Best Single Coil Pickups 2026

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

Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 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 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

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 STK-S10S WH Pickguard YJM Fury - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S WH Pickguard YJM Fury

by Seymour Duncan

Vintage Rock Country Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S WH Pickguard YJM FuryPickup SetYJM Fury single coil pickupYngwie J. Malmsteen...

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 243283

$534

Buy at Thomann View Details

Kloppmann Blue Poet Set AW - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Kloppmann Blue Poet Set AW

by Kloppmann

Blues Surf Music Pop

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Kloppmann Blue Poet Set AWSet of Pickups for ST-Style Electric GuitarMarcus Deml (Errorhead) Signature...

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 564593

$479

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Set California - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Set California

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Blues Pop

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Set CaliforniaPickup Set CaliforniaCalibrated set with 3 SSL-1 vintage staggered pickupsAuthentic...

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 180921

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Cali 50's Loaded Pickg. SSL1 W - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Cali 50's Loaded Pickg. SSL1 W

by Seymour Duncan

Blues Vintage Rock Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Cali 50's Loaded Pickg. SSL1 WEquipped and Wired Pickguard for Electric GuitarFor ST-style...

⭐ 5.0/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 553707

$461

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil Hot Br. Pickguard PA - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil Hot Br. Pickguard PA

by Mojotone

Clean Tones Blues Pop

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil Hot Br. Pickguard PAPre-Wired Pickguard for Electric GuitarPickups: 3 Noiseless single coilsSuitable...

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 494927

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle Nomads Set N - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Bare Knuckle Nomads Set N

by Bare Knuckle

Pop Clean Tones Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Bare Knuckle Nomads Set NSet of Pickups for T-Style Electric GuitarRabea Massaad Signature modelHand-woundPositions:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 591952

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

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

#10

⭐ 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 Hendrix Loaded PG Voodoo - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

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

#12

⭐ 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

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set W - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 5.0/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set W

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Clean Tones Country

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set WPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Stacked coil single coilsCustomised to the...

⭐ 5.0/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 599355

$527

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set Parchment - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set Parchment

by Seymour Duncan

Clean Tones Surf Music Pop

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set ParchmentPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Single coilsFor bridgemiddle and neck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 555349

$417

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST-Standard Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.6/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST-Standard Set

by Lindy Fralin

Blues Surf Music Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST-Standard Set, PickupLindy's strat pickups are exact copies of the Fender pickups of...

⭐ 4.6/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 220384

$373

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 Antiquity Jazzmaster Set

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set Cream

Seymour Duncan Psychedelic ST Set Cream

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S WH Pickguard YJM Fury

Kloppmann Blue Poet Set AW

Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Set California

Seymour Duncan Cali 50's Loaded Pickg. SSL1 W

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil Hot Br. Pickguard PA

Bare Knuckle Nomads Set N

Bare Knuckle Irish Tour set RW/RP

Seymour Duncan Hendrix Loaded PG Voodoo

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S BK Yngwie J Malmsteen

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set W

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set Parchment

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST-Standard Set

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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