Best Single Coil Pickups 2025

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

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

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 Mojotone Lollar Lace Pickups Suhr Kloppmann Fishman DeArmond Lindy Fralin

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

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Texas Hot St PG AW - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Texas Hot St PG AW

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Pop Blues

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• Can be too bright for some styles
• May lack power for heavy genres

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Texas Hot St PG AWPickup SetCompletely pre-wired pickguard for Strat-style electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 539696

$835

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 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

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

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

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

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Clean Tones Country

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• Can be too bright for some styles
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup SetSet of Pickups for Electric Guitar3 Stacked coil single coilsCustomised to...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 599335

$527

Buy at Thomann View Details

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

⭐ 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

DiMarzio HS Replacment Pickguard - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

DiMarzio HS Replacment Pickguard

by DiMarzio

Blues Country Pop

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

DiMarzio HS Replacment PickguardReplacement PickguardFully-fitted prewired pickguard11 HolesIn the Strat styleWith 2x...

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 267080

$417

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

DiMarzio Injector Replacement Pickguard - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

DiMarzio Injector Replacement Pickguard

by DiMarzio

Vintage Rock Country Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• May lack power for heavy genres
• Can be too bright for some styles

DiMarzio Injector Replacement PickguardReplacement PickguardFor ST - style guitarsPaul Gilbert signature model1x...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 275516

$483

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle Nomads Set N - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 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

Seymour Duncan Antiquity ST Texas Hot Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.7/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity ST Texas Hot Set

by Seymour Duncan

Blues Clean Tones Country

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Antiquity ST Texas Hot SetSingle coil pickup setANT-STH on the neckANT-STH RW / RP in the middle and...

⭐ 4.7/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 377141

$637

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Psychedelic ST Set Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 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 L-CS2S Livewire II Set BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan L-CS2S Livewire II Set BK

by Seymour Duncan

Clean Tones Blues Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• May lack power for heavy genres
• Can be too bright for some styles

Seymour Duncan L-CS2S Livewire II Set BKSet of Pickups for Electric Guitar3 Active single coilsVintage Strat output and...

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 556827

$472

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 2025

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S WH Pickguard YJM Fury

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Texas Hot St PG AW

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set Parchment

Seymour Duncan AS-1s Blackouts Pickup Set BL

Seymour Duncan Hendrix Loaded PG Voodoo

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S YJM Fury Set OW

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Twang T Set Aged

DiMarzio HS Replacment Pickguard

Seymour Duncan Classic Loaded Pickguard White

DiMarzio Injector Replacement Pickguard

Bare Knuckle Nomads Set N

Seymour Duncan Antiquity ST Texas Hot Set

Seymour Duncan Psychedelic ST Set Cream

Seymour Duncan L-CS2S Livewire II Set BK

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying single coil pickups?

How much should I spend on single coil pickups?

Are expensive single coil pickups worth the investment?

What are the best brands for single coil pickups?

Should I buy single coil pickups online or in-store?

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