TV Jones vs Gretsch Filtertrons

[jnepo1]

I'm planning on building a La Cabronita, does anyone know if there is a difference in dimensions between the two brands of pickups? Before I route the body for a Cab build.

Thanks, Jerry

[TB72]

I may be wrong on this, but I believe that Gretsch Filtertrons all come with mounting ears. The TV Jones models give the option of with/without ears...the ones without are the ones you see on the Cabronitas. I was inspired to build a Cabronita when I got a deal on a TV Jones Classic. The pickup had the mounting ears...I just ground them off (as I like the look of Fender's Cabronitas).

As far as dimensions go, both pickups share the same length and width, but the TV Jones models are about 3/8s of an inch deeper. So the size of your rout will be the same...you'll just have to go a bit deeper if you go with TVs.

Later...

[eyerish]

I had a custom body made for me,for a cab project. I bought the TV Jones pickup routing template and had the professional who made my body do the routing as well(no mistakes).

I came across a Gretsch pup and now I have not finished the project....WHY?

The gretsch pup is a tad larger then the hole. So it must be a tad larger then TV Jones pups.

The TV Jones pups are a bit on the expensive side for me right now. I also do not want to try and widen the pup rout. So when I can afford it I will get a TV Jnes pup. For now the Gretsch just sits there and wishes.

Here are a couple pics of my project waiting for the TV Jones. Ash body,zebra wood top with a zebra wood neck.

[eyerish]

Originally Posted by TB72

I may be wrong on this, but I believe that Gretsch Filtertrons all come with mounting ears. The TV Jones models give the option of with/without ears...the ones without are the ones you see on the Cabronitas. I was inspired to build a Cabronita when I got a deal on a TV Jones Classic. The pickup had the mounting ears...I just ground them off (as I like the look of Fender's Cabronitas).

As far as dimensions go, both pickups share the same length and width, but the TV Jones models are about 3/8s of an inch deeper. So the size of your rout will be the same...you'll just have to go a bit deeper if you go with TVs.

Later...

The Gretsch pups are also with or without ears just like the TV Jones pups. My gretsch pup is without ears.

[eyerish]

Here is the TV Jones routing template



A couple pics of my Gretsch pup

[eyerish]

The pups WITH ears are if you want to use a mounting ring,without ears are for a body mount.

You will need some kind of material like rubber under the no ears pup for adjusting and such. I have seen a piece of wood sized and planed to fit under for the just right height of the pup as well.

[jnepo1]

Thanks guys. I was just on the Warmoth site, they actually have the dimensions for the TV Jones and the routing dimensions. The Gretsch and the TV Jones are just fractions off in size, and not much so that it would be noticeable. And yes, the Gretsch pups also have options for mounting, thru body or w/ mounting rings like the TV Jones.

[garymaddox]

eyerish, does your pickup fit your body from the top down? I had to enlarge my route slightly with sandpaper and use a Dremel to grind the bottom edges slightly. The metal casing had a very slight flair on the bottom. Once I went around it with my Dremel, it slipped in fine. My pickup was a TVJones.

[brookdalebill]

The Jonses sound WAY better than the "new" MIJ Filtertrons.
As far as I know, only "old" MIA Filtertrons compare.
As everyone else has stated, TV Jones offers many mounting options.
If you can't tell, TVs are my hands down favorites.

[supersonicobr]

All Gretsch neck Filtertrons have tabs, no Gretsch bridge Filtertrons have tabs. eyerish's pickup is a bridge model. Run an Ebay search for "neck filtertron" then "bridge filtertron" and have a look at the pictures, down the pickup sides - the baseplate protrudes slightly on the neck F-trons, that's what I'm calling ears.

To me it looks as though TVJ stopped making his F-tron form factor pups with ears/tabs, that's the impression I get looking at his new website. I don't see much purpose on these ears/tabs anyway.

English Mounts are an entirely different thing though - it's pretty much the same as a humbucker mount, big tab/one screw, pickup suspended from its ring, but designed specifically by and for TVJs,

[jnepo1]

Originally Posted by supersonicobr

All Gretsch neck Filtertrons have tabs, no Gretsch bridge Filtertrons have tabs. eyerish's pickup is a bridge model. Run an Ebay search for "neck filtertron" then "bridge filtertron" and have a look at the pictures, down the pickup sides - the baseplate protrudes slightly on the neck F-trons, that's what I'm calling ears.

To me it looks as though TVJ stopped making his F-tron form factor pups with ears/tabs, that's the impression I get looking at his new website. I don't see much purpose on these ears/tabs anyway.

English Mounts are an entirely different thing though - it's pretty much the same as a humbucker mount, big tab/one screw, pickup suspended from its ring, but designed specifically by and for TVJs,

So you are basing this on Ebay? That's your source for information on those facts? Maybe you should check Wikipedia to make sure that is true?

[eyerish]

The dual pup cab I had until I sold it last year was no ears on both of the TV Jones pups.

[eyerish]

Originally Posted by garymaddox

eyerish, does your pickup fit your body from the top down? I had to enlarge my route slightly with sandpaper and use a Dremel to grind the bottom edges slightly. The metal casing had a very slight flair on the bottom. Once I went around it with my Dremel, it slipped in fine. My pickup was a TVJones.

Yes it does. The size difference is very slight. I may yet do some resizing of either the pup or the rout. I am however for now still thinking I will wait until I am able to get a jones pup.

I am thinking supertron. With the steel blades instead of screws. On the pup top.

[Rhomco Guitars]

Originally Posted by eyerish

Yes it does. The size difference is very slight. I may yet do some resizing of either the pup or the rout. I am however for now still thinking I will wait until I am able to get a jones pup.

I am thinking supertron. With the steel blades instead of screws. On the pup top.

Put that body in a box with a round trip UPS label and send it to me. I will enlarge that rout just enough to fit and send it back to ya next day gratis. We are close so shipping would be fast and inexpensive. I have the templates and both Gretsch & TVJ trons to assure the fit. PM me if interested.
Passin' it forward,
Rob