What's included in this pickup system?

The package includes two SLV single-coil pickups, one 85 humbucker, a black pearloid pickguard, black potentiometer knobs, a five-way selector switch, volume and tone controls, and solderless prewired connections. Everything needed for a complete drop-in installation into a left-handed Strat-style body with an 11-hole pickguard cavity.

Do I need to solder these pickups?

No. All connections are prewired and solderless, making installation straightforward without a soldering iron. Simply connect the 9V battery and secure the pickguard and electronics to your guitar body.

What's the difference between the SLV and 85 pickups in this system?

The SLV single coils deliver articulate, studio-grade clarity with a 3.75 kHz resonant peak ideal for clean tracking and definition. The 85 humbucker in the bridge produces more output (2.1V to 4.5V) and a lower 2.45 kHz resonance for punchy rhythm work and sustained lead tones, creating an HSS voicing.

Will this eliminate hum and noise from my current passive pickups?

Yes. Active EMG electronics maintain a -89 to -90 dB noise floor, eliminating the hum and buzz common to passive single-coil setups. You'll need to replace the 9V battery periodically to maintain full performance.

Is this a left-handed system?

Yes. This system is specifically engineered for left-handed Stratocaster-style guitars with standard 11-hole pickguard cavities. The configuration and controls are mirrored for left-handed players.

Do I pay sales tax on this order?

We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. On this item that is roughly $21 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.

EMG Steve Lukather SL20 LH Active Pickup in Black

The EMG SL20 Steve Lukather LH is a complete prewired pickup system built for left-handed Stratocaster-style guitars, engineered to deliver the articulate, high-output character that Lukather relied on both in the studio and on stage. This solderless installation makes it a no-fuss upgrade for players who want active electronics without wrestling through complex wiring, and the noiseless design cuts the hum that dogged traditional passive pickups in live settings.

Active Electronics & Tonal Architecture

The system pairs two SLV single-coil pickups (Alnico V magnets) with an 85 humbucker in a true HSS configuration, all powered by a single 9V battery. The SLV delivers 1.0V output when plucked and 1.5V strummed, with a -90 dB noise floor and 3.75 kHz resonant frequency for cutting clarity that sits right in the midrange; the 85 humbucker produces 2.1V and 4.5V respectively, with a -89 dB floor and 2.45 kHz resonance for punchy rhythm work and sustain that holds up under stage lights.

Installation & Hardware

All connections are solderless and prewired, so no soldering iron required—installation is straightforward into any left-handed Strat-style body. The package includes a black pearloid pickguard, black potentiometer knobs, and a five-way selector switch with dedicated volume and tone controls—everything ready for a complete drop-in retrofit on an 11-hole pickguard cavity.

Key Features

HSS active pickup configuration with three noiseless pickups
Two SLV Alnico V single coils and one 85 humbucker
Requires 9V battery for operation
SLV output: 1.0V (string), 1.5V (strum), -90 dB noise floor
85 humbucker output: 2.1V (string), 4.5V (strum), -89 dB noise floor
SLV resonant frequency: 3.75 kHz; 85 resonant frequency: 2.45 kHz
10K impedance across all pickups
Black pearloid pickguard with black potentiometer knobs
Solderless prewired connections for quick installation
Left-handed configuration for Stratocaster-style guitars
11-hole pickguard with 5-way switch, volume, and tone controls
Made in USA

This complete system delivers the controlled aggression and studio-grade clarity that active EMG electronics bring to the stage, giving left-handed players a direct path to professional-tier tonal authority that holds up night after night.