We get asked a ton of questions about lipstick single-coil pickups. We’re asked everything from what they sound like to “Will they fit in my guitar?” and more. We understand the questions. They’re unique pickups, different from a Tele neck pickup, different from a Stratocaster single-coil pickup. They’re their own thing.

So what are they? To answer that question, we’ll have to dig into their history, lipstick pickup construction, and their relationship to Danelectro guitars.

1. The Danelectro Story
2. Danelectro Players and Songs
3. Lipstick Pickup Construction
4. The Lipstick Pickup Tone
5. Lipstick Wiring
6. The Present and Future of Lipstick Pickups
7. Modern Lipstick Pickups

The Danelectro Story

In the 1940s, Nathan Daniel found success with his budget line of electric instrument amplifiers, Silvertone and Danelectro. Sold through big-box retailers like Sears Roebuck, they offered budding players decent amps at bargain prices. But during the electric guitar boom in the 1950s, he added the original Danelectro and Silvertone guitar to his lineup, again with the starter-budget guitarist in mind.

While scores of guitarists got started on these plywood powerhouses, most would move on to something more reliable as their playing progressed. But not everyone. Danelectros had a unique sound that no other guitar could capture. So while many ended up collecting dust in basements, others found themselves on the world’s biggest stages and recording timeless rock ‘n’ roll.

Danelectro Players and Songs

Perhaps the most famous use of vintage Danelectro tone is the surprisingly clean-yet-crushing riffs on Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.” Jimmy Page proved that a Danelectro could punch way above its weight class when paired with a mammoth bass tone. Along with Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler, Page also found his Dano perfect for electrified blues slide. Check out any vintage Zep live footage, and you’ll see what we mean.

Lipstick Pickup Construction

Among its other design factors, Danelectro’s magic can be traced straight to the highly unique pickups that Nathan Daniel designed. One look at them, and it’s easy to see why they quickly took the name lipstick pickups. But the name is much more accurate than many players realize.

When searching for the right single-coils for his guitars, Daniel knew they would have to be easy and inexpensive to manufacture. That meant that the bobbins and custom-machined pole pieces Fender and Gibson used were out. Instead, they used a relatively crude Alnico V bar magnet with the copper wire wrapped directly around it. That assembly was then wrapped in cellophane tape, vacuum wax potted, and inserted straight into the trademark lipstick tube covers…actual lipstick tubes!

Daniel found he could source lipstick tubes from wholesalers for much less than standard pickup covers. And not only did these metal tubes give his pickups a unique look, but the metal cover helps shield the electronics and mellowed the otherwise ice-picky sound of his design.

The legend was born.

The Lipstick Pickup Tone

The lipstick pickup construction not only achieved Daniel’s goal of being easy and cheap to make, but it also delivered a unique tone. Due to their size limitations and other considerations, lipstick pickups provided a low output and DC resistance that excelled at clean tones.

“Jangly, chiming, clear, and detailed” are often used to describe their singular voice. While some might call it a brittle sound, others love the faster response and better note definition. Perhaps Ryan Burke of the 60-cycle Hum Podcast described it best, saying, “they basically sound the way they look”:

Despite their penchant for clean sounds, they’re also a ton of fun with a cranked amp exuding a snarly breakup and a loose low end. Players love how they teeter between tone and chaos.

Lipstick Wiring

But the pickups aren’t the only reason Danelectro guitars sound the way they do. Their relatively hollow, plywood-composite construction also plays a significant role. Lipstick wiring is also a contributor. Danos usually feature a 3-way toggle switch. Down solos the bridge pickup. Up solos the neck pickup. But the in-between setting runs both pickups in series wiring. This wiring results in an output boost with a woolier midrange punch than you might expect from lipsticks.

The Present and Future of Lipstick Pickups

Today, lipstick pickups and their tone are still synonymous with the Danelectro sound. Like Filter’Trons to Gretsch, PAFs to Gibson, and Strat single-coils to Fender, they essentially define the soul of the brand.

But then Danelectros are no longer the only place you’ll find lipsticks. Pickups like our Lipstick Tube Strat pickup drop comfortably into most Fender-style pickup routes. And Strat Players like SRV retrofitted lipsticks into their Fenders years ago. Fender has even offered several lipstick-equipped Strats right from the factory floor. And while these guitars might be missing the tonal contributions of a plywood Dano, they still bring that beautiful twang to every guitar they’re in.

Modern Lipstick Pickups

Hit the internet today, and you’ll find many companies making lipstick pickup replicas. These modern designs are much more reliable and standardized than vintage lipsticks while retaining most quirks that make old ones special.

One common upgrade is the pickup covers. Today they’re specifically designed for the pickups. No more actual lipstick tubes! These custom-made covers allow them to be manufactured in many different sizes and fit the most popular pickup routes like Strat pickups.

Inside the pickup, the improvements continue. The copper wire coil is now wound around a custom-sized plastic bobbin that features an Alnico bar magnet right down the center. These pickups still deliver the same tone but are much more reliable and easier to manufacture.

Finally, modern lipstick single-coil pickups offer a variety of wiring improvements. For reference, let’s take a look at our (retired) Danelectro Lipstick Tube pickup.

The neck model was built Reverse Wound / Reverse Polarity from the bridge model for hum-canceling operation when using both pickups. Also, the bridge model had slightly increased output to better balance with the neck position pickup.

All of these modern updates have done nothing to quell demand for lipstick pickups, new and old. In fact, modern guitarists such as Phoebe Bridgers still swing Danelectros over their shoulders quite often. And Danelectro continues to build the reissue Danelectros around the lipstick pickup platform.

Thanks to their popularity, finding vintage, original lipstick pickups is next to impossible. And if you do find them, you’re going to pay a premium. Though arguably, modern improvements have made lipstick pickup design better, some players live and die by the originals.

So if you are in the market for these old-school models, we recommend finding a broken-down Dano from the ’50s or ’60s and pulling the pickups out yourself. More than likely, the pickups are worth way more than the rest of the guitar anyway. Happy hunting!

If you have any other questions about lipstick pickups, lipstick pickup construction, or lipstick wiring, don’t hesitate to get in touch! Also, don’t forget to dig into the rest of the Seymour Duncan blog. There’s a ton of in-depth information on all of our different designs, how-tos, tone demonstrations, and a whole lot more.

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