Best Single Coil Pickups 2026

Top-rated single coil pickups 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Blues For Country For Pop For Clean Tones For Vintage Rock For Surf Music

BRANDS: Seymour Duncan Fender DiMarzio Bare Knuckle EMG Lollar Mojotone Lace Pickups Suhr DeArmond Fishman Kloppmann Lindy Fralin

Seymour Duncan AS-1s Blackouts Pickup Set BL - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan AS-1s Blackouts Pickup Set BL

by Seymour Duncan

Pop Country Blues

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• May lack power for heavy genres

Seymour Duncan AS-1s Blackouts Pickup Set BLPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Active single coilsModern ST-Style -...

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 556734

$439

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Seymour Duncan Antiquity Jazzmaster Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Jazzmaster Set

by Seymour Duncan

Clean Tones Vintage Rock Country

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• Can be too bright for some styles

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Jazzmaster SetSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarAntiquity model2 Single coilsDeeprich bass...

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 554328

$435

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Hendrix Loaded PG Voodoo - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Hendrix Loaded PG Voodoo

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Blues Pop

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan Hendrix Loaded PG VoodooPickup SetCompletely pre-wired pickguardJimi Hendrix Signature Strat Loaded...

⭐ 4.6/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 406013

$549

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Lindy Fralin Blues Special ST-Set WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Lindy Fralin Blues Special ST-Set WH

by Lindy Fralin

Vintage Rock Clean Tones Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

• May lack power for heavy genres
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Lindy Fralin Blues Special ST-Set WHPickup Set for Electric GuitarSet of 3 single coilsFor ST style modelsDarker and...

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 220387

$395

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S BK Yngwie J Malmsteen - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S BK Yngwie J Malmsteen

by Seymour Duncan

Country Vintage Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

• May lack power for heavy genres
• May need noise reduction

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S BK Yngwie J MalmsteenPickup SetYJM Fury single coil pickupYngwie J. Malmsteen...

⭐ 5.0/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 243284

$534

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set Parchment - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set Parchment

by Bare Knuckle

Pop Blues Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

• Can be too bright for some styles
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set ParchmentSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarRabea Massaad Signature model3 Hand-wound single...

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 593978

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S YJM Fury Set OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S YJM Fury Set OW

by Seymour Duncan

Vintage Rock Country Pop

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• May lack power for heavy genres
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S YJM Fury Set OWPickup Set for ST-Style Electric GuitarYngwie Malmsteen Fury SignatureVintage...

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 561394

$468

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set Cream

by Bare Knuckle

Country Pop Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

• May lack power for heavy genres
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set CreamSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarRabea Massaad Signature SetSuitable for St-Style...

⭐ 4.7/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 605576

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Psychedelic ST Set Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Psychedelic ST Set Cream

by Seymour Duncan

Country Vintage Rock Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

• Can be too bright for some styles
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Seymour Duncan Psychedelic ST Set CreamPickup Set for Electric GuitarST-Style Pickup SetReproduces the Strat tone of...

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 555636

$428

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Classic Loaded Pickguard White - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Classic Loaded Pickguard White

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Clean Tones Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan Classic Loaded Pickguard WhiteLoaded and wired pickguard for electric guitarFor ST-style modelsHuge...

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 553709

$490

Buy at Thomann View Details

Kloppmann Real 62 Set PA - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.5/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Kloppmann Real 62 Set PA

by Kloppmann

Pop Vintage Rock Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Kloppmann Real 62 Set PAPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Hand-wound single coilsFor bridgemiddle and neck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 564605

$472

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Twang T Set Aged - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Twang T Set Aged

by Seymour Duncan

Vintage Rock Surf Music Pop

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• Can be too bright for some styles
• May need noise reduction

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Twang T Set AgedPickup Set for Electric GuitarAntiquity II SeriesT-Style pickup...

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 555180

$472

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle Irish Tour set RW/RP - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.7/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Bare Knuckle Irish Tour set RW/RP

by Bare Knuckle

Pop Clean Tones Blues

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• May lack power for heavy genres
• May need noise reduction

Bare Knuckle Irish Tour set RW/RPCartridge Set for ST Style Electric GuitarConstruction: Single CoilsOutput:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 458783

$362

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dogear Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.7/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dogear Set

by Seymour Duncan

Pop Blues Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• May need noise reduction

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dogear SetSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarAntiquity Model2 Single coilsDelivers the raw...

⭐ 4.7/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 554331

$505

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fishman Fluence Greg Koch Gristle-Tone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Fishman Fluence Greg Koch Gristle-Tone

by Fishman

Vintage Rock Blues Country

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• May need noise reduction

Fishman Fluence Greg Koch Gristle-TonePickup-setGreg Koch signature modelAlnico magnetsNeck pickup: ChromeBridge...

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 383544

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

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 single coil pickups 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 Single Coil Pickups 2026

Seymour Duncan AS-1s Blackouts Pickup Set BL

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Jazzmaster Set

Seymour Duncan Hendrix Loaded PG Voodoo

Lindy Fralin Blues Special ST-Set WH

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S BK Yngwie J Malmsteen

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set Parchment

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S YJM Fury Set OW

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set Cream

Seymour Duncan Psychedelic ST Set Cream

Seymour Duncan Classic Loaded Pickguard White

Kloppmann Real 62 Set PA

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Twang T Set Aged

Bare Knuckle Irish Tour set RW/RP

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dogear Set

Fishman Fluence Greg Koch Gristle-Tone

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Best Lists

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