A Guide to Fishman Fluence Pickups

For ages, guitarists accepted a tradeoff with traditional magnetic pickups. Vintage-style warmth often came with noise and lower output. On the other hand, hotter pickups could sacrifice clarity and dynamics.

In 2014, Fishman specifically designed Fluence pickups to eliminate that compromise.

Today, the Fluence family spans everything from vintage-inspired PAF tones to aggressive metal voices, artist-designed signature models, bass pickups and acoustic systems. Whether you're upgrading a workhorse guitar or building a specialized instrument, there's a Fluence pickup designed for the job.

The result is a pickup platform that offers multiple voices from a single pickup, exceptional consistency from one unit to the next.

In this guide, we’ll run through the Fluence lineup—helping you decide which models are best suited for your playing style 

Table of Contents 

What Makes Fishman Fluence Pickups Different?
Comparing Fishman Fluence Pickup Families
Comparing Fishman Fluence Pickups
Find the Right Fishman Fluence Pickups for Your Rig
FAQs About Fishman Fluence Pickups

What Makes Fishman Fluence Pickups Different?

Unlike traditional pickups that rely on thousands of turns of copper wire, Fishman Fluence pickups use patented Fluence Core technology, which features a multi-layered printed circuit board. This construction gives engineers much greater control over the pickup's frequency response while virtually eliminating hum, unwanted noise and manufacturing inconsistencies.

Some of the biggest advantages include:

• Multiple selectable voices in a single pickup

• Extremely low noise

• Active performance without sacrificing dynamics

• Wide compatibility with push/pull pots and voice switching

• Built-in lithium-ion battery packs are rechargeable on your guitar—and last much longer than a standard 9V battery, often up to 70 hours

Rather than simply adding EQ presets, each Fluence Voice is engineered to behave like an entirely different pickup design. Depending on the model, switching voices can take you from vintage PAF character to hot-rodded ceramic aggression or modern active punch with the pull of a knob.

Comparing Fishman Fluence Pickup Families

Although every Fluence pickup shares the same underlying technology, each family is voiced for different styles.

Family	Voices	Output & Tonal Character	Best Suited For
Classic	2–3 (model dependent)	Vintage PAF warmth, articulate mids, moderate output	Blues, classic rock, country, jazz, classic hard rock
Modern	2–3 (model dependent)	High output, tight lows, aggressive attack, pristine clarity	Metal, progressive rock, hard rock, drop tunings
Signature	2–3 (artist dependent)	Tailored voicings based on each artist's preferences	Fans of each artist's sound and players seeking specialized tones

Comparing Fishman Fluence Pickups

Pickup	Voices	Output & Tonal Character	Best Suited For
Fluence Classic Humbucker Open Core	3	Vintage-inspired PAF-style warmth and exceptional single-coil clarity	Classic rock, blues, alternative rock
Fluence Modern Humbucker	3	High output	Metal, hard rock, progressive styles
Fluence Open Core Modern	3	Active punch plus passive-inspired openness	Players covering multiple genres
Killswitch Engage Signature	3	Tight rhythm attack and articulate lead tones	Metalcore and modern metal
Stephen Carpenter Signature	3	Massive low-end clarity	8-string progressive metal
Tosin Abasi Signature	2	Dynamic, articulate tones	Progressive, fusion and technical players
Tim Henson Signature	2	Hi-fi cleans and expressive modern gain	Modern rock, pop, math rock, fusion
Greg Koch Tele Set	2	Classic Tele twang with expanded range	Country, blues, Americana
Greg Koch Strat Set	2	Vintage-style Strat sparkle without hum	Blues, funk, rock, session work
Fluence Acoustic Spotlight	Multiple EQ voicings	Natural acoustic amplification	Live acoustic performance
Fluence Bass Soapbar	2	Modern punch plus passive-inspired warmth	Versatile bass applications

Fishman Fluence Classic Humbucker Open Core

What to Know

• Three distinct voices covering vintage and hot-rodded humbucker tones

• Open Core design delivers classic aesthetics

• Excellent upgrade for players seeking PAF character with added flexibility 

The Fishman Fluence Classic Humbucker Open Core is a time capsule of vintage-inspired tone in an uncovered humbucker form factor. Voice 1 dishes out the warm, articulate character of vintage PAF pickups, Voice 2 adds additional output and bite for heavier rock styles and Voice 3 gives you that sparkling-clean single-coil sound. With this triple-threat sonic palette, it covers quite a bit of territory.

Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker

What to Know

• Three selectable voices

• Alnico and ceramic pickups offered—two-pickup set contains one of each

• Available in several eye-catching metallic and solid-color finishes

Engineered for unapologetic high-gain mayhem, the Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker set delivers aggressive output without skimping on note definition. The pair comprises an alnico and a ceramic humbucker, giving you greater dynamics and high-end clarity.

Building on the original two-voice model, the addition of a third voice expands the tonal palette beyond traditional active pickup sounds, giving you access to cleaner and lower-output textures as needed.

It's a handy option for guitarists shifting gears between pristine cleans, classic crunch and distortion-laden fury within the same performance. Extended-range guitarists can also find dedicated 7- and 8-string versions as well.

Fishman Fluence Open Core Modern Humbucker

What to Know

• Three voices: active high output, passive attack and single-coil

• Black nickel blades provide consistent string balance

• Offered in black, red and white colorways

The Fishman Fluence Open Core Modern Humbucker gives the tight response of the Modern series a more organic feel, making it a great choice for players who need aggressive rhythm tones alongside expressive cleans.

In addition to looking super cool, its blade design also helps maintain even output during wide bends and aggressive playing antics. Prefer 7- or 8-strings? Fishman’s got you covered.

Fishman Fluence Killswitch Engage Signature Series

What to Know

• Designed with Killswitch Engage guitarists Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel

• Focused for articulate rhythm playing and singing leads

• Ideal for modern metal and hard rock

Is your tone alive or just breathing? The Fishman Fluence Killswitch Engage Signature Series pickups brings your sound to life—channeling crushing rhythms and melodic leads that have been a cornerstone of Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel’s signature sound for years. The voicings emphasize tight low end, excellent note separation and strong dynamics under high gain.

Players across metalcore, hard rock and contemporary metal scenes will appreciate their controlled low end and articulate upper mids.

Fishman Fluence Stehpen Carpenter Signature Series

What to Know

• Purpose-built for 8-string guitars

• Exceptional low-register clarity

• Specially voiced for heavy music

If Deftones gets your adrenaline going, Fishman Fluence Stephen Carpenter Signature Series 8-string humbuckers will have the same effect on you and your listeners. Undulating lower frequencies stay controlled while upper-register notes keep their clarity, helping you stay intelligible even under heaps of relentless gain.

Don’t have an 8-string, but love the idea? Good news: Also available are 6- and 7- and 9-string Stephen Carpenter Signature Series pickups.

Fishman Fluence Tosin Abasi 7-String Modern Humbucking Pickup Set Black Nickel

What to Know

• Signature voicings developed with Tosin Abasi

• Dynamic response perfect for technical playing

• Offered in black, white, nickel and black nickel

Inspired by one of progressive metal's most forward-thinking players, the Fishman Fluence Tosin Abasi 7-string Modern humbucking pickup set captures the precision, dynamics and clarity that define Abasi's unmistakable tone. Rather than simply chasing higher output, these pickups are built for expressive playing. The selectable Fluence voices let you switch between tight, percussive tones and a more open, organic character. 

For players pushing into even wider ranges, Fishman also offers an 8-string version with the same signature design philosophy. 

Fishman Fluence Signature Series Tim Henson Pickup Set Black

What to Know

• Set includes two complementary pickups with three voices each

• Excellent clean articulation and ambient textures

• Black and white color options 

The massive success of the Ibanez TOD10N—which features a Fishman S-Core pickup—is proof you don’t have to be a Polyphia fanatic to appreciate Tim Henson’s tonal taste. Another example is the Fishman Fluence Signature Series Tim Henson pickup set, which yields exceptional note definition and dynamic response. It’s featured in his TOD10 signature electric, as well.

Players using extended-range instruments can also find a dedicated 7-string model that carries the same voicing into lower registers.

Fishman Fluence Greg Koch "Gristle-Tone" Single Width Telecaster Pickup Set

What to Know

• Noiseless Tele performance

• Two selectable voices: open/airy and fat/punchy

• Leans into classic Tele feel and response

Greg Koch is known for pulling an incredible range of sounds from a Telecaster, and Fishman Fluence Greg Koch "Gristle-Tone" Single Width Telecaster pickup reflects that same philosophy. Multiple selectable voices expand the instrument's tonal palette without changing its familiar feel.

Vintage-inspired snap, muscular midrange and articulate cleans are all yours at the flip of a switch, giving you more sounds while preserving the personality of your favorite Tele-style guitar.

Fishman Fluence Greg Koch Single Width Strat Pickup Set White

What to Know

• Authentic S-style tones without traditional single-coil hum

• Two selectable voices: wide-band/hi-fi and midrange boost

• Set of three Single Width pickups in white or black

The Fishman Fluence Greg Koch Single Width Strat pickup set brings Greg Koch's energetic style to Strat-style guitars with the feel and responsiveness players expect from traditional single coils.

Selectable Fluence Voices make it easy to move between vintage-inspired sparkle and fuller, more assertive tones, giving players greater flexibility while maintaining the familiar touch sensitivity that are so characteristic of S-style guitars.

Fishman Fluence Acoustic Spotlight Pickup

What to Know

• Soundboard transducer designed to reproduce the natural voice of an acoustic instrument

• Excellent feedback resistance for live performance

• Two voices: sweet/mellow and articulate/clear

Instead of forcing your acoustic guitar to sound overly processed or quacky through a PA, the Fishman Fluence Acoustic Spotlight pickup focuses on preserving the instrument's natural resonance and dynamic response. From delicate fingerstyle passages to energetic strumming, it translates the nuances that make an acoustic performance feel alive.

Players looking for additional acoustic flavors should also explore the Fishman Fluence Acoustic Nashville Legend and Fishman Fluence Acoustic Rock Icon pickups, each voiced for different performance styles and tonal preferences.

Fishman Fluence Soapbar Bass Pickup Set

What to Know

• Two distinct bass voices

• Powerful modern output with passive-inspired flexibility

• Also available in a 5-string version 

The Fishman Fluence Bass Soapbar offers bassists the same multi-voice flexibility that has made the guitar lineup so popular. One voice emphasizes modern punch and clarity, while another delivers a more traditional passive-inspired response, making it easy to cover multiple genres without changing instruments.

Players with extended-range basses can also choose the matching 5-string version.

Find the Right Fishman Fluence Pickups for Your Rig

Whether you're after vintage-inspired PAF warmth, crushing modern metal tones, expressive artist-designed voicings or noiseless single-coil performance, the Fishman Fluence lineup offers a solution built around consistency, flexibility and cutting-edge ingenuity. By understanding the differences between the Classic, Modern and Signature families, you can choose a pickup that complements your instrument, playing style and musical goals while gaining the benefits of Fishman's unique multi-voice technology.

Pick up a set at your local Guitar Center store, or hit up our helpful Gear Advisers to help you narrow your search based on your needs.

FAQs About Fishman Fluence Pickups

Are Fishman Fluence pickups active or passive?

Fishman Fluence pickups use active electronics and require a power source, typically a 9V battery or rechargeable battery pack. However, many models are designed to emulate the feel and tonal characteristics of traditional passive pickups.

What are Fishman Fluence Voices?

Voices are distinct pickup voicings built into a single Fluence pickup. Rather than simply changing EQ, each Voice is engineered to recreate a different pickup design and response.

Can I replace passive pickups with Fishman Fluence pickups?

In many guitars, yes. However, because Fluence pickups are active, installation may require additional wiring and space for a battery or rechargeable power pack.

Are Fishman Fluence single-coil pickups noiseless?

Yes. Fluence Single Width pickups are designed to deliver authentic S- and T-style tones while significantly reducing the hum associated with traditional single-coil pickups.