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jdr1014 · December 29th, 2009, 05:39 PM

Today I ordered some new HS Filtertrons for my 5120. In case anyone's interested in doing the same thing, I ordered from Antique Electronic Supply for under $108 for the pair, including shipping. They are offering 10% off the regular price thru 12/31 and free shipping in the US if the Order is over $100.

I've been pretty happy with my Gretschbuckers in both my 5122 and 5120after adjusting polepieces, etc. but figured for that price I'd try the Filtertrons to see what difference they might make. Any suggestions as to where to get a pair of gold pickup rings? Black Rider is out of them.

Also ordered a Jensen Mod 6-15 speaker to try in my little Champion 600 and an assortment of caps - going to change to a 0.022 on my 5120 tone pot. . The speaker was only $19 and change - cheapest price I'd seen.

These seem like pretty good prices, so thought I would pass it on..........

tartanphantom · December 29th, 2009, 06:19 PM

Nice score on the pickups. TV Jones carries the pickup rings on their website.

How do you plan to mount them in the 5120?

gruvsyco · December 29th, 2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tartanphantom

How do you plan to mount them in the 5120?

This is what I'd like to know. I've passed on many good deals on TVs because they were that style mount.

jdr1014 · December 29th, 2009, 08:49 PM

Mounting doesn't look too tough. I'll need to fashion some simple mounting bars or plates, attach the pickups to those, and then hang the assembly from the gretsch pickup rings with adjustment screws/springs. Pops (worknot) did some on his 5122, and there's an earlier thread here about that. Also, there's a thread titled "DIY English Mounts" on the GDP that several folks have illustrated how they did it. Not a direct bolt -in installation, but should be pretty easy with a little patience and some basic skills & tools. I just ordered a pair of gold pickup rings and everything should arrive in about a week - will follow up when it's completed.

I'll end up with a total investment of no more than $125 for this installation which isn't a lot if it truly is an upgrade - less than $50 more than going with something like GFS. I know many really like the TV Jones pickups and I'm sure they're great - I just didn't want to spend that much more to experiment with a guitar that I already like. HS Filtertrons come in White Falcons, 6120's, and many other Prolines, so I'm assuming I'll like them.

beep.click · December 29th, 2009, 08:53 PM

I've been pondering the mounting issue myself.

One idea I had was to screw a piece of plastic to the bottom of the FilterTrons, and drill holes on either side of the pickup cover. Under the hole, I thought I could glue on a small nut.

The final effect being, to convert the FilterTron into a standard humbucking mount. Then I wouldn't need new rings...

[EDIT] Whoops, someone else posted the same idea, while I was writing!

Jack Knife · December 29th, 2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdr1014

Mounting doesn't look too tough. I'll need to fashion some simple mounting bars or plates, attach the pickups to those, and then hang the assembly from the gretsch pickup rings with adjustment screws/springs.

That's exactly what I did when mounting some Filtertrons into my Epi ES-295 in place of the stock P90s. I used some mounting rings that TV has which fit a dogear P90 mount and are cutout for Filters. Made some mounting bars out of wood, reinforced the screw holes with superglue, and let the screws cut their own threads into the wood when I screwed them together. Works great!

jdr1014 · December 29th, 2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beep.click

I've been pondering the mounting issue myself.

One idea I had was to screw a piece of plastic to the bottom of the FilterTrons, and drill holes on either side of the pickup cover. Under the hole, I thought I could glue on a small nut.

The final effect being, to convert the FilterTron into a standard humbucking mount. Then I wouldn't need new rings...

[EDIT] Whoops, someone else posted the same idea, while I was writing!

That's the basic approach, essentially as Jack Knife explained. I believe Filtertrons are a bit smaller than standard humbuckers though, which is why I ordered the Gretsch rings........plus the aesthetics.

gigatron · December 30th, 2009, 03:41 AM

I sold a pair of HS Filtertrons to a young man who installed them in his 5120. pm me for his email address if you want to ask him how he did it.

Sarah93003 · December 30th, 2009, 08:52 AM

Don't forget to post some pictures of how you do it, in case other would like to follow.

arm1151 · December 30th, 2009, 11:07 AM

I mounted a pair of Filter'Trons in my 5120 last week....oh man what a huge upgrade. The guitar now sounds like the twangy tone monster a Gretsch is suppose to sound like.

You can find all and any info on mounting the pups on the other web site..Gretsch Pages Discussion. There is a bunch of info on that site...most of us members here belong to both sites....ya just can't get enough of Gretsch.

Metman · December 30th, 2009, 07:25 PM

Please keep us posted on the progress. I'll be keeping an eye out, with interest...

Dustyroad- I read your post on the Gretsch Pages site. Nice job and inspiring!

Question.. Did you keep the original harness, pots, etc.?
Thanks!

jdr1014 · December 30th, 2009, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the comments and helpful suggestions. Glad to hear that others are pleased with their HS Filtertrons. Won't get the goodies for about a week but will certainly update when I get into it.

arm1151 · December 30th, 2009, 09:47 PM

Metman..hey..I did keep the original harness intact. I was planning on getting a "HotRod" harness from TVJ and a TrArc bridge from proteus...but I spent my play money on a Peavey Classic 30 amplifier.hahaheehee....I'll be selling more stuff on ebay to get up the $150.00 for the previous goodies mentioned.