Collection: Ron Ellis Pickups

Boutique, hand-wound tone for Strat, Tele, P-90, and humbucker builds

If you’re searching for Ron Ellis pickups for sale, you already know: these are some of the most coveted boutique guitar pickups on the planet. Meticulously hand-wound in small batches with period-correct materials, Ron Ellis guitar pickups deliver the feel, compression, and harmonic complexity players chase in the best vintage sets—without the guesswork. At Chicago Music Exchange, we stock a curated selection of new and used Ron Ellis pickups, with fast shipping, expert support, and verified specs so you can drop them in and play.

What makes Ron Ellis pickups different?

Serious players want dynamic response, not just output. Ron Ellis focuses on the details that matter to your hands and ears:
Vintage-accurate coil recipes (scatter-wound patterns that breathe and “bloom”)

• Correct magnet grades (Alnico II/III/V voiced per era and position)
• Fiber flatwork & nickel-silver parts chosen for true vintage capacitance/inductance
• Balanced sets (calibrated neck/middle/bridge) so positions blend naturally
• Touch sensitivity that cleans up with the volume knob and reacts to pick attack
• Musical compression—the “sweet give” you hear on classic records
• Result: tone that sits “in” the amp instead of on top of it—clear, woody, and 3-D, with zero icepick.

The lineup at a glance

While Ellis releases evolve, these popular Ron Ellis models cover the classic vocabulary most players need:

Strat-style single-coils
’50s-voiced: Scooped mids, airy top, piano-like lows; perfect for glassy cleans and twangy rhythm.

• Early ’60s-style: Rounder mids, sweeter treble, singing sustain for blues/rock leads.
• Mid-’60s “grey-bottom” flavor: A touch more push and bite, still open and articulate.
• Use case: Vintage Strat tones with modern consistency—blackface cleans, edge-of-breakup chime, and expressive in-between positions.

Tele-style single-coils
Broadcaster/Nocaster-lean: Tall, punchy bridge with chewy mids; clear, supportive neck.

• Early ’50s “blackguard”: Big attack and country snap; woody neck with bloom.
• Early ’60s Tele: Slightly smoother top, refined mid presence, superb for studio comping.
• Use case: Authentic Telecaster pickups that twang without harshness and mic beautifully.

P-90-style

• Fat single-coil grind with articulate highs and tight lows; excels for blues, rock, and roots.
• Use case: Add bite and thickness to LP-style Juniors, archtops, and boutique builds.

Humbucker-voiced (PAF-inspired)

• Low-to-medium wind for clarity, string separation, and vowel-like mids; never muddy.
• Use case: Classic PAF character—open, dynamic, and responsive to pick strength and volume roll-off.

Need help picking the right set? Our specialists can match magnets, DC resistance, and winds to your guitar, rig, and musical goals.

Who plays Ron Ellis—and why pros care

While you’ll spot Ron Ellis pickups on high-end stages and in boutique builds, the reason pros gravitate to them is simple: mix-ready tone that reacts to their touch. Session players, touring guitarists, and boutique collectors praise Ellis for the way chords “separate” and how single notes bloom and sustain without extra gain. If your baseline sound is already musical, you fight the rig less and create more.

Where Ron Ellis pickups fit best

• Vintage Fender restorations needing era-correct tone with modern reliability
• Boutique partscasters (Strat/Tele) where the pickups are the final 10%
• Studio work—you’ll track faster when the transient is right and noise is controlled
• Pedalboards with gain stacking—Ellis sets stay articulate through compressors, ODs, and fuzz

Price ranges & availability

Because these are hand-wound boutique pickups with limited production, pricing reflects the craft:

• Individual pickups: typically $180–$260
• Strat/Tele sets: commonly $500–$800+ depending on spec and finish
• P-90 / Humbucker sets: often $500–$900+

CME posts accurate DC resistance, mounting type, cover options, and lead lengths—so you know exactly what you’re getting.

How to choose the right Ron Ellis set

Start with era and guitar: ’50s vs. ’60s for Strat pickups; Broadcaster/blackguard vs. early ’60s for Tele pickups.

• Match your amp: Blackface/clean platforms love lower wind clarity; British-voiced amps may benefit from a hair more push.
• Consider your volume knob: If you live on 6–8, choose a set that cleans gracefully and gains smoothly.
• Think in tracks: If you double parts, consider contrasting winds (e.g., ’50s Strat neck/middle with a slightly hotter bridge) to separate layers.

Why buy Ron Ellis pickups from Chicago Music Exchange?

• Tight curation: We carry the high-demand models players actually want.
• Real specs & clear photos: DC resistance, leads, covers, baseplates—all verified.
• Install advice: Height and tilt guidance to hit the “sweet zone” fast.
• Trade-in & used: Rotate gear without losing momentum.

Fast, insured shipping and responsive support.

Chicago Music Exchange is the #1 destination for vintage, used, and boutique guitar pickups. Trusted by touring artists, collectors, and tone chasers worldwide.