked the clips I heard, but hey those are just clips...
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

I tried the Sd distortion, which supposedly is very similar to both of these pickups, but it also sounded mushed to me. Which makes me think ceramic is not what I need.

A Pegasus with an A8 magnet may be interesting...
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

Just pulled the trigger on an open-box pegasus for a good price. We'll see how I like it!
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

Lammchop93 said:
Hey all. I have a PRS Tremonti Custom SE (mahogany body, maple top, rosewood fretboard, tremolo system). I replaced the PRS 245 pickups with a sentient in the neck and an SH-5 (custom) in the bridge. I LOVE the sentient, but something about the custom is quite doing it for me. I do think it's an improvement over the 245, but it's still missing something. I'm mainly a rhythm player. I usually play in drop C#. The Custom has a great tone for power chords, but i feel like when I strum out chords or play small fills within a rhythm, it all just kind of mushes together. There doesn't seem to be much separation/articulation between notes, and it just sounds kind of muddy. I really like a heavy "chunk" tone, and I play a lot of palm muting riffing. The custom doesn't seem to have enough "balls" to it, and seems like a little too much high end for me. Amp wise I am using a Peavy 6505+ combo amp. I'm leaning towards giving the Pegasus or 59/Custom Hybrid a try. What do you all think?

Thanks in advance!
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I'm a SH-5 user but I have played the Pegasus/Sentient set. Not my cup of tea, but I believe the Pegasus will solve your issues. It's amazingly good for the HEAVY stuff!
Reading your description, I know the Pegasus will do the trick!
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

The Pegasus is great for pretty much everything!!! It's got amazing note separation/clarity and it's very responsive which makes it good for heavy stuff but it's just as capable in several other genres...
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

Don't forget the Black Winter. It's about as tight as they come, even with lower tunings.
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

I don't like Pegasus, but like OsvyRock I think it's the best match with sentient
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

TNTales said:
Don't forget the Black Winter. It's about as tight as they come, even with lower tunings.
Click to expand...



I think the Black Winter might be the tightest pickup that I've heard from the Duncan company. The DiMarzio Titan is right in that wheelhouse. Some might suggest the BKP Aftermath, but these other 2 get you to the same place while buying American and spending less.
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

I would've chosen the Pegasus, too. Let us know how it sounds (and the differences between it and the Custom) as it might help some other people coming to the same conclusions.
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

Slap an A8 in that Custom. Turns into a different monster. Fun setup to play with. It'll amaze you at how well the bottom end stays tight.

I'd throw a vote for the Titan as well.
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

^ I just bought one myself, (C8) for bridge position in an SG. Looking forward to checking it out -
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

Alt8 will you give chug, wall of sound and notes separation.
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

The PRS Tremonti bridge is a killer pickup. Good at all the things you asked for.
 
Re: Not loving my SH-5, what next?

I have a Custom Custom in the bridge of my C# Black Sabbath guitar with the same specs. It does a great Into The Void.
 
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