Best Single Coil Pickups Under $300 2026

Affordable single coil pickups under $300 - 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 Secret Agent Neck BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Secret Agent Neck BK

by Seymour Duncan

Blues Surf Music Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Seymour Duncan Secret Agent Neck BKTele-style Pickup for Electric GuitarBrad Paisley Signature pickupFor Fender Esquire...

⭐ 4.9/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 502909

$263

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Vintage 54 T-Style Pickup Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan Vintage 54 T-Style Pickup Set

by Seymour Duncan

Country Blues Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Seymour Duncan Vintage 54 T-Style Pickup SetSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarSingle coilsBridge pickup: Tele lead...

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 580779

$263

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lindy Fralin Blues Special T-Style Set BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Lindy Fralin Blues Special T-Style Set BK

by Lindy Fralin

Vintage Rock Country Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Lindy Fralin Blues Special T-Style Set BKPickup Set for T-Style Electric GuitarHand-wrappedPositions: Bridge and...

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 481980

$285

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lace Pickups Deluxe Plus Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Lace Pickups Deluxe Plus Set

by Lace Pickups

Blues Vintage Rock Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Lace Pickups Deluxe Plus SetPickup Set for Electric Guitar2 Gold Lace Sensor 5.8 K single coils for neck and middle...

⭐ 5.0/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 450863

$263

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan STL-1B Broadcaster Set Nickel - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan STL-1B Broadcaster Set Nickel

by Seymour Duncan

Blues Vintage Rock Pop

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Seymour Duncan STL-1B Broadcaster Set NickelPickup Set for Electric Guitar2 Single coilsFor T-Style modelsIncludes...

⭐ 4.8/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 553754

$263

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II SS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II SS

by Seymour Duncan

Country Pop Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II SS, Pick up, Replica of the 1964 single coil pickup that has significantly influenced and...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 205247

$212

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II T-Style Bridge AB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II T-Style Bridge AB

by Seymour Duncan

Vintage Rock Clean Tones Country

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• May need noise reduction

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II T-Style Bridge ABPickup for Electric GuitarAntiquity II SeriesBridge positionSingle...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 555364

$230

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lollar Vintage T Set CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Lollar Vintage T Set CH

by Lollar

Surf Music Country Pop

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Lollar Vintage T Set CHPickup Set for T-Style Electric GuitarSingle CoilsVintage OutputNeck pickup with full mid-range...

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 418791

$296

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lace Pickups Sensor Gold 3 Pack BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Lace Pickups Sensor Gold 3 Pack BK

by Lace Pickups

Blues Surf Music Pop

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

Lace Pickups Sensor Gold 3 Pack BKPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Single coilsUnique field barrier system to suppress...

⭐ 4.4/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 517845

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lace Pickups Sensor Pack Red/Silver/Blue CR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.6/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Lace Pickups Sensor Pack Red/Silver/Blue CR

by Lace Pickups

Pop Surf Music Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

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

Lace Pickups Sensor Pack Red/Silver/Blue CRPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Colour marked single coilsIdeal for Rock...

⭐ 4.6/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 467449

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity - Tele '55 Neck - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity - Tele '55 Neck

by Seymour Duncan

Blues Pop Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• May need noise reduction

Seymour Duncan Antiquity - Tele '55 NeckPickup for Electric GuitarSingle coilFor T-Style modelsFor the neck...

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 553747

$237

Buy at Thomann View Details

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

#12

⭐ 4.8/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit ST Set BK

by Bare Knuckle

Surf Music Clean Tones Pop

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit ST Set BKSet of Pickups for Electric Guitar3 Single CoilsFor bridgemiddle and neck...

⭐ 4.8/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 601744

$208

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fender Custom 69 Strat PU Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.4/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Fender Custom 69 Strat PU Set

by Fender

Country Pop Blues

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

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

Fender Custom Shop 69 Strat PU Set, Original Pickup Set@There is probably no other guitar in the world that has been...

⭐ 4.4/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 152200

$252

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fender '55/'56 Whiteguard Tele Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Fender '55/'56 Whiteguard Tele Set

by Fender

Surf Music Vintage Rock Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Fender '55/'56 Whiteguard Tele SetPickup Set for Electric GuitarCustom Shop '55/'56 Whiteguard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 619998

$296

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lollar Special T Set N - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.6/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Lollar Special T Set N

by Lollar

Vintage Rock Country Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

Lollar Special T Set NSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarSingle coilsFor bridge and neck positionFor T-Style...

⭐ 4.6/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 558740

$296

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 $300 2026

Seymour Duncan Secret Agent Neck BK

Seymour Duncan Vintage 54 T-Style Pickup Set

Lindy Fralin Blues Special T-Style Set BK

Lace Pickups Deluxe Plus Set

Seymour Duncan STL-1B Broadcaster Set Nickel

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II SS

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II T-Style Bridge AB

Lollar Vintage T Set CH

Lace Pickups Sensor Gold 3 Pack BK

Lace Pickups Sensor Pack Red/Silver/Blue CR

Seymour Duncan Antiquity - Tele '55 Neck

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit ST Set BK

Fender Custom 69 Strat PU Set

Fender '55/'56 Whiteguard Tele Set

Lollar Special T Set N

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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