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Fiery high-gain tones summoned from the depths of Hades are a nightmare come true for metal guitarists. The chest-pummeling power and devilish definition associated with a brutal sonic onslaught begins with guitar pickups best tuned for metal’s inherent aggression. Indeed, your guitar’s overall tonality is heavily shaped by its pickups, and plugging into your favorite amp with a fresh set for the first time is almost like discovering treasure that’s been hidden in plain sight.
Pictured: EMG JR "Daemonum" Signature Humbucker Set
In this guide, we’ll cover many popular hard rock and metal pickup options from top brands, such as Seymour Duncan, EMG, Fishman and more. Using the best guitar pickups for metal in your axe, you can unleash the tone beast within.
Table of Contents
What Should I Look for in Pickups for Metal?
A Note on Swapping the Pickups in Your Guitar
Comparing the Best Pickups for Metal
The Best Pickups for Metal
EMG ZW Zakk Wylde 81/85 Humbucker Set
EMG JH James Hetfield Humbucker Set
EMG JR "Daemonum" Signature Pickup Set
Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Set
Fishman Fluence Signature Series Killswitch Engage Humbucker Set
Fishman Fluence Signature Series Mick Thomson Humbucker Set
Mojotone Bill Kelliher Hellbender Humbucker Set
Railhammer Anvil Bridge Humbucker
Railhammer Billy Corgan Signature Z-One Humcutter Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan AHB-1 Blackouts Active Humbucker Pickup Set
Seymour Duncan Black Winter Humbucker Pickup Set
Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invader Humbucker Pickup Set
Seymour Duncan Hot Rails for Telecaster Pickup Set
Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Alpha/Omega Pickup Set
Seymour Duncan Nazgûl/Sentient Humbucker Pickup Set
Seymour Duncan SH-6 Mayhem Humbucker Pickup Set
Go Wild With Metal Guitar Pickups
People Also Ask ...
What Should I Look for in Pickups for Metal?
High-output humbuckers are usually the first choice for hard rock and metal, given their inherent full-bodied richness and noise-free operation. Compared to something like a lower-output, vintage-style humbucker, hotter modern pickups make it easier to drive gain pedals and the preamp stage of your amplifier into sizzling saturation. Sometimes, single-coil pickups are favored for their subtle dynamic intricacies, but they’re susceptible to hum—especially under high gain—and don’t quite offer the authoritative roar of humbuckers.
For example, if you browse through our curated list of the Best Guitars for Metal, you’ll notice a common theme among nearly every entry. At the very least, there’s a humbucker in the bridge position, and occasionally a single coil in the middle or neck for versatility. This is largely due to the humbucking pickup’s proclivity for high gain, and the fact that emerging hard rock pioneers of the day called upon them to push their sound into the stratosphere. Eddie Van Halen was one major innovator, who single-handedly invented the Superstrat, and subsequently, the basis of numerous modern metal guitars.
Pictured: Seymour Duncan Black Winter Humbucker Pickup Set
Next, frequency response is another important consideration when choosing the best guitar pickups for metal. Every subgenre differs, but some hallmarks of a great contemporary high-gain tone include tight bass, intelligible mids and articulate highs. In fact, unlike the “scooped-mids” craze of the ’80s, many of today’s players consider midrange frequencies paramount to their tone—the guitar is a midrange instrument, after all. Finding a pickup set with a voice you love is essential.
Finally, there’s the decision between active and passive pickups. Battery-powered active pickups feature a small preamp, giving them an output boost, extended frequency range and a tight, compressed sound. On the other hand, passive pickups don’t require any sort of external power, and while their output is generally a bit lower, their sound is warmer and more dynamic. For more, check out our article on the Difference Between Active and Passive Pickups.
A Note on Swapping the Pickups in Your Guitar
If you plan on replacing your guitar’s pickups yourself, you should know that it’s a very approachable job, even if it’s your first time. Firstly, you’ll need a soldering iron and basic dexterity with it—practice your technique with spare wire before diving straight in. If you’re making a 1:1 swap—e.g., passive humbucker for passive humbucker—snap a few photos of your guitar’s existing wiring before taking it apart and use those as a reference. Make sure you have your new pickups’ wiring diagrams at the ready, too. As you get deeper into the replacement job, test frequently along the way, correcting any possible issues as you go. Before you know it, you’ll have inspiring new tones at the ready.
Guitar Center Repairs technicians also offer fast, affordable pickup swaps as a convenient alternative to doing it yourself. For bigger jobs, like installing active pickups in a guitar previously equipped with passives, special routing might be required for the battery. Repairs techs are on standby to assist with more intensive projects, as well.
Comparing the Best Pickups for Metal
|
Model |
Active or Passive |
Tonal Profile |
Magnet Type |
Output Level |
Pickup Resistance (ohms) |
|
Active |
Tight and aggressive with singing sustain |
Ceramic/steel (bridge), alnico (neck) |
High |
10k |
|
|
Active |
Focused lows and lots of clarity across the spectrum |
Ceramic/steel (bridge), ceramic (neck) |
High |
10k |
|
|
Active |
Retro-modern sound with smooth, even response |
Ceramic/steel (bridge), ceramic (neck) |
Medium-high |
3k |
|
|
Active |
Three voicings for active, passive and single-coil sounds |
Ceramic (bridge), Alnico V (neck) |
Medium-high |
2k |
|
|
Active |
Three voicings for modern active, vintage passive and glassy single-coil sounds |
Ceramic (bridge), Alnico V (neck) |
Medium-high |
2k |
|
|
Active |
Three voicings with Thomson’s signature active sound, hot passive tone and vintage single-coil sonics |
Ceramic (bridge), Alnico V (neck) |
Medium-high |
2k |
|
|
Passive |
Complex, articulate tones with expressive dynamics |
Alnico 5/ceramic (bridge), Alnico 2/ceramic (neck) |
High |
19k (bridge), 11k (neck) |
|
|
Passive |
Active-style power with scorching highs and thick lows |
Ceramic |
High |
15k |
|
|
Railhammer Billy Corgan Signature Z-One Humcutter Bridge Pickup |
Passive |
P90-style clarity and growl with modern high-gain capability |
Ceramic |
High |
14.5k |
|
Active |
High output with an organic, open tonal response |
Ceramic (bridge), Alnico 5 (neck) |
High |
1k (set) |
|
|
Passive |
Extremely pronounced mids and highs for biting, searing sounds |
Ceramic |
High |
16.6k (bridge), 13k (neck) |
|
|
Passive |
Massive low-mid body and nicely balanced, crunchy highs |
Ceramic |
High |
16.6k (bridge), 7.5k (neck) |
|
|
Passive |
High-output rock and metal humbucking tones |
Ceramic |
High |
16k (bridge), 10.9k (neck) |
|
|
Passive |
Versatile clean, mid-gain and high-gain tones with exceptional crunch and string separation |
Ceramic |
High |
12.96k (bridge), 8.02k (neck) |
|
|
Passive |
Defined saturation with tight lows and crisp mids |
Ceramic (bridge), Alnico 5 (neck) |
High |
13.6k (bridge), 7.75k (neck) |
|
|
Passive |
Old-school rock/metal grind with present upper mids |
Ceramic |
High |
16.6k (bridge), 13k (neck) |
The Best Pickups for Metal
EMG ZW Zakk Wylde 81/85 Humbucker Set
Why It’s Cool: Zakk Wylde’s fire-breathing guitar tone comes courtesy of his signature EMG 81/85 active humbucker set, first made famous in his iconic “Bullseye” Les Paul.
Things to Consider:
- Includes EMG’s solderless connectivity system
- Ample aggression and soaring sustain
- Equally great for rhythm and leads
Shop Now: EMG ZW Zakk Wylde 81/85 Humbucker Pickup Set
The EMG ZW Zakk Wylde 81/85 active humbucker set quickly takes your tone from 0 to 100. Scorching-hot active EMGs are renowned for their focused, clear sound that perfectly complements your favorite high-gain tube amplifier, hardware modeler or software amp sim. This set includes all the necessary components, including EMG’s proprietary Quick-Connect cables, for intuitive, solderless setup. You’ll additionally find these signature EMG pickups preinstalled in Wylde Audio electric guitars.
Customer Reviews: The top-selling Zakk Wylde EMG 81/85 set scores 4.73/5 stars on 40+ reviews.
EMG JH James Hetfield Humbucker Set
Why It’s Cool: Achieve massive, stadium-filling sound with EMG JH James Hetfield humbuckers.
Things to Consider:
- Legendary active tone with lots of passive character
- Includes EMG’s solderless connectivity system
- Exposed pole pieces for a modern-classic look
Shop Now: EMG JH James Hetfield Humbucker Set
Metallica frontman James Hetfield contacted EMG president Rob Turner in 2009, requesting a “stealth”-looking set of pickups with a sound that’s anything but. The EMG JH humbucker set was inspired by thrashy pickups he’d played for over 30 years, though their sonic fingerprint is entirely unique. The neck position features sharp attack and substantial lows, while the bridge humbucker is bright, articulate and punchy. Hetfield’s EMG pickups are also found in several of his signature ESP/LTD guitars, including the Snakebyte in Camo and Snow White; the Vulture; and the Iron Cross.
Customer Reviews: A favorite among Guitar Center customers, EMG JH James Hetfield humbuckers earn 4.87/5 stars with 15+ reviews. 100% of respondents would recommend them to a friend.
EMG JR "Daemonum" Signature Pickup Set
Why It’s Cool: EMG Jim Root “Daemonum” pickups pair the best of old-school passive humbucking with ultramodern active design.
Things to Consider:
- Based on modified EMG Retro Active pickups
- Custom Retro Active preamps
- Includes EMG’s solderless connectivity system
Shop Now: EMG JR "Daemonum" Signature Humbucker Set
Designed in collaboration with Slipknot’s Jim Root, his signature EMG “Daemonum” humbucker set is voiced for heavy riffs, expressive leads and everything in between. These pickups contain the sensitivity and nuanced dynamic response of passive pickups, while active preamps increase their power and virtually eliminate noise entirely. The neck position features crystalline, percussive highs, and the bridge outputs aggressive, focused tones for tight chugs. Trying to capture Jim Root’s sound to a tee? His signature Fender Jazzmaster and Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas each feature “Daemonum” humbuckers.
Customer Reviews: At the time of writing, the EMG JR “Daemonum” pickup set earns a flawless 5/5 stars from Guitar Center reviewers.
Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Set
Why It’s Cool: On the cutting edge of active pickup innovation, Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers maximize tonal versatility.
Things to Consider:
- Three distinct voices in each pickup
- Rechargeable via optional lithium-ion battery pack
- Exceptionally musical and responsive
Shop Now: Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Pickup Set
The Fishman Fluence Modern humbucker set consists of a ceramic bridge pickup and an alnico neck position, each with three voicing modes. For both humbuckers, Voice 1 provides an active, high-output sound; Voice 2 captures a more refined, sensitive and organic passive sound; and Voice 3 recreates glassy single-coil tones with outstanding clarity. Depending on your guitar’s layout and wiring, alternate voices can be activated with push/pull volume and tone controls, though there are various possible configurations.
Customer Reviews: Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers weigh 4.5 on the 5-star scale, and 100% of respondents would recommend them to a friend.
Fishman Fluence Signature Series Killswitch Engage Humbucker Set
Why It’s Cool: Fishman Fluence Signature Series Killswitch Engage pickups cover the broad swath of sounds utilized by Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel.
Things to Consider:
- Multi-voice Fluence pickups refined for KSE’s taste
- Includes all components required for Adam and Joel’s wiring scheme
- Rechargeable via optional lithium-ion battery pack
Shop Now: Fishman Fluence Signature Series Killswitch Engage Humbucker Pickups
The Killswitch Engage catalog features a wide range of guitar tones, from crystal-clear cleans to searing saturation. With Fishman Fluence Signature Series Killswitch Engage humbucking pickups, you can achieve a massive variety of sounds that would typically require multiple guitars in the studio. Voice 1 represents a modified active pickup with tighter lows and slightly cooler output. Voice 2 can be characterized as a medium-output, vintage-style passive humbucker, which KSE guitarists consider their “holy grail” rhythm sound. Finally, Voice 3 generates punchy and articulate single-coil sonics.
Customer Reviews: Online reviews characterize the KSE Fishman Fluence humbuckers as crisp, clear and surgically precise.
Fishman Fluence Signature Series Mick Thomson Humbucker Set
Why It’s Cool: Mick Thomson’s signature Fluence pickups are suited to Slipknot’s driving, drop-tuned rhythms and white-hot leads.
Things to Consider:
- Multi-voice Fluence pickups refined for Mick Thomson’s taste
- Rechargeable via optional lithium-ion battery pack
- Tuned in the studio, tested on the road
Shop Now: Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson Signature Series Pickup Set
Mick Thomson—also known as #7 in the Grammy Award-winning metal outfit Slipknot—is renowned for his contributions to the band’s iconically heavy sound. He needed a set of pickups for thick, fluid saturation, and Fishman Fluence delivered the Mick Thomson signature humbuckers. Voice 1 provides an impossibly tight and articulate active sound; Voice 2 features a powerfully hot passive sound; and Voice 3 offers traditional single-coil tones for an added bit of versatility. These pickups are styled for fullness and body without muddiness and for cutting intensity that’s never harsh.
Customer Reviews: Online reviews suggest Mick Thomson’s signature Fluence pickups are worth the commitment for Voice 1 in the bridge position alone.
Mojotone Bill Kelliher Hellbender Humbucker Set
Why It’s Cool: Bill Kelliher’s Hellbender humbuckers from Mojotone offer the array of sounds needed to perform Mastodon’s proggy brand of heavy metal rooted in sludge, thrash and ’70s hard rock.
Things to Consider:
- Hybrid alnico/ceramic construction
- Voiced for optimal string-to-string articulation
- Distributed coil design uses two different wire gauges
Shop Now: Mojotone Bill Kelliher Hellbender Humbucker Pickups
Mojotone Bill Kelliher Hellbender humbuckers deliver lush, inspiring cleans and harmonically complex high-gain tones, thanks to a clever blend of ceramic magnets alongside Alnico 5 and Alnico 2 magnets in the bridge and neck respectively. Mastodon’s discography contains everything from brute-force riffs to cerebral soundscapes and intricate chord progressions to soulful melodic lines. Crack the sky with earth-shattering sound from Bill Kelliher’s Hellbender pickups, or score the motherload with his signature ESP/LTD Royal Shiva guitar.
Customer Reviews: The online guitar community considers these to be growly and articulate, and they respond well to rolling back your instrument’s volume knob for a cleaner sound when needed.
Railhammer Anvil Bridge Humbucker
Why It’s Cool: Popular among guitarists making the switch from active to passive pickups, the Railhammer Anvil bridge humbucker is regarded for its responsive, high-output sound.
Things to Consider:
- Relatively even treble, middle and bass response
- Works well with drop tunings
- Hybrid rail/pole design
Shop Now: Railhammer Anvil Humbucker Bridge Pickup
The Railhammer Anvil bridge humbucker offers scorching highs, robust lows and a well-defined midrange, with substantial output to smash the front of your amplifier into saturation. Railhammer pickups place magnetic blades under the bottom three strings for tighter, clearer low end and oversized poles under the top three strings for pronounced, sweet highs. The Anvil combines the power of active pickups with the open, organic feel of passives.
Customer Reviews: A fan of active pickups, one Guitar Center respondent has converted to the passive Anvil humbucker for all their tonal needs.
Railhammer Billy Corgan Signature Z-One Humcutter Bridge Pickup
Why It’s Cool: Smashing Pumpkins mastermind Billy Corgan’s signature Railhammer Z-One Humcutter addresses a modern high-gain sound requested by the man himself.
Things to Consider:
- Voiced like a hot P90 with exceptional midrange and high-end clarity
- Designed to pair well with high-gain amplifiers
- Snazzy design etched on the pickup covers
Shop Now: Railhammer Billy Corgan Signature Z-One Humcutter Bridge Pickup
Throughout the course of his career with alternative rock giants Smashing Pumpkins, band cofounder and chief songwriter Billy Corgan has experimented with elements of heavy metal, shoegaze, down-tuned alt metal, dream pop and more. The Railhammer Billy Corgan Signature Z-One Humcutter bridge pickup was designed in close collaboration with the prolific artist to ensure its versatility as a hot, P90-flavored humbucker capable of reproducing throwback tones and setting the sonic table for Pumpkins’ future material. Corgan has a massive collection of high-end metal amps—including Diezels, among others—and the Railhammer Z-One was thoroughly tested to complement them.
Billy Corgan’s Railhammer pickups are also featured throughout his signature collection of Reverend guitars.
Customer Reviews: According to a Guitar Center reviewer who’s enjoyed them in Corgan’s signature Reverend, “The Z-One was specifically designed to handle heavier tones. You can roll back the bass contour, and the tones are very Strat-like but don’t sound like a copy-clone. Playing clean, it has a nice bluesy feel in the neck and some rockabilly in the bridge position.”
Seymour Duncan AHB-1 Blackouts Active Humbucker Pickup Set
Why It’s Cool: Seymour Duncan Blackouts provide all the power associated with active pickups, while allowing the natural character of your guitar and playing technique to shine through.
Things to Consider:
- Extended treble and bass response
- Will fit instruments routed for passive pickups
- Responsive dynamics across the fretboard
Shop Now: Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts Active Humbucker Pickup Set
Seymour Duncan AHB-1 Blackouts offer power, punch, an organic playing feel and an extended frequency response. They nail the biting crunch associated with both classic and modern metal rhythm tones, simultaneously providing gobs of sustain for leads and helping pinched harmonics leap from the guitar with ease. Blackouts also boast a pleasant clean sound, so you can go from mild to wild without compromise.
Customer Reviews: These top-rated pickups have garnered 4.78 stars from 15+ reviews, and 100% of players would recommend them to a bandmate or friend.
For more information on Seymour Duncan's pickup offerings, check out A Guide to Seymour Duncan Pickups.
Seymour Duncan Black Winter Humbucker Pickup Set
Why It’s Cool: Seymour Duncan Black Winter humbuckers are specifically voiced for extreme metal, including black and death metal, and their countless respective subgenres.
Things to Consider:
- Three large ceramic magnets increase output/sustain
- Overwound coils maximize midrange/high-end clarity
- Designed to handle down tuning
Shop Now: Seymour Duncan Black Winter Humbucker Pickup Set
Seymour Duncan Black Winter pickups emerge from the bleak Scandinavian frost to pierce the darkness with vicious, crushing distortion. These aggressively high-output passive humbuckers feature focused lows, savage mids and crystalline highs, emphasizing note-to-note clarity and string separation for syncopated palm mutes, black metal-style tremolo picking and frostbitten leads.
Customer Reviewers: One Guitar Center reviewer mused, “These pickups sound crystal clear, making them great for heavy gain or distortion. If you’re using a great distortion pedal, there’s no muddiness at all, and even when heavily distorted, you can hear each note clearly.”
Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invader Humbucker Pickup Set
Why It’s Cool: Seymour Duncan Invaders can transform any guitar fitted with humbuckers into a snarling metal beast.
Things to Consider:
- Three ceramic magnets increase output/sustain
- Beefiest low-end response of any Duncan pickup
- Ideal for nu metal, thrash, punk and more
Shop Now: Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invader Humbucker Pickup Set
Wage sonic warfare with Seymour Duncan Invader humbuckers, armed with three ceramic magnets, overwound coils and oversized pole pieces. The latter contribute to the Invaders’ expansive frequency response—particularly in the lows and low-mids—by widening the magnetic field around each string’s vibration.
Customer Reviews: Employed by everyone from Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland to Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge, the Invader set is also popular among Guitar Center customers, scoring a perfect 5/5 stars.
Seymour Duncan Hot Rails for Telecaster Pickup Set
Why It’s Cool: Equip your Telecaster with hard-rocking humbuckers for metal and more using Seymour Duncan Hot Rails.
Things to Consider:
- Dual blades offer humbucking punch in single-coil form factor
- Midrange-dominant EQ curve for both pickups
- Drop-in replacement for Fender American Standard Telecasters
Shop Now: Seymour Duncan Hot Rails for Telecaster Pickup Set
If you prefer the traditional look and feel of your favorite Telecaster juxtaposed with a nontraditional, high-gain sound, Seymour Duncan Tele Hot Rails beckon. These Telecaster-sized, dual-blade humbuckers deliver over-the-top, hot-rodded tone perfect for hard rock and metal. Each pickup’s searing midrange response is balanced out by emboldened bass and tamed highs, so the sound is full and rich where it counts, without any muddiness or shrillness at extreme ends of the spectrum.
Customer Reviews: Those who’ve taken the plunge and converted their Tele into a metal machine rate Seymour Duncan Hot Rails 5/5 stars.
Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Alpha/Omega Pickup Set
Why It’s Cool: Mark Holcomb’s signature Alpha/Omega Seymour Duncan pickups are a key ingredient in the cutting-edge progressive riffman’s iconic tone.
Things to Consider:
- Sonic versatility covers Periphery’s cleans, rhythms and leads
- Omega bridge position delivers growly low-mid attack that “purrs”
- Alpha neck position combines best qualities of lead/rhythm pickups
Shop Now: Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Alpha & Omega Pickup Set
Periphery guitarist Mark Holcomb’s acrobatic traversal of the fretboard requires a balanced pickup set capable of conveying down-tuned chugs with percussive precision, complex chord voicings with ample string separation, upper-fret shred with smooth articulation and even mid-gain, coil-tapped rhythms with Strat-like clarity. The Seymour Duncan Alpha/Omega humbucker set deftly handles the diverse needs of one of modern prog metal’s leading lights. Not to mention, he’s part of a band touted by guitar-playing fans as creating consistently enviable tones.
Customer Reviews: One Guitar Center reviewer wrote, “Easily the best pickups I’ve ever put in a guitar. They are so versatile and have a sweet sound when coils are tapped. LOVE these!”
Seymour Duncan Nazgûl/Sentient Humbucker Pickup Set
Why It’s Cool: As a pair, Seymour Duncan Nazgûl/Sentient pickups offer the best of modern high gain in the bridge and vintage-style roundness in the neck.
Things to Consider:
- Nazgûl bridge emphasizes pick attack for brutal palm mutes
- Sentient neck sits somewhere between Duncan’s ’59 and Jazz models
- Lively, aggressive, yet controllable response
Shop Now: Seymour Duncan Nazgûl/Sentient Humbucker Pickup Set
Seymour Duncan’s Nazgûl/Sentient humbucker set is one of their most popular modern metal offerings, voiced primarily for the needs of guitarists playing extreme subgenres. The Nazgûl is terrifyingly aggressive, articulate and harmonically dense, while the Sentient plays a calmer role as a vintage-inspired humbucker for round, fluid leads and glassy cleans. Despite the Nazgûl’s inherent brutality, the sound remains surprisingly controllable, and rolling back the amplifier gain or guitar volume can set it up for punk, rock and more. For extended-range guitarists, there is a 7-string version of the popular pickup set.
Customer Reviews: Online sources typify the Nazgûl/Sentient set as a huge upgrade over stock pickups in a mid-level guitar, providing a sort of hot-rodded P.A.F. tone excellent for metal and hard rock.
Seymour Duncan SH-6 Mayhem Humbucker Pickup Set
Why It’s Cool: The SH-6 Duncan Distortion is the brand’s original high-output humbucker—a modified version for the neck position forms the Mayhem set.
Things to Consider:
- Balanced rock/metal tones rich in upper-midrange harmonics from bridge pickup
- Neck produces bell-like cleans and liquid leads under gain
- Old-school high-gain voicing never goes out of style
Shop Now: Seymour Duncan SH-6 Mayhem Humbucker Pickup Set
The Seymour Duncan SH-6 Duncan Distortion debuted in 1980 for a new generation of hard-hitting guitar players exploring chunky, crunchy rhythms and electrifying leads. For 45 years, it’s stood the test of time as one of the company’s most popular high-output humbuckers. The Seymour Duncan Mayhem pickup set pairs the OG SH-6 bridge with a complementary neck position for a complete range of modern-classic tones, offering heavy, clear sounds in spades.
Customer Reviews: This top-rated pickup set has accumulated an average score of 4.88/5 stars on 15+ reviews at Guitar Center.
For more from the celebrated manufacturer, check out our Guide to Seymour Duncan Pickups.
Go Wild With Metal Guitar Pickups
Contemporary metal tones blend blunt-force brutality with exceptional note-to-note definition to preserve every dissonant interval of your most intense riffs. If bone-crushing tone is what you’re after, look no further than some of the best guitar pickups for metal. These specially voiced transducers provide the output and sonic balance required for the heaviest of heavy sounds, so you can pummel audiences with powerful, focused chugs and turn heads with mind-melting leads. Using the right pickups, you’ll be well on your way to bringing the sound in your head to life.
Still in search of the right guitar to pair with fresh pickups? We offer in-depth guides on the Best Metal Guitars of 2025, the Best Ibanez Guitars for Metal and the Best Schecter Guitars for Metal.
Guitar Center’s expert Gear Advisers are ready to field any questions you may have via phone or virtual chat, and your local store offers the opportunity to get hands-on with the gear of your dreams.
Pictured: Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson Signature Series Pickup Set
People Also Ask ...
Are active pickups best for metal?
Active pickups feature hot outputs to drive amps and effects, as well as a dynamically compressed sound that works well for many styles of metal. The compression, especially, lends itself to a controlled feel in the hands and a consistent overall response. However, some players consider active pickups too “sterile” for their needs, preferring the organic, nuanced expressiveness of passive alternatives.
Are humbuckers best for metal?
The consensus is that humbuckers are naturally suited to metal, based on the fullness and body of their sound compared to single coils. They’re also less susceptible to extraneous noise, particularly when you’re running lots of gain.
Which pickups does Metallica use?
Both James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett have been longtime devotees of EMG pickups. Currently available are the EMG James Hetfield signature set and the Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker pair.
How do you get a great metal guitar tone?
Solid metal tone is a combination of factors, including and not limited to:
- Developing your picking technique so it’s precise and consistent from note to note
- Choosing the right gear for the job, such as a high-gain amplifier or a clean amp with a quality distortion pedal
- Boosting with an overdrive for additional tightness and crunch
- Turning down the bass and turning up the mids
- Using less gain than you’d imagine