Electric guitars aren’t as talented as acoustic guitars. You can’t just strum them and create lovely tones. They need a little help. And that help comes in the form of electric guitar pickups.
There are tons of different types of pickups out there. You have single coils, humbuckers, P90s, lipsticks, and the list goes on and on. But all the types of pickups fall into two main categories: active and passive. So, what’s the difference between active and passive pickups? POWAAAAA! I’ll explain…
What are passive pickups?


Guitar pickups are pretty simple devices. They’re basically just a magnet with a bunch of wire wrapped around it. The tone of a pickup comes from the type and strength of the magnet, gauge of the wire, and how many times it’s wrapped around the magnet.
Passive guitar pickups rely on the natural strength of the magnet(s) to do their job. There aren’t any outside forces acting on the magnet, and that’s why they call them “passive” pickups.
Since it’s just physics (magic) that makes the magnet work, passive pickups don’t need external power sources — or really, anything — to function. You just plug in your guitar, and you’re ready to rock.
However, because you’re relying on the natural strength of the magnet, passive pickups tend to have lower output compared to active pickups. They’re typically preferred for less-intense styles of music, like jazz, blues, and rock.
TL;DR for passive pickups:
- No external power needed
- Lower output
- Best for blues, rock, jazz
What are active pickups?


Active guitar pickups have exactly the same components as passive pickups. They’re a magnet with wire wrapped around it. However, what’s stronger than a regular magnet? An electromagnet! And that’s the difference when it comes to active pickups vs. passive.
Active pickups use a battery to electrify the magnet and increase its strength — typically a 9-volt. And a stronger magnet means higher output and sustain, which is why they’re the go-to for metal players and anyone else looking for high-octane guitar tones.
If you decide to go for active pickups, just remember that they do need a battery to function. Don’t hit the stage without checking your battery! There’s nothing more embarrassing than running out of juice mid show.
Guitars with active pickups usually have a battery slot in back of body. You might also find the battery hiding in the body cavity with the pots.
TL;DR for active pickups:
- Higher output and sustain
- Needs external battery
- Best for metal and heavy styles of music
Which is best: Active vs. passive pickups?
Just like with most things in the music world, there is no “best” when it comes to active vs. passive pickups. It all depends on your personal preferences.
If you want the most output possible to blast the roof off any venue with ridiculous distorted tones at a metal show, then you’ll probably want to go with active pickups. Metal players like Zakk Wylde, James Hetfield, and Kerry King all use active pickups in their guitars.
However, if you prefer not to worry about swapping batteries or don’t need a crazy amount of output, passive pickups might be your best bet. Passive pickups are typically considered the “standard” in most guitars.
But these “rules” aren’t set in stone. There are non-metal players who like to use active pickups, like Keith Urban and Prince, and there are heavy players who prefer passive pickups, like Angus Young and Slash.
So, which is best: active vs. passive pickups? That’s entirely up to you!
Top guitar pickup brands
Ready to test out some pickups for yourself? Here are some of the top electric guitar pickup brands to give you an idea where to start:
Passive pickups:
- Seymour Duncan – The gold standard for passive pickups since the ‘70s.
- DiMarzio – Powerful pickups for all styles of music.
Active pickups:
Find your perfect pickups with AMS
There are a lot of different types of pickups out there. And the only way to determine which is best for your style is to try them out!
At AMS, we carry a wide range of guitars and basses with both active and passive pickups. If you get a guitar with pickups that don’t work for your style, no sweat! We offer a 45-day money-back guarantee. We want to make sure you have the perfect gear, even if it takes a few tries.
Find your perfect pickup match with American Musical Supply.

