New Zealand
United Kingdom
Artist BullBucker Electric Guitar Humbucker Pickup Set - Black
- Out of Stock | Next Shipment Due in Approx October
- High output for rock and metal tones
- Bridge DC resistance 15.4K
- Neck DC resistance 7.1K
- Easily wire for single-coil sounds
- Sleek exposed black finish
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Artist BullBucker Humbucker Guitar Pickup Set – Black
The Artist BullBucker Pickup Set is a high-performance humbucker set designed for guitarists seeking to elevate their instrument’s tonal palette, power, and clarity. Built around custom-voiced Alnico V bar magnets, the BullBucker set combines punchy high-output bridge tones with smooth, articulate neck response in a striking chrome-covered design. Whether you are retrofitting a factory instrument or completing a custom build, this matched set delivers the versatility and headroom required for modern stage and studio performance.
From glass-like cleans and warm jazz runs to soaring leads and high-gain rhythmic crunch, the BullBucker set provides exceptionally defined response across all dynamic ranges. Engineered to maintain definition under heavy overdrive while offering rich harmonic content when played clean, this set gives players complete control over their signature sound without sacrificing warmth or nuance.
Matched Bridge & Neck Performance
The BullBucker set is carefully calibrated to deliver a seamless dynamic balance between the two pickup positions. The bridge pickup is engineered for powerful, assertive tone with singing highs and aggressive harmonics. Featuring a 15.4kΩ DC resistance, 9.6H inductance, and 52mm pole spacing, it provides rich, full-bodied output that pushes amplifiers into natural saturation effortlessly while preserving crisp string separation and tight low-end tracking.
In contrast, the neck pickup provides a balanced, moderate output designed for sweetness, warmth, and high-register clarity. Voiced with a 7.1kΩ DC resistance, 3.86H inductance, and 50mm pole spacing, it offers an articulate, vocal quality that excels during fast runs and expressive soloing. When clean, the neck pickup produces smooth, glassy tones with rounded lows, while under distortion, it delivers singing sustain that complements the punchier bridge pickup perfectly.
Versatile 4-Conductor Coil-Splitting
Equipped with 4-conductor shielded cable wiring, the BullBucker set offers extensive switching flexibility beyond standard humbucking operation. This versatile wiring scheme allows for easy integration with push-pull pots or mini-toggle switches for authentic coil-splitting capabilities.
By deactivating individual coils, you can instantly transform your humbuckers into crisp, single-coil tones. This dual-identity wiring provides access to bell-like clean textures and funk-friendly spank alongside full humbucking power.
Streamlined Wiring Configuration
Both pickups share a standardised 5-wire colour code (4 conductors plus a bare ground) for straightforward installation and customisation. Below is the wire colour label guide:
Standard Humbucker (Series Wiring)
To wire the pickup as a standard humbucker in series:
• Solder the White and Red wires together and insulate the connection with heat shrink or electrical tape.
• Connect the Thick Black + Yellow wires to ground.
• Connect the Thin Black wire to the Hot Output.
This gives you full humbucker output with maximum power and hum cancellation.
Coil Split - North Coil
To use only the North coil as a single coil:
• Connect the White and Red wires as normal.
• Connect the White/Red junction to Ground when the coil split is activated.
This bypasses the South coil, leaving only the North coil active.
Coil Split - South Coil
To use only the South coil as a single coil:
• Connect the White + Red + Thin Black wires.
• Connect the White/Red/Thin Black junction to the Hot Output when the coil split is activated.
This bypasses the North coil, leaving only the South coil active.
Hum-Cancelling Coil Splits
When both the neck and bridge pickups are coil split, you can still achieve hum cancellation in the middle switch position by using opposite coils from each pickup.
For example, wire one pickup to use its North coil when split and the other to use its South coil. Because the neck and bridge pickups have opposite magnetic polarity, this combination provides the classic hum-cancelling middle position while retaining the clarity and character of single-coil tones.
For the Bridge Pickup:
• Top Coil Polarity: South
• Bottom Coil Polarity: North
• Ground Wire: Thicker Black wire
• South Start: Yellow wire (Inside Screw wire)
• South Finish: Red wire (Outside Screw wire)
• North Finish: White wire (Outside Slug wire)
• North Start: Thinner Black wire (Inside Slug wire)
For the Neck Pickup:
• Top Coil Polarity: North
• Bottom Coil Polarity: South
• Ground Wire: Thicker Black wire
• North Start: Thinner Black wire (Inside Slug wire)
• North Finish: White wire (Outside Slug wire)
• South Finish: Red wire (Outside Screw wire)
• South Start: Yellow wire (Inside Screw wire) — Hot Output Wire
Wax-Potted Alnico V Construction
Every BullBucker pickup is fully wax-potted to eliminate unwanted microphonic noise, squeal, and structural resonance at high volume levels. This thorough potting process ensures quiet, reliable operation whether playing on loud stages or under high-gain studio setups.
The high-grade Alnico V bar magnets ensure excellent magnetic strength, fast transient attack, and natural compression. Housed in durable, mirror-finish chrome covers, the pickups look as refined as they sound while shielding internal components from interference.
(12933)
Tech Features
Brand: Artist
Model Code: BULLBUCKERSETC (BULLBUCKERNC Neck + BULLBUCKERBC Bridge)
Pickup Type: Humbucker Set (Neck & Bridge)
Magnets: Alnico V Bar
Cover Finish: Black
Wiring: 4-Conductor Shielded Cable (Coil-Split Capable)
Potting: Wax Potted (Microphonic Noise Reduction)
Neck Output: DC Resistance: 7.1kΩ | Inductance: 3.86H | Pole Spacing: 50mm
Bridge Output: DC Resistance: 15.4kΩ | Inductance: 9.6H | Pole Spacing: 52mm
We use Courier services to ship our goods to you as fast as possible. Once the package leaves our warehouse the time to your door depends on your location, and any reported delays in your area.
We ship all orders for free. All deliveries are insured so if an item arrives damaged we'll happily refund or replace it for you. Check our warranty page for more information.
Purchases with Artist Guitars come with a 3-year Warranty. Warranty is only valid to the original purchaser and in the original country of purchase. Please take note of your order number to help us verify your purchase in the event of a warranty claim.
If the issue can be fixed by replacing a part, we will send it to you free of charge. Spare parts are shipped from our office in Sydney, Australia. If more extensive work is required our Customer Happiness department will arrange a free return slip or courier collection to get your item returned for further assessment.
Also included in your warranty is our industry leading 100 Days Change of Mind Policy
If you're not completely satisfied with the quality of any of our products, we'll be happy to arrange a free return of your product for an exchange or full refund, including any shipping charges. This also covers instances where you may have bought the wrong size or if you simply change your mind.
If you do require a return, just Open a Support Ticket and we'll either send you a reply paid label for Australia Post or arrange for a collection by courier. This will depend on your location and the product you purchased. If you have any trouble you can contact us.
Customer Reviews
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Jimmy CarrVerified Buyer
Replacment
I bought a set of these a while ago for one of my Gen 1 Yamaha Revstars because I was never really happy with the stock pickups. I’ve now had plenty of time to play them in the real world, so this isn’t just a first impression. I’ve got a few Artist guitars already, so I know they make good gear. Figured these were worth a shot. Glad I did. They’ve completely changed the guitar. It’s got a much fuller, clearer sound with heaps more character. The cleans are excellent, but where these really shine is with some gain. They absolutely rock. Big, punchy, articulate and full of life without turning to mud. Exactly what I was hoping for. To be honest, this Revstar is now one of the best-sounding guitars I own, and that’s up against Gibsons and Fenders in my collection. These are an absolute bargain. I’ve just ordered another one for the neck in a Telecaster project. If it performs anything like the others , I’ll be happy.
Store OwnerThanks for your review! Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.31 July 2026 -
Michael PepperVerified Buyer
Humbuckers
I bought these to put into a body that I'm building. The guitar is for behind my bar. They seem very good quality. They aren't in the guitar yet but I'm sure they will be great as all the items I've purchased are.
Store OwnerThanks for your review! Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions..14 November 2025 -
DavidVerified Buyer
A fixer-upper....needs some BullBuckers
A recent guitar from Korea from the early 90's in need of a spruce up, and the pickups were worn out. Enter Artist BullBuckers to the rescue. Two other Artist guitars that are in the stable that sport the BullBuckers in split coil mode has convinced me that these are on par with waaaay more expensive pickups. They punch very hard when needed and clean up beautifully in neck or bridge. There is no muddiness at all, they handle as much gain as you can give them and just keep on giving. For the price you WILL NOT FIND ANYTHING that can come anywhere near these for tone, quality and clarity. Excellent work getting these out there Artist, a very happy customer!!
Store OwnerThank you so much for your review. We really appreciate it.17 September 2025 -
MattVerified Buyer
Ridiculously good value
I've actually owned a set of these for a few years now and just found myself looking at the store page again, thinking about another set for a different guitar. I don't know who Artist schmoozed to be able to manufacture these for $65 a set - or whether the Artist crew just have a crazily good ear for great OEM products. To my ear, they are about 90% of a Gibson humbucker for a quarter of the price. Insane! Great job gang, love your work.
Store OwnerThank you so much, Matt! We’re thrilled that the BullBuckers have endured so well over the years—and even more excited that they have you returning for another set. Your kind words and keen ears mean the world to us.23 August 2025 -
Roger BlackVerified Buyer
2nd set of bullbuckers.
I recently pit a set of these onto a 2655 gretsch. The original pickups were too muddy. With these pickups the guitar is bright. I had it set up so only the neck pickup could split. I am using it on split most of the time, and it is clear. On the setting with both pickups it is beautiful with the treble pickup bright enough on standard setting. The guitar being a smaller semi hollow is light and has beautiful tones now. I am just so happy with it. As I said it is the second set. I put the other on an Ibanez 54. Which had the same result. They really are a great set of pickups. I will use them again Roger Black
Store OwnerThanks so much for sharing your experience with us. We look forward to your next purchase.21 January 2025
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TimVerified Buyer
Amazing pickups for the money
This pickups are as good as the ones in my Gibson Les Paul, I’ve heard about these pickups so I brought a set to put in a kit guitar I was making to replace the ones that came with the kit, massive difference, I’m a blues player and these pickups suit me perfectly, Highly recommended
Store OwnerThanks so much for sharing your experience with us. We look forward to your next purchase.9 September 2024 -
EdmondVerified Buyer
Killer sounding pickups for any price
Bought these to install in my LP copy from another brand and these do a fantastic job. In my opinion these bullbuckers can compete with the major brands and just a fraction of the price.
Store OwnerThank you so much for your review. We really appreciate it.8 May 2024 -
Marc peadVerified Buyer
Pickups
Prefect sound
Store OwnerThank you for the positive feedback! Please do not hesitate to let us know if you need any further assistance.20 January 2024 -
Andrew NashVerified Buyer
Great pickups
I brought a set of Bullbucker humbucker pickups. They are exactly what I was after with a good sound not to mention the price. Another great product, thanks
Store OwnerThanks so much for your great feedback! Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.26 July 2023 -
ZigVerified Buyer
I'm convinced...great pickups
I bought a set of Bullbuckers a while back. I hadn't installed them yet because I moved. I bought a Yamaha Revstar a few days ago. The guitar is amazing but the pickups sounded crap. I have a dozen of spare humbuckers and tried them all. The Bullbuckers sounded by far the best with sweet highs, defined mids and chunky lows. These are my new favourite pickups. They've been installed and will stay there.
Store OwnerWe are stoked to hear of how much you love the bullbuckers. Thank you for sharing your feedback about them and fro leaving them a review.15 March 2023 -
kevin watsonVerified Buyer
Kurt approves
Bought these for a squire mustang that i learnt on and hasnt been getting much love lately,put them in and wow what difference ,cant put it down now,fantastic pups and for the price you cant go wrong,if kurt was still around i reckon he would have a set lol.
Store OwnerThank you so much for the feedback. We appreciate it. Cheers!5 March 2023 -
FabioVerified Buyer
More than you bargain for
I bought a mid-range LP-ish from the US, and the pickups sounded too bright, brittle even. I ordered the Bullbuckers which I know well by having bought at least 15 Artist Guitars over the course of 6 years. As always, these pickups deliver. From brittle to smooth as butter, especially the neck pickup. I gave the pole pieces a radius. Also, this is a string-through, incredible sustain, ebony fretboard, and with the Bullbuckers it sounds amazing. Thanks again guys for your outstanding products.
Store OwnerThank you for your feedback! We are very grateful for your continued support. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions, we're always happy to help!15 January 2023 -
BarryVerified Buyer
Bullbucker pickup set (black)
Fantastic sounding pickups highly recomend.
Store OwnerThank you so much for the support! We really appreciate the feedback!27 September 2021 -
AnonymousVerified Buyer
BullBuckers = Win!
For the the price these pickups are unbeatable. I recently put a pair into an SG and they sound detailed and versatille. I can pretty much get just about any tone I want from Jazz to Rock to Metal. I lot of people are commenting on how they sound similar to the Duncan JB/ Jazz combo and I think this is true to some degree. Personally I'd put them on par with the Duncan Designed version of the JB, but the Jazz is a closer match to the original. I don't want to be too critical because they are excellent, well balanced pickups. The bridge pickup has nice grunt and detail, whereas the neck pickup is round and soft more like a PAF but not quite as bright. I only have them wired in full humbucking mode, but have heard how well they split and they do this better than my Dimarzio Dual Sound (which is designed to split!) My only feedback would be provide some specific wiring diagrams for different scenrios, so we don't have to hunt online.
Store OwnerThank you so much for taking the time to leave this review and will definitely be helpful. If you have questions about wiring diagrams, feel free to contact us.9 August 2021 -
SteveVerified Buyer
Great Pickups for the price
I put a set of these in an Ibanez AS53 semi hollow body . I set up the coil split and my own treble bleed circuit. I found a huge improvement over the stock Ibanez pickups . Nice and clear from clean to a cranked Marshall JVM410H on full gain . Very similar to the SD JB-4 and Sh-2 set I have in one of my Les Paul's . Very versatile, well worth a try .
Store OwnerThanks so much for the review and for all the support. Cheers.1 June 2021 -
leon frimVerified Buyer
Amazing for the price
Received bridge pickup to replace missing part in a relic Kramer80s Tele. Excellent sound in both split and single coil pickup. Not sure why you would spend hundreds on other brands after you have heard these. Unless you need the original pickup for resale. Listen to the add, that's what they will sound like in your guitar.
Store OwnerThanks for taking the time in leaving a review. We appreciate it. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us.19 May 2021 -
BradVerified Buyer
Holly Batman bullbucker!
Wow. I’ve slipped these into my EPI Les Paul, split front and rear on separate pull pots so I have 8 different options to find the tone I want. Let’s start with full humbucker. These things rip the skin off the Epiphone set that were in there. They are really clean for humbuckers, and damn dirty when you want to rip out some crunch. Through the pedal they scream up and down the neck. Switch it to front and rear single coil, the tones are similar to that of my Tele. Not exactly, still different enough to have set it this way but very clean, much better than I expected. Playing with the pull pots and switching through the pick ups you find all sorts of goodies that are just fun to play with. Tone up and tone down they just do it all. Worth so much more than the almost nothing I payed for them. They rip, I love them and I’ve grown so much respect for this company. Amazing products guys, you’re awesome!!!
27 November 2020 -
Jim McGrathVerified Buyer
Beast
I put these in an SG and they howel. They are beefy and bright too. Coil tap away
21 October 2020 -
Neil CharkowVerified Buyer
Met and exceeded my expectations
For the price, I didn't have 'name-brand' expectations. However, I don't think you can apply the adage, "you get what you pay for" because I am very happy with my new pickups. I installed them with 2 x push/pull dpdt pots and now have them on series/parallel switching. The 4 conductors allow you do virtually anything you want (coil split/tap, phase, etc.). Worth the purchase even if you want to experiment but great sound for a swap out of sub-standard stock pups.
4 August 2020 -
DebbieVerified Buyer
The Do-Everything pickup, if wired right
These are bright pickups. In Artists own TC59 tele, they tame some of that top end with 250K pots for volume and tone and THOSE are the covered version of these pickups. And they're still bright! To my ear, these pickups sound remarkably like SD Screamin' Demon pickups, which have the hex head bolts instead of screws. Only, they're like 5 times the price of these. These are the most versatile pickups I've ever installed. Incredibly responsive to dynamics in your playing style. They coil tap so well that I have one set exclusively as a single coil tapped installation. And they also sound beautiful wired in parallel. The only thing you'll have to do is be patient dialling in the right heights and get used to dropping them down with the tone knob(s). Other than that, they're perfect... hang on, the leads are a little short. But not a deal breaker.
17 April 2020 -
Stuart McKleaineVerified Buyer
Great value, and sound!
I bought these for a rough as guts guitar I made around 30 years ago, it had fallen into disrepair and had just sat around the shed for years. I needed a new neck pickup and thought that I would give a pair of these a try after reading positive reviews, and considering the not substantial price. I must say that I am very happy. I really like the neck pickup especially. They both have plenty of power flat out, but plenty of nuances dialled back. I have set them up as split coil, and now my homemade Tele style has that Tele twang when I want it. If you're wondering why it didn't have single coils to start with, it was made out of bits lying around from guitars deceased, humbuckers being the pickups lying around. The actual body was made from what my father cut out of the top of a vanity unit to fit a sink, and that's where it started. Rough as, but fun, and now even more so. Thanks Artist.
20 March 2020 -
AlexVerified Buyer
Artist Bullbucker, good bang for your BUCK and no
I bought a set for my chibson LP expecting nothing really, I had them installed by a professional luthier who happens to wind his own pickups as well. He was intrigued as he never heard of these pickups before and when I told him how much they were he went like "ok .." He looked very surprised when he plugged the guitar in and after a while he told me "you got yourself a pair of good sounding pickups". I play early Sabbath, COC, Soundgarden etc and the bridge pickup does a pretty decent job, nice warm and round sound courtesy of the Alnico V magnet. The biggest surprise was the neck pickup, played clean with a touch of delay or reverb it sounds great, good for jazz and blues but also alt/rock dreamy/trippy stuff. In a nutshell these pickups got me playing my 6 strings again, wish they made a set for my 8 strings too.
15 February 2020 -
Stephen WatsonVerified Buyer
Banging
Good responsive humbucker, only criticism is wiring color, it doesn't match any other PU manufacturers, and while description of wire functions gives you the clues to match them to standard colour schemes it took a bit of research. This is a moot point if your just wiring them up as a standard replacement, but if you are trying to take advantage of the split coil, phasing, etc or for the Jimmy Page Les Paul wiring, then some searching will be required, guitarwiring.com is a good resource. But all in all best humbckers at this price!
30 October 2019 -
Terry Lee BarkerVerified Buyer
Artist bullbuckers
Picked a set of these up from Artist warehouse yesterday, put them into my Epiphone F hole today, wow brought the old beauty to life,very articulate nicely voiced pickups, nice chime on the tops and a nice smooth midrange and balanced bottom end sound great clean but they really come into their own into to a driven amp nice creamy sound on the neck and the bridge is outstanding straight up rock and roll. Sound a lot like the pickups in an old 72 SG custom I used to own and certainly hold their own up against any other pickups out there, bang for your buck they are hard to go past I will certainly use them again very impressive pickups.
3 September 2019 -
Mike SadlerVerified Buyer
Bullbucker Pickups – Gibson-a-fy your tone; no Bul
I've been using these close on a year now and was probably partly responsible for exhausting the stock once I tried my first set :-) I bought them first to replace the 'OK' stock pickups in a Artist Super-Strat style guitar with mahogany body and neck... think PRS. Adding the Bullbuckers reminded me immediately of an SG with 'Classic' (60's) humbuckers but with a little more 'poke' in the bridge, like a stock but conicidentally overwound and well voiced one. Because they are (I think) Fender spaced poles, I also installed one on a Custom Squier Tele (bridge) and a pair on another Artist Super-Strat style guitar. Very happy all round. Some time later, I had a chance to play a mate's Epiphone LP Custom with some real Seymour Duncan Pickups on board... a JB Bridge and a Jazz Neck (classic Epi Upgrade). The similarities are uncanny! More recently, my wife and I have each bought new Gibsons; she a HP SG, me an ES LP Special (semi-hollowbody). The HP SG has 'modern' (490) pickups which a just a bit 'naughtier' than the Bullbuckers while maintaing clarity but the Bullbucker tone is in the ballpark. The ES LP (a cross between a 335 and a LP) uses a '57 Classic neck and an Super '57 (overwound) bridge and the Bullbuckers are MUCH naughtier; so they're definitely on the hotter side. So, if you want a 'rockier/naughtier' than vintage LP or SG sound for your Epiphone or other Gibson 'tribute' than these will definitely suit. They also sound great in Fender style guitars and would be a great swapout for standard Squire humbuckers IF you want a Gibson style sound. Ditto any PRS style guitar. They would also be great for "rocking up' a Dot 335/Ibanez Artcore or similar and have to be an absolute no brainer if you own and love an Artist Cherry 7 Anniversry – I bet they also sound great split too! In summary they're great if you want that classic-to-slightly-hot-rodded Gibson or McCarty PRS sound; at his price they're a total no-brainer. PS: My 12 month evaluation, over 3 different guitars I use live/jamming (leaving the 'real' Gibsons, etc at home) is based on use with some modelling software but mostly with a Mesa Boogie Roadster (100W Dual Rectifier 2 x 12), Marshall JVM410C (100W 2 x 12) and more recently a Positive Grid Bias (Rack) Head (600W with Marshall 1936 2 x 12). So, it's not like I can't 'hear' what they really sound like... and they do sound like ROCK!
2 February 2018 -
AnonymousVerified Buyer
Excellent balance, awesome tones, for killer price
I received my set of BullBuckers two weeks ago. Shipping was fast, installation was easy, and the experience has been great. I installed these in my new Artist Gnosis 6 guitar, which I have had for about a month now. I had a couple of guitars to compare against this way, I have a Les Paul Special and an ESP Horizon series with EMG 81/85 pickups. Obviously, the sound is quite different to the EMG pickups since the BullBuckers are passive, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well they stood up to the EMG offering and in some cases giving me a more preferred tone. Between the LP with Gibson pickups and the Gnosis with BullBuckers, in terms of tone there was not a whole lot of difference. The sound was a little bit sharper on the LP, but I’m going to put that down to the fact it’s a Les Paul and it probably has a slightly better tone potentiometer and capacitor. Both guitars have the same strings, and were played in the same tunings. The only major difference was the scale length. LP being 24.75’ and the Gnosis 6 being 25.5’. Neck Pickup: I don’t really play with the neck, even when playing rhythm. It produced a nice warm thick sound, sounded fantastic for Jazz and Rockabilly type playing. Bridge Pickup: I play on the Bridge 99% of the time, because I prefer the crunchy aggressive tones you get compared to a neck pickup with is generally warmer. The neck pickup was amazing and I managed to pull some killer tones out of it. Clean Highs: Very nice, crisp, rings out well. Clean Mids: The mids in these pickups seem quite well balanced, which was nice. Offered great chord voicing, without being overpowering. Clean Lows: Tight and not too overwhelming, giving good room within the sonic range for chord voicing, even in the lower tunings I frequently play in. Distorted Highs: Things like pinch harmonics, natural harmonic pick slides, and lead riffs are beautiful and make some awesome sounds. Distorted Mids: Present, but not overwhelming. Which lent very well to my tone and style of playing. Distorted Lows: Because the pickups are quite tight, with some well-set distortion and the dirty channel on my amp, the sound I was able to produce was amazing. Especially when keeping in mind the price of these pickups. Overall, these pickups really surprised me. A set of the Bull Buckers costing less than a single, big brand name pickup, and these things put out some killer sounds. They were able to produce some pleasing clean tones, and some awesome rock and metal tones. I would definitely recommend these to replace OEM pickups or even upgrade on some guitars. They were an excellent upgrade for my Artist Gnosis 6.
29 June 2017 -
MichaelVerified Buyer
Great all round humbuckers
I bought a pair of Artist Bullbuckers a couple of weeks ago. I installed them into a Epiphone Les Paul and they are fantastic I can get clean flute like tones out of them through to moderate overdrive and full on distortion. These are great all round pickups, thanks again Heath and Ian and great service as usual. Cheers Michael
29 July 2016
