Best Lollar Single Coil Pickups 2026
Okay, so you're chasing that vintage chime, that glassy snap, but you're tired of the mud and the fizz that so many aftermarket single coils deliver? Lollar is the name you need to know. They've been quietly building some of the best single coils around for years, and if you're serious about nailing a specific vibe - whether it's a twangy Tele or a Strat with serious headroom - these are worth a serious look.
Last updated: August 19, 2026
Lollar Super-Caster Set C
- • Larger Broiler pole magnets deliver a noticeable power increase.
- • Chrome-plated and gold covers offer a premium, vintage aesthetic.
- • Extended overtone range adds complexity and clarity to the tone.
- • 5.8k neck pickup provides a warmer, more articulate low-B response.
- • The 'Super' designation might be misleading; still single coil characteristics present.
- • Higher DC resistance can slightly darken the tone with certain amp pairings.
- • Premium-priced, representing a significant investment for many guitarists.
Lollar Novel T Bridge C
- • Alnico 5 magnet delivers a punchy, articulate, and responsive tone.
- • Slanted coil design authentically replicates vintage bridge pickup placement.
- • Hand-wound construction ensures consistent quality and nuanced sonic character.
- • Braided shield provides excellent noise rejection for a clean signal.
- • Alnico 5 can be slightly harsh for players seeking a very mellow tone.
- • 8.5k DC resistance might require tweaking of existing pot values.
- • Black cover finish may not suit all guitar aesthetics or preferences.
Lollar Special T Neck N
- • Alnico 5 magnet delivers a balanced, articulate tone with strong fundamentals.
- • Wax potting effectively reduces microphonic noise and unwanted hum.
- • 6.3k DC resistance provides ample output for a Tele neck pickup.
- • Nickel cover offers a classic aesthetic and helps reduce stray capacitance.
- • Limited tonal versatility; excels in traditional T-style applications.
- • May be too bright for some players preferring a darker neck tone.
- • Requires careful adjustment to avoid proximity-induced hum with bridge pickup.
Lollar '63 J-Master Set CR
- • Alnico 2 magnets deliver a warm, vocal midrange character.
- • Hand-wound construction ensures consistent quality and nuanced tone.
- • Cream covers offer a classic vintage aesthetic, visually appealing.
- • Slight midrange boost cuts through mixes without harshness.
- • J-Master specific; not easily adaptable to other guitar models.
- • Alnico 2 can sound a bit 'soft' for high-gain players.
- • Price point places them in a premium-priced category.
Lollar Special T Set N
- • Alnico 5 magnets deliver a punchy, articulate vintage tone.
- • Wax potting minimizes microphonic noise and feedback effectively.
- • Hand-wound construction ensures consistent quality and nuanced character.
- • Nickel-plated cover provides a classic aesthetic and added shielding.
- • Higher output can be overwhelming for players seeking extremely quiet, transparent tones.
- • DC resistance leans towards the hotter side, limiting versatility for some styles.
- • The fixed (non-staggered) pole design may require minor adjustments for optimal string balance.
Lollar J-Master P90 Set CR
- • Hand-wound Alnico 5 magnets deliver a fat, articulate P90 tone.
- • Cream-colored covers offer a vintage aesthetic and reduce stray noise.
- • 9.4k bridge/8.3k neck resistance balances output and tonal clarity.
- • Excellent build quality; Lollar's reputation for meticulous craftsmanship shines.
- • J-Master specific design limits compatibility with other guitar models.
- • Higher output than some vintage P90s; may not suit all playing styles.
- • Premium-priced, representing a significant investment for many guitarists.
Lollar Royal T Neck Gold
- • Handwound precision delivers exceptional clarity and note definition
- • Nickel-covered design authentically captures vintage ST aesthetics and tone
- • Alnico 5 magnet provides a balanced, articulate response across frequencies
- • Stronger coil wire enhances output without sacrificing vintage character
- • The 6.24kΩ resistance might be too high for some modern, high-output guitar setups
- • Gold cap color isn't universally appealing – purely a cosmetic consideration
- • While versatile, it leans heavily towards vintage-inspired tones, limiting extreme genres
Lollar ST Special Blonde Set PA FP
- • AlNiCo 2 magnets deliver warm, articulate vintage tones.
- • Bridge pickup's higher output adds modern clarity and punch.
- • Reverse-wound middle pickup offers useful hum-canceling combinations.
- • Wax potting minimizes microphonic noise, improving recording clarity.
- • The price point puts it out of reach for budget-conscious players.
- • The varied output levels might require tweaking your volume pots for balance.
- • AlNiCo 2 magnets won't deliver the aggressive bite of ceramic options.
Lollar ST Special S Bridge PA FP
- • Alnico 5 magnet delivers a warm, articulate tone with great sustain
- • Flat pole pieces offer balanced output and even response across the strings
- • Wax potting minimizes microphonic noise and unwanted resonance
- • Hand-wound construction ensures consistent quality and nuanced character
- • 7.6kΩ DC resistance may be too high for some vintage-correct builds
- • Parchment cover is a fixed aesthetic - no alternative color options
- • Bridge-only design limits versatility - requires separate neck pickup
Lollar ST '64 Middle PA FP
- • AlNiCo 5 magnet delivers that classic, chimey Fender tone.
- • RWRP configuration eliminates hum when combined with bridge pickup.
- • Wax potting reduces microphonics and adds sustain.
- • Parchment cap provides authentic vintage aesthetics and tone.
- • 6.5k resistance may be slightly higher than some vintage '60s pickups.
- • Limited tonal versatility compared to higher-output pickups.
- • Parchment cover can yellow over time, requiring replacement.
Lollar ST '64 Neck PA FP
- • AlNiCo 5 magnet delivers warm, articulate vintage tone
- • Wax potting eliminates microphonic noise and feedback issues
- • Piano-like attack provides clarity and note definition
- • Hand-wound in the USA ensures consistent quality and craftsmanship
- • 6.4kΩ DC resistance might be too high for some Fender configurations
- • Limited versatility; excels in vintage-style tones, less suited for modern genres
- • Parchment cover might not appeal to players preferring a more modern aesthetic
Lollar 52 T Bridge
- • AlNiCo 2 magnet delivers a classic, bell-like clarity and warmth.
- • Hand-wound construction ensures consistent output and tonal character.
- • Wax potting eliminates microphonic squeals common in vintage-style pickups.
- • 6.7k DC resistance provides excellent output without being overly hot.
- • AlNiCo 2 magnets produce a lower output than Ceramic or higher-grade AlNiCo.
- • The vintage-style design may lack the high-end sizzle of modern pickups.
- • While well-made, the black plastic cover is a fairly basic aesthetic.
Lollar Vintage T Bridge
- • Hand-wound construction delivers exceptional clarity and note definition.
- • Flat-pole design enhances string vibration and sustain compared to typical T-style pickups.
- • Wax potting minimizes microphonic noise, great for recording and loud stages.
- • 7.4k DC resistance provides a balanced output, suitable for a wide range of amps.
- • The vintage output might be too low for modern high-gain amp users.
- • Black plastic cover, while functional, isn't the most visually premium option.
- • Limited tonal versatility; excels in classic T-style sounds, less suited for extreme genres.
Lollar Vintage T Neck CH
- • Hand-wound AlNiCo 5 delivers balanced vintage tone
- • Large diameter winding reduces compression for clarity
- • Wax potting minimizes microphonic noise and feedback
- • Chrome cover offers classic aesthetics and shielding
- • 5.6k DC resistance may be too low for some high-output amps
- • Limited versatility; excels in vintage T-style tones only
- • AlNiCo 5 magnet lacks the aggressive output of ceramic alternatives
Lollar Special T Neck CH
- • Alnico 5 magnet delivers classic Tele chime with enhanced warmth
- • Wax potting eliminates microphonic noise, crucial for recording
- • 6.3kΩ DC resistance provides a balanced output with the bridge pickup
- • Hand-wound construction ensures consistent quality and nuanced tone
- • Limited versatility; excels in T-style applications, less ideal for humbucker tones
- • May require shielding for optimal noise reduction in noisy environments
- • Alnico 5 can sound slightly 'soft' for players seeking extreme high-output
Every single coil pickups that matches
28 models match this page. The 15 above are covered in detail; the rest are listed here with their published specifications.
| # | Model | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Lollar Royal T Neck | not published | $172 |
| 17 | Lollar J-Street T Bridge | not published | $161 |
| 18 | Lollar B.S. T-Style Bridge BK | not published | $230 |
| 19 | Lollar Special T Bridge | not published | $168 |
| 20 | Lollar 52 T-Set CH | not published | $300 |
| 21 | Lollar 52 T-Set NI | not published | $300 |
| 22 | Lollar Original '58 J-Master Set CR | not published | $307 |
| 23 | Lollar Novel CC NE NI | not published | $230 |
| 24 | Lollar Charlie Christian T NE BK | not published | $242 |
| 25 | Lollar Special T Set CH | not published | $300 |
| 26 | Lollar Vintage T Set CH | not published | $318 |
| 27 | Lollar ST Special Set PA | not published | $415 |
| 28 | Lollar ST '64 Set PA FP | not published | $427 |
Single Coil Pickups by the numbers
Measured across all 358 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups
Winding & Materials
Lollar's meticulous attention to winding techniques and using Alnico magnets (usually Alnico 5, but they have others) is what gives them their signature voice. It's not just about the magnet type; it's about how they're wound and how that impacts the dynamic response and harmonic complexity.
Vintage Correctness
They're obsessed with nailing the specs of vintage pickups - screw sizes, pole piece height, even the cloth wiring. This isn't just for aesthetics; it directly affects the output and feel. The goal is that authentic, responsive feel and that low-wind clarity.
Output Range
Lollar's range is impressive. You can get everything from a genuinely low-output vintage-style pickup that's clean and articulate to hotter versions that still retain clarity and definition, allowing you to cut through a dense mix without getting muddy. That's crucial for modern bands.
Dynamic Response
These pickups respond incredibly well to your playing dynamics. Light picking yields a delicate, glassy tone, while digging in brings out a richer, more saturated sound. It's the kind of responsiveness you just don't get with a lot of cheaper pickups.
Build Quality
The build quality is rock solid. You're getting hand-wound pickups with quality components, and they're built to last. This isn't a pickup you're going to be replacing next year - it's an investment in your tone.
Buying Guide
Lollar pickups aren't the cheapest option, but you're paying for the attention to detail and the genuine vintage-inspired voicing. Don't just grab the 'hottest' set; consider your guitar's wood and your amp's character. If you're going for a classic Fender tone, don't pair high-output Lollars with a Vox AC30; it's just not going to work. Also, be aware that some models are slightly overwound compared to truly vintage specs, which gives them a bit more headroom and a bit more output for modern playing - not necessarily a bad thing, but something to consider.
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 28 of 358 single coil pickups from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 15 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.
Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
