Best Single Coil Pickups Under $100 2026

Affordable single coil pickups under $100 - great value without compromising quality

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

Lace Pickups Sensor Red BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Lace Pickups Sensor Red BK

by Lace Pickups

Country Pop Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Lace Pickups Sensor Red BKNoiseless pickup for electric guitarThe Sensor Series pickup with the highest outputperfect...

⭐ 4.7/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 567605

$98

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR BK

by Bare Knuckle

Country Blues Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• May need noise reduction

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR BKPickup for Electric GuitarSingle CoilFor bridge positionPowerful bass - suitable...

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 587621

$80

Buy at Thomann View Details

DiMarzio DP217 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

DiMarzio DP217 BK

by DiMarzio

Country Blues Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

DiMarzio DP217 BK, Yngwie J.Malmsteen Signature Pickup, Sound like the HS3 pickup but with vintage magnets, Colour:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 172203

$98

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit ST MI BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit ST MI BK

by Bare Knuckle

Surf Music Vintage Rock Pop

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit ST MI BKPickup for Electric GuitarHand-wound single coilRichclean and fatpowerful distorted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 587620

$76

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T NE C - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

9/10

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T NE C

by Bare Knuckle

Country Vintage Rock Pop

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Brute Force TE NNCPickup for Electric GuitarHigh output single coilFor the neck positionFlat...

⭐ 4.8/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 432237

$94

Buy at Thomann View Details

DeArmond Dynasonic Gold Black Bridge - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

DeArmond Dynasonic Gold Black Bridge

by DeArmond

Country Blues Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

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

DeArmond Dynasonic Gold Black BridgePickup for Electric GuitarSingle coilFor the bridge positionFaithful reproduction...

⭐ 5.0/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 562081

$94

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR WH

by Bare Knuckle

Vintage Rock Clean Tones Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Brute Force ST BR BWPickup for Electric GuitarHigh output single coilFor the bridge positionFlat...

⭐ 4.9/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 432221

$76

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit T NE C - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit T NE C

by Bare Knuckle

Country Blues Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit T NE CPickup for Electric GuitarSingle CoilFor T-Style modelsPosition: NeckOutput: MediumFull...

⭐ 4.6/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 432234

$81

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG S3 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (46 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

EMG S3 BK

by EMG

Pop Vintage Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• May need noise reduction

EMG S3Noiseless Single Coil Pickup for Electric GuitarStacked designSimilar to the EMG S1but has a continuous cap that...

⭐ 4.8/5 (46 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 241524

$98

Buy at Thomann View Details

DeArmond Dynasonic Nickel White Bridge - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.4/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

DeArmond Dynasonic Nickel White Bridge

by DeArmond

Vintage Rock Blues Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

DeArmond Dynasonic Nickel White BridgePickup for Electric GuitarSingle coilFor the bridge positionFaithful reproduction...

⭐ 4.4/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 562073

$94

Buy at Thomann View Details

DiMarzio ISCV2 Evolution BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

DiMarzio ISCV2 Evolution BK

by DiMarzio

Pop Clean Tones Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

DiMarzio ISCV2 Evolution BK, Single Coil Pickup, Steve Vai JEM model from the Evolution series, Middle position,...

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 213020

$98

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST NE WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.9/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

9/10

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST NE WH

by Bare Knuckle

Surf Music Clean Tones Blues

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Brute Force ST NWPickup for Electric GuitarHigh output single coilFor the neck positionFlat...

⭐ 4.9/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 432224

$76

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle BC Old Guard T BR BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Bare Knuckle BC Old Guard T BR BK

by Bare Knuckle

Pop Blues Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Old Guard T BBLPickup for Electric GuitarLow output single coilFor the bridge positionLow output...

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 432230

$94

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T BR BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.4/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T BR BK

by Bare Knuckle

Country Vintage Rock Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Brute Force TE BBLPickup for Electric GuitarHigh output single coilFor the bridge positionFlat...

⭐ 4.4/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 432236

$80

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG S Singlecoil BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

10/10

EMG S Singlecoil BK

by EMG

Pop Surf Music Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

EMG S Singlecoil BKPickupActiveCeramik magnetsBrillant soundAccents the treble and the high midsModern sound with...

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 156944

$98

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 Under $100 2026

Lace Pickups Sensor Red BK

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR BK

DiMarzio DP217 BK

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit ST MI BK

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T NE C

DeArmond Dynasonic Gold Black Bridge

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR WH

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit T NE C

EMG S3 BK

DeArmond Dynasonic Nickel White Bridge

DiMarzio ISCV2 Evolution BK

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST NE WH

Bare Knuckle BC Old Guard T BR BK

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T BR BK

EMG S Singlecoil BK

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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