EMG SA BK

The "EMG-SA" is an active single-coil with an alnico 5 magnet. It stands for "the" classic vintage Strat single-coil sound that EMG offers. Internal shielding and a low impedance preamp provide most extensive reduction of noise even at higher output levels. The "SA" provides the warmth of the lower mids, sounds very creamy and gives the necessary expressiveness for multi-faceted and bluesy tone building. He brings in total more highs and upper mids than the "SLV", designed individually for Steve Lukather of Toto and basically an over-wound "SA". The "EMG-SA" is commonly used for classic and clean sounds and also very popular for crunchy and light distorted sounds. However, the SA can also rock really well. He is one of the most popular pickups of EMG. At the EMG DG-20 (David Gilmour) three "EMG-SA" are installed to fit the taste of one of the most famous Strat players ever.

I took this as a set with the EMG 81 with the non-soldering switch etc.. 1. PAIN to install, schematics are rubbish if you want to do a simple circuit like V-V-Tone with 2 pickups....I had to figure everything by myself and it took hours instead of minutes with a solder. 2. Thin, Spanky strat sound perfect for cleans, but underwhelming for neck leads when combined with the 81. Needs to get close to the strings to balance. Still Spanky. Considering the SA is considered the more meaty EMG single coil...It will take some trial and error to get the tones going. 3. During installation the pickup wires have the clip ends which are thicker than the cable itself. It the guitar has small drilled holes for wiring, you are in big trouble as you might end up needing re-drilling.