EMG SL20 Steve Lukather Black Single Pickup

EMG SL20 Steve Lukather Pickup Set — Active HSS for ST-Style Guitars

EMG SL20 Steve Lukather is a fully prewired active pickup set built for ST-style electric guitars, co-developed with session legend and Toto co-founder Steve Lukather. The HSS layout pairs two custom SLV single coils with an EMG 85 humbucker at the bridge. Active electronics and EMG's solderless install system let the pickguard drop into a Strat-style body in minutes.

What Sets this model Apart

Exclusive to this set, the SLV single coils share the SAV architecture but use increased coil windings for a meatier tone, with pole pieces hidden under a solid cap for a uniform pickguard look.

Pickup Configuration — HSS Active Layout

The three-pickup layout covers every 5-way switch position, giving players the classic Strat-style tonal combinations in positions 2 and 4 alongside heavier bridge humbucker tones. Active circuitry keeps output consistent across positions.

• Configuration: HSS — bridge humbucker, middle and neck single coils
• Bridge Pickup: EMG 85 humbucker — warm, articulate, strong gain handling
• The neck and middle position EMG SLV single coils are custom-voiced for Lukather, featuring increased coil windings that produce a notably meatier tone.

Electronics & Power — Active Circuit with Solderless Install

EMG's active design uses an onboard preamp to drive the pickups, keeping the YRS-23 completely hum-free even at high gain. The prewired pickguard includes master volume, master tone, and 5-way switch.

• Circuit Type: Active — onboard preamp, requires 9V battery
• Output Level: High — consistent signal across positions
• The included solderless install system uses plug-in connectors, which eliminates the need for any soldering iron work.

Pickguard & Compatibility — Drop-In ST-Style Fit

Shipped prewired on a black pearloid pickguard with black knobs, the set mounts into a standard Stratocaster-sized body cavity. The 9V battery is housed beneath the pickguard or in a separate battery compartment in the guitar body.

• Pickguard: Black pearloid, prewired — drop-in fit for ST-style bodies
• Controls: Master Volume + Master Tone, 5-way switch — pre-assembled
• SLV Magnet: Alnico V — balanced output for clean and driven tones