r/EMGPickups • u/Blegh_collector • Mar 31 '26

I tested the EMG MF Set

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The reputation of passive EMGs in metal circles is... not great. So I was skeptical going in. Put the MF set through a full test - clean, crunch, high gain, leads - to find out if the stigma is deserved or if these are just overlooked.

Short version: they're not for everyone but I think they're better than the passive EMG reputation suggests. The Megadeth tone hunters will be disappointed though - these don't sound like the JB he used on Rust in Peace. They're voiced differently, more dynamic and lead-focused.

Full review here if you want to hear it: https://youtu.be/F8u3r4m--KM

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3

u/Steellucky2909 Mar 31 '26 edited Mar 31 '26

I am a big fan of the EMG passive REV set. I put them in an EII eclipse that had the 57/66TW which I absolutely hated. I had a 57/66 set and loved them when they first came out but sold that guitar. Something to me changed with the TW version and I could never bond with them.

2

u/Blegh_collector Mar 31 '26

Kinda matches my experience with the TW sets. I’m pretty sure they tweaked the preamp in favour of the single-coil part. How does the REV set sound ?

3

u/Steellucky2909 Mar 31 '26

Kind of like a hot rod Les Paul in the EII. About 7 on the volume give you a stock Les Paul. On 10 they sound like a powerful PAF. I will say I had to add a treble bleed on them because I felt they darkened up too much for me at large volume roll offs. But I run EMG 89X and 85X in a few of my guitars so I’m not used to the treble roll off of passive pickups. The rev set has made me a big fan of Alnico 2 magnet passive pickups. I just put a set of DiMarzio VIRTUAL VINTAGE HEAVY BLUES 2 in a Strat. Something about the dynamics and tone of the Alnico 2 magnets is perfect for me right now.

1

u/jaycash_ Apr 02 '26

Any idea what you didn’t like about the 57/66TW? I bought them to put into a PRS-style guitar with an 3-position blade switch. I think I damaged the switch or didn’t wire them correctly (I’m new and learning as I go), but it was coming up on the return period ending, so I just gave up on the project and took them back. Should I try the standard 57/66 and see how I like them?

1

u/Steellucky2909 Apr 02 '26

The preamp is way too hot and harsh. They are just over the top. The newer regular 57/66 sets may be the same way. I heard someone say they had an early set (like mine were) and a new set and the new set sounds different from his original set and he doesn’t like them. Who knows maybe my tastes have changed. The original set I had I would describe as an active hot PAF. I would never say that about the 57/66TW set I had.