Image | Product | Features | Price | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | EMG | More punchy sound Long-lasting Perfect for bands with a single guitarist | $$ | |
 | Seymour | The pickup is vacuum wax potted Equipped with a lead wire of 4 conductor Highly versatile | $$ | |
 | Bare Knuckle | Customizable Lots of basses and mid-range response Great compatibility | $$$ | |
 | Fishman | Comes in attractive colors A cool multi-voice system Rechargeable batteries | $$ | |
 | EVH | Equipped with high-quality magnets 2 conductor wirings Vintage sound | $$ | |
 | EMG | Extremely versatile Powerful Alnico V magnets Ceramic pots which are open for giving a new dimension | $$$ | |
 | DiMarzio | 4 Conductor Coils Impressive coil-splitting technology Maximum output in every use | $$$ | |
 | Seymour Alpha and Omega | Extremely high output 4 distinct drivers Amazing noise cancellation system | $$ | |
 | PRS | Sustainable nickel cover Compatible with most PRS guitars 4 wire conductors | $$$ | |
 | Seymour Duncan JB | Unique 2 alnico pole caps Pole pieces are tagged for versatility Included in the hot-rodded humbucker set | $$$ |
Buying Guide
Pickups have an intricate design that has a wide range of functions. If you don’t know what you are looking for then you will surely get lost. Here are some crucial factors that you must check before buying a pickup.
Choosing Between a Humbucker and a Single Coil
As we’ve mentioned before, guitar pickups have a bunch of coils swaddled around a magnet. Pickup coils are usually of two types. The humbucker has a much stronger output and great for a heavy sound. On the other hand, single coils create a crispier sound with more definition. According to your music, you can choose between the two.
Active vs Passive Pickups
Most pickups used to be passive until in 1970 companies started developing active pickups. There is a clear distinction between them. Active pickups are strong-sounding pickups that are not just made with magnets but also have a preamp backup.
Passive pickups are straightforward magnet pickups. Passive pickups have a traditional feel to them. On the contrary, active pickups produce more consistent sound.
Voltage Amount
Higher voltage output pickups are amazing for metal music as they have great distortion. Their only lacking is dynamics. The audio sounds more stiff and bland. Lower output pickups have a much cleaner sound but lack distortion. As this is a list of the top 10 pickups for metal, we would recommend you to get a pickup with a higher voltage output.
Pickup Positioning
Positioning the pickup is the key to getting a rich sound. If you place the pickup closer to the bridge, it will sound crisper but with a short sustain. On the other hand, placing the pickup close to the neck will give you more sustain with a much warmer sound. It truly depends on your preference.
Magnets
Some pickup magnets drain way too much voltage while others don’t. The pickups with stronger magnets are good for high distortion and heavy music. Weaker magnets are more sustainable in case of saving voltage but sound dull. It's up to you in choosing the perfect one for your music style.
Guitar Compatibility
Imagine after getting your dream pickup but sadly it doesn’t match with your guitar. How sad and awful you must feel then. That’s why it's essential to check the specific size of your guitar before looking for a pickup.
Price Range
Not much to say about the price of the pickups as it's talked about in every article we can lay our eyes on. Good quality pickups will cost a bit more than average ones. But, that doesn’t mean that good pickups aren’t available within an affordable price range.
Just keep in mind to look for a guitar within your budget. You don’t want to spend a fortune in purchasing a pickup that wouldn’t provide best value for money.
How does a guitar pickup work?
Guitar pickups are made by wrapping a coil around a magnetic piece. It is mainly placed in the bridge or neck section of the guitar. When the guitarist strums or plays a chord, a vibration is created.
This vibration is converted to an electrical signal through pickups. Ultimately, this signal goes into the amp which increases its audibility and we hear the final sound.
Pickups sure look like a small piece of equipment. But it does wonders when it comes to creating a versatile range of music.
Best Pickups for Metal in 2021
Here’s a quick overview of the most interesting features of the pickups.
1. EMG 81
To start our list, we got the EMG 81, packed with exquisite features and tones. Its ceramic magnet and close aperture coils give it a sharp, punchy sound. You can dial as many gains as possible on this pickup.
It's best to equip it with the EMG 85 but it shines as a lead pickup as well. All in all, it’s a great pickup for heavy and jazz music.
PROS
CONS
2. Seymour Duncan Black Winter Pickup
Just seeing the name you get the picture of what kind of sound this pickup can make. This pickup on our list is every extreme metal guitar player's dream. The tone sounds dark and heavy.
But it also ensures tonal clarity. The pickup has great sustain and you can try out different styles of metal music. Its 4-way conductor wire allows the player to set it to their preference.
PROS
CONS
3. Bare Knuckle Warpig Pickups
This one on our list of top 10 pickups for metal is a straight classic. It's immensely versatile as musicians of all styles prefer to use this pickup.
The pickup itself has a very high output that makes face-melting sound but in a good way. With a plethora of bass and tones, this pickup is a definite choice for you.
PROS
CONS
4. Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic Pickups
Fishman has produced some great pickups over the years and this one on our list of top 10 pickups for metal is no exception. The big open chords and intervals sound amazing on this pickup.
The pickup has a significant feature that makes it stand out. You can interchange between the two different voices while playing at the same time. It makes the overall guitar playing much more convenient.
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CONS
5. EVH Frankenstein
Eddie Van Halen stormed the metal scene in the 80s with his signature lightning-fast solos and rocking rhythms. Everybody wanted to play like him. But his tone and melody were distinct. Nobody could get to his level of playing.
But with this pickup, you may not have the skills like Eddie van Halen but you will surely have a tone that sounds just like him.
PROS
CONS
6. EMG 57/66 Set
This pickup set on our list is a complete package. The EMG 57 gives a vintage PAF tone. It adds a new dimension to the overall guitar sound.
On the other hand, the EMG 66 provides a warm mid and low range that just sounds majestic. These two combined allow the guitar player to try out a versatile range of music from jazz to heavy metal.
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CONS
7. DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion Pickup
This is one of the most famous pickups on the market. Dave Murray from the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden has used this pickup for a very long time. Now you know the secret of his marvelous solos.
To get a unique and powerful tone like him, you can surely try out this pickup. The pickup suits the amplifier you are using perfectly and even elevates it in some ways. It has a vintage vibe to it. All in all, it’s a solid addition to the DiMarzio classic pickups
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CONS
8. Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Alpha and Omega
Djent is a subgenre of metal music that was popularized due to the emergence of 8 string guitars. It involved down-tuned riffs and headbanging rhythms. To play djent, you need a pickup with a banging high and low end.
The Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb pickups are a perfect example of a djent pickup. With its crisp tone and bass, you won’t have to find anything else.
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CONS
9. PRS \m/ Pickups
Most pickups on our list of top 10 picks for metal are mainly used for an aggressive, metal sound. But in many cases, you need a pickup with a good clean tone. For performing power ballets or soothing metal songs, it's essential to have a pickup that has a wide range.
The PRS pickups are versatile and compatible with most amps. If you are looking for something to elevate your guitar playing to the next level, this pickup could be a game-changer for you.
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CONS
10. Seymour Duncan JB SH-4
The last pick-up on our list is this masterpiece. We have already featured Seymour pickups before. So, we get a rudimentary idea of how brilliant this company is in making extraordinary pickups. The Seymour Duncan JB has a high output gain for playing any kind of rock music from heavy metal to blues.
You can play in split mode and still get a strict sound. This is one of the best pickups in the market that you can get your hand on. So, what are you waiting for? Get your hands on this remarkable device.
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Final Thoughts
A guitar itself is incomplete. It needs external pieces of equipment such as pickups and amps. Each of them complements each other perfectly.
By combining them, you get the perfect sound. That’s why pickups are just as important as the guitar. A good quality pickup will pave the way for you in becoming a connoisseur in guitar playing.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: Best Electric Guitars for Small Hands
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