If you want to hit your amp hard, you’ll need some high-output humbuckers that are up to the job.
Whether you’re looking to increase the heat on a lower-output instrument or just searching for a new flavor, this list has you covered.
HABANERO PICKUPS BY GROVER JACKSON
Bonney Bridge
Handmade in California, this overwound bridge pickup has a 16.7k resistance, and comes in nickel, black, or zebra.
$110 street
FISHMAN
Fluence Richard Z Kruspe Signature
Each pickup in the Rammstein guitarist’s signature set features three selectable voices. This active set is rechargeable—a battery pack is optional. Red finish is encouraged, though stainless is also available.
$309 street (set)
GFS Pickups
SBS Arena Power PLUS
The most affordable alnico ’bucker on this list has a 14.5k resistance and features the company’s Kwikplug system for fast swapping.
$39 street
SEYMOUR DUNCAN
Invader
Featuring overwound coils, a trio of ceramic magnets, and oversized metal-oxide pole pieces, these humbuckers promise heavy bass response and are available in 6-, 7-, and 8-string sizes.
$109 street
DIMARZIO
Super Distortion
A classic since 1972! This ’bucker, with its 13.68k ohms of resistance, is intended primarily for bridge-position installation and comes in a wide range of colors.
$89 street
GIBSON
498T Hot Alnico
A hotter spin on the 490 series humbucker, this boasts a resistance of 14.2k and is spaced for bridge position.
$119 street
PRS
m Bridge Humbucker
The company’s house high-output humbucker comes in gloss nickel and measures 15.7 k resistance.
$200 street
LOLLAR
dB Humbucker
While these boast the lowest resistance on this list (12.7k in bridge position), they’re the pickup maker’s hottest offering. Plus, they look hip!
$200 street
EMG
81
The classic active pickup boasts 3,000 hours of battery life and features the company’s Quick-Connect cable for easy installation.
$99 street
LINDY FRALIN
High Output Humbucker
The pickup maker’s highest output offering is a hot take on a PAF and comes in a variety of color and cover options.
$160 street
Give a P-style bass new life with an old-school sound by swapping in a set of vintage-flavored pickups.
The iconic Precision bass has served as the blueprint for countless manufacturers since it was first introduced by Fender in 1951, and for good reason. But no matter who built your P-style axe, dropping in a new pickup like the 10 we’ve rounded up is a pain-free and effective mod for brewing vintage tones.
SEYMOUR DUNCAN
SPB-1 Vintage
These pickups feature handground alnico 5 rod magnets and a vintage coil wind to aid in producing the smooth tone of a late-’50s Precision.
$75 street
NORDSTRAND AUDIO
NP4V Vintage
Available with alnico 3 or 5 magnets, these vintage-correct versions of the company’s P4 design have a lower magnet load for a softer, smoother, and warmer output.
$123 street
nordstrandaudio.com
BARE KNUCKLE
’58 Split Coil P
Scatter wound by hand with 42AWG plain enamel wire, these alnico 5 pickups offer a tone reminiscent of later-’50s Ps, with strong bass, controlled highs, and slightly scooped mids.
$115 street
bareknucklepickups.co.uk
ARCANE-INC.
P-Bass 57’ Experience
These period-correct pickup clones are handwound using select materials, including tuned, non-staggered alnico magnets and era-correct wire of the right gauge and type.
$130 street
arcaneinc.com
RIO GRANDE
Vintage P Bass
Using alnico 5 magnets, 42-gauge copper wire, and the company’s “tonal enhancement,” these pickups were designed to maintain the output, presence, and deep sound of the originals.
$138 street
riograndepickups.com
LINDY FRALIN
P-Bass Replacements
These alnico 5 pickups are handwound to vintage specifications for fat, round, and punchy classic sound, yet are designed to offer modern power.
$140 street
AGUILAR
AG 4P-60
Using the company president’s personal ’63 and ’64 Precisions as a study guide, these pickups employ all-period-correct parts to deliver the ideal amount of midrange and deep support.
$109 street
WILDE PICKUPS
P-46
Developed by Bill Lawrence, these pickups come standard with four conductor wires and feature his multi-pole-piece system, which will accommodate 4-,5-, and 6-string basses.
$60 street
wildepickups.com
BARTOLINI
8SU
Cast in epoxy to remove unwanted feedback and microphonics, these P-style replacement pickups are voiced to deliver deep tones with plenty of lows and low-mids.
$124 street
EMG
GZR-P
Developed with Geezer Butler to deliver the bassist’s early Black Sabbath tone, these solderless pickups employ alnico 5 pole pieces and custom-wound coils for punch and grit.
$109 street
The pickup was designed to achieve the perfect balance of a fat, thick midrange with the sparkle commonly found in Alnico 5 magnets.
Richmond, VA (March 21, 2018) -- The Fralin Pickups Hum-Cancelling P90 with Alnico Rods is a cleaner, more articulate noiseless P-90. Lindy Fralin designed this pickup to achieve the perfect balance of a fat, thick midrange with the sparkle commonly found in Alnico 5 magnets. Players can expect a noiseless, beefy Single Coil tone with more dynamics and a top-end sparkle not found in most P90 designs.
Features:
- Clear, Clean and Dynamic Single Coil Tone
- Hum-Cancelling Design - 100% Hum-Free
- Soapbar or Dogear P90 Construction Featuring Alnico 5 Magnets
- 49.5mm / 52mm String Spacing Options to Fit Multiple Instruments
- Multiple Outputs Available to Fine-Tune Your Tone
- Hand-made, one at a time, using USA-Made materials
The street pricing of the Hum-Cancelling P90 with Alnico Rods is $290.00 for a set, or $145.00 for a single.
For more information:
Fralin Pickups