EMG SL20 Steve Lukather
Complete Pickup Set
The SLV models have been specially developed for Steve Lukather and are only available in this set.
- Prewired
- On black pearloid pickguard
- Black potentiometer knobs
- Pickup SLV / SLV / 85
- 5-Way switch
- Volume & tone controls
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Available since January 2002
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Item number 152012
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Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
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Aktive Circuit Yes
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Wiring Prewired
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Pickup Output High
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Cap Yes
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Colour Black
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Position Bridge, Middle, Neck
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Stacked - hum free Yes
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Telecaster No
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Stratocaster Yes
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Other No
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Active Yes
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Output High
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Turn any guitar into a legend
Steve Lukather is one of the legends of the electric guitar. Even if he isn't a household name, anyone who's ever listened to any modern music is likely to have heard him playing – whether on one of the more than 1,000 top‑tier studio recordings he's contributed to, or through his time as lead guitarist of the supergroup Toto. A guitarist of this calibre naturally has very specific ideas about his sound, and that's what led to the EMG SL20 Steve Lukather Signature pickup set, developed together with the American manufacturer EMG. Designed for ST‑style guitars, with three active, noiseless pickups in an HSS configuration, this set brings a modern, hi‑fi sound to an electric guitar. And installation is remarkably straightforward too, thanks to a simple plug‑in system that can be fitted in just a few easy steps.
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EMG SLV
The set includes two SLV single coils in the neck and middle positions, each voiced to Steve Lukather's own tonal preferences. Their sound moves away from that of traditional single coils – they're noticeably fuller, with a clean tone that feels warm and balanced, carrying a distinctive clarity in the highs. When driven, their output gives enough push to deliver a direct, substantial sound. Paired here with the EMG 85 humbucker, the set becomes exceptionally versatile: This classic bridge pickup is well known for how confidently it handles gain. It allows for smooth, high‑end lead tones, with a direct response and a dynamic playing feel that have already won over countless musicians.
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Not just for Metal
For many guitarists, EMG pickups are still closely associated with 1980s metal – of course, that connection isn't entirely off the mark, as EMGs certainly excel there too. In this case, though, these active pickups turn out to be far more versatile than one might expect at first glance. As such, the EMG SL20 Steve Lukather pickguard delivers convincing clean and mid‑gain sounds that hold up beautifully across a wide range of musical settings, from Country through to Classic rock. Anyone looking to give their ST‑style guitar a fresh voice – one marked by a fast, direct response and a warm, rich timbre – will find plenty to explore in this set inspired by the legendary guitarist Steve Lukather.
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About EMG
Founded in 1976 by Rob Turner, EMG is an American company whose iconic pickups have shaped the sound of electric guitars and basses for nearly five decades. Renowned for their low-noise performance and crystal-clear, punchy tone, EMG's active pickups are a staple in heavier genres, while their preamp-equipped models – with their articulate, dynamic response – also appeal to Jazz and Funk players. Today, EMG's extensive lineup of active and passive pickups continues to inspire artists like David Gilmour, Steve Lukather, and Zakk Wylde, cementing its reputation as a legendary name in guitar tone.
No more noisefloor
Thanks to their active electronics, the pickups in the SL20 pickguard set operate with extremely low noise. As single coils with Alnico V magnets, they perform reliably across just about any gain structure. This makes them a genuine all‑round tool on stage and in the studio, as a clean signal is all but guaranteed, without an intrusive noise floor – at least not one introduced by the guitar itself! Should any issues arise, the source will usually be found elsewhere in the setup. Because the active pickups are boosted by an integrated preamp, they require a 9V battery. Depending on how the system is installed, this is either placed underneath the pickguard or housed in a separate battery compartment in the guitar body. When the instrument isn't in use, the guitar cable should be unplugged from the output jack, as the pickups will otherwise continue to draw power, meaning the battery will need replacing more often.
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