Best Single Coil Pickups Under $800 2026

Affordable single coil pickups under $800 - 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 Antiquity ST Texas Hot Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity ST Texas Hot Set

by Seymour Duncan

Blues Clean Tones Country

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Antiquity ST Texas Hot SetSingle coil pickup setANT-STH on the neckANT-STH RW / RP in the middle and...

⭐ 4.7/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 377141

$637

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set OW

by Seymour Duncan

Country Pop Blues

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Excellent for clean tones
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set OWPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Stacked coil single coilsCustomised to the...

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 599338

$527

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S WH Pickguard YJM Fury - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S WH Pickguard YJM Fury

by Seymour Duncan

Vintage Rock Country Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S WH Pickguard YJM FuryPickup SetYJM Fury single coil pickupYngwie J. Malmsteen...

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 243283

$534

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set W - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set W

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Clean Tones Country

Key Feature:

• Great note definition

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set WPickup Set for Electric Guitar3 Stacked coil single coilsCustomised to the...

⭐ 5.0/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 599355

$527

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Philip Sayce Mother Set LTD - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Philip Sayce Mother Set LTD

by Seymour Duncan

Clean Tones Blues Country

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Philip Sayce Mother Set LTDPickup Set for Electric GuitarLimited Edition - limited to 500 pieces...

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 617990

$615

Buy at Thomann View Details

Kloppmann Errorhead Set F-Space BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Kloppmann Errorhead Set F-Space BK

by Kloppmann

Vintage Rock Clean Tones Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Bright, clear tone character

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

Kloppmann Errorhead Set F-Space BKSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarMarcus Deml (Errorhead) signature set1 Humbucker...

⭐ 4.4/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 564615

$582

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lollar Super-Caster Set C - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Lollar Super-Caster Set C

by Lollar

Clean Tones Surf Music Country

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Lollar Super-Caster Set CSet of Pickups for ST-Style Electric GuitarPickup type: Single coilsOutput: MediumLarger...

⭐ 4.5/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 617605

$505

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Clean Tones Country

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage sound
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup SetSet of Pickups for Electric Guitar3 Stacked coil single coilsCustomised to...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 599335

$527

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S BK Yngwie J Malmsteen - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S BK Yngwie J Malmsteen

by Seymour Duncan

Country Vintage Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Excellent for clean tones

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S BK Yngwie J MalmsteenPickup SetYJM Fury single coil pickupYngwie J. Malmsteen...

⭐ 5.0/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 243284

$534

Buy at Thomann View Details

DiMarzio Area Pre.wired Replacement - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

DiMarzio Area Pre.wired Replacement

by DiMarzio

Vintage Rock Country Blues

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Responsive to playing dynamics
• Classic vintage sound

✗ CONS

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

DiMarzio Area Pre.wired ReplacementPickup SetCompletely wiredEach 1x Area 58Area 67 and area 61 single coil pickupsST...

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 282669

$527

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Hendrix Loaded PG Voodoo - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.6/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Hendrix Loaded PG Voodoo

by Seymour Duncan

Surf Music Blues Pop

Key Feature:

• Excellent for clean tones

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• Susceptible to electrical interference
• Limited output compared to humbuckers

Seymour Duncan Hendrix Loaded PG VoodooPickup SetCompletely pre-wired pickguardJimi Hendrix Signature Strat Loaded...

⭐ 4.6/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 406013

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dogear Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.7/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dogear Set

by Seymour Duncan

Pop Blues Vintage Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Great note definition
• Responsive to playing dynamics

✗ CONS

• Limited output compared to humbuckers
• May need noise reduction

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dogear SetSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarAntiquity Model2 Single coilsDelivers the raw...

⭐ 4.7/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 554331

$505

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Surf ST Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.4/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Surf ST Set

by Seymour Duncan

Country Vintage Rock Surf Music

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage sound

✓ PROS

• Bright, clear tone character
• Great note definition

✗ CONS

• May need noise reduction
• Susceptible to electrical interference

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Surf ST SetSingle Coil Pickup SetANTII-SS on the neckANTII-SS RW/RP in the middle and...

⭐ 4.4/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 377140

$637

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 $800 2026

Seymour Duncan Antiquity ST Texas Hot Set

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set OW

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S WH Pickguard YJM Fury

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set W

Seymour Duncan Philip Sayce Mother Set LTD

Kloppmann Errorhead Set F-Space BK

Lollar Super-Caster Set C

Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken ST - Pickup Set

Seymour Duncan STK-S10S BK Yngwie J Malmsteen

DiMarzio Area Pre.wired Replacement

Seymour Duncan Hendrix Loaded PG Voodoo

Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dogear Set

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Surf ST Set

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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