Humbuckers revolutionized guitar sound with their dual-coil design, effectively eliminating the unwanted hum of single-coil pickups. These pickups are sought-after for their ability to deliver cleaner, richer sounds that complement many genres. Finding the best humbucker pickups can significantly enhance your guitar’s sound and playability.
In this guide, we’ll review the best humbuckers while emphasizing their performance and features for specific musical styles. Whether you seek the sonic warmth ideal for jazz or the crisp aggression for metal, these humbuckers can produce the sound you’re after.
What Are Humbuckers?
Humbuckers, or double-coil pickups, stand out in the guitar world for their distinct structure and sound. They employ two coils wound in opposite directions to counteract the hum produced by single-coil pickups.
This configuration cancels out electromagnetic interference, resulting in a cleaner sound. Their invention in the mid-20th century marked a significant advancement in guitar technology, offering players a noise-free solution without sacrificing tone quality.
Humbuckers produce a warm, rich sound with more volume than their single-coil counterparts, making them a favorite among many guitarists.
The Benefits Of Using Humbucker Pickups
The advantages of humbuckers make them popular for guitarists seeking a specific sound and playing experience.
For starters, one of the main strengths of humbuckers is their noise-canceling benefits. They allow for a clearer, purer tone without the buzz commonly associated with single-coil pickups. This makes humbuckers ideal for recording and performing in environments where sound clarity is paramount.
Secondly, humbuckers deliver a thicker, fuller sound with more sustain. This can often enhance the musical expression in genres that demand depth and richness in guitar tones.
Their design also allows for a more diverse range of tonal possibilities, from bright and punchy to smooth and mellow, providing musicians with a broad sonic palette from which to work. Their versatility across genres ensures that your pickups keep up with your needs, whether you’re into blues, rock, jazz, or metal.
These features ultimately make humbucker pickups a highly versatile tool in a guitarist’s arsenal.
The 8 Best Humbucker Pickups For Every Genre
Now, let’s take a closer look at the eight best humbucker pickups for any genre or playing style. We will focus on what makes each pickup stand out in terms of overall sound & playability.
#1) Seymour Duncan JB Model SH-4 Humbucker Pickup (Best Overall)
The Seymour Duncan JB Model SH-4 pickup is sought after for its versatility, suitable for a wide range of genres. Its DC resistance is about 16.4k ohms, indicating a high output level ideal for cutting through dense mixes.
These pickups are also equipped with an Alnico 5-bar magnet, which delivers a balanced mix of warm lows and bright highs. This is complemented by a 4-conductor cable, allowing for versatile wiring options, including coil-splitting for single-coil tones.
The JB Model’s pole pieces are spaced to accommodate both humbucker and Trembucker spacings. This helps ensure compatibility with a wide range of guitar models, which contributes to its versatile nature.
Overall, JB Model SH-4 Humbuckers are engineered to enhance sustain and provide a responsive feel to playing dynamics. This makes it a long-favored choice for genres that demand both precision and versatility.
#2) Seymour Duncan SH-55 Seth Lover (Best for Classic Rock)
The Seymour Duncan SH-55 Seth Lover is an homage to classic rock, designed with the pioneer of the humbuckers in mind. This pickup’s design faithfully replicates the original humbucker blueprints, ensuring tones that resonate with authenticity.
It utilizes Alnico II magnets, which are famous for their soft, warm tones that define ’50s and ’60s music. These magnets contribute to its distinctive warm, smooth sound, making it ideal for capturing the essence of classic rock.
The SH-55’s construction adheres to vintage specifications, from its enamel-coated wire to its nickel-silver bottom plate. This ensures that every note played through it is imbued with the depth and warmth of classic rock’s golden age.
Moreover, its smooth sustain and creamy overdrive capabilities are particularly suitable for genres that rely on rich, melodic tones.
This means that the SH-55 is not just a pickup but a bridge to the past. It offers musicians the ability to produce sounds that are both nostalgically vintage and reliably modern in quality.
#3) EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Active Signature Set (Best for Heavy Metal)
The EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Active Signature Set is a powerhouse for metal musicians. Engineered for clarity and aggression, these pickups shine in high-gain settings.
The set pairs the EMG 81’s cutting clarity with the EMG 85’s deep warmth. The ceramic magnets in the EMG 81 ensure a tight response, which is ideal for sharp leads. Meanwhile, the EMG 85, powered by Alnico V magnets, enriches rhythm sections with its full-bodied tones.
This combination supports a wide sonic range, from screaming solos to powerful chords.
The active circuitry in both pickups guarantees consistent, noise-free output under heavy distortion. Their robust construction and reliable performance make them a top choice for metal artists worldwide.
This signature set not only delivers aggressive tones but also offers the dynamic flexibility required by the genre’s complexity. It’s a perfect match for guitarists aiming to capture the iconic metal sound or carve out their own niche.
#4) Mojotone DW Tomahawk Humbucker 2-piece Pickup Set (Best for Progressive Rock)
The Mojotone DW Tomahawk Humbucker 2-piece Pickup Set is crafted to meet the nuanced needs of prog-rock players. Like other humbuckers in this list, the Mojotone pickups feature Alnico V magnets, striking a perfect balance between detail and warmth.
This pickup is sensitive to the player’s dynamics, offering expressive control from gentle picking to aggressive strumming. Its wide tonal range shines in complex musical passages, supporting both intricate rhythms and soaring leads.
The DW Humbucker’s unique winding process allows for exceptional clarity, ensuring that every note and chord stands out. Designed to accommodate the genre’s expansive soundscapes, it allows musicians to explore diverse sonic territories. Its construction emphasizes sustain and tonal richness, essential for the layered textures of progressive rock.
Guitarists looking for a pickup that responds accurately to their creative impulses will find the DW Humbucker invaluable. It adapts to various playing styles and has the power to elevate the guitar’s voice in a mix.
#5) Gibson Classic ’57 (Best for Jazz)
The Gibson Classic ’57 humbucker captures the quintessential jazz guitar tone. Its design derives inspiration from the vintage PAF pickups, known for their smooth, rich sound.
Utilizing Alnico II magnets, it offers a warm, expressive tone with exceptional clarity. This pickup excels in delivering the nuanced dynamics jazz guitarists demand. The Classic ’57 provides a velvety texture to chords and a fluid, articulate response to solo lines.
Its balanced output makes it versatile and suitable for both hollow-body and solid-body guitars. The ’57’s vintage tone suits jazz and adapts well to other genres requiring depth and warmth.
These humbuckers are notable for their ability to reproduce the iconic sounds of the late 1950s, which makes them a favorite among players seeking authenticity and quality.
#6) Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker (Best for Hard Rock)
The Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker delivers standout hard rock tones with its innovative active design. This design ensures unmatched clarity and precision in sound.
The Fluence Modern Humbuckers also feature notable multi-voice capabilities, allowing guitarists to switch from clean to overdriven tones effortlessly.
In the bridge position, ceramic magnets produce tight, punchy lows and crisp highs, ideal for riffing. Meanwhile, the neck pickup uses Alnico magnets for smooth, melodic leads, enhancing versatility.
This pickup’s ability to remain noise-free, even in high-gain settings, revolutionizes guitar sound quality. Additionally, its rechargeable battery pack is a significant advantage, providing extensive playtime without the need for frequent replacements.
Overall, the Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker is essential for players prioritizing a broad dynamic range and adaptability in their sound.
#7) DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion Humbucker Pickup (Best Budget Pickups for Metal)
The DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion Humbucker is a legend in the realm of high-gain, metal-oriented pickups. Engineered for power and clarity, it’s famous for its contribution to the metal sound of the 1970s and beyond.
This pickup’s high output is derived from its ceramic magnets, which provide a tight, aggressive tone. Its design allows for pronounced mids and highs, easily cutting through dense mixes.
The DP100 is characterized by its balanced response across the frequency spectrum. This ensures that each note stands out, from fast-paced solos to chunky rhythm parts. Additionally, the Super Distortion offers remarkable versatility. It’s capable of producing rich harmonic overtones, adding depth to the characteristic metal sound.
Its four-conductor wiring enables a range of wiring options, including series, parallel, and coil-splitting.
The DP100 is a budget-friendly, top choice for players looking for a robust, aggressive tone that can handle the demands of metal music. Its ability to deliver sustained, distorted tones without losing clarity makes it a staple for hardcore shredding. It also supports the dynamic range required by the genre, from articulate, clean passages to heavily distorted riffs.
Ultimately, the DiMarzio DP100s are a great choice for metal guitarists seeking range and affordability.
