Best Seymour Duncan Pickups for Basses 2026

Premium Seymour Duncan pickups for basses - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

Seymour Duncan SSB-5 NYC-S 5 Soapbar Set BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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

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
Seymour Duncan SMB4DS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Seymour Duncan SMB4DS

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
Seymour Duncan SSB-4NYC-S NYC Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Seymour Duncan SSB-4NYC-S NYC Bass

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
Seymour Duncan SMB4D - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Seymour Duncan SMB4D

Bass Guitar Custom Build Repair
Key Feature:
• Professional sound enhancement
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of bass pickup options
  • • Replacement options for all bass types
✗ CONS
  • • Routing requirements vary
  • • Installation may require professional setup

Seymour Duncan SMB4D, Replacement Pickup, 4-Conductor cable for increased flexibility in series, parallel and single...

4.8/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Seymour Duncan ASB2-5B Bass Soapbar Bridge 5 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Seymour Duncan ASB2-5B Bass Soapbar Bridge 5

Repair Professional Performance Bass Guitar
Key Feature:
• Upgrade potential for existing basses
✓ PROS
  • • Upgrade potential for existing basses
  • • Professional sound enhancement
✗ CONS
  • • Quality varies significantly between brands
  • • Electronics knowledge helpful

Seymour Duncan ASB2-5B Bass Soapbar Bridge 5Pickup for Electric BassSuitable for 5-string bassesBridge positionSize:...

4.5/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Seymour Duncan SMB-5DS Bass Humbucker - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Seymour Duncan SMB-5DS Bass Humbucker

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
Seymour Duncan SRB-1N Humbucker CR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Seymour Duncan SRB-1N Humbucker CR

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
Seymour Duncan Antiquity Tele Style - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Tele Style

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
Seymour Duncan SRB-1B BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Seymour Duncan SRB-1B BLK

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
Seymour Duncan SCPB-3 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Seymour Duncan SCPB-3

Bass Guitar Custom Build Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Replacement options for all bass types
✓ PROS
  • • Custom build possibilities
  • • Professional sound enhancement
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics knowledge helpful
  • • Installation may require professional setup

Seymour Duncan SCPB-3, Bass Pickups, Quarter-Pound Single coil, Type P for bass, The 1/4 inch magnet prepare an...

4.9/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Seymour Duncan SMB-5A Music Man Pickup - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Seymour Duncan SMB-5A Music Man Pickup

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
Seymour Duncan SMB-5D - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Seymour Duncan SMB-5D

Professional Performance Tone Upgrade Sound Enhancement
Key Feature:
• Replacement options for all bass types
✓ PROS
  • • Custom build possibilities
  • • Upgrade potential for existing basses
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics knowledge helpful
  • • Installation may require professional setup

Seymour Duncan SMB-5DPickup for 5-string electric bassHumbuckerUpgrade for StingRay bassesPassiveAssertive and...

4.8/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Seymour Duncan SMB-4A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Seymour Duncan SMB-4A

Sound Enhancement Professional Performance Repair
Key Feature:
• Replacement options for all bass types
✓ PROS
  • • Professional sound enhancement
  • • Wide variety of bass pickup options
✗ CONS
  • • Quality varies significantly between brands
  • • Routing requirements vary

Seymour Duncan SMB-4A, Pickup For Electric Bass, Alnico replacement pickup, 4-String Version, For music Man Basses

4.9/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10

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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