Best Single Coil Pickups for Clean Tones 2026

Perfect single coil pickups for clean-tones - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 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 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 Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set W - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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 Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set OW

by Seymour Duncan

Country Pop Blues

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 599338

$527

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 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

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set PA - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set PA

by Mojotone

Vintage Rock Pop Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set PASet of Pickups for Electric GuitarPickup type: Single coilsPositions: Bridgemiddle and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 617317

$307

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mojotone Crandellcaster 62 ST Set W - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Mojotone Crandellcaster 62 ST Set W

by Mojotone

Clean Tones Blues Country

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Mojotone Crandellcaster 62 ST Set WSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarPickup type: Noiseless Single CoilsPositions:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 618327

$296

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle Nomads Set C - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Bare Knuckle Nomads Set C

by Bare Knuckle

Clean Tones Vintage Rock Country

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

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

⭐ 4.4/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 591949

$340

Buy at Thomann View Details

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

⭐ 4.6/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken Tele - Pickup Set

by Seymour Duncan

Vintage Rock Clean Tones Blues

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken Tele - Pickup SetSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarTwo single coilsFor T-Style...

⭐ 4.6/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 599027

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 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 Hot Chicken ST-Neck/Middle W - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST-Neck/Middle W

by Seymour Duncan

Pop Clean Tones Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST-Neck/Middle WPickup for Electric GuitarStacked coil single coilFor neck or middle...

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 599359

$175

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lollar Super-Caster Set C - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.5/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Lollar Super-Caster Set C

by Lollar

Clean Tones Surf Music Country

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Lollar Super-Caster Set CSet of Pickups for ST-Style Electric GuitarPickup type: Single coilsOutput: MediumLarger...

⭐ 4.5/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 617605

$505

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil w/ Hot Bridge Set PA - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil w/ Hot Bridge Set PA

by Mojotone

Surf Music Vintage Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil w/ Hot Bridge Set PASet of Pickups for Electric GuitarPickup type: Noiseless Single CoilsPositions:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 617316

$307

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set W - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set W

by Mojotone

Surf Music Country Pop

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set WSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarThree single coilsFor bridgemiddle and neck...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 617319

$307

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set AW - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set AW

by Mojotone

Vintage Rock Surf Music Pop

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set AWSet of Pickups for Electric Guitar3 single coilsFor the bridgemiddle and neck...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 618328

$307

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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Best Single Coil Pickups for Clean Tones 2026

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set W

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set OW

Bare Knuckle Nomads Set N

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set Parchment

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set PA

Mojotone Crandellcaster 62 ST Set W

Bare Knuckle Nomads Set C

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken Tele - Pickup Set

Bare Knuckle Triptych Set Cream

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST-Neck/Middle W

Lollar Super-Caster Set C

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil w/ Hot Bridge Set PA

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set W

Mojotone Rene Martinez ST Set AW

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Best Lists

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Best Humbucker Pickups

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