I've had plenty of guitars with different pickups, the most notable being the Seymour Duncan JB/59 combo. Those were good too, but I haven't been so impressed by the versatility of the hot 70 set. I've got em on the schecter sun valley 7 string. This has quickly become my favorite guitar I've ever owned, and I've had an RR4, PRS baritone SE, and a JEM doubleneck. It's only got one volume and one tone knob but the possibilities are endless. I play metal, so usually i run my bridge humbucker wide open and its a very aggressive tone, even dirties my clean channel a decent bit but roll back on the volume a little and cleans are clean, dirty stays heavy as hell. Bridge coil is as punchy as can be, middle coil is pristinely clear. Cuts my distortion in half, it's that tame which would be great for someone with a really bright amp and clean style. These pickups are seriously versatile and easy to get great tones out of. Slap em in, start playing and mess with your knobs.

First let me say the customer service and support from EMG is second to none. I purchased this kit from AMS for my 2013 LP Traditional and AMS sent a kit for a Strat. Then they refused to refund since I opened the incorrect box they sent. I reached out to EMG asking for any assistance and Alison dropped off the correct Vol/Tone pots at the post office on her way home. Received those parts the next business day. What a huge thing for a company to do for a single person, 100% Customer Support. The install was finished and talk about a woody sounding LP now. This is a non-weight relieved LP Traditional and I removed the Classic 57 set for the Retro-Active 70’s. No disrespect to EMG but the 81’s are not for me, but these Retro-Active pickups are not tradional sounding active pickups. They are very woody sounding (think R-9’s) but when needed they can Rock like none other. I enjoy a less driven guitar sound like ZZ Top, and 80’s Hard Rock and the ability to run clean in a instant, these pick ups do it for me. If you are new to installing pickups I suggest buying the EMG 3 way toggle, zero sodering. EMG’s Tech Support is awesome, I had flipped a ground and Alison knew instantly and one quick reverse the wires by pulling out and reversed I am rocking instantly. If those wires had been soldered it would have been at least a hour. IMO these new picks by EMG are the best of both worlds. If you are a Strat Player, look at the Crossroads kit. I installed that kit into a Fender 56 Reissue Strat. Zero Hum....

I love this set! Great blend of power and elegance. The bridge is the most pleasant sounding ceramic pickup I think I’ve ever heard.
Huge fan of the Fat 55! In the neck position!

wow...amazing..amazing

I love these I play classic rock and they sound so nice

Great set, easy to install, sounds great, I can get a wide variety of tones, perfect balance, not shrill, boomy, or midrange-y. Get an active set with a passive sound!

I have a Schecter Sun Valley Shredder with a pair of Hot 70s in black. They are absolutely amazing. Right out of the gate, clean tones sound buttery smooth, which is always important when gauging active pickups. Crank up the gain and you get spot-on classic metal tones as well.

The neck PU shines like a chrome bumper in Arizona. My solos now sound like they are powered by laser beams. I never want to play any of my other guitars because they don't even come close to what the Hot 70s can do with just the neck cranked. There's no over powering bass, it's the absolute perfect level of shadowy dark and crystal clear.

Popping into the bridge pickup side of things gives you probably one of the most serviceable sounds you can get from an electric guitar. It's not too mid woofy and it's not too Pterodactyl screechy. Perfection.

Love the open coil design. Want to take off my own panties when I play these bad boys.