Are you looking for a new guitar pickup? If so, you may be wondering if Wilkinson pickups are the right choice for you.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best options available.
Wilkinson pickups are becoming popular and discuss some of the pros and cons if you choose them for your next guitar upgrade.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a better idea of whether or not Wilkinsons are the right pickups for you. So, let’s get started!
Wilkinson Vintage Tone Alnico Style Humbucker Pickups
Looking for a classic, vintage-inspired sound for your electric guitar?
Wilkinson Vintage Tone Alnico Style Humbucker Pickups are perfect for neck and bridge positions, delivering a big, beefy sound with plenty of character.
These pickups are made with genuine Wilkinson parts and feature Alnico V magnets for incredible focus and dynamics.
Plus, the four-conductor wires make it easy to split the coils if you want that classic single-coil sound.
This package includes two pickups.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Quality sound
- Great for replacement and guitar projects
Cons
- Could be “thin” sounding depending on preference
Wilkinson Vintage Strat Single Coil Pickups
Wilkinson also makes a great pair of single-coil pickups.
These great-sounding pickups are perfect for rock, blues, and other styles of music.
Alnico V magnets provide incredible focus and dynamics, while the neck and middle pickups are reverse-wound/reverse-polarity for a hum-canceling feature.
The bridge pickup is 6.4K resistance for extra bite.
The package includes 3 pickups.
Pros
- Perfect for your Strat
- Great mid-range tone
Cons
- Could be challenging to install
Wilkinson Vintage Humbucker Pickups Set for Les Paul
Looking for a high-quality, classic humbucking pickup set for your Les Paul or SG?
These cool pickups are made with genuine Wilkinson parts and feature 50mm/52mm pole spacing for neck and bridge positions.
Alnico V magnets provide incredible focus and dynamics, while the four-conductor wires (black is ground, yellow is hot, red and white is for splitting coil) offer endless wiring possibilities.
The package includes 2 pickups.
If you’d like to follow me on my journey as I build repaint and build a Les Paul, check out the article here: My Guitar Project.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Clean sounding
- Perfect for an upgrade
Cons
- Bridge pickup may not sound as loud as the neck pickup
Wilkinson Classic Tone Ceramic Overwound Open Style Humbucker Pickups – Zebra
Perfect for those who want a classic, full-bodied sound, this popular overwound humbucking pickup fits most electric guitars and is wax potted to resist feedback.
With a 50mm/52mm pole spacing for neck and bridge, this pickup is versatile and easy to install.
And because it’s made with genuine Wilkinson parts, you can be sure you’re getting a quality product.
So if you’re looking for an articulate and well-rounded sound, consider picking up a set of Wilkinson Classic Tone Ceramic Overwound Humbuckers.
The ceramic magnet and four-conductor wires provide plenty of power and flexibility to get the perfect sound for any situation.
The package includes two pickups.
Pros
- Great to upgrade factory pickups
- Vintage sound
Cons
- Produces some feedback
Wilkinson M Series Alnico P90 Soapbar Pickups Set for Les Paul
Are you a fan of P-90 pickups?
If so, these may be one to look at.
These pickups are designed to deliver all the power and sound that made the P-90 one of the most iconic pickups of all time.
The set includes pickups for both the neck and bridge positions, and they are wax potted to ensure that they won’t distort or feedback.
Whether you’re playing a Les Paul, SG, Casino, or Tele, these pickups will give you the authentic P-90 tone that you’re looking for.
Pros
- Warmer than single-coil pickups
- Perfect for Les Paul’s, SG’s, and Telecasters
Cons
- Maybe be a little loud to one’s liking
Who is Trev Wilkinson?
Trev Wilkinson is a world-renowned pickup designer who has been working in the music industry for over 40 years.
He’s responsible for designing some of the most popular pickups on the market.
Wilkinson’s designs are authentic recreations of some of the most sought-after pickups matched with his usual knack for contemporary performance needs.
As an expert guitar ‘guru’, Trev Wilkinson has been able to offer replacement parts that meet high standards and quickly replace any worn or damaged component so you can get back on stage in no time!
Where are Wilkinson Pickups Made?
Wilkinson pickups are made in China.
A Warning About Installing Your Own Pickups
It’s not uncommon for guitarists to want to install their own guitar pickups.
After all, it’s a relatively simple process, and it can be a great way to save money.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you start the installation.
First of all, it’s important to make sure that the guitar is properly grounded.
Guitar pickups are delicate components, and it can be easy to damage them if you don’t have the proper tools or experience.
If there is any chance that the guitar is not properly grounded, it could result in an electric shock.
Additionally, it’s important to be careful when soldering the wires.
Even a small mistake during installation can cause big problems down the road, such as electrical shorts or poor sound quality.
If done incorrectly, it could damage the guitar or cause the pickup to malfunction.
Finally, if you void the warranty on your guitar by installing pickups yourself, you’ll be out of luck if something goes wrong.
So unless you’re confident in your abilities, it’s best to leave pickup installation to the professionals.
It’s all about safety and what you feel comfortable doing at the end of the day.
Are Budget Pickups Any Good?
Any guitar player worth their salt knows that pickups are an essential part of getting the perfect sound.
For those who are just starting out, however, the myriad of options can be daunting.
While there are many high-end pickups on the market, budget pickups can also be a great option for those on a tight budget. So, are budget pickups any good?
The answer is that it depends. There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing guitar pickups, and the price is just one of them.
That being said, there are definitely some budget options out there that can hold their own against more expensive models.
It really comes down to doing your research and knowing what to look for. With a little bit of effort, you can definitely find a set of budget pickups that will help you get the sound you’re looking for.
Conclusion
Wilkinson pickups are a great value for the money.
They provide a high-quality tone that rivals much more expensive pickups. I
n fact, many professional guitarists choose Wilkinsons over other brands.
So, if you’re looking for a great pickup at an affordable price, Wilkinson is definitely worth considering.
If you have any experience with these pickups, let us know in the comments below.
Thank you for reading and remember to always HAVE FUN!
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