Best Electric Guitar Pickups & Pickup Covers of 2025

Joseph Hubbard Avatar
Joseph Hubbard
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2025

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Electric guitar pickups and pickup covers are essential components of any electric guitar. Pickups are the heart of an electric guitar's sound, converting string vibrations into electrical signals that are transmitted to an amplifier. There are many different types of pickups available, including single-coil, humbucker, and P-90, each with its own unique tonal characteristics. Pickup covers, on the other hand, are used to protect the pickups from damage and to control the amount of electromagnetic interference that can affect the guitar's tone. They come in a variety of materials and colors, allowing players to customize the look of their guitar while also improving its performance.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Cover #TOP 1
Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Staggered Strat Pickup Cover #TOP 2
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Staggered Strat Pickup
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Wilkinson Vintage Classic Alnico 5 Overwound Open Style Humbucker Pickups Neck Bridge Pickup Set Cover #TOP 3
Wilkinson Vintage Classic Alnico 5 Overwound Open Style Humbucker Pickups Neck Bridge Pickup Set
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Electric Guitar Pickups & Pickup Covers

#TOP 1

Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB

1110213-B
Black
Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Cover
Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Bridge Humbucker Pickup - Electric Guitar Pickup, Perfect for Blues, Country, Punk, Hard Rock, and Metal

The Seymour Duncan JB Pickup is a versatile and powerful humbucker suitable for various music styles. It offers dynamic sustain, perfect for enhancing solos and heavy chords. You can easily customize tones using different volume pots. This legendary humbucker is known for its hot-rodded design, delivering full lows, crisp highs, and crunch to heavy chords. Hand-built in the USA, it features quality materials and is wax potted for noise-free performance.

What We Like
Versatile for various styles
Dynamic sustain for solos
Easy tone customization
Legendary hot-rodded humbucker
#TOP 2

Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Staggered Strat Pickup

Seymour Duncan
Black
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Staggered Strat Pickup Cover
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Staggered Strat Pickup - High Output Single Coil Neck/Middle/Bridge Electric Guitar Pickup

The Seymour Duncan Pickup is known for its extra power, punchy midrange, sparkly harmonics, and versatile setup. The quarter-inch rod magnets provide extra output and punch, giving your guitar a powerful sound. Its fat and punchy midrange with a well-defined top end is perfect for cranking up the volume. The hand polished Alnico 5 rod magnets deliver sparkly midrange harmonics, ensuring great sustain and full chords. This pickup offers a versatile setup, allowing you to achieve a huge sound or added versatility by pairing with another Strat pickup.

What We Like
Extra Power
Punchy Midrange
Sparkly Harmonics
#TOP 3

Wilkinson Vintage Classic Alnico 5 Overwound Open Style Humbucker Pickups Neck Bridge Pickup Set

MX1757BKMX1758BK
Set Black
Wilkinson Vintage Classic Alnico 5 Overwound Open Style Humbucker Pickups Neck Bridge Pickup Set Cover
Wilkinson Vintage Classic Alnico 5 Overwound Open Style Humbucker Pickups Neck Bridge Pickup Set for Epiphone Les Paul LP Electric Guitar, Black

Musiclily Humbucker Pickup Set is a versatile set suitable for most electric guitars. Made by Wilkinson, these pickups offer vintage tones with a big fat sound and rich harmonics. The Alnico V magnets provide focused dynamics. They come with 50mm/52mm pole spacing for neck and bridge positions. With 7.6K resistance for the neck and 14.1K for the bridge, these pickups are wax potted for durability. The four conductor wires allow for different wiring configurations, enhancing your guitar's versatility.

What We Like
Versatile for most electric guitars
Vintage tones with rich harmonics
Alnico V magnets for focused dynamics
#TOP 4

Seymour Duncan Dimebucker Humbucker Set

SSH-13 BLK
Black
Seymour Duncan Dimebucker Humbucker Set Cover
Seymour Duncan SH-13 Dimebucker Humbucker Set - Electric Guitar Pickup, Thick and Crunchy Tone

The Seymour Duncan Dimebucker Set offers you a signature pickup with a crunchy pick attack for that perfect electric guitar sound. Its distinctive tonal quality provides a unique, saturated tone that remains steady even under heavy playing. This set's versatile sound range delivers warm tones with mixed distortion and a high-end cut that's just right. You'll appreciate the full, tight low-end response and smooth, crunchy distortion tone, making it ideal for various music styles.

What We Like
Crunchy pick attack
Distinctive tonal quality
Versatile sound range
#TOP 5

Wilkinson M Series Strat Pickups Set

MX2065WHMX2066WHMX2067WH
White
Wilkinson M Series Strat Pickups Set Cover
Wilkinson M Series High Output Alnico 5 Strat Single Coil Pickups Set for Stratocaster Electric Guitar, White

The Wilkinson Strat Pickups are designed for Strat-style electric guitars, offering versatility for neck, middle, and bridge positions. These pickups feature a wax-potted construction, which helps to reduce unwanted noise, making your playing experience cleaner and more enjoyable. With a reverse wound and reverse polarity design, they provide excellent hum-canceling capabilities. The Alnico 5 magnets deliver a balanced string response, ensuring you get a rich sound that appeals to rock musicians, especially when using overdriven amps and pedals. This set is perfect for achieving that classic single-coil tone.

What We Like
Hum-canceling feature
Balanced string response
Suitable for rock music
Versatile positioning
#TOP 6

Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz Hot Rodded Humbucker Set

JB and Jazz Set
Black
Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz Hot Rodded Humbucker Set Cover
Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz Hot Rodded Humbucker Set - Electric Guitar Pickups, Perfect for Blues, Rock, Country, and Metal

The Seymour Duncan Hot Rodded Set includes the SH-4 JB pickup for the bridge and the SH-2N Jazz Model for the neck. These pickups offer exceptional versatility, suitable for various genres like blues, rock, country, and metal. With hot coils and alnico 5 magnet, they provide a unique tone with defined lows and rich highs for expressive playing. The dynamic response of the JB pickup adds juice and versatility to your guitar, while the Jazz Model neck pickup offers an articulate treble response. Made in the USA, these pickups are hand-built for top-notch performance.

What We Like
Versatile for various genres
Unique tone with defined lows and rich highs
Dynamic response for expressive playing
#TOP 7

Fender Deluxe Drive Telecaster Pickups

0992223000
Deluxe Drive
Fender Deluxe Drive Telecaster Pickups Cover
Fender Deluxe Drive Telecaster Pickups

The Fender Telecaster Pickups are designed to enhance your guitar's sound. The polysol-coated magnet wire ensures durability while providing a clear signal. With flush-mount pole pieces, you'll experience a balanced response across all strings, making your playing more consistent. Alnico 3 magnets are included to deliver focused tones and improved dynamics, allowing you to express your musicality with greater depth. Additionally, the vinyl-coated output wire and plastic bobbin construction contribute to a reliable setup that can withstand the rigors of performance.

What We Like
Durable magnet wire
Balanced string response
Enhanced tonal focus
Reliable construction
#TOP 8

Fender Deluxe Drive Pickups

0992222000
Deluxe Drive
Fender Deluxe Drive Pickups Cover
Fender Deluxe Drive Stratocaster Pickups

The Fender Deluxe Drive offers a range of features designed to enhance your playing experience. The polysol-coated magnet wire ensures durability and reliable performance, while the staggered pole pieces provide a smooth and balanced tone across all strings, making it perfect for various styles. Alnico 3 magnets contribute to a focused sound with greater dynamics, allowing you to express your music more effectively. Additionally, the vinyl-coated output wire and plastic bobbin construction add to the overall quality and longevity of the pickups. With these features, you can enjoy a richer sound and improved playability.

What We Like
Durable magnet wire
Balanced tone across strings
Enhanced sound dynamics
Quality construction materials
#TOP 9

Fender Tex-Mex Strat Pickups

0992131000
White
Fender Tex-Mex Strat Pickups Cover
Fender Tex-Mex Strat Pickups

The Fender Tex-Mex Pickups are designed to capture the essence of a vintage Stratocaster while providing a boost in output. You will enjoy the warmth and clarity that Alnico V magnets deliver, enhancing your guitar's overall sound. The Polysol-coated magnet wire adds durability, ensuring that your pickups last longer while maintaining their performance. These features collectively allow you to express your musical style with greater control and richness, making your playing experience even more enjoyable.

What We Like
Vintage-style sound
Increased output
Durable construction
Enhanced tonal control
#TOP 10

Roland GK-3 Midi Pickup

GK-3
Black
Roland GK-3 Midi Pickup Cover
Roland GK-3 Divided Pickup

The BOSS GK-3 Pickup is an adjustable external guitar MIDI pickup designed for versatile musical expression. It features a standard 1/4" jack, allowing you to easily connect it to your normal guitar input. This means you can seamlessly integrate MIDI capabilities into your guitar setup without any complicated installations. The adjustable nature of the pickup lets you customize its position for optimal sound capture, ensuring you get the best performance out of your instrument. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this pickup enhances your creative possibilities and makes it easier to explore different musical styles.

What We Like
Adjustable for optimal sound
Easy 1/4" jack connection
Versatile MIDI integration
Enhances musical creativity
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do guitar pickups need covers?

Guitar pickup covers are not necessary, but they can have a minor impact on the tone. They have the potential to reduce excess noise and dampen high-end frequencies, which some people may find beneficial.

2. Do pickup covers change the sound of a guitar?

Pickup covers, even if made of plastic or wood, can still have a slight effect on the tonal properties of a guitar. Uncovered pickups tend to sound brighter and more open compared to covered pickups, assuming all other variables like magnet, coil, and physical properties are the same.

3. Do humbuckers need covers?

Humbucker pickups can have a cover over the top or be left uncovered. The presence or absence of a cover not only affects the appearance but also alters the tone of the electric guitar.

4. Should I peel the plastic off my pickups?

Peeling off the plastic covering on the pickups is a personal choice. While it can protect the pickups from scratches, leaving the plastic on won't significantly affect the tone, if at all.

5. What is the point of pickup covers?

The main purpose of pickup covers is to provide protection for the magnet coils. Having covered pickups reduces the risk of damaging the coils.

6. Are pickup covers worth it?

The impact of pickup covers on tone is generally minimal, so it's not a significant concern. However, pickup covers can potentially reduce noise and dampen high-end frequencies, which some people may find beneficial.

7. Do humbuckers sound better without covers?

Uncovered humbuckers tend to sound brighter and more open compared to covered ones, assuming all other factors like magnet, coil, and physical properties are the same.

8. Can I put covers on my humbuckers?

Yes, you can put covers on your humbuckers. Ensure that the cover fits snugly over the pickup and that the pole pieces fit through the holes. It's important to have the right size cover for your specific humbucker.

Editor's Notes

During our electric guitar pickups & pickup cover research, we found 24 electric guitar pickups & pickup cover products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 11,667 customer reviews through our big data system to write the electric guitar pickups & pickup covers list. We found that most customers choose electric guitar pickups & pickup covers with an average price of $55.78.

The electric guitar pickups & pickup covers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of electric guitar pickups & pickup covers, including Seymour Duncan, Musiclily, Fender, BOSS. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 649 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Joseph Hubbard Avatar

Joseph Hubbard is a music producer and runs a musical instrument store in Chicago. Joseph is happy to help others choose the instrument that best suits their needs. He loves everything related to music and often publishes articles related to music on key websites.