SH-5 Custom or Omega pickup

[Haxasaurus]

I'm planning on picking up a Mark Holcomb PRS here within the next couple of weeks (when Sweetwater finally gets them back in stock) and was wondering how the SH-5 matches up against the Omega. The reason I ask is because of all of the SD pickups I've heard (only online), the SH-5 seems to match the kind of tone I'm looking for.

Which is:

• Hot, but has the ability to clean up very nicely without have to mess with volume or tone knobs
• Versatile for many styles of music
• Good clarity/note separation under high gain
• Good attack and bite

The only con that I can think of is that it's a little sizzly and fizzly on the high end. Can I expect these things from the Omega bridge pickup? Does anyone have any experience with these two pickups?

 

[darthphineas]

Re: SH-5 Custom or Omega pickup

You can go to the sticky thread at the top of the Pickup "section" and find a link to my review of the Alpha Omega set. I touch on how it cleans up there.

My opinion from what you are saying in your post is that you might be happier with the Custom. If you are open to other options, I think there might be many other pickups available that may better meet the same goals....mainly when it comes to something hot that will clean up without adjusting volume/tone.

 

[Haxasaurus]

Re: SH-5 Custom or Omega pickup

You can go to the sticky thread at the top of the Pickup "section" and find a link to my review of the Alpha Omega set. I touch on how it cleans up there.

My opinion from what you are saying in your post is that you might be happier with the Custom. If you are open to other options, I think there might be many other pickups available that may better meet the same goals....mainly when it comes to something hot that will clean up without adjusting volume/tone.

I read your review and would like to thank you for all the work you put into this! I guess it's hard to find a perfect balance between aggressiveness and potential to clean up in a pickup. If I had to pick one over the other, it would definitely be aggressiveness, though. What would your other suggestions be?

 

[BRHGM]

Re: SH-5 Custom or Omega pickup

The custom is not too hot and kind of chunky. It handles detuning well and never gets muddy. Think of it as a PAF on steroids. It pairs well with 59N, JazzN and even the Demon and PG. I have used the Custom with a Jazz in a fairly bright guitar. It worked out great.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: SH-5 Custom or Omega pickup

When you think of the Custom, think of early VH.

*was that my outside voice again?!*

 

[Demanic]

Re: SH-5 Custom or Omega pickup

When you think of the Custom, think of early VH.

*was that my outside voice again?!*

In this case, I don't think it matters as much if it was your outer or inner.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[Mincer]

Re: SH-5 Custom or Omega pickup

I will say to not worry so much about this until you have the guitar in your hands. Give that stock pickup some time, and if you don't like it, change it. To my ears, the Omega has a lot more high end than the Custom.

 

[daenius]

Re: SH-5 Custom or Omega pickup

I will say to not worry so much about this until you have the guitar in your hands. Give that stock pickup some time, and if you don't like it, change it. To my ears, the Omega has a lot more high end than the Custom.

Agree with Mincer here! PRS Pickups aren't bad so you should give them a chance and give them some time! They might just end up doing what you want and you saved yourself some cash and work!

I own a Custom myself and I love that pickup. Great clarity, hot and cleans up nicely, and plenty of chunk and warmth under high gain.

 

[Dr.J4ckal]

Re: SH-5 Custom or Omega pickup

I'm planning on picking up a Mark Holcomb PRS here within the next couple of weeks (when Sweetwater finally gets them back in stock) and was wondering how the SH-5 matches up against the Omega. The reason I ask is because of all of the SD pickups I've heard (only online), the SH-5 seems to match the kind of tone I'm looking for.

Which is:

• Hot, but has the ability to clean up very nicely without have to mess with volume or tone knobs
• Versatile for many styles of music
• Good clarity/note separation under high gain
• Good attack and bite

The only con that I can think of is that it's a little sizzly and fizzly on the high end. Can I expect these things from the Omega bridge pickup? Does anyone have any experience with these two pickups?

Maybe experiment with potentiometer values. Using a pot that measures at 450k instead of 500k might be what you're looking for. You can wire a resistor on the outer lugs to drop the value, but it will change the taper. Alternatively you could try higher tone capacitor value if you want to shift the midrange peak/resonance more toward low-mids, it may give the impression of less sizzle/brightness.