A New Selection! Discover Roswell Pickups

2025-07-14

No matter what kind of hobby you're into, when it comes to upgrading parts, there are always go-to brands and classic choices that enthusiasts rely on.
These tried-and-true items often have a timeless appeal, and they’re something that makes you want to come full circle and return back to the basics after exploring everything else.

That said, there’s also an irresistible urge to try out lesser-known products. This kind of feeling stems from humanity’s unshakable curiosity and desire to explore the unknown.
This time, I would like to introduce a brand that perfectly fits that adventurous spirit: Roswell Pickups is a name you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on!

Who are Roswell Pickups?

Roswell Pickups is a rising brand that's currently gaining attention. They handle OEM manufacturing for a variety of major musical instrument companies. Leveraging the know-how they've developed through commissioned projects, Roswell offers carefully crafted products that range from faithful recreations of historic classics to original designs with a unique flair, with all of their products being sold at reasonable prices.
I once owned a guitar that came equipped with Roswell pickups, and I was genuinely impressed with the quality. I'm usually the type who can't resist swapping out pickups right away, but I ended up using those Roswells until the very end without ever feeling the need to change them.

Lineup

Let’s take a look at the range of Roswell Pickups available now at Sound House!
The lineup covers a wide spectrum from classic go-to models to niche, hard-to-find pickups that scratch a very specific itch. In this article, I’ll highlight some of their top picks from each category!

⇒ View Full Roswell Pickups Lineup

For Stratocaster

Roswell offers pickups modeled after some of the most legendary Stratocasters from specific eras. You'll also find modernized options like the SC Modern series are designed to suit today’s music scene, as well as models that come with Quarter Pound pole pieces for a more powerful sound.
I can’t cover everything here, so I’ve picked a few of my personal favorites to showcase!

Roswell Pickups / Quarter Pound Single Coil Pickup / Alnico 5 Neck

When you hear “Quarter Pound”, what probably comes to mind first is SCHECTER’s Monster Tone or SEYMOUR DUNCAN’s SSL-4, right?
Just having more Quarter Pound options at this price point is already a big win, but what really impressed me was how surprisingly versatile the sound is. With a thick midrange and high output, the Quarter Pound is perfect for hard rock, of course, but that rounded, warm tone also makes it a great fit for blues.
Even though its midrange might seem a bit too pronounced for rhythm playing, just rolling the volume back a touch tames it into a very usable, clean tone. In jam sessions, I often find I can get by with just volume control alone with no pedal tweaking necessary.
Best of all? It comes with a cover.
Uncovered pickups have long been associated with hard rock, thanks in no small part to Mr. Blackmore himself. But a pickup with a cover gives off more of a mature, refined vibe—a real “wolf in sheep’s clothing” if you will (laughs).

Roswell Pickups / 74 Style Vintage Single-Coil Pickup / Alnico 5 Neck

Next up is this one!
All of the Roswell pickups do a great job of capturing the character of their respective eras, but I chose the 70s model simply because… well, I love it! (laughs)
From the very first note, it hits you with that unmistakable “This is what a '70s Strat is supposed to sound like!” kind of conviction.
It has tight lows, forward-pushing mids, and a snappy, punchy attack that makes it a total joy to play.
If I had to be nitpicky, I would’ve loved it even more with gray bobbins… but hey, that’s just me being picky. (laughs)

If you're after that bell-like chime, though, you might find the 61 style will suit your taste better!

Humbuckers

Honestly, it feels almost unfair to lump all of these under the single humbucker category. They’re such a diverse and unique lineup!
Just like their single-coils, Roswell really nails the “hard-to-find but you didn’t know you needed it” vibe, all while keeping prices incredibly reasonable. That’s a huge part of their charm.

Roswell Pickups / Filtertron Ear Mount Neck

This model is a Filter’Tron-style pickup, but with standard humbucker dimensions and mounting format.
In other words,
you can easily do things like:
“Put a Filter’Tron on a Les Paul,”
“Install a Filter’Tron in an SG,”
or even
“Throw a Filter’Tron into a superstrat!”
It opens the door to custom builds that take a step away from the usual, all without the usual headaches.
SEYMOUR DUNCAN also offers a similar idea, but their version costs more than twice as much, which makes it hard to justify buying it just to try it out. That’s where Roswell comes in to save the day!

Roswell Pickups / Wide Range Style Humbucker

This model is Roswell’s own take on FENDER’s Wide Range Humbucker!
The biggest difference lies in the magnet material: while FENDER uses CuNiFe (copper, nickel, and iron), Roswell opts for Alnico 5. This choice helps keep the cost down while delivering a more versatile sound.
Compared to the original, the distinctive “sparkle” of CuNiFe is a bit more subdued here.
However, the response is quicker and the tone feels tighter overall, making it easier to work with while still preserving the best parts of that classic character.
You could say it leans slightly more toward a P.A.F. tone, if you can picture it.
Personally, I used to think there was no alternative to the original.
But this one? It’s absolutely worth trying. You might be surprised by the quality!

For Telecaster

Finally, we have the Telecaster lineup.
Compared to other categories, the variety is still a bit limited, but that just makes these picks all the more niche and interesting, so let’s take a look!

Roswell Pickups / Quarter Pound Telecaster Pickup / Alnico 5 Neck

This is the Quarter Pound model designed specifically for Telecasters.
Just like the Strat version, it’s amazing to see this kind of pickup is available at such an affordable price! It delivers a thick low-midrange, while retaining that classic Tele character and adding a powerful edge to the sound.
If you install it and find the tone feels a bit “muddy”, try changing the pot resistance. It can drastically change the impression and help dial it in just right!

Roswell Pickups / Charlie Christian Tele Neck

At last, here it is—the Charlie Christian pickup! Charlie Christian was a pioneer who started using pickups in guitars to make sure the guitar’s sound didn’t get lost among the louder instruments in jazz bands. If you look at the photo, you can see the uniquely shaped pickup mounted on the guitar.

Charlie Christian, public domain (quoted from Wikipedia)

This pickup is beloved even today for its unmistakably simple, warm sound. However, the original style requires drilling three holes on top of the body to mount it, which means installing one of these pickups can be quite a challenging task.
↓ The original looks something like this:

(Quoted from the official Roswell Pickups website)

The model we’re introducing this time is a Charlie Christian pickup that can be easily mounted in the front position of a Telecaster, allowing you to effortlessly achieve that unique sound. (Of course, some modification of the pickguard and precise fitting are necessary!)

The sound is vintage-feeling and low-output, yet incredibly clear, allowing you to express sweetness and warmth through your picking nuances, making it an excellent match for the Telecaster!
It also responds quickly when driven, so you can comfortably play with mild overdrive from blues to rock ’n’ roll.
Actually, a humbucker version based on the same concept has also been released, so be sure to check that out as well!!

⇒ Charlie Christian Humbucker

This time, I introduced some products by Roswell Pickups.
Every pickup in their lineup is genuinely exciting to look at. They make you want to buy a guitar just so you have a reason to install them! (laughs)
If there’s enough demand, we at Sound House plan to expand our selection even further, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with any requests!