Where the numbers come from
1,365 pickups from 29 makers. 169 have measured inductance and 159 more have a compiled figure. Every one links back to its source.
Specs
Read from each brand's own site or spec sheets: Bare Knuckle, Bootstrap, DiMarzio, EMG, Fishman, Gibson, Lollar, Monty's, Mr. Glyn's, Radioshop, Seymour Duncan, Sheptone, Suhr, TV Jones, Tone Hatch, Wolfetone.
From Guitar Pickup Database ↗ (opens in a new tab) for makers whose own specs we haven't imported (Fralin's site blocks automated readers; Lollar doesn't publish magnet types): AXYS Magnetics, Fender, Friedman, Gorilla Pickups, Hugo Sierro, Ibanez, Lambertones, Lindy Fralin, Lollar, Monty's, Mr. Glyn's, Nick Silver, PRS, Radioshop, Railhammer, Seymour Duncan Custom Shop, Suhr, TV Jones, Tone Hatch, Xotic. Pages for these pickups say so.
Inductance readings
Inductance carries the most weight in a score, so where each reading came from matters most. When a pickup has several, we use the median.
Measured with an LCR meter; we only use their own measurements, not manufacturer figures.
Measured by the reviewer, listed per pickup in each review.
A compiled database without per-pickup sources. Used only where nobody has published a measurement.
Plus 11readings collected by hand from forum threads and reviews, each linked on its pickup's page.
Forum comparisons
25 quotes, copied word for word and linked to their threads. We use them to test the scoring: if players agree two pickups are close, the scores should agree too.
“The Full Shred is a tad lower in output and gets close to the lead sound of a JB.”
“To me they cover a lot of the same ground, but the BB3 seems less shrill in the high end.”
“The 490r/490t set is closest to the A2P.”
“the Super D and DD are two VERY different sounding pickups.”
“The DD is very different from the SD. As mentioned the DD is tight, percussive and hot, while the SD is big warm and fuzzy.”
“Sound nothing like the Gibson 57 Classic to me…..which I find boxy and blurry sounding. The Dimarzios are really open and clear.”
“Of the two the DF is closer to the SD than the DD.”
“JB is very touchy. It likes the heights about the same on the high and low side.”
“I love JB's in a Les Paul or other Mahogany/Maple body. I had one in an Alder Jackson SL3 and did not like it in there.”
“I usually cant stand the JB, but a combo of the guitar and amp make it ok.”
“They have VERY tight and incredible overall clarity with very sweet upper high spectrum sounds.”
“I find the Gibson has less tight lows and more upper mid focus vs bareknuckle mules are balanced with tight lows and more output overall.”
“balanced PAF is the first word on my mind. Seth lover set is quite close.”
“I love the super distorsion, it's the sound in my head from all that older rock.”
“I had one on my BC Rich Gunslinger back in the day. I didn't like it. It was very muddy.”
“Super distortion- instant 80s tone, great for hard rock from that era.”
“498t- brighter more chimey, decent with gain, a bit thin.”
“I had the 498T in a LP custom and it was about as fat as you could get. Great string to string clarity.”
“My two favorite Gibson pickups, the 57 for A2 classic rock tones, and the 498T for mid to high gain A5 tones.”
“I can see why people say they can be muddy, but I like the fatness they bring to the sound.”
“The '57 classics were really nice in this guitar, but I did find the neck a bit muddy and the bridge at bit harsh in the highs.”
“Yeah, the A2 magnets in the 57's can be a little soft and compressed. Great in a Les Paul if you're doing Allman Brothers stuff.... Not so much for heavier rock.”
“I hate '57 Classics in a Les Paul, but like them in an SG.”
“I'm really sold on the SD 59 OR lil' 59. As said above, they just have great clarity and definition.”
“I purchased a PRS Singlecut Trem used that had the Imperial low winds in it. Initially, I was a little disappointed that the original pickups weren't included, but am completely sold on the Lollars. They excel in every area, from ultra clean to gritty.”
Coming later: your measurements
Submissions and player tags aren't open yet. Until they are, every number here comes from the sources above.