Best Single Coil Pickups Under $500 2026

Affordable single coil pickups under $500 - 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 Cory Wong Clean Machine Set W - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan Cory Wong Clean Machine Set W

by Seymour Duncan

Country Vintage Rock Pop

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan Cory Wong Clean Machine Set WSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarCory Wong (Vulfpeck) Signature model3...

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 556649

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST Set + Baseplate - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST Set + Baseplate

by Lindy Fralin

Pop Clean Tones Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST Set + BaseplatePickup Set for Electric GuitarSet of 3 base plate single coilsExact replicas...

⭐ 5.0/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 225235

$406

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Set California - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Set California

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Blues Pop

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Set CaliforniaPickup Set CaliforniaCalibrated set with 3 SSL-1 vintage staggered pickupsAuthentic...

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 180921

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST-Standard Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST-Standard Set

by Lindy Fralin

Blues Surf Music Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST-Standard Set, PickupLindy's strat pickups are exact copies of the Fender pickups of...

⭐ 4.6/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 220384

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Kloppmann Blue Poet Set AW - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Kloppmann Blue Poet Set AW

by Kloppmann

Blues Surf Music Pop

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Kloppmann Blue Poet Set AWSet of Pickups for ST-Style Electric GuitarMarcus Deml (Errorhead) Signature...

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 564593

$479

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan AS-1s Blackouts Pickup Set BL - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan AS-1s Blackouts Pickup Set BL

by Seymour Duncan

Pop Country Blues

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan AS-1s Blackouts Pickup Set BLPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Active single coilsModern ST-Style -...

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 556734

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set White - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set White

by Seymour Duncan

Blues Vintage Rock Country

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set WhiteSet of Pickups for Electric Guitar3 Single coilsFor bridgemiddle and neck...

⭐ 5.0/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 555352

$406

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Classic Loaded Pickguard White - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Classic Loaded Pickguard White

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Clean Tones Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan Classic Loaded Pickguard WhiteLoaded and wired pickguard for electric guitarFor ST-style modelsHuge...

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 553709

$490

Buy at Thomann View Details

Kloppmann ST 60 Set AW - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Kloppmann ST 60 Set AW

by Kloppmann

Blues Pop Country

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

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

Kloppmann ST 60 Set AWPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Hand-wound single coilsFor bridgemiddle and neck positionSuitable...

⭐ 4.4/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 564606

$472

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lollar ST Special Blonde Set PA FP - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Lollar ST Special Blonde Set PA FP

by Lollar

Vintage Rock Blues Country

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Lollar ST Special Blonde Set PA FPPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Single coilsFor bridgemiddleand neck positionSuitable...

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 508649

$395

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil Hot Br. Pickguard WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil Hot Br. Pickguard WH

by Mojotone

Blues Vintage Rock Country

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil Hot Br. Pickguard WHPre-Wired Pickguard for ST-Style Electric GuitarsNo soldering required - simply...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 496112

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fishman Fluence Set PU loaded PG WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.9/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Fishman Fluence Set PU loaded PG WH

by Fishman

Vintage Rock Country Pop

Key Feature:

• Responsive to playing dynamics

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Fishman Fluence Set PU loaded PG WHPickup SetFully-fitted and prewired pickguardPickups: 3 Vintage single coilsThese...

⭐ 4.9/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 459798

$362

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set Parchment - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set Parchment

by Seymour Duncan

Clean Tones Surf Music Pop

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Bright, clear tone character

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set ParchmentPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Single coilsFor bridgemiddle and neck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 555349

$417

Buy at Thomann View Details

DiMarzio Injector Replacement Pickguard - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

DiMarzio Injector Replacement Pickguard

by DiMarzio

Vintage Rock Country Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

DiMarzio Injector Replacement PickguardReplacement PickguardFor ST - style guitarsPaul Gilbert signature model1x...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 275516

$483

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Jazzmaster Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Jazzmaster Set

by Seymour Duncan

Clean Tones Vintage Rock Country

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Jazzmaster SetSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarAntiquity model2 Single coilsDeeprich bass...

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 554328

$435

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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TOP

Best Single Coil Pickups Under $500 2026

Seymour Duncan Cory Wong Clean Machine Set W

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST Set + Baseplate

Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Set California

Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot ST-Standard Set

Kloppmann Blue Poet Set AW

Seymour Duncan AS-1s Blackouts Pickup Set BL

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set White

Seymour Duncan Classic Loaded Pickguard White

Kloppmann ST 60 Set AW

Lollar ST Special Blonde Set PA FP

Mojotone 58 Q.Coil Hot Br. Pickguard WH

Fishman Fluence Set PU loaded PG WH

Seymour Duncan Scooped Pickup Set Parchment

DiMarzio Injector Replacement Pickguard

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Jazzmaster Set

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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