About Us

Rio Grande Pickups was founded in 1893 (OK, 1993) by John "Bart" Wittrock. Bart has been repairing and dealing used and vintage guitars since 1972. An active participant in the first ever vintage guitar show, which took place in Dallas, Texas in 1978, he is a veteran of as many or more guitar shows than just about anyone. Now that's guitar history!

Bart began winding his first electic guitar pickups as far back as 1978 as part of his rigorous regimen of repairing, restoring, and dealing vintage electric guitars. "I was always interested in the design and construction of pickups but was involved in other guitar related business. I am extremely pleased to say that I have now realized a dream to actually produce a high quality American-made pickup which will contribute to the evolving sound of the electric guitarist."

Rio Grande Electric Guitar Pickups are custom wound and "seasoned to taste" in a "low tech/high tone" environment. We believe they are among the finest replacement pickups that can be found north (or any other direction) of the Rio Grande.