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#1
12-07-2009, 08:38 AM
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Plain Old Filtertrons: WOW!
I bought a Gretsch 5120 a few months back and have been slowly getting it tweaked to my tastes. While many find the stock Gretschbuckers usable, I absolutely hate them, they lasted nearly one weekend in the guitar. While they were in, I lowered them, raised them and tweaked polepieces until I was blue in the face to no avail, they still sounded like ass.
Snipping the stock tone cap helped. A lot. Swapping in a bridge position GFS Dream 90 I had laying around helped more. The guitar finally had some sparkle but sounded more like a fat strat than a Gretsch. I got a GFS Mean 90 for the neck, which yields a nice P-90ish, warm with a touch of attitude tone. I finally was able to pick up a stock, bridge model Gretsch HS Filtertron for about $50 from an Ebay retailer. My tech guru buddy fashioned a mount for it by cutting down a stock humbucker plate and fitting a wooden shim to screw the pickup onto. Works perfectly, looks like it came from the factory. Slapped it in last night. Finally. Real Gretsch tone. This pickup sounds so sweet, perfectly balanced, raw but refined somehow, incredibly dynamic and sensitive, trebley but round, unbelievable played both chimey clean and dirty, great with fingers and/or pick, the wound strings GROWL. I'm shocked how good these stock Filtertrons sound and how cheap they are. They can't cost Gretsch much more than the POS Gretschbuckers ( I mean, they RETAIL at $50, they must cost about $8 to make and probably come from the same plant). I'm convinced Gretsch doesn't put them in the Electromatic series because they'd sound too similar to the Pro Line at less than half the cost. I'm mega finicky about pickups and really considered the TV Jones. I won't be upgrading this filtertron, it's perfect. In fact, I'm ordering the neck model today. If anyone is considering upgrading their Electromatic series with the Gretschbuckers (you'd have to be deaf not to  ) you HAVE to try the HS Filtertrons. I couldn't be happier with this guitar now.
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Last edited by ultrevex; 12-07-2009 at 09:06 AM. 
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#2
12-07-2009, 08:45 AM
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My bandmate upgraded an Electromatic (he has other Gretsches, too) with TV Jones pups. VERY GOOD!
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Just because you believe something does not make it true.
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#7
12-07-2009, 12:05 PM
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filtertrons are made by gretsch. tv jones by tv jones.
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http://www.myspace.com/20bonesband http://www.myspace.com/prostitutes Hamer Ecstacy Tokai LS370 LS320 LSS195 SG155 ES175 Shiro ES175 G6131MY EJ strat Warmoth Esq Super 100 amps 1959/2203/#34/#39 JTM45 JTM50 JMP50 Express K60 AC30 Twin reverbs, Champ, Scumback, Weber speakers
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#8
12-07-2009, 12:12 PM
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Quote:
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#9
12-07-2009, 12:16 PM
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Quote:
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Electrics: '65 Guild Starfire VI, '76 Gibson Explorer LE, '79 Rickenbacker 360-12, '96 Fender Clapton Strat, '02 Guild Blues 90 Fleming CS Proto, '08 Rick Kelly Bowery Pine Tele, '11 Gibson LP Studio Baritone. Bass: '78 Yamaha BB1100S. Amps: '63 Fender 6G10 Harvard, '66 Fender Pro Reverb, '69 Fender Bronco, '11 D-Lab EMI. Acoustics: '46 Gibson J45, '69 Guild F312NT, '72 Martin D-28S, '73 Guild F30R. Current Pedalboard Link. Music Blog: http://thegenerationofmusic.wordpress.com/
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#10
12-07-2009, 01:00 PM
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We have been down this road before........If you need to upgrade to the TV Jones....Go for it......Some do,some don't. Its more expensive and its a cool pickup.
Will only add to the value of your guitar. With that said......Click on high lighted text for a "plain Ol' Fitertron" demo. http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7752953  Filtertron my favorite hummer......Between the TV JONES and the Japan standard.....I like both and I'm fine with saving some $'s. When this one went to demo and we played back.......I felt no need to upgrade......Let ya ears tell ya.
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#11
12-07-2009, 01:14 PM
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Quote:
http://gretschpages.com/forum/electr...s/11144/page1/
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#12
12-07-2009, 01:18 PM
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Most of 'Who's Next' was recorded with Filtertrons in a Gretch, that Joe Walsh gave Pete Townshend as a gift.
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Forget musical talent, experience, or skill. All you need is an opinion, and a computer.
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#13
12-07-2009, 06:25 PM
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HS Filtertrons are the modern Fender era (mid-2003 on) version of the stock Filtertrons that come with the majority of Gretsch's offerings. They're darned good pickups in their own right, I'd agree, they're a little more 'standard humbucker' sounding to my ears but that's not necessarily a bad thing depending. Me, I want that TWANG so either vintage Filters or TV Classics for me, but that's just me; $58 for an HS Filter in your guitar and you're happy is a deal, enjoy!
IF you ever feel the need or get the Jones (pun intended), there's lots of info on the Gretsch Discussion Pages and on TV's site on all the differences in tone, options, etc. TV is a class act, great folks to work with and I'd recommend you contact Joel at Shanghai Music if and when you're looking as he's the man. Happy Playing and Enjoy!
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Drew816 ======================================== Heart of a Rock Star, Skill of a Spectator. ;-)
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#14
12-07-2009, 06:35 PM
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Quote:
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www.rowycokustoms.com Best crazy thing I ever read. "I love hot hide glue for its tonal 'toasted wheat underpinnings."
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#15
12-07-2009, 06:41 PM
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You'll love it brotha.....I have had tons of gear......EASY......the most fun you can have as a guitar geek......Love the simple setup and where the one sits and sounds......it gets more aggresive the harder you hit it.
FUN FUN FUN stuff !!!! AND thanks for the commnets.
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