Product: TV Jones Filtertron Plus
Price Paid: US $250.00
Submitted
06/03/2002
at
02:45pm
by
Zeus Cervas
Email: zeuscervas58 at yahoo<dot><dot>om
Features
:
Pickup features: humbucking, passive
Impedence or other specs: 6.7K neck, slightly higher bridge(forgot to measure)
Instrument
:
Model of guitar or bass: lefty Gretsch Double Anniversary reissue
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock ceramic Gretsch Filtertrons
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Brian Setzer, ?
You musical style(s): Blues, rock
Reason for pickup change: the ceramic pickups got to be annoying--flat, harsh bridge and muddy neck. I wanted something more "Gretsch" sounding.
Sound
:
No Opinion
Perceived output level: lower output than stock, sweeter, more organic, musical, more touch responsive. Additionaly, the bridge pickup is taller than the neck which balances the output levels of the two pickups.
Tone: Clear, warm, articulate, unique. They don't sound like a typical humbucker. I suppose this is the classic Gretsch sound.
Sonic evaluation: I use this Gretsch through a '60 tweed Fender bassman combo. These pickups don't distort as much as the ceramic filtertrons but the improvement in the quality of the tone is worth it. Very sweet, clear pickups. Not harsh at all. The bridge is twangy and trebly yet warm. The neck is full but clearer and more articulate than say, a Gibson humbucker. Alnico pickups are SO much better than ceramic pickups. Ceramic pickups have no place being in a reissue of a vintage guitar.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play rock and blues with some jazz and country influences. Gretsch guitars are very versatile and these TV pickups are the key to my guitar getting its distinct sound.
Overall Rating
:
10
Comments: I would buy these pickups again without a second thought. Tom Jones, the owner/designer of TV Jones, is a real gentleman on the phone and will take time out of his busy schedule to talk Gretsch guitars with you and answer any questions you may have. It's nice to know my money is going to someone that cares about his product and his customers.
In fact I've got a pair of Filtertron Classics on order, which are a lower output than the Filtertron Pluses that I have.
I've been playing for 11 years now. This is my first Gretsch and I'm really hooked! But I don't think total satisfaction really came until I put these TV Jones pickups in there. They just really nail that classic Gretsch sound that the stock pickups lacked.
