Electric Guitar Pickups
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- Seymour Duncan (553)
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Price Range
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- $200 to $300 (290)
- $300 to $500 (183)
- $500 to $750 (4)
- $750 to $1000 (8)
Financing What is this?
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Type What is this?
Quantity
Active/Passive
Position What is this?
Magnet Material What is this?
- Alnico (975)
- Alnico/Ceramic (9)
- Alnico/Steel (10)
- Ceramic (285)
- Ceramic/Steel (14)
- Cobalt (2)
- CuNiFe (10)
Number of Conductors What is this?
Connectivity
Covering What is this?
Number of Strings What is this?
Configuration What is this?
Format
- Strat-sized (248)
- PAF (125)
- Tele-sized (97)
- P-90 (65)
- Filtertron (57)
- Stacked Coil (57)
- Soapbar (49)
- Jazzmaster (23)
- Mini Humbucker (14)
- Dog Ear (13)
- Jaguar (6)
Related Searches
EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Signature 81/85 Humbucker Pickup Set - Black
Active Humbucking Pickup Set, Zakk Wylde Signature, with 1 EMG-85, 1 EMG-81, Quick-Connect Cables, 4 Volume/Tone Controls, Screws and Springs, and Collectible Zakk Wylde Guitar Pick - Black
If you want to compare another product, please remove one of your earlier choices.
About Electric Guitar Pickups
A key to nailing the tone is having the right pickups installed in your guitar. Occasionally, you may need something other than what the manufacturer’s stock pickups can provide.
If you find yourself in this position, don’t fret. Sweetwater guitarists have swapped our pickups and pots more times than we can count, and we’ve got the tools and expertise you can count on to capture the sound you're after — whether it's the meaty midrange of a metal humbucker or the iconic twang of Texas single-coil.
Shop Electric Guitar Pickups by Brand
Are you a beginner in need of a tonal transplant? A session player looking to add flavors to a new guitar? Whatever your experience level, Sweetwater has the pickups and accessories that best fit your needs. Our wide selection of electric guitar pickups from the top brands, including Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, EMG, Fishman, Fender, and more, will ensure you have the electric guitar pickup that best fits your needs.
Electric Guitar Pickup FAQs
What is an electric guitar pickup?
At its most basic, a guitar pickup comprises one or more magnets inserted into a bobbin and wound with conductive wire. This simple device transforms mechanical energy (string vibrations) into electrical energy, which flows into your guitar amp and is converted back into mechanical energy as sound waves. To learn more, check out our article on how guitar pickups work.
How do I shop electric guitar pickups at Sweetwater?
Sweetwater makes finding your first or next electric guitar pickup easy. Check out our refined search filters to fine-tune your search. If you aren’t sure which electric guitar pickup best fits your needs and skill level, check out our helpful articles about active vs. passive pickups, choosing the best humbucker pickups for you, and more.
Contemplating New Pickups? Consider the Following
At Sweetwater, you’ll find an impressive collection of the most popular aftermarket pickups — from passive P-90s and Strat pickups to signature sets and high-output active humbuckers. In the market for a new set of your own? Consider the following.
Pickup size and fit
The first thing you need to consider is the fit. Pickups come in many shapes and sizes, and a pickup designed for one kind of electric guitar often won’t fit in a different type without re-routing the pickup cavity. The most common pickup routings are the single-coil style (found on Fender Stratocasters and similar guitars) and the dual-coil humbucker style (found on Gibson Les Pauls and countless other models).
Gibson-style humbuckers tend to be twice as wide as Strat-sized single-coil electric guitar pickups, but there are stacked humbuckers designed for all kinds of single-coil routings. There are many other pickup styles in addition to the common Strat and Les Paul sizes, including Telecaster, mini, and soapbar, to name a few.
Pickup tonal properties
Speaking of tone, there are two primary pickup types — single-coils and dual-coils (a.k.a. humbuckers) — and they can sound quite a bit different. Single-coil pickups tend to be bright, with a voice that cuts through dense mixes. They range from midrange-focused Tele and snappy yet rounded Strat tones to the slightly rude and aggressive sound of P90s. Humbuckers, on the other hand, tend to be loud and deep, with satisfying warmth. They’re also much quieter than single-coils. Both types of electric guitar pickups come in a wide range of voicing, so you’ll find all kinds of specific options.
Want more flexibility out of your pickups? Keep an eye out for 4-pole humbuckers. Standard 2-pole humbuckers are limited to a single basic sound (the same way single-coils are), but 4-pole models can offer extra flexibility. With the proper switching mechanisms, these dual-coil electric guitar pickups can deliver numerous voicings, including true single-coil tone.
After single-coil or humbucker, the most significant divide between pickup styles is active versus passive electronics. Passive pickups are often thought of as the more dynamic and organic of the two. They tend to have a rounder and sweeter tone with greater natural midrange warmth. Active pickups, by contrast, are loud and hot, with a compressed character and typically more focused tone. They’re perfect for pushing your amplifier into overdrive, which is one of the reasons metal players and aggressive guitarists tend to prefer them.
Other important pickup considerations
Single-coil or humbucker, 2-pole or 4-pole, and passive or active are the three biggest considerations, but there are a few additional options you should know about. For instance, there are special pickup systems for turning your guitar into a MIDI instrument, and there are piezoelectric pickups you can add to your guitar to capture its acoustic-type sound. Don't hesitate to reach out to your Sales Engineer for tips on achieving the sound you've been chasing.
Get Started with Your New Electric Guitar Pickups
Ready to purchase your first or next electric guitar pickup? Sweetwater makes it easy. If you don’t know where to begin, contact our highly knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700. If you prefer to shop online, Sweetwater’s website has tools to narrow down your electric guitar pickup choices based on format, configuration, magnet material, soldered/solderless connectivity, and more. Select your preferred specs in our convenient product filter and explore your options!
For more information on guitar pickups and switching systems, check out these related buying guides:
- “How to Upgrade Guitar Pickups” | SweetCare
- “Best Guitar Pickups for Metal” | inSync
- “Adjusting Strat Pickup Height” | SweetCare
- Gibson Guitar Pickup Shootout | inSync
- Fender’s Tim Shaw Talks CuNiFe Pickups & More | inSync
- “Fishman Signature Pickups: Tim Henson Sonic Showcase” | inSync
What are the most popular brands for Electric Guitar Pickups on Sweetwater.com?
What are the most popular Electric Guitar Pickups on Sweetwater.com?
-
EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Signature 81/85 Humbucker Pickup Set - Black
4.5 out of 5 stars 27 reviews
$219.00 -
EMG DG20 David Gilmour Signature Pre-Wired Pickguard - Black with Black Pickups
4.5 out of 5 stars 19 reviews
$349.00 -
Seymour Duncan Hot-rodded Humbucker Pickup Set - Black
5 out of 5 stars 73 reviews
$198.00 -
EMG 81 Active Ceramic Humbucker Guitar Pickup - Black
5 out of 5 stars 11 reviews
$109.00 -
EMG SL20 Steve Lukather Signature Pre-wired Pickguard with 3 Pickups - Black Pearl
5 out of 5 stars 7 reviews
$299.00
Why shop Electric Guitar Pickups at Sweetwater.com?
With a massive selection of Electric Guitar Pickups, free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, 24/7 access to award-winning support - and more - Sweetwater gives you more than any other retailer! If you have any questions about Electric Guitar Pickups, make sure to give your personal Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.
