Seymour Duncan - Mark Holcomb Compares the Alpha/Omega and Scarlet/Scourge Signature Pickup Sets

Mark Holcomb joined us at HQ recently to test out the differences between his first signature set, the Alpha & Omega, and his newest signature set, the Scarlet & Scourge.
What are the differences? Read on for more information below:
➡️ Alpha & Omega: The progressive metal virtuosos of Periphery are known for their technically complex rhythms and precise tones - tones which require high output passive humbucker pickups with just the right amount of output and articulation whether standing alone or working in a dense mix. The Alpha and Omega pickups were created to match that level of precision and versatility.
Working with guitarist Mark Holcomb, the Omega bridge pickup was created to provide destructive percussion and growl in the mids and low end. It’s aggressive but it also has lots of clarity and brightness, which cuts through whether you’re playing sophisticated chords, complex single-note lines or intense solos.
The Alpha neck pickup is unlike most traditional neck models. It was voiced to combine the best qualities of a neck and a bridge pickup, with some of that fat glassy sound but also plenty of your pick attack and fretting-hand phrasing.
Pick up a Alpha & Omega set here: bit.ly/3Sd5qHs
➡️ Scarlet & Scourge:
Mark Holcomb’s musicality continues to push progressive metal forward. The sound of Scarlet & Scourge was inspired by his use of high gain amp-modeling technology. With his modeler delivering Periphery’s ideal overdriven amp sound, Mark’s new pickups required enhanced clarity for complex chord voicings, coil splitting, and drop tunings.
Through rigorous testing, Mark & the Seymour Duncan engineering team created the Scarlet neck and Scourge bridge pickups. Like Mark’s other signature neck pickup Alpha - which is suited for Mark’s heaviest riffs - Scarlet features a ceramic magnet, but with an output calibrated for note definition in clean & mid-gain applications. The Scourge, with its Alnico 8 magnet, provides the low-end and focused mid-range needed to anchor Mark’s modern sound.
Pick up a Scarlet & Scourge set here: bit.ly/41iQD28
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[@guitarpickupdatabase]

Awesome work explaining the process for both pickup sets Mark. I appreciate that these were both designed with different goals in mind, which allows them to still stand on their own over time.

[@seymourduncan]

Thank you friend!

[@anvil777]

They sure sound great. I’d like to hear a bit more riffs on the Scourge pickup, Mark played some solo licks only.

[@Swagaroni]

Seriously, horrible comparison

[@kinghengkeithleung3931]

totally agreed. Isn't the Scourge developed to find more clarity with less gain? Where are the big chord demonstrations like the Omega?

[@Joshua-nf7mh]

Both sets sound amazing to me! Well done Mark!

[@kilianruvalcaba6904]

in my personal opinion, I prefer alpha omega set because every pickups is perfectly in balance (alpha and omega), scarlet and scourge it's have more clean and open sound but you lost punch and gain. actually my favorite pickups by seymour duncan are distortion set and off course, alpha omega set greetings from mexico to all and thanks for to make videos like this

[@papaidolatrine2499]

Would have been way better just to hear some A/B of the pickups with mark playing some of his favorite riffs.

[@armorgiraffe]

I agree but to be fair its more of a promotinal video than a straight up comparison, I feel

[@leeneale4542]

I’m a new owner of a Scarlett and Scourge PRS, and it’s awesome!

[@shawnhuff3920]

Awesome 👌I have the newest mark Holcomb signature seven string guitar from PRS.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

Nicely named set

[@XMetalChefX]

I bought the new Holcomb se on a business trip DID NOT LIKE the Scarlett Scourge set at all. Then I saw this and his other videos and I made some tweaks, and OMG I get so many compliments on my tone and I LOVE how great they sound. I like them more than the alpha/omega set. I think this is SDs best set for versatility imo.

[@AfterSimone]

Would you mind detailing your experience a bit more? I'm considering picking this up myself and would like to get as much info as I can!

[@XMetalChefX]

@@AfterSimone You need to turn your gain up when using these. They saturate incredibly well. With the gain settings I was using I was getting no attack or saturation. After seeing I needed a little more gain, it was a game changer.

[@AUTI5T1X]

May need to get a set for my Kiesel/strandberg. These things sound killer.

[@jayteesgear]

Loved my old Holcomb but sold it to my Guitarist. Id play those new pickups though. Way cool Mark

[@JaviAltonaga]

love they all!!

[@stevedadaian]

Sounds great!

[@_matthewmoseley]

So, what would the coil split sound like on an Alpha/Scourge? I think you get a more diverse sound between those two, since the Alpha almost fits like a bridge pickup without the output loss.

[@FretFriendGWaL]

Alpha / Omega for the win!

[@wojciechm8722]

I have PRS SE 277 baritone and PRS SE Mark Holcomb Sig with AO pickups. What is better idea in general - swapping stock pickups in baritone with SS or putting SS into Mark Holcomb Sig and swapping AO into PRS 277? I have a feeling that latter is way to go.

[@seymourduncan]

Not sure if there's a right answer here - it has more to do with what you want to get out of Sig and 277. I think SS are going to sound great either way, but depending on your rig and what you're playing, you might prefer AO. Win/win.

[@Muddydirtywater666]

I went with the alpha/omega

[@Pughhead]

I really covet my alpha-omega set 👌

[@Mike-vu7em]

Sell the old PRS model too at 999 pleaseee

[@elblopex]

if you dont get the "sucking a lemon" face when hearing the split coil position, you don't deserve to be a Mark fan

[@MegaWimberly]

But Glen said just turn up the gain?

[@JaxVolta]

Anyone know the name of the last song he plays?? Sounds amazing

[@AfterSimone]

Thanks Nobuo

[@JaxVolta]

@@AfterSimone for real? thanks!

[@kingnothing2161]

My ESP Tele is gonna get a HELL of an upgrade one day..

[@jakekoehnke395]

what song is he playing at 3:36 ?

[@hzlnttsszzz]

thanks nobuo

[@Tombking2]

Scarlet/scourge sounds like a warcraft reference

[@redfurydubstep]

Me wants!

[@tetra3000]

Didn't A/B the bridge pickup properly which was a shame

[@tim_cilento]

What song is he playing at 2:00-2:15

[@GonzaAnt93]

The song is called Mile Zero

[@tim_cilento]

@@GonzaAnt93 thank you!

[@hyokaryoka]

Anyone know the song name ?

[@AfterSimone]

Thanks Nobuo

[@Mixa_742]

Is he really use both outer coils not an inner coils ??

[@jeffarab4947]

The scurge

[@noo648]

Homie is Eloquent

[@Chugg.Norris]

Solos....are absolutely useless to 96% of guitarists who are actually shopping for these pickups. Hit it hard, hit it heavy... thats all we want to fuckin hear bro. 😤

[@JamesKay-t7e]

#1

[@jayz6008]

I have the alpha / omega set . I gotta say I’m not that impressed with them . They’re actually not as tight as you’d think , I actually found the Dimarzio Illuminator or D Activators to be tighter with a better percussive quality when palm muting . The Alpha Omega set does have nice cleans , kind of hi-fi like . The neck pickup is very clear , almost like a bridge pickup but overall im not thrilled over them . I can’t justify spending $280 for this set .

[@seymourduncan]

Sorry to hear that. We do have a 21 Day Exchange Policy if you got them through us so you can try something else!

[@mostlypeacefuljc4687]

Guitar sounds great. But over $1000 with a plastic nut, no thanks. Could swap it out, but its the principle.

[@Chugg.Norris]

.... tell us you are a dipshit without telling us.

[@papaidolatrine2499]

“Read more about what’s different between these pickups” I want to fooking hear it mate not learn about it

[@JimClements]

This guy is an abuser and Seymour Duncan definitely know. Their choice to support him despite this really shows their lack of morality and is ruining their brand. So many people I know have stopped using their pickups because of this awful guys actions.

[@joshcobb1296]

Na

[@jeffgengler6964]

Keyboard warriors on social media aren’t an accurate representation of real life. SD reputation is just fine. Mrak is just fine.

[@phokyew699]

Abuser? Hahaha you should look into things before you start typing about them.

[@Montrix7]

You’re more upset than the person who was actually affected, his wife. If she was able to forgive him(he’s also sober now) then it’s really none of your business. Clown.

[@ruduwigu7290]

This is the stupidest opinion I've ever seen. 😂😂😂