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Lollartrons?

D_Schief
June 18th, 2012, 05:39 PM
Does anyone have any experience with the new Lollertrons -- these are Filtertrons in a humbucker size made by Lollar: http://www.lollarguitars.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LGP&Product_Code=272&Category_Code=humbucker-pickups

I'm intrigued by the idea of trying one in the bridge of a Gibson Johnny A that I have. It's a great guitar, 25 1/2 scale, thin hollowbody. The '57 Classic neck pup is beautiful -- makes the guitar sound almost like an L5 and yet can honk like a P90 when pushed. The bridge pup is thin sounding and a little under-powered in comparision. I tend to think of Filtertrons as a thick twang that might compliment the '57 Classic nicely.

Any thoughts?

brookdalebill
June 18th, 2012, 05:44 PM
I'm curious about them, too.
I have a 96 MIJ Sheraton that might get a pair.
I'm also a big fan of TV Jones pickups.
I've played a few Johnny A models, and though they look/play great, I
can't bond with the sound.
They are kinda harsh sounding, IMO.
The 'trons might be the magic bullet.

spankdplank
June 19th, 2012, 10:30 AM
No experience with the Lollartrons, but a filtertron style pickup is a very low output humbucker. The tall, thin coils with not a lot of wire/low DC contribute to their bright, clear, twangy sound. A PAF style in the neck and a Filtertron style in the bridge will not be balanced in output and the neck will be much louder than the bridge. 70's tele Customs, with the WRH in the neck and single coil in the bridge are this way. It takes a while to get used to the different output levels, but the blend of the fat neck and twangy bridge is really nice.

Durango Twango
June 20th, 2012, 09:37 PM
You might want to consider a TV Jones Powertron, maybe even a pair. It's voiced to blend a Filtertron and PAF and does it quite nicely. I had a pair of them in an Epi Chet Atkins semi hollow and they sounded great in that guitar - PAF sounding neck, jangly middle position, twangy and ver useable bridge (Setzer sounding). I wanted to be able to get Johnny A cleans and Setzer growl and the guitar really delivered.

Lollar does great stuff, but Jones' take on filterons and variants thereof is hard to beat. You can get any of his pickups in a standard humbucker cover or an English mount that works in a bucker route.

D_Schief
June 21st, 2012, 12:30 PM
Thanks guys! It sounds like the '57 Calssic and the Lollartron might not be the best match. I'm reluctant to replace the '57 Classic because it's absolutely great sounding in the Gibson Johnny A for my type of playing.

I had thought about trying the LollarTron bridge with a Lollar "El Rayo", but given the uncertatinties of how those two might match up, the cost, and the fact taht I do love the "57 Classic in the neck, that doesn't seem like a first option.

Instead, I think I'll try a TV Jones bridge pup, either the Power'Tron or the TV Classic Plus. Interesting, while the Power'Tron seems to be described as a more powerful pup, the two DC ratings (7.8K vs. 7.79K) are essentially the same. Anyone care to compare and contrast these two pups?

Also, am I wrong to go with the English mount since it provides a more "classic" looking pup?

Always appreciate the information I get here!

Whoa Tele
June 21st, 2012, 02:55 PM
I looked at these for my 5120 as I wanted a direct drop and didn't want to bother with the TV Jones English mount but the price (175 per pup) drove me away. I think TV Classics go for 125 each and they have a great track record. This is nothing against Jason ( I love my Special T's ) but I can't swing 350 on pickups for my 5120 (or any gtr. for that matter)

D_Schief
June 22nd, 2012, 02:03 PM
I've pulled the trigger on a TV Jones TV Classic Plus as I'd like the bridge pup to have some twang to it, as well as a little meat. (In fact, even the '57 Classic in the Johnny A, with its 25 1/2" scale length, has a bit of twang to it.)

I'll report beck once it get it installed and see what I've got.

Thanks y'all!

Roku
June 22nd, 2012, 02:44 PM
Don't worry about even the tv classic keeping up with the '57. Waaayyy more out put than you'd expect. I had a classic in the bridge of a blacktop strat and it matched easily the neck.

Roku
June 22nd, 2012, 02:48 PM
It's been said many times before, don't let the DC numbers throw you.

uriah1
June 22nd, 2012, 03:05 PM
I forgot what Gibbons bumped his filtertrons up to in that funky gretsch.

D_Schief
June 22nd, 2012, 03:20 PM
I forgot what Gibbons bumped his filtertrons up to in that funky gretsch.

Just repeating what I saw on the TV Jones website:

tlerch
November 15th, 2012, 01:45 PM
Hi Guys,
thought you might like to hear the Lollartrons in a LP type guitar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NmP8XZodT0
enjoy
all the best
Tim

ddlooping
March 11th, 2013, 05:38 PM
Hi all :)

I forgot what Gibbons bumped his filtertrons up to in that funky gretsch.

Just repeating what I saw on the TV Jones website:

Would his use of very light string gauges explain why he'd need a "Plus" version of the Power'trons?