PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN Review – Introduction
As a seasoned guitarist with a deep appreciation for quality instruments, I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN electric guitar. Designed in collaboration with Mark Holcomb of the progressive metal band Periphery, this seven-string guitar promises to deliver both power and precision. In this review, I will share my personal experience with the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN, discussing its strengths and weaknesses in detail.
First Impressions
The first thing that struck me about the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN was its visual appeal. The guitar features a stunning Satin Walnut finish that highlights the natural beauty of the mahogany body and maple top. The beveled edges and sleek contours give it a modern and aggressive look, which is complemented by the elegant bird inlays on the ebony fingerboard.
The guitar’s design reflects PRS’s commitment to quality and aesthetics. The overall craftsmanship is impeccable, with no visible flaws or imperfections. The combination of the maple top and mahogany body not only looks great but also promises a rich and resonant tone.
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Playability
When it comes to playability, the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN excels. The neck is a three-piece maple design with a wide-thin profile, which I found extremely comfortable. This profile is particularly suited for fast, technical playing, making it ideal for metal and progressive genres. The 20-inch fretboard radius adds to the playability, providing a flat surface that’s perfect for low-action setups and effortless string bending.
The ebony fingerboard is a joy to play on, offering a smooth and responsive feel. The 24 frets are well-finished, with no sharp edges, ensuring comfortable play across the entire neck. The extended range of the seven strings adds to the guitar’s versatility, allowing for deeper, more powerful riffs as well as high, piercing solos.
The set-neck construction enhances sustain and provides excellent access to the upper frets. This, combined with the contoured cutaway, makes soloing on the higher frets easy and comfortable.
Sound Quality
The PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN is equipped with a pair of Seymour Duncan Alpha and Omega pickups, which are designed to deliver clarity and power. These pickups are specifically voiced to handle high-gain settings while maintaining note definition, making them perfect for progressive metal and other heavy genres.
Clean Tones
When played clean, the Alpha and Omega pickups produce a clear and articulate tone. The neck pickup offers warm, smooth tones that are great for clean arpeggios and jazzy chord progressions. The bridge pickup, on the other hand, provides a brighter and more defined clean sound, which cuts through the mix nicely.
The coil-split feature, accessible via a push/pull tone knob, adds another layer of versatility. Engaging the coil-split gives you access to single-coil tones, which are bright and crisp. This is particularly useful for genres like funk and blues, where a cleaner, more percussive sound is desired.
Distorted Tones
The true strength of the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN lies in its ability to handle distortion. The Alpha and Omega pickups excel in high-gain settings, delivering tight, aggressive tones with excellent note clarity. The bridge pickup provides a crushing, punchy distortion that’s perfect for djent and modern metal. It handles palm-muted chugs and fast riffs with ease, maintaining clarity even with complex chord voicings.
The neck pickup offers a smooth, creamy distortion that’s ideal for lead playing. It has a rich, full-bodied tone that sings beautifully, especially when playing solos or melodic lines. The combination of these pickups provides a versatile tonal palette that can cover a wide range of heavy music styles.
Hardware and Features
The hardware on the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN is top-notch. The guitar features PRS-designed tuners, which offer excellent tuning stability and precision. The bridge is a string-through-body design, which enhances sustain and provides a solid feel. The guitar stays in tune remarkably well, even with aggressive playing.
One of the standout features is the seven-string configuration, which adds depth and power to the instrument’s sound. The low B string opens up new possibilities for heavy riffing and extended range playing. This feature is particularly beneficial for progressive and metal players who need that extra low end.
The push/pull coil-split on the tone knob is a great addition, providing additional tonal flexibility. This feature allows you to switch between humbucker and single-coil sounds on the fly, making the guitar suitable for a variety of musical genres.
Build Quality and Durability
The build quality of the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN is exceptional. PRS is known for its high standards, and this guitar is no exception. The satin finish is not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable, resistant to fingerprints and minor scratches.
The three-piece maple neck is incredibly stable, and the set-neck construction ensures that the neck joint is solid and reliable. The hardware is robust and feels built to last, making this guitar a reliable choice for both studio and stage use.
The attention to detail in the construction is evident, from the quality of the fretwork to the fit and finish of the body and neck. This guitar is built to withstand the rigors of regular playing and should hold up well over time.
Ergonomics and Comfort
The PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN is designed with player comfort in mind. The body contours fit comfortably against the body, and the guitar’s weight is well-balanced. Despite being a seven-string guitar, it does not feel overly heavy or cumbersome.
The wide-thin neck profile is particularly comfortable for fast playing and extended sessions. The smooth satin finish on the neck allows for quick movement up and down the fretboard, and the contoured cutaway provides easy access to the upper frets.
The guitar’s ergonomics make it suitable for a variety of playing styles, whether you’re standing on stage or sitting in the studio. It’s a versatile instrument that’s comfortable to play for extended periods.
Versatility
The PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN is a highly versatile guitar, capable of covering a wide range of musical genres. While it’s designed with progressive metal in mind, its clean tones and coil-split feature make it suitable for other styles as well. The seven-string configuration adds an extra layer of versatility, allowing for both low-end power and high-end clarity.
The combination of high-quality pickups, solid construction, and versatile features makes this guitar suitable for everything from metal and rock to jazz and blues. It’s an excellent choice for players who need a versatile instrument that can handle a variety of musical styles.
Value for Money
Considering its high-end features and exceptional build quality, the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN offers excellent value for money. While it’s priced higher than some entry-level guitars, it delivers performance and versatility that rival more expensive instruments.
For both intermediate and professional players, the SE Mark Holcomb SVN represents a solid investment. It’s a guitar that can handle the demands of live performance and studio recording, making it a versatile and reliable addition to any guitarist’s collection.
Areas for Improvement
While the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN is an outstanding guitar, there are a few areas where it could be improved. First, the stock tuners, while functional, could be upgraded to locking tuners for even better tuning stability. This would be particularly beneficial for players who use the guitar’s extended range and aggressive playing styles.
Secondly, while the satin finish is durable and visually appealing, some players might prefer a gloss finish option for a different aesthetic. Offering multiple finish options could cater to a broader audience.
Lastly, the guitar’s price point, while justified by its quality and features, might be a bit high for beginners. Offering a more budget-friendly version with similar features could make this model accessible to a wider range of players.
Conclusion – PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN Review
In conclusion, the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN electric guitar is a remarkable instrument that combines stunning aesthetics, exceptional playability, and versatile sound quality. Its seven-string configuration and high-output Seymour Duncan pickups make it a powerhouse for progressive metal and other heavy genres. The build quality and hardware are top-notch, ensuring durability and reliability.
Despite a few minor areas for improvement, the SE Mark Holcomb SVN offers excellent value for money. It’s a perfect choice for intermediate and professional players looking for a versatile and high-performance guitar. My time with the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN has been incredibly rewarding, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a quality seven-string electric guitar.
