AudioFu Chart · October 2026
Best Magnetic Pickups for Acoustic Guitars Under $100 2026
The top pick is Seymour Duncan SA-3SC Woody Single Coil Soundhole Pickup ($89). Harley Benton TrueTone SH-20 Singlecoil gives you the most for the money at $28. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 14 models across 10 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: October 22, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Seymour Duncan SA-3SC Woody Single Coil Soundhole Pickup
Woody SC SA-3SC · Seymour Duncan
69 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
The Woody SC SA-3SC is a solid, budget-friendly option for acoustic players who want to amplify their guitar without sacrificing too much natural acoustic tone. Its wooden housing is a clever touch for feedback rejection, making it a good choice for gigging musicians. It’s especially well-suited for fingerstyle players and those seeking a clean, uncolored amplified sound.
Pros
- Wooden housing minimizes feedback, a real boon on stage.
- Single-coil design delivers a clear, articulate acoustic tone.
- Seymour Duncan’s quality construction ensures long-lasting reliability.
Cons
- Soundhole size restriction limits compatibility with some guitars.
- Single-coil design can be susceptible to hum in noisy environments.
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Fishman Neo-D02 Humbucker Soundhole Pickup
Neo-D Humbucker · Fishman
53 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
The Neo-D is a surprisingly effective humbucker for acoustic guitars – it delivers a clean, articulate tone with minimal hum, which is a huge win for stage use. It’s a fantastic choice for players who want a more powerful, amplified acoustic sound without the feedback issues that can plague single-coil designs. If you're playing fingerstyle or strumming bright acoustic rhythms, this is a budget-friendly way to get a bigger sound.
Pros
- Excellent acoustic articulation; retains natural wood resonance surprisingly well.
- Humbucker design effectively minimizes unwanted noise and hum.
- Fishman’s neodymium magnet delivers a clear, defined, and balanced tone.
Cons
- Lacks tonal versatility; best suited for brighter acoustic sounds.
- Humbucker design can slightly dampen the more delicate nuances of the guitar.
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Fender 099-2275-000 Cypress Single-Coil Acoustic Soundhole Pickup
Acoustic Pickup Cypress · Fender
20 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
This Fender Cypress pickup is a surprisingly good budget option for players needing a basic amplified acoustic sound. It's straightforward to install and offers a clear, bright tone that works well for folk, country, or any style where you want a touch of added bite without a lot of fuss. Ideal for beginners or those needing a reliable, simple solution.
Pros
- Simple, direct wiring minimizes installation complexity and potential noise.
- Single-coil design delivers a surprisingly articulate and bright tone.
- Cypress body material offers a balanced acoustic resonance and warmth.
Cons
- Limited tonal versatility; lacks EQ controls for shaping the sound.
- Magnetic design picks up string noise more easily than piezo systems.
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Gretsch 922-3859-000 Deltoluxe Acoustic Soundhole Pickup
Deltoluxe Pickup · Gretsch
19 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
The Gretsch Deltoluxe is a surprisingly capable magnetic soundhole pickup for the price. It's a great option for acoustic players who need a bit more stage volume or want to record direct without a mic—especially if you like a brighter, more cutting tone. It won't replace a good acoustic mic, but it’s a solid, budget-friendly solution.
Pros
- Alnico V magnet delivers a warm, articulate, and slightly edgy tone.
- Solid construction with a durable, nickel-plated housing resists wear.
- Versatile enough for folk, blues, and country styles with good clarity.
Cons
- The magnetic field can slightly dampen acoustic guitar resonance.
- Limited tonal shaping options; it's primarily a 'bright' pickup.
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This little Harley Benton is a surprisingly effective way to amplify your steel-string acoustic. The hybrid design does a decent job of capturing some of the acoustic body resonance alongside the magnetic pickup's clarity. It's a great, budget-friendly option for gigging musicians needing a clean, amplified signal without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Active circuitry eliminates hum and noise, a significant benefit for stage use.
- Hybrid design captures both magnetic articulation and acoustic body resonance.
- Integrated volume and mic blend controls offer convenient on-the-fly adjustments.
Cons
- Active design requires batteries, adding maintenance and potential failure point.
- Steel-string acoustic guitars only; unsuitable for nylon-string instruments.
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This pickup lets you turn it inside the guitar hole to tweak the tone. The solid maple body feels sturdy, and it works well with standard steel strings. It's a simple, budget-friendly option without extra knobs or complex wiring.
Pros
- Rotates inside sound hole for custom sound
- Solid maple housing adds stability
- Single coil design for clarity
Cons
- Fixed bracket limits some mounting angles
- No volume or tone controls included
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Taylor ES-Go Acoustic Soundhole Pickup for GS-Mini
ES Go Pickup GS Mini · Taylor
13 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
The Taylor ES Go GS Mini is a surprisingly effective and convenient way to amplify your little guitar. It’s perfect for singer-songwriters or gigging musicians who want a straightforward, reliable amplified sound without altering the instrument's natural voice too much. It’s a clean, clear signal booster, ready for a PA or small amp.
Pros
- Compact design preserves GS Mini’s acoustic tone and aesthetics
- Humbucker coils minimize unwanted string noise and feedback
- Simple endpin connection simplifies installation and cable management
Cons
- Limited to Taylor GS Mini models; not universal compatibility
- Magnetic pickup sound lacks the nuanced warmth of piezo systems
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The Neo-D is a surprisingly good, budget-friendly option for acoustic players needing a clean, amplified signal. It’s fantastic for fingerstyle players, recording, or smaller gigs where a natural acoustic tone is paramount. It's a great starting point for those hesitant to invest in more complex, pricier systems.
Pros
- Excellent acoustic articulation with surprising clarity and detail
- Passive design eliminates battery concerns and potential noise
- Compact size minimizes impact on acoustic guitar’s natural resonance
Cons
- Output level is lower than active pickups, requiring a preamp for louder stages
- Single-coil design is susceptible to some inherent 60Hz hum in certain environments
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The Woody is a surprisingly effective pickup for Western-style acoustic guitars. Seymour Duncan’s managed to pack a lot of feedback resistance and clarity into a small package with a nice aesthetic. It’s a great, affordable option for gigging musicians who need a clean, amplified acoustic tone without sacrificing too much natural acoustic character.
Pros
- Excellent feedback rejection, a real boon for stage performance.
- Walnut case adds a touch of class and subtly dampens resonances.
- Seymour Duncan's proven electromagnetic design delivers clarity and warmth.
Cons
- Sound can be slightly sterile compared to purely acoustic tone.
- Limited tonal palette; best suited for Western/cowboy guitar styles.
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This little Harley Benton SH-20 is a surprisingly decent option for acoustic players wanting to amplify their steel-string guitars without spending a fortune. It's got a clear, bright tone, and the passive design keeps things simple – perfect for folks who just want a straightforward, affordable amplified signal.
Pros
- Maple housing provides a bright, articulate tone.
- Simple passive design avoids preamp noise and complexity.
- Cable length of 4m offers excellent stage flexibility.
Cons
- Maple housing can be prone to microphonic feedback at higher volumes.
- Single-coil design inherently picks up more hum than humbuckers.
All 14 magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
KNA Pickups SP-1KNA Pickups36↓ 2.6%$84€75$84€75Check ↗
- 12
Artec MSP-50 ENNArtec35Stable$33€29$33€29Check ↗
- 13
Artec Memphisys 66 OSJArtec35Stable$43€38$43€38Check ↗
- 14
Dean Markley Promag Plus PickupDean Markley33Stable$62€55$62€55Check ↗
Magnetic Pickups for Acoustic Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 16 models we track, not a sample.
Median $66 — half of all magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars here cost less.
How to choose the best magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars
Pickup Voicing
Cheap pickups often lean towards a harsh, ice-picky high-end. We looked for pickups that still had some warmth and body, even when pushed. That 'fat midrange honk' is a plus.
Output Level
Lower output pickups are generally more forgiving and less prone to breakup, which is good for acoustic-style tones. Higher output can be useful for rock or blues, but be prepared for some noise.
Ease of Installation
Some pickups require extensive modification to your acoustic - drilling holes, routing, the whole nine yards. We prioritized pickups that are relatively easy to install, ideally with a soundhole mount.
Noise & Hum
Magnetic pickups are inherently prone to hum, but cheaper ones often amplify this issue.
Construction Quality
Let's be honest, at this price point, plastic parts are common. We looked for pickups that felt reasonably well-built and wouldn't fall apart after a few gigs.
Buying guide
So, you're playing acoustic gigs or recording and need a little extra juice? Magnetic pickups on an acoustic aren't a replacement for a mic, but they're a fantastic tool for adding some grit, blending with a band, or just having a quiet practice option. Finding a decent magnetic pickup for under $100 can be tricky, but it's totally doable - you just need to know what to look for. Let's break down the best options without breaking the bank.
At this price, expect some compromises. You're not getting boutique hand-wound magic; these are mass-produced pickups. The biggest trade-off is usually in the overall clarity and nuance - they'll add a distinct character, but might not perfectly replicate your acoustic's natural tone.
Installation is key - a sloppy install will always sound worse than the pickup itself. Don't chase high output if you're aiming for a natural acoustic sound; headroom is a valuable thing.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 16 magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Will a magnetic pickup sound exactly like a microphone?
Absolutely not. They'll add a different flavor - more like an electric guitar than a natural acoustic. Think of them as a complementary tool, not a replacement.
Are these pickups only for electric amps?
Nope! They can be run direct into a PA, recording interface, or even an acoustic amp. Experiment with EQ to find a sweet spot.
What's the deal with the 'single coil' vs. 'humbucker' thing?
Single coils are generally brighter and more articulate, but noisier. Humbuckers are thicker, warmer, and quieter, but can sometimes lack some of the acoustic clarity you're after. Single coils are probably the better starting point for most acoustic players.
Can I install this myself?
Most of these are soundhole pickups, so yes, usually. Watch a few YouTube videos first; proper placement is important for evenness and minimizing feedback.
Will this pickup damage my acoustic guitar?
A properly installed soundhole pickup shouldn't cause any damage. Just be careful not to scratch the finish and make sure the mounting isn't putting undue stress on the guitar.
