Best Single Coil Pickups Under $200 2026

Affordable single coil pickups under $200 - great value without compromising quality

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 BG1400 T-Style Bridge Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan BG1400 T-Style Bridge Black

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Clean Tones Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan BG1400 T-Style Bridge BlackPickup for Electric GuitarT-styleMedium outputDor the bridge positionHum-free...

⭐ 4.5/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 561502

$193

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SLD-1N Lipstick (chrome) - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan SLD-1N Lipstick (chrome)

by Seymour Duncan

Vintage Rock Surf Music Blues

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan SLD-1N Lipstick (chrome), Pickup, Lipstick (chrome), Tube pickup, For Danelectro models

⭐ 4.9/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 276880

$164

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan STK-S7 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan STK-S7 Black

by Seymour Duncan

Clean Tones Blues Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Seymour Duncan STK-S7 BlackPickup for Electric GuitarFor ST style guitarsSuitable for the bridgemiddle or neck...

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 429623

$164

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Seymour Duncan STK-S4M Classic Middle PM - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan STK-S4M Classic Middle PM

by Seymour Duncan

Country Pop Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan STK-S4M Classic Middle PMPickup for ST-Style Electric GuitarSingle coilFor middle position with reversed...

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 561420

$160

Buy at Thomann View Details

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit T Set C

by Bare Knuckle

Surf Music Vintage Rock Country

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit T Set CSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarBoot Camp Series2 Hand-wound single coilsFor bridge...

⭐ 4.8/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 556252

$175

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan APS-2RW/RP Alnico II Pro - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan APS-2RW/RP Alnico II Pro

by Seymour Duncan

Clean Tones Pop Blues

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan APS-2RW/RP Alnico II Pro, Single Coil Pickup, Alnico II magnets, Flat non-staggered pole pieces,...

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 227157

$144

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan STK-S4M Classic Middle CR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan STK-S4M Classic Middle CR

by Seymour Duncan

Pop Blues Country

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan STK-S4M Classic Middle CRPickup for St-Style Electric GuitarSingle coilFor middle position with reversed...

⭐ 4.6/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 561419

$164

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mojotone 59 Clone J-Master Set BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Mojotone 59 Clone J-Master Set BK

by Mojotone

Country Pop Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

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

Mojotone 59 Clone J-Master Set BKPickup Set for Electric GuitarFor J-Master models2 Hand-wound single coilsFor bridge...

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 562707

$186

Buy at Thomann View Details

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

⭐ 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

TV Jones Starwood T-Style Neck C - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

TV Jones Starwood T-Style Neck C

by TV Jones

Vintage Rock Clean Tones Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• Susceptible to electrical interference

TV Jones Starwood T-Style Neck CPickup for Electric GuitarSingle CoilFor neck positionCombines the vintage vibe of a...

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 388576

$164

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SSL-5L Custom Staggered Left - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 5.0/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan SSL-5L Custom Staggered Left

by Seymour Duncan

Country Pop Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan SSL-5L Custom Staggered LeftPickup for Electric GuitarLeft handed versionVintage single coilMedium-low...

⭐ 5.0/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 436079

$120

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lollar Novel T Bridge C - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.5/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Lollar Novel T Bridge C

by Lollar

Pop Vintage Rock Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

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

Lollar Novel T Bridge CPickup for Electric GuitarHand-wound single coilBased on the Lollar Special T pickupthe Novel T...

⭐ 4.5/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 602241

$197

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mojotone Broadcaster Q.Coil T Set C - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.5/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Mojotone Broadcaster Q.Coil T Set C

by Mojotone

Surf Music Vintage Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

Mojotone Broadcaster Q.Coil T Set CPickup Set for T-Style Electric GuitarPositions: Bridge & neckConstruction:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 496473

$186

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lace Pickups Sensor Blue WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.4/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Lace Pickups Sensor Blue WH

by Lace Pickups

Surf Music Clean Tones Pop

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Lace Pickups Sensor Blue WHPickup for Electric GuitarNoiseless single coil pickup for electric guitarSlightly increased...

⭐ 4.4/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 567600

$105

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SSL-4 T RW/RP - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.9/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan SSL-4 T RW/RP

by Seymour Duncan

Pop Blues Country

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Seymour Duncan SSL-4 T RW/RP, Single coil pickup, Tapped version with 2 coil taps for reduced output power, Quarter...

⭐ 4.9/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 303458

$144

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 $200 2026

Seymour Duncan BG1400 T-Style Bridge Black

Seymour Duncan SLD-1N Lipstick (chrome)

Seymour Duncan STK-S7 Black

Seymour Duncan STK-S4M Classic Middle PM

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit T Set C

Seymour Duncan APS-2RW/RP Alnico II Pro

Seymour Duncan STK-S4M Classic Middle CR

Mojotone 59 Clone J-Master Set BK

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST-Neck/Middle W

TV Jones Starwood T-Style Neck C

Seymour Duncan SSL-5L Custom Staggered Left

Lollar Novel T Bridge C

Mojotone Broadcaster Q.Coil T Set C

Lace Pickups Sensor Blue WH

Seymour Duncan SSL-4 T RW/RP

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Best Lists

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