Best Pickups for Guitars for Intermediate 2025

Perfect pickups for guitars for intermediate - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

Seymour Duncan Black Winter 8-String Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Seymour Duncan Black Winter 8-String Set

Tone Upgrade Professional Performance Electric Guitar
Key Feature:
• Tone upgrade potential for existing guitars
✓ PROS
  • • Tone upgrade potential for existing guitars
  • • Replacement options for all guitar types
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics knowledge helpful
  • • Quality varies significantly between brands

Seymour Duncan Black Winter 8-String SetPickup Set for 8-string electric guitarsHigh output Humbucker setPassive...

4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Fishman Fluence Mod. 9 V2 Soapb.Set BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Fishman Fluence Mod. 9 V2 Soapb.Set BK

Electric Guitar Sound Enhancement Repair
Key Feature:
• Replacement options for all guitar types
✓ PROS
  • • Tone upgrade potential for existing guitars
  • • Replacement options for all guitar types
✗ CONS
  • • Installation may require professional setup
  • • Pickup compatibility considerations

Fishman Fluence Mod. 9 V2 Soapb.Set BKPickup Set for 9-String Electric Guitar2 Active humbuckersFor bridge and neck...

4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Lollar Johnny Smith Neck GO BKM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Lollar Johnny Smith Neck GO BKM

Sound Enhancement Professional Performance Tone Upgrade
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of guitar pickup options
✓ PROS
  • • Tone upgrade potential for existing guitars
  • • Custom build possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Installation may require professional setup
  • • Electronics knowledge helpful

Lollar Johnny Smith Neck GO BKMPickup for Electric GuitarHumbuckerFor the neck positionTonally between a Firebird...

5.0/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Seymour Duncan SJAG-3N Jaguar Style BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Seymour Duncan SJAG-3N Jaguar Style BLK

Professional Performance Sound Enhancement Repair
Key Feature:
• Professional sound enhancement
✓ PROS
  • • Replacement options for all guitar types
  • • Tone upgrade potential for existing guitars
✗ CONS
  • • Installation may require professional setup
  • • Electronics knowledge helpful

Seymour Duncan SJAG-3N BLK, Single Coil Pickup, For Jaguar, Quarter-Pound, Neck position, Colour: Black

4.7/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Lollar Johnny Smith Neck N BKM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Lollar Johnny Smith Neck N BKM

Tone Upgrade Electric Guitar Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Replacement options for all guitar types
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of guitar pickup options
  • • Replacement options for all guitar types
✗ CONS
  • • Pickup compatibility considerations
  • • Quality varies significantly between brands

Lollar Johnny Smith Neck N BKMPickup for electric guitarHand-wound humbuckerBetween a Firebird pickup and a mini...

4.5/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
DiMarzio DP240 Nickel - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

DiMarzio DP240 Nickel

Electric Guitar Professional Performance Sound Enhancement
Key Feature:
• Replacement options for all guitar types
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of guitar pickup options
  • • Tone upgrade potential for existing guitars
✗ CONS
  • • Quality varies significantly between brands
  • • Pickup compatibility considerations

  • DiMarzio DP240 Nickel
  • Pickup
  • For electric guitar
  • Vintage Mini-Bucker
  • Ceramic magnets
  • 4-Wire
  • Neck version
  • Colour: Nickel

4.8/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Fishman Fluence Tosin Abasi Set 8 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Fishman Fluence Tosin Abasi Set 8 BK

Professional Performance Tone Upgrade Sound Enhancement
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of guitar pickup options
✓ PROS
  • • Custom build possibilities
  • • Replacement options for all guitar types
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics knowledge helpful
  • • Routing requirements vary

Fishman Fluence Tosin Abasi Set 8Active pickup set for 8-string electric guitarTosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders)...

4.5/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Seymour Duncan SJAG-3B Jaguar Style  BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Seymour Duncan SJAG-3B Jaguar Style BLK

Sound Enhancement Professional Performance Tone Upgrade
Key Feature:
• Professional sound enhancement
✓ PROS
  • • Custom build possibilities
  • • Wide variety of guitar pickup options
✗ CONS
  • • Routing requirements vary
  • • Electronics knowledge helpful

Seymour Duncan SJAG-3B BLK, Single Coil Pickup, For Jaguar guitars, For the bridge position, Quarter-pound, Colour:...

4.9/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100

Tone Upgrade Sound Enhancement Electric Guitar
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of guitar pickup options
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of guitar pickup options
  • • Tone upgrade potential for existing guitars
✗ CONS
  • • Pickup compatibility considerations
  • • Electronics knowledge helpful

DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100Pickups for Jazz GuitarFloating single coil pickupsNaturalwood like and acoustic...

4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
DiMarzio DP241 Nickel - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

DiMarzio DP241 Nickel

Electric Guitar Tone Upgrade Sound Enhancement
Key Feature:
• Tone upgrade potential for existing guitars
✓ PROS
  • • Replacement options for all guitar types
  • • Wide variety of guitar pickup options
✗ CONS
  • • Installation may require professional setup
  • • Routing requirements vary

  • DiMarzio DP241 Nickel
  • Pickup
  • For electric Guitar
  • Vintage Minibucker
  • Ceramic magnets
  • 4-Conductor
  • Bridge version
  • Colour: Nickel

4.9/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Seymour Duncan SJM-2B Hot Jazzmaster BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Seymour Duncan SJM-2B Hot Jazzmaster BLK

Sound Enhancement Professional Performance Tone Upgrade
Key Feature:
• Tone upgrade potential for existing guitars
✓ PROS
  • • Replacement options for all guitar types
  • • Custom build possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics knowledge helpful
  • • Routing requirements vary

Seymour Duncan SJM-2B BLKReplacement PickupFor Vintage J-MasterAs SJM-1 but more outputWider response and more...

5.0/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Seymour Duncan SM-1 Mini Humbucker N CHR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Seymour Duncan SM-1 Mini Humbucker N CHR

Professional Performance Repair Electric Guitar
Key Feature:
• Replacement options for all guitar types
✓ PROS
  • • Tone upgrade potential for existing guitars
  • • Custom build possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Installation may require professional setup
  • • Pickup compatibility considerations

Seymour Duncan SM-1 Mini Humbucker N CHRMini HumbuckerVintage Fire-bird Mini Humbucker2-WireNeck positionColour: Chrome...

5.0/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
DiMarzio D Activator 8 Bridge DP820 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

DiMarzio D Activator 8 Bridge DP820

Custom Build Sound Enhancement Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Replacement options for all guitar types
✓ PROS
  • • Professional sound enhancement
  • • Wide variety of guitar pickup options
✗ CONS
  • • Pickup compatibility considerations
  • • Routing requirements vary

  • DiMarzio D Activator 8 Bridge DP820
  • Pickup
  • Humbucker for 8-string guitar
  • Ceramic magnets
  • 4-Wires
  • Bridge position
  • Colour: Black

4.6/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
EMG 81-8 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

EMG 81-8 Black

Custom Build Electric Guitar Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional sound enhancement
✓ PROS
  • • Replacement options for all guitar types
  • • Professional sound enhancement
✗ CONS
  • • Pickup compatibility considerations
  • • Installation may require professional setup

EMG 81-8 BlackActive humbucker for 8-string guitarsClassic EMG 81 sound in an 8-string soapbar cabinetDimensions: 38 x...

4.8/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Benedetto S-6 Floating Jazz - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Benedetto S-6 Floating Jazz

Electric Guitar Custom Build Tone Upgrade
Key Feature:
• Professional sound enhancement
✓ PROS
  • • Custom build possibilities
  • • Wide variety of guitar pickup options
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics knowledge helpful
  • • Installation may require professional setup

Benedetto S-6 Floating JazzHumbucker PickupS-6 Floating JazzFor archtop guitarsAlnico V magnetCoaxial cablePickguard...

4.8/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10

How to Choose the Best Pickups for Guitars

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 guitars 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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