Gretsch Filtertron Pickups?

[MetalManiac]

I am going to possibly install humbucker size Filtertron Classic pickups in my 335 style Mahogany guitar. Is there any other pickup that sounds similar enough to a Filtertron where I could substitute for a very similar tone, or do they have their on inimitable sound going on?

I think they are described as bright, with a real "woody' open tone with a lot of Thump/ Chunky sound ( my own words) and chime when clean, with a gnarly "bite"and growl under gain, is that about right?.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Gretsch Filtertron Pickups?

TV Jones?

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Gretsch Filtertron Pickups?

Yeah, TV Jones classic English mount ( humbucker size). Been livin' in the dark, never reailzed how great Setzer was. In other news, the Berlin wall just fell. Man, him tearin' it up through the waht, two Dual Showmans? was nothing short of flabbergasting. Just lookin' for a similar sound, and no way in hell I could even begin to approach his playing style.

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: Gretsch Filtertron Pickups?

Like Wattage said? TV Jones would be closest. And yes, Setzer is good. So is Lee Rocker. Seen him a few times with Buzz Campbell on guitar. Great act.

 

[freefrog]

Re: Gretsch Filtertron Pickups?

I am going to possibly install humbucker size Filtertron Classic pickups in my 335 style Mahogany guitar. Is there any other pickup that sounds similar enough to a Filtertron where I could substitute for a very similar tone, or do they have their on inimitable sound going on?

I think they are described as bright, with a real "woody' open tone with a lot of Thump/ Chunky sound ( my own words) and chime when clean, with a gnarly "bite"and growl under gain, is that about right?.

My experience with TV Classic's will make me say that the guitar and its hardware matter as much as the pickups. I've mounted them once in a chambered LP replica and it sounded like... a LP with weak pickups. The tone was simply dull and uninspiring . But when I swapped the LP stop bar & bridge for a "LesTrem" and a proper roller bridge, the guitar came to life by starting to sound a lot closer to a Gretsch Firebird.

FWIW.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Gretsch Filtertron Pickups?

My experience with TV Classic's will make me say that the guitar and its hardware matter as much as the pickups. I've mounted them once in a chambered LP replica and it sounded like... a LP with weak pickups. The tone was simply dull and uninspiring . But when I swapped the LP stop bar & bridge for a "LesTrem" and a proper roller bridge, the guitar came to life by starting to sound a lot closer to a Gretsch Firebird.

FWIW.

what freefrog said. its the whole package. A friend who is playing rockabilly came along with his new equipment some weeks ago. he has one of these cheap chinese Gretches with a trem and a brandnew Bandmaster RI. He said that his first guitar was a LP copy with some filtron copys did not sound like he wished. On the other hand i tried this Bandmaster with my guitars including a Tokai 335 with filtron clones from Dead End Pickups - quite near but miles away.its the whole package i'd say including a hard picking technique with a lot of palm muting.
BTW i was shocked about the Bandmaster. the attack comes so fast and it is so unforgiving, i hardly couldn't play with it.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Gretsch Filtertron Pickups?

Gretches do well with the big full hollow body, but they have the more solid body guitars too - like what Malcolm Young has/had.

But there are also more heavily wound ones too....powertrons I think.

The Creamery also have various winds in that style if you need another source for comparison.

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: Gretsch Filtertron Pickups?

It really depends on the era you are looking for. From the 1970s to when Fender acquired them, don't even try. Too many changes every year and too little documentation on Gretsch's end. They were known for making a re-issue with the wrong headstock!

Look into Jim Heath and Billy Zoom for different pickups used as well.

 

[PicoRiveraTele]

Re: Gretsch Filtertron Pickups?

The DiMarzio EJ Custom is a PAF sized humbucker that was designed to sound like a Filter'tron. I think it comes pretty close. Ultimately it might be the 335 that sounds too different from a Gretsch, instead of a EJ Custom sounding so different from a Filter'tron.