Best Guitar Pickups 2024 – Including Best Cheap Guitar Pickups

Best Guitar Pickups 2024 - Including Best Cheap Guitar Pickups









Raphael Pulgar







March 21, 2024







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Upgrading electric guitar pickups is a surefire way to improve your guitar’s tone. Thankfully, there are plenty of excellent pickups that can be had with minimal spending. Here, we share our selection of the best guitar pickups for 2024, along with expert insights on tone and pickup choice.









Best Bridge Humbucker for Rock





Dimarzio Super Distortion DP100The DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 is a legendary humbucker pickup that has left an indelible mark on the world of electric guitar.








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Best All-Around Humbucker





Seymour Duncan JB HumbuckerThe Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Model is a legendary humbucker pickup that has been a favorite among guitarists for nearly four decades








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Best Neck Position Humbucker





Seymour Duncan SH-2n JazzThe Seymour Duncan SH-2n Jazz Model is a versatile humbucker pickup known for its clear and bright tone.








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Best Stratocaster Pickup Set





Fender Custom Shop Texas SpecialThe Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Stratocaster pickups are renowned for their distinctive sound, particularly associated with hot Texas blues.








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Best Telecaster Pickup Set





Tonerider Vintage PlusThe Tonerider Vintage Plus Set for Telecaster is a versatile pickup set that balances warmth, clarity, and versatility.








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Let’s discuss one of the most crucial components that defines the sound of your electric guitar. Yes, you guessed it right—it’s the pickups! These little magnetic wonders are nothing less than the heart and soul of the guitar, influencing all the iconic guitar tones we love.Wondering why pickups matter so much? For starters, they’re the primary source of your guitar’s tone. No matter how good your guitar’s construction or tonewoods are, the pickups transform your acoustic sound into something more refined, dynamic, and expressive, even before it hits the amp and speakers. But that’s not all—each pickup type has unique characteristics that can help you sculpt your guitar’s personality. For instance, single coils are perfect for genres like funk, blues, or country, thanks to their crisp and bright sound. On the other hand, humbuckers offer a richer, fuller output that’s ideal for rock or heavy metal. And here’s the best part – upgrading pickups can help you fine-tune your sound without investing in a new guitar. Whether you want more warmth, clarity, or aggression, the best guitar pickups can help you achieve it. So, don’t underestimate the power of these little wonders – they can take your playing to the next level and truly define your guitar’s sonic identity. Trust us; your guitar will thank you!You don’t even have to go for expensive boutique pickups. You can achieve tone improvements by going for the best cheap guitar pickups. They’re also an easy upgrade. Note that some pickups are priced higher because they come in a set.






















Table of Contents










Best Guitar Pickups 2024​












Dimarzio Super Distortion DP100​













Seymour Duncan JB Humbucker







Seymour Duncan SH-2n Jazz​













Fender Custom Shop Texas Specia







Tonerider Vintage Plus







Wilkinson Vintage Tone Alnico V Overwound













Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Guitar Pickup















Best Guitar Pickups















Dimarzio Super Distortion DP100



Best Bridge Humbucker for Rock

















Dimarzio Super Distortion DP100



Guitarsite Expert Opinion







This legendary humbucker pickup revolutionized the world of electric guitar when it was invented in the early Seventies as a replacement pickup. It continues to be a classic choice for guitarists across genres.





















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Looking for the perfect pickup to boost your sound? Look no further than the iconic DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100! It sports one of the highest outputs among passive pickups.So, what makes the Super Distortion so unique? Its design and features were specifically crafted to push a tube amp into total overdrive, creating a wall of sound that fills any room or track. Its tonal balance includes thick, boosted mids, big lows, and fat highs, making it the perfect bridge position pickup for single notes or chords. Plus, with 4-conductor wiring, you can instantly access Strat-like split and series-parallel modes.Not convinced yet? Consider the famous users who have relied on the Super Distortion for decades, including Ace Frehley, Al Di Meola, Phil Collen, Tom Scholz, and Paul Gilbert. Eddie Van Halen has been rumored to have used one on one of his guitars. No wonder this pickup has graced platinum records and stood the test of time. It’s one of the best pickups for Les Paul type guitars.But what about the pros and cons? On the plus side, the Super Distortion livens up guitars, offers versatility, and rounds out and warms up the tone, especially in Gibson Les Paul guitars. Its thick lows and crunchy midrange tones are perfect for rock and metal styles, and its ability to cut through the mix ensures that lead playing shines through in a band context. Controllable feedback is achievable a few seconds into a sustained note. Plus, DiMarzio’s quality construction makes this high output pickup reliable and durable.On the downside, some players may find the low-end bass response not as tight as they’d like, and the EQ spikes in the bass and midrange may not suit everyone’s taste. However, these are subjective issues that boil down to personal preferences. For output and tightness, Active Pickups would be better. The DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 is one of the best high output pickups for guitarists who want that classic, powerful tone that has stood the test of time. Whether you’re rocking out, playing blues, or diving into hard rock, this pickup delivers the goods. So what are you waiting for? Give your guitar the best pickups it deserves!







Pros:







Livens up electric guitars




Thick lows and crunchy mids




Makes your tone fill up a space








Cons:







Not tight enough for modern metal




Too nasal for some amps or distortion pedals














Specifications:
Type: HumbuckerPosition: Bridge, NeckActive/Passive: PassiveMagnet Material: CeramicConductors: 4 wire plus groundDC Resistance: 13.68KConnectivity: SolderedNumber of Strings: 6































Seymour Duncan JB Humbucker



Bess All-Around Humbucker
















Seymour Duncan JB Humbucker



Guitarsite Expert Opinion







This pickup is ideal for players who want a versatile sound that can handle various music genres, such as blues, punk, hard rock, or metal.





















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If you’re a guitar enthusiast, chances are you have heard of the Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Model. It’s a classic pickup that musicians have loved for almost 40 years! 
So, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. The Seymour Duncan JB Model, also known as the SH-4, is a high-output humbucker perfect for the bridge position of electric guitars. Thanks to its Alnico 5 magnet, it’s an absolute powerhouse that delivers a balanced blend of warmth and aggression. Its strong treble detail and aggressive harmonics make it perfect for lead work and rhythm playing. 
Moreover, the SH-4 JB has an upper-midrange boost that adds crunch and chunk to heavy chords, making it an excellent choice for aggressive music genres. But that’s not all—it can also clean up nicely for warm, sweet tones, making it a truly versatile pickup. 
If you’re still not convinced, let me tell you that this pickup is hand-built in California by a team of master builders with an average of 21 years of experience. Each pickup is period-correct and designed to create the most fantastic sound possible. 
Of course, as with any pickup, there are some cons to consider. Some players may find the SH-4 JB’s tone not to their liking since personal preferences play a significant role in pickup selection. Also, since it comes stock on some electric guitars, a few users have replaced it with other pickups, such as the DiMarzio X2N or Crunch Lab, to better suit their preferences. 
Overall, the Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Model is a modern classic that won’t disappoint. It’s one of the best cheap guitar pickups for metal around. So, if you’re after a versatile humbucker that can handle everything from sweet cleans to searing leads, you should definitely check it out!









Pros:







Great harmonics and sustain




Upper-midrange boost makes solos cut




Versatile








Cons:







Upper mid spike may be screechy













Specifications:
Type: HumbuckerPosition: BridgeActive/Passive: PassiveMagnet Material: Alnico VConductors: 4 wire plus shieldDC Resistance: 16.6KConnectivity: SolderedNumber of Strings: 6






























Seymour Duncan SH-2n Jazz



Bess Neck Humbucker
















Seymour Duncan SH-2n Jazz



Guitarsite Expert Opinion







This versatile humbucker is praised for its clear and bright tone, making it a go-to choice for jazz and blues players alike. 





















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Are you on the hunt for the perfect neck position clean tone for your guitar? Look no further than the Seymour Duncan SH-2n Jazz Model!Crafted with an Alnico 5 bar magnet and a special coil wind, the Jazz Model offers a glassy treble response and full, tight bass when played clean. When distorted, its tones are full and bright and provide smooth sustain. The glassiness persists even when rolling down the volume knob.But that’s not all! The SH-2n Jazz Model’s slightly lower output makes it designed to match most bridge pickups. With its scooped mids, each note sings clearly, even under extremely high gain.This pickup also comes with a four-conductor hookup cable for versatile wiring options, making it a versatile choice for various genres. Plus, its moderate output balances well with other pickups.Of course, no pickup is perfect for everyone. While the SH-2n Jazz Model’s smooth and warm tone, rich harmonics, clarity, and versatility make it an excellent choice for many players, it may not be the best fit if you prefer a warmer, darker tone or if you’re specifically looking for a pickup for high-gain distortion. Ultimately, pickup preferences are subjective, so it’s worth trying the SH-2n Jazz Model and seeing how it works for you! Combined with the Seymour Duncan JB model. they make the best humbuckers for all around playing.









Pros: