Seymour Duncan
United States · Est. 1976
The world's most popular replacement pickup brand. The JB and '59 are the most-installed aftermarket pickups on guitars worldwide.
HumbuckerSingle-coilActiveVintageHigh gain
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Guitar Pickup Brands
A guide to the most iconic guitar pickup brands — from the mass-market manufacturers who defined the industry to the boutique winders whose hand-crafted pickups are among the most sought-after in the world.
DiMarzio
United States · Est. 1971
The inventors of the replacement pickup market. The Super Distortion was the first high-output pickup and opened an entirely new industry.
HumbuckerSingle-coilHigh gainProgMetal
→EMG
United States · Est. 1974
The absolute standard in active pickups. The EMG 81 has defined the sound of modern metal since the 1980s.
ActiveHumbuckerMetalHigh gainLow noise
→Bare Knuckle
United Kingdom · Est. 2001
The British boutique reference. Hand-wound pickups in Cornwall with individually selected components. Used by the world's most demanding technical guitarists.
HumbuckerSingle-coilBoutiqueMetalProg
→Lollar
United States · Est. 1992
The boutique reference for country, blues, and jazz guitarists. Their Telecaster single-coils are the Nashville standard.
Single-coilHumbuckerP-90VintageCountryBlues
→TV Jones
United States · Est. 1993
The definitive manufacturer of Filtertron pickups for Gretsch guitars. The Classic is the most recognised rockabilly and country pickup in the world.
FiltertronSingle-coilVintageCountryRockabilly
→Fralin
United States · Est. 1989
Richmond boutique reference for Stratocaster and Telecaster single-coils. Favourites of the most demanding session guitarists.
Single-coilHumbuckerP-90VintageBluesCountry
→Fishman
United States · Est. 1981
Creators of Fluence technology. Active pickups with printed coils that eliminate hum entirely while preserving the organic character of passive pickups.
ActiveHumbuckerSingle-coilFluenceHum-free
→Gibson
United States · Est. 1952
The creators of the original PAF. The Burstbuckers and 57 Classics are the most authentic recreations of the humbucker that defined classic rock.
HumbuckerP-90VintagePAFClassic rock
→Fender
United States · Est. 1946
The inventors of the modern single-coil. The Custom Shop 54s and Pure Vintage are the reference for authentic Strat and Tele tone.
Single-coilVintageStratTeleCountryBlues
→Railhammer
United States · Est. 2010
Pickups with a bar pole design on bass strings and adjustable poles on trebles. Articulate attack on low strings and crystal clarity on highs.
HumbuckerMetalProgHigh gainModern
→Lundgren
Sweden · Est. 1994
Swedish boutique pickups used by Meshuggah and Periphery. The standard of European progressive metal and djent.
HumbuckerMetalProgBoutique7 and 8-string
→Häussel
Germany · Est. 1965
The German boutique reference. Hand-wound pickups in Bavaria with individually selected magnets. Favourites of European jazz and blues.
HumbuckerSingle-coilBoutiqueJazzBluesVintage
→Kinman
Australia · Est. 1994
Australian pioneers of hum-free single-coils. Their Hum-Canceling pickups preserve 100% of Strat tone without the characteristic hum.
Single-coilHum-freeStratTeleBluesCountry
→Rio Grande
United States · Est. 1993
Texan boutique pickup maker specialising in Texas blues tone. Their Telecaster pickups are favourites on the Austin circuit.
Single-coilP-90HumbuckerBluesCountryVintage
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