Guitar Pickups

Find the Right Guitar Pickup for Your Sound

Guitar pickups play a major role in shaping the character, output and response of your instrument. Changing your pickups can give a familiar guitar a new lease of life, helping you achieve everything from bright vintage sparkle and warm blues tones to powerful rock rhythm sounds, smooth lead tones and high-output performance.

Our guitar pickup collection is designed for players looking to replace a faulty pickup, improve the sound of an existing guitar, customise a new build or create a more versatile instrument. Explore the current selection to find options for electric guitars, acoustic guitars and bass guitars.

Why Upgrade Your Guitar Pickups?

Upgrading your pickups can be one of the most effective ways to change how your guitar sounds and responds without replacing the instrument itself.

• Shape your tone: Add more warmth, clarity, punch, brightness or output.
• Match your playing style: Choose pickups suited to blues, rock, jazz, metal, country, pop and more.
• Improve versatility: Expand the range of sounds available from your guitar.
• Replace worn or faulty parts: Restore an instrument that has lost output or clarity.
• Personalise your setup: Build a guitar that feels and sounds more individual to you.
• Refresh a favourite instrument: Give an existing guitar a new tonal identity.

Types of Guitar Pickups

Single-Coil Pickups

Single-coil pickups are known for their clear, bright and responsive sound. They are a popular choice for clean tones, blues, funk, indie, country and classic rock, with plenty of definition and dynamic character.

Humbucker Pickups

Humbuckers generally deliver a fuller, warmer and more powerful sound. Their strong output and reduced background hum make them a popular option for rock, blues, jazz, alternative music and heavier playing styles.

P-90 Pickups

P-90 pickups sit between traditional single-coils and humbuckers in character. They can provide an open, raw and expressive tone with more body than many single-coils and more bite than a typical humbucker.

Active Pickups

Active pickups use powered electronics to produce a strong, consistent signal. They are often chosen by players who want high output, tight response, clarity under distortion and dependable performance in demanding live or studio setups.

Passive Pickups

Passive pickups offer a natural and dynamic response without requiring a battery. They are available in a huge range of tonal styles, making them suitable for vintage-inspired instruments, modern guitars and almost every genre of music.

Acoustic Guitar Pickups

Acoustic guitar pickups allow your instrument to be connected to an amplifier, PA system or recording setup. Options may include soundhole, under-saddle, contact and magnetic designs, depending on the instrument and the sound you want to achieve.

Bass Guitar Pickups

Bass pickups can help shape low-end depth, note definition, attack and overall output. Choosing the right design can give your bass more warmth, punch, clarity or modern power.

Who Are These Guitar Pickups For?

This collection is suitable for:

• Guitarists upgrading the sound of an existing instrument
• Players replacing a damaged or unreliable pickup
• Musicians looking for a higher-output or lower-output setup
• Home builders and custom guitar projects
• Professional repairers and guitar technicians
• Recording musicians seeking a more specific tonal character
• Live performers who need a dependable and versatile sound
• Acoustic players who want to amplify their instrument

How to Choose the Right Guitar Pickup

Check Your Guitar Type

Start by confirming whether the pickup is designed for an electric guitar, acoustic guitar or bass guitar. Pickup dimensions, mounting styles and wiring requirements can vary between instruments.

Think About the Sound You Want

Consider whether you want a brighter, warmer, cleaner, heavier or more powerful tone. The most suitable pickup will depend on your guitar, amplifier, effects and playing style.

Consider Pickup Position

Bridge pickups usually produce a brighter and more focused sound, while neck pickups generally sound warmer and smoother. Middle pickups can add additional tonal combinations and versatility.

Check Output Level

Lower-output pickups often provide greater openness and dynamic response, while higher-output pickups can drive an amplifier harder and produce a stronger signal for overdriven and distorted sounds.

Confirm Compatibility

Check the pickup size, mounting arrangement, string spacing, wiring requirements and control layout before ordering. Some upgrades may also require changes to pots, switches, batteries or other electronic components.

Plan for Installation

Pickup replacement normally involves soldering and careful setup. If you are unsure about compatibility or installation, speak to an experienced guitar technician before making changes to your instrument.

Quality and Product Confidence

We want every customer to choose the right product with confidence. Our team checks available product information carefully and presents clear details wherever possible, helping you compare pickup type, position, output, compatibility and intended use.

Where an item is pre-owned, open-box or discontinued, its condition and any important details will be stated clearly on the individual product page. Availability can change quickly, particularly for specialist, rare or discontinued pickups.

Buy • Sell • Trade with Fair Deal Music

Thinking about upgrading more than your pickups? Fair Deal Music can help you explore your next instrument or equipment purchase through our Buy • Sell • Trade service.

If you have an unwanted guitar, bass, amplifier, effects unit or other music equipment, contact our team to discuss whether it may be suitable for trade-in or part exchange. You could use its value towards your next guitar, upgrade or piece of equipment, making it easier to Trade In and Trade Up.

Flexible Finance Options

Finance options may be available on qualifying purchases, helping you spread the cost of a larger upgrade or complete guitar setup. Availability, eligibility and terms depend on the order value and finance provider, so please check the options shown at checkout or contact our team for guidance.

Delivery and Collection

Order online for delivery or choose an available collection option where shown. Delivery times, charges and service options are confirmed during checkout and may vary depending on the item, destination and order value.

Please check the individual product page for the latest availability and delivery information before ordering.

Why Thousands of Musicians Choose Fair Deal Music

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you’re choosing one of the UK’s most established independent family-run music retailers, proudly helping musicians since 1987.

• Independent, family-run music retailer
• Serving musicians since 1987
• Experienced and knowledgeable team
• Wide range of new and pre-owned music equipment
• Buy • Sell • Trade and Part Exchange support
• Secure online ordering
• Friendly advice before and after your purchase

Guitar Pickup FAQs

Will changing my pickups improve my guitar’s sound?

Changing pickups can significantly alter the tone, output and response of your guitar. The result will also depend on the instrument’s construction, electronics, amplifier, effects and playing style.

What is the difference between single-coil and humbucker pickups?

Single-coil pickups usually sound brighter, clearer and more open. Humbuckers generally offer a fuller, warmer sound with more output and reduced background hum.

Can I install any pickup in my guitar?

No. Pickup size, mounting style, string spacing, wiring and electronic requirements can vary. Always check compatibility with your guitar before purchasing.

Do active pickups need a battery?

Most active pickup systems require a battery to power their internal electronics. Check the individual product details to confirm the power requirements.

Can I mix different pickup brands or models?

In many cases, yes, but differences in output, polarity, wiring and tonal balance can affect the final result. Professional advice may be helpful when combining different pickups.

Do I need a guitar technician to fit new pickups?

Pickup installation usually involves soldering and may require adjustments to pickup height, controls or wiring. A qualified technician is recommended if you do not have the correct tools or experience.

Which pickup position should I replace first?

This depends on the sound you want to change. Replace the bridge pickup for more power, bite or clarity in lead and rhythm tones, or the neck pickup for a warmer, smoother and fuller sound.

Are guitar pickups suitable for both six-string and seven-string guitars?

Not always. Pickups must match the number of strings, dimensions and string spacing of the instrument. Check the product specifications carefully before ordering.

Can an acoustic guitar pickup be removed later?

Some acoustic pickups are removable, while others require permanent or semi-permanent installation. The fitting method will depend on whether the pickup is magnetic, under-saddle, internal or contact-based.

Can Fair Deal Music help me choose the right pickup?

Yes. Contact our team with details of your guitar, current pickups, musical style and the sound you want to achieve, and we will help you identify suitable options from the available range.

Upgrade Your Guitar’s Tone

The right pickup can transform the way your guitar sounds, feels and responds. Browse our current collection of guitar pickups to find the ideal replacement, upgrade or custom-build option for your instrument.

Stock changes regularly, so explore the available pickups today and discover the sound that brings out the best in your guitar.