Best Single Coil Pickups Under $200 2026

Affordable single coil pickups under $200 - 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

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

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Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Neck W - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Neck W

by Seymour Duncan

Vintage Rock Blues Pop

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Neck WPickup for Electric GuitarSingle CoilMedium outputFor the neck positionAlNiCo V...

⭐ 4.9/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 484832

$197

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Seymour Duncan STK-S10N BK YJM Fury - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan STK-S10N BK YJM Fury

by Seymour Duncan

Country Clean Tones Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan STK-S10N BK YJM FuryPickupYJM Fury single coil pickupYngwie J. Malmsteen signatureSingle coil size...

⭐ 4.8/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 243279

$164

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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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Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T Set G - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T Set G

by Bare Knuckle

Surf Music Country Pop

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Brute Force T Set GPickup Set for T-Style Electric GuitrasPositions: Bridge &...

⭐ 4.6/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 500539

$173

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Seymour Duncan RW/RP Antiquity II Middle W - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan RW/RP Antiquity II Middle W

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Pop Blues

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan RW/RP Antiquity II Middle WPickup for electric guitarSingle CoilMedium outputFor middle positionSuitable...

⭐ 4.6/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 484831

$197

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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

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Seymour Duncan LW-CS2B Livewire II Bridge BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan LW-CS2B Livewire II Bridge BK

by Seymour Duncan

Pop Blues Country

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan LW-CS2B Livewire II Bridge BKPickup for Electric GuitarSingle coilFor bridge positionMedium-high...

⭐ 5.0/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 557433

$164

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Seymour Duncan SLS-1 RW/RP Lipstick (chrome) - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan SLS-1 RW/RP Lipstick (chrome)

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Vintage Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan SLS-1 RW/RP Lipstick (chrome)PickupFor electric guitarsLipstick (chrome)Tube pickupFor Strat...

⭐ 5.0/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 166327

$160

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

#10

⭐ 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

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Seymour Duncan SSL-1 WH/RP - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan SSL-1 WH/RP

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Clean Tones Blues

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan SSL-1 WH/RP, PickupVintage staggeredReverse wound/reversed polarityBrightcutting distortionDelivers the...

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 205428

$131

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Seymour Duncan SSL-2 RW with white cap - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan SSL-2 RW with white cap

by Seymour Duncan

Blues Country Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• May need noise reduction

Seymour Duncan SSL-2 RW with white cap, Pickup for electric guitarSingle coil for ST-style guitarsVintage flat...

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 161955

$131

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

#13

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan SSL-5 Custom Staggered

by Seymour Duncan

Pop Clean Tones Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• Can be too bright for some styles
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Seymour Duncan SSL-5 Custom Staggered ST-stylePickupCustom staggered ST-stylePosition Bridge/Middle/NeckDue to its...

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 172711

$120

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

#14

⭐ 4.6/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T Set C

by Bare Knuckle

Country Surf Music Pop

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Brute Force T Set CPickup set for electric guitar2 High output single coilsFor T-Style...

⭐ 4.6/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 466216

$175

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Seymour Duncan STL-3 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.5/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan STL-3 BK

by Seymour Duncan

Vintage Rock Surf Music Country

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan STL-3 BKSingle Coil PickupQuarter - Pound Tele PickupBridge positionSingle coil which can take on any...

⭐ 4.5/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 156160

$131

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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 Antiquity II Neck W

Seymour Duncan STK-S10N BK YJM Fury

Seymour Duncan STK-S7 Black

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T Set G

Seymour Duncan RW/RP Antiquity II Middle W

Seymour Duncan STK-S4M Classic Middle CR

Seymour Duncan LW-CS2B Livewire II Bridge BK

Seymour Duncan SLS-1 RW/RP Lipstick (chrome)

Seymour Duncan SSL-4 T RW/RP

Seymour Duncan SSL-1 WH/RP

Seymour Duncan SSL-2 RW with white cap

Seymour Duncan SSL-5 Custom Staggered

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T Set C

Seymour Duncan STL-3 BK

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Best Lists

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