57 MetalWorks Active Alnivo V Bridge Humbucker Guitar Pickup - Brushed Chrome Review

Sounds good, except for all the hum

I bought the 57/66 set a while back, I loved how easy they were to install, took 10 minutes. I plugged in and they sounded amazing, the only problem is that the 57 had what can only be described as 60 cycle hum, it made it completely unusable. I can't get over how great the 66 sounded and I still am using it, I of course assumed that I installed them incorrectly and I tried to fix… read more the problem, I was unable too. After a while I got some custom Bare knuckles and installed those instead. I bought a Schecter Jeff Loomis 7 string that had the 57/66 7 string models stock, which made me super happy, because I still thought I just installed the other ones incorrectly, so I was happy to get them already installed for me because I do like the sound, but low and behold the 57 in that guitar also had what seemed to be insanely loud 60 cycle hum, I ripped those out and replaced them with Dimarzio's instead. The other day I decided to put the 57/66 back in my other guitar and still had the hum on the 57, but the 66 sounded so good that I ended up taking a fishman pickup I had lying around and was able use the emg solderless system with those, so I just simply swapped them out no problem. I'm one of the few people who hate fishman pickups so I am a little annoyed that I am having to do it this way, but at least I can still use the 66, I honestly love the sound of the 66, it's very soft and very responsive, I highly suggest the 66 if your looking for a neck pickup, but a different bridge pickup.

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Wow... life long EMG 85 user... the 57 Rocks!

I've only just installed it, but jeezzz... INCREDIBLE tone. Lots of output like my other favorite pickup, the EMG 85. Has a nice low end touch to it, and very complex throaty mids without losing the push of the 85. Lots of output for high gain tones but TONS of clarity. Very nice EMG.... thank you! The cleans have that same sense of throaty mids with lots of clarity and shine...… read more everything is smooth and not too much top end... Just right, EMG... just right...

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Can't Say Enough

Love the tone this thing puts out. Dropped it into a Jackson Dinky DX10 that I have had for over 20 years ( was way past time to upgrade). Did some research listened to tons of samples and demos and on and on and on before I purchased the EMG 57. Wanted to find the right pickup. But you never know exactly how its going to sound until you drop it in and hear it with your own ears.… read more It will cover any style you throw at it. Very well balanced pickup. just the right amount of everything. Of course it does come down to personal pref. IT IS WORTH THE BUY !!!!! LOVE IT. Will be dropping its combo partner in in about a week EMG 66. And solder less install Just plug and play need i say more

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Great Pickup

I've had one of these in my guitar for about a year now. It's taken me this long to set the thing down and write a review. First, being active, this pickup is HOT- meaning there is a TON of output. With the volume pot on full, the 57 retains that signature fluid EMG compression, without being thin like the more common 81. Second, even on full the 57 is ridiculously responsive… read more and dynamic. I am a huge fan of pickups (both passive and active) that clean up/distort depending on pick attack. It EXCELS at glassy cleans to midgain early metal raunchy goodness. The only complaint I could see one having is the sheer output. People seem to forget volume and tone controls are there for a reason. Use them. Play with them. Discover new tones. When I back off the volume to between 4 and 7, all compression stops and the tone opens up wide as the grand canyon. Clarity and punch across the whole spectrum, while still being full and crunchy. This pickup is a case of something that is new and different, and also very, very good. Again, it's hot. So my advice to you is to back off the gain a tad, roll back the volume, and let your pick attack get you where you want to go. Response is where this pickup shines, in my humble opinion anyway...

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Excels at hard rock.

I don't find EMG's able to be passive like or Paf like. They are built differently and being active just won't react the way I prefer a good passive/Paf can when rolled off. Having said that the 57 is the best EMG I have used for midgain tones. The mids and upper mids seem to be stronger yet there is plenty of bottom. Increase the saturation to hard rock levels and this thing holds… read more its own to any pick up ive used full throttle. Roll off to a mid gain and lower gain tones works well. So clean up to a point works great. I just don't like EMG cleans. Sound a bit processed to my ears. I don't play modern gain amps. My amps are a 2203 JMP, OR15 and a Dr Z Monza. I'm a rocker. I also have an 85/81/60. I run the 60 in the neck position. I prefer the 85 in the bridge over the 81. I'm using a EC1000 guitar which I plan to change over to some nice passives down the road. The 57 has delayed that. I know EMG's are great for heavy modern tones but they do well for Hard Rock. I recommend the 57 and 85 in the bridge slots. They can do rock too.

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