Best Pickups for Basses 2025

Top-rated pickups for basses 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Bass Guitar For Tone Upgrade For Custom Build For Repair For Sound Enhancement For Professional Performance

BRANDS: EMG Seymour Duncan Bartolini Sadowsky

Seymour Duncan SSB-4NYC-S NYC Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan SSB-4NYC-S NYC Bass

by Seymour Duncan

Custom Build Tone Upgrade Bass Guitar

Key Feature:

• Upgrade potential for existing basses

✓ PROS

• Wide variety of bass pickup options
• Replacement options for all bass types

✗ CONS

• Installation may require professional setup
• Electronics knowledge helpful

Seymour Duncan SSB-4NYC-S NYC BassSet of Pickups for Electric Bass2 EMG Sized Soapbar humbuckersFor bridge and neck...

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 556914

$428

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SMB4DS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan SMB4DS

by Seymour Duncan

Repair Custom Build Professional Performance

Key Feature:

• Upgrade potential for existing basses

✓ PROS

• Wide variety of bass pickup options
• Replacement options for all bass types

✗ CONS

• Quality varies significantly between brands
• Pickup compatibility considerations

Seymour Duncan SMB4DSMusic M® ReplacementWith 4-wire connection cable for increased flexibility of possibilities;...

⭐ 4.5/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 183382

$347

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SSB-5 NYC-S 5 Soapbar Set BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan SSB-5 NYC-S 5 Soapbar Set BK

by Seymour Duncan

Custom Build Professional Performance Sound Enhancement

Key Feature:

• Custom build possibilities

✓ PROS

• Custom build possibilities
• Professional sound enhancement

✗ CONS

• Installation may require professional setup
• Pickup compatibility considerations

Seymour Duncan SSB-5 NYC-S 5 Soapbar Set BKSet of Pickups for 5-String Electric Bass2 Soapbar humbuckersFor bridge and...

⭐ 4.7/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 556866

$472

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SRB-1B BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan SRB-1B BLK

by Seymour Duncan

Professional Performance Repair Tone Upgrade

Key Feature:

• Replacement options for all bass types

✓ PROS

• Professional sound enhancement
• Custom build possibilities

✗ CONS

• Installation may require professional setup
• Routing requirements vary

Seymour Duncan SRB-1B Bridge Pickup Black, Pickup for Electric Bass, For the Rickenbacker bass guitar models 4001 and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 182958

$187

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Tele Style - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Tele Style

by Seymour Duncan

Custom Build Tone Upgrade Professional Performance

Key Feature:

• Professional sound enhancement

✓ PROS

• Upgrade potential for existing basses
• Replacement options for all bass types

✗ CONS

• Routing requirements vary
• Quality varies significantly between brands

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Tele StylePickup for T-Style P-BassSingle coilFor neck positionWithout coverVintage early 50s...

⭐ 4.6/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 554375

$193

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fishman Fluence Bass 4 Soapbar Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Fishman Fluence Bass 4 Soapbar Set

by Fishman

Sound Enhancement Tone Upgrade Custom Build

Key Feature:

• Upgrade potential for existing basses

✓ PROS

• Custom build possibilities
• Replacement options for all bass types

✗ CONS

• Electronics knowledge helpful
• Routing requirements vary

Fishman Fluence Bass 4 Soapbar SetPickup Set for Electric Bass2 Active multi-voice humbucker pickupsSplittableVoice 1:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 479863

$329

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lace Pickups Ultra Slim Bass Pickup - USAB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Lace Pickups Ultra Slim Bass Pickup - USAB

by Lace Pickups

Repair Sound Enhancement Custom Build

Key Feature:

• Upgrade potential for existing basses

✓ PROS

• Wide variety of bass pickup options
• Professional sound enhancement

✗ CONS

• Routing requirements vary
• Electronics knowledge helpful

Lace Pickups Ultra Slim Bass Pickup - USABMagnetic pickup for acoustic bassesHumbuckerSuitable for 4- and 5-string...

⭐ 4.9/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 428738

$197

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bartolini 5-string Bass MK Soapbar BB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Bartolini 5-string Bass MK Soapbar BB

by Bartolini

Bass Guitar Custom Build Sound Enhancement

Key Feature:

• Replacement options for all bass types

✓ PROS

• Custom build possibilities
• Professional sound enhancement

✗ CONS

• Electronics knowledge helpful
• Quality varies significantly between brands

Bartolini 5-string Bass MK Soapbar BBPickup for 5-String Electric BassHumbucker with two parallel coilsBridge...

⭐ 5.0/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 602568

$176

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SMB-5DS Bass Humbucker - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan SMB-5DS Bass Humbucker

by Seymour Duncan

Tone Upgrade Repair Professional Performance

Key Feature:

• Custom build possibilities

✓ PROS

• Replacement options for all bass types
• Upgrade potential for existing basses

✗ CONS

• Electronics knowledge helpful
• Installation may require professional setup

Seymour Duncan SMB-5DS Bass HumbuckerElectric Bass PickupMusic Man-style humbucker pickup for 5-string electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 559969

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fishman Fluence Bass 5 Soapbar Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Fishman Fluence Bass 5 Soapbar Set

by Fishman

Sound Enhancement Repair Bass Guitar

Key Feature:

• Wide variety of bass pickup options

✓ PROS

• Wide variety of bass pickup options
• Replacement options for all bass types

✗ CONS

• Installation may require professional setup
• Routing requirements vary

Fishman Fluence Bass 5 Soapbar SetPickup Set for 5-String Electric Bass2 Active multi-voice humbucker...

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 479867

$329

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bartolini 5-string Bass MK Soapbar NB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Bartolini 5-string Bass MK Soapbar NB

by Bartolini

Repair Bass Guitar Tone Upgrade

Key Feature:

• Replacement options for all bass types

✓ PROS

• Upgrade potential for existing basses
• Replacement options for all bass types

✗ CONS

• Routing requirements vary
• Pickup compatibility considerations

Bartolini 5-string Bass MK Soapbar NBPickup For 5-String Electric BassHumbucker with 2 parallel coilsFor the neck...

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 602556

$176

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sadowsky Soapbar Bass Pickup Neck - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.9/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Sadowsky Soapbar Bass Pickup Neck

by Sadowsky

Sound Enhancement Tone Upgrade Custom Build

Key Feature:

• Wide variety of bass pickup options

✓ PROS

• Wide variety of bass pickup options
• Replacement options for all bass types

✗ CONS

• Electronics knowledge helpful
• Installation may require professional setup

Sadowsky Soapbar Bass Pickup NeckPickup for 6-String Electric BassSoapbarFor neck positionDual coilSerially connected...

⭐ 4.9/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 611848

$175

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SMB-5A Music Man Pickup - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.4/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan SMB-5A Music Man Pickup

by Seymour Duncan

Custom Build Sound Enhancement Tone Upgrade

Key Feature:

• Replacement options for all bass types

✓ PROS

• Replacement options for all bass types
• Upgrade potential for existing basses

✗ CONS

• Installation may require professional setup
• Pickup compatibility considerations

Seymour Duncan SMB-5A Music Man Pickup, Pick Ups for Electric Bass, Suitable for Music Man 5-string basses, With alnico...

⭐ 4.4/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 167143

$175

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SRB-1N Humbucker CR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 5.0/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan SRB-1N Humbucker CR

by Seymour Duncan

Sound Enhancement Custom Build Repair

Key Feature:

• Custom build possibilities

✓ PROS

• Replacement options for all bass types
• Wide variety of bass pickup options

✗ CONS

• Installation may require professional setup
• Quality varies significantly between brands

Seymour Duncan SRB-1N Humbucker CR, Pickup, For Rickenbacker Bass, Humbucker, For neck position, Finish: Chrome

⭐ 5.0/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 154310

$187

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bartolini 4-Str MK Soapbar Bridge BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.9/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Bartolini 4-Str MK Soapbar Bridge BK

by Bartolini

Sound Enhancement Bass Guitar Repair

Key Feature:

• Custom build possibilities

✓ PROS

• Custom build possibilities
• Professional sound enhancement

✗ CONS

• Quality varies significantly between brands
• Routing requirements vary

Bartolini 4-Str MK Soapbar Bridge BKPickup for Electric BassUpgrade for IbanezCortGroove ToolsLakland and other basses...

⭐ 4.9/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 602347

$171

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Pickups for Basses

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced pickups for basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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TOP

Best Pickups for Basses 2025

Seymour Duncan SSB-4NYC-S NYC Bass

Seymour Duncan SMB4DS

Seymour Duncan SSB-5 NYC-S 5 Soapbar Set BK

Seymour Duncan SRB-1B BLK

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Tele Style

Fishman Fluence Bass 4 Soapbar Set

Lace Pickups Ultra Slim Bass Pickup - USAB

Bartolini 5-string Bass MK Soapbar BB

Seymour Duncan SMB-5DS Bass Humbucker

Fishman Fluence Bass 5 Soapbar Set

Bartolini 5-string Bass MK Soapbar NB

Sadowsky Soapbar Bass Pickup Neck

Seymour Duncan SMB-5A Music Man Pickup

Seymour Duncan SRB-1N Humbucker CR

Bartolini 4-Str MK Soapbar Bridge BK

How to Choose the Best Pickups for Basses

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying pickups for basses?

How much should I spend on pickups for basses?

Are expensive pickups for basses worth the investment?

What are the best brands for pickups for basses?

Should I buy pickups for basses online or in-store?

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