Best electric guitar pickups: Find the best type for your sound

A lot of emphasis is put on electric guitar pickups for good reason. Beginners have no shortage of content on how to get the most out of their budget guitars, and after a proper setup swapping out the pickups is usually the first suggestion.

There are many different types of pickups, and they all have their own distinct vibes. So let’s run down our top choices for the different variations of guitar pickups, why we selected them, and why you should consider throwing them into your guitar if you’re looking for a tone change.

Best Stratocaster single-coil electric guitar pickups: Fender Custom Shop 1969 Strat Pickup Set

There are a lot of legendary eras of Fender Stratocaster pickups, and the late 60s models are at the top of the heap. Full and punchy, with the glassy clarity that sets these single-coils apart from the pack.

Powered by Alnico V magnets, this SSS set features two conductor wires. That’s really the only downside. There aren’t as many wiring options with a two-conductor pickup set, but with the standard five-way switching Strats sport there are plenty of sounds on deck.

They’re not cheap. But it’s a three pickup set, so it comes out to just under $100 for each if you buy them new. But for the authentic late 60s Strat tone that took the guitar world by storm from coast to coast and around the world it doesn’t get any closer than the company that started it.

Best Telecaster single-coil electric guitar pickups: Fender Vintage Noiseless Tele Pickup Set

Telecaster tone is like no other. The guitar style fits into all styles, and it’s the rock that country music was and remains built on. But like all original single-coil pickups they were notorious for picking up that aggravating 60-cycle hum. Especially in places that have “dirty power”. 

That’s a thing of the past with this authentic Telecaster pickup set. They’re created with the same technology as their Strat variants that include special Alnico 2 magnets and enamel coated magnet wire. You get classic Tele tone without the noise.

This Telecaster pickup set gives you the coveted sound of the 60s without the hum. And they fit into any T-style guitar other types with a single-coil route. 

Best P90 electric guitar pickups: Mojotone ‘56 Quiet Coil P90 Soapbar Pickup Set

If you haven’t noticed the theme, single-coil electric guitar pickups used to be noisy. P90s are probably the most misunderstood type of pickup. Their sound is at the intersection of the clarity and midrange of single-coils and the girth and growl of humbuckers.

Mojotone nailed their take on Gibson’s original design, with all of the response and dynamics of the originals without the pesky noise issues. No more compromising tone and feel at the expense of reducing noise.

Scatterwound coils provide the tone, sensitivity, and clarity of handwound pickups. The Alnico magnet cores are formulated to vintage P90 specs. Vintage braided cloth makes them easy to solder, and the peak frequency, resistance, and inductance match the specs of a vintage P90.

It’s worth mentioning there are two types of P90 pickups – soapbar and dogear. These are the soapbar design, which have different dimensions. It’s important to understand which type of P90s your guitar’s body is routed for before making a buying decision.

Best passive humbucker electric guitar pickups: Seymour Duncan SH-55 Seth Lover Humbucker Pickup Set

It’s tough to pick a “best” option in humbucker pickups because by design they have such a wide range of sounds available. So we went with the classic sound that originally put humbuckers on the map – Seth Lover’s initial design.

Both pickups are built on an Alnico 2 magnet for the best balance of a warm and full low end and smooth high end. Vintage output coils bring out your guitar’s harmonic content in the best way for single notes that sing and chords that are lush and full.

This set is true to Seth Lover’s original specs. Seymour Duncan manufactures the bobbin molds in the same factory that originally made the P.A.F. mold for Gibson. Each one is wound on the Leesona winding machine from the early Gibson years when the factory was in Michigan.

One of the best things about humbuckers is the four-conductor wiring. This opens up a world of wiring options other types of pickups don’t offer.

Best active humbucker electric guitar pickups: EMG ZW Zakk Wylde 81/85 Humbucker Set

When it comes to active electric guitar pickups EMG is king. We didn’t select this set because it has Zakk Wylde’s name on it, though there’s no denying how epic his playing and songwriting is. We chose it because it includes EMG’s most popular, and arguably most important, models in the 81 and 85.

Traditionally the 81 is used in the bridge position and the 85 in the neck position. Due to their versatile design, you can use them in converse positions, but traditionally it goes 85 to the neck and 81 to the bridge. Active pickups are great for high gain tones like hard rock and metal.

The 85 has a thick low end and broad high range, with a midrange that has great clarity. And the 81 provides consistent sustain and fast attack. This set comes with everything you need to throw them into your favorite guitar and includes Quick-connect cables and jacks, an input/output buss, volume and tone pots, even shrink tubing, screws and springs.

Keep in mind, active pickups do require an onboard preamp to function. So you’ll need to stock up on 9v batteries and ensure your guitar body has room for the preamp. It adds a little extra weight to the guitar too.

FAQ

Do pickups work differently in different guitars?

Yes. Body wood, scale length, and guitar construction all influence how a pickup sounds. The same pickup can sound bright in one guitar and dark in another.

Do pickup magnets matter, and what’s the difference between Alnico and ceramic?

Yes, magnet type has a big impact on tone. Alnico magnets, especially Alnico II and V, are common in vintage-style electric guitar pickups. They offer warm low end, smooth highs, and a balanced midrange. 

Ceramic magnets have a hotter and more aggressive tone with sharp highs, tight bass, and are popular for modern rock and metal.

How does pickup position change the tone?

The bridge pickup is typically brighter and more focused. This makes it perfect for leads that cut through a mix. The neck pickup is warmer and rounder. Middle pickups, mainly in Strat-style guitars, provide a balanced tone and are often used in combination positions for that signature “quack.”