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ec271 · February 26th, 2004, 08:52 PM

I like the sound of TV Jones's Filtertron pickups, but at $120 each, they're just too expensive for me. Is there a cheaper equivalent? If you want to know what Filtertrons sound like, listen to any Brian Setzer CD or go to a guitar store and play the Gretsch 6120 Setzer model.

Thanks!

John Harrison · February 26th, 2004, 08:58 PM

All of Setzer's Filtertrons have been rewound by Tom (TV) Jones. They're worth every penny, for my money.

pgambon · February 27th, 2004, 12:51 AM

I installed a set of TV's for a customer. Boy, they sounded great. Different from your typical humbacker, for sure. I measured the ohmage it was real low, maybe about 4.5k. I wonder if you wound a standard bucker to a similiar ohmage if it wouldn't sound like a Filtertron. I know as you reduce the winds a pickup it will tend to be clearer, less mids, and a lighter tone. Has anyone tried this?

Wayne Alexander · February 27th, 2004, 01:36 AM

Nothing sounds like a filtertron except a filtertron. The TV Jones ones are so much superior to the ceramic magnet current production Gretsch ones, and to the alnico magnet current production Gretsch ones, that it's silly not to get the real thing.

ec271 · February 27th, 2004, 02:34 AM

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll have to save up.

leewhit · February 27th, 2004, 10:50 PM

I'll say that I totally agree the TV Jones is the way to go! I put one in my semi-hollow body Tele and loved it so much,I ordered one for my solid body Tele.Just great!!

hippietim · February 28th, 2004, 01:24 AM

I'll jump in here and say I agree - I have the standard humbucker sized TV Jones Filtertrons in my hollow Tele 12-string and they sound wonderful. My Setzer Hot Rod Gretsch has whatever Gretsch was putting in them until this year (the new ones have TV Jones pickups).

Poppatwang · March 1st, 2004, 02:52 PM

on friday. 6118T 120th Anniversary.TV Jones Filtertrons.
Really jazzed about the neck pup. The bridge is good too,
but I miss the tele twang on the wound strings.

dhdfoster · March 1st, 2004, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppatwang

on friday. 6118T 120th Anniversary.TV Jones Filtertrons.
Really jazzed about the neck pup. The bridge is good too,
but I miss the tele twang on the wound strings.

This was the reason I could never fully get into my Gretsch. I just couldn't get any snap or twang on the wound strings. I tried adjusting everything in every way. Now I've got Guilds with single-coils, and they are a whole different thing. I tried to like Filtertrons, but I just didn't. However, I do agree that nothing else sounds quite like them.

February 26th, 2004, 08:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
ec271 TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 34	Filtertron Equivalent? I like the sound of TV Jones's Filtertron pickups, but at $120 each, they're just too expensive for me. Is there a cheaper equivalent? If you want to know what Filtertrons sound like, listen to any Brian Setzer CD or go to a guitar store and play the Gretsch 6120 Setzer model. Thanks!

February 27th, 2004, 12:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
pgambon Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 162	I was wondering... I installed a set of TV's for a customer. Boy, they sounded great. Different from your typical humbacker, for sure. I measured the ohmage it was real low, maybe about 4.5k. I wonder if you wound a standard bucker to a similiar ohmage if it wouldn't sound like a Filtertron. I know as you reduce the winds a pickup it will tend to be clearer, less mids, and a lighter tone. Has anyone tried this?

February 27th, 2004, 10:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
leewhit Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: baltimore,md. Posts: 163	I'll say that I totally agree the TV Jones is the way to go! I put one in my semi-hollow body Tele and loved it so much,I ordered one for my solid body Tele.Just great!! __________________ leewhit

March 1st, 2004, 02:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Poppatwang Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 2,100 13 Photos	Got my new Gretsch... on friday. 6118T 120th Anniversary.TV Jones Filtertrons. Really jazzed about the neck pup. The bridge is good too, but I miss the tele twang on the wound strings.

February 26th, 2004, 08:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
John Harrison Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 1,045	All of Setzer's Filtertrons have been rewound by Tom (TV) Jones. They're worth every penny, for my money.

February 27th, 2004, 01:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
Wayne Alexander Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 1,351	Nothing sounds like a filtertron except a filtertron. The TV Jones ones are so much superior to the ceramic magnet current production Gretsch ones, and to the alnico magnet current production Gretsch ones, that it's silly not to get the real thing.

February 27th, 2004, 02:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
ec271 TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 34	Thanks for the info. I guess I'll have to save up.

February 28th, 2004, 01:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
hippietim Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Raleigh Posts: 2,193	I'll jump in here and say I agree - I have the standard humbucker sized TV Jones Filtertrons in my hollow Tele 12-string and they sound wonderful. My Setzer Hot Rod Gretsch has whatever Gretsch was putting in them until this year (the new ones have TV Jones pickups).

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