[dobro]

I played my Falcon last night, after a few months of giving her a rest.
WOW, did she sound great.

My "Beater" is a DiPinto Belvedere Deluxe. It's a semi-hollow with Bigsby and asian mini hums.

Now, I'm wondering if putting TVJ Filter 'Tron Classics will put me significantly closer to That Great Gretsch sound.

Anyone have relevant experience they'd care to share?

[Tony65x55]

I find I get the Great Gretsch Sound with HS Filter'trons more so than with my TVJ's. One of the things is that I find the HS Filtertrons need to be very close to the strings to really way, especially on the bridge. I'm not sure if anyone else has this observation but it is mine. As well, many of my Gretsch guitars run out of adjustment too far away from the strings and you have to lift out the pickups and get some mouse pad material under them to raise them up. But wow, they sing when you get em closer.

[dilver]

Depends on your interpretation of "that sound"... Personally, I LOVE TV Jones Classics - I have them in my SSLVO and in my Tele build. I've heard them described as a more "contemporary" filtertron sound, i.e. the stronger mids are a little more suited towards blues/rock (as well as Rockabilly). I can agree with that - my Classics give me great twang and cleans, AND they love overdrive pedals. Sure, you'll pay more for TVJones, vs. HS Filtertrons, but in my opinion, they're worth every penny and I'm surprised you don't see them in more guitars.

[dobro]

My White Falcon has TV Jones Filter'Tron Classics. THAT'S the sound I'm after; My question is really, will putting those pickups on a small 24 3/4 scale semi-hollow get me significantly closer to the sound of a big full-hollow 25 1/2 inch scale? I'm not expecting miracles. Putting humbuckers on a Tele doesn't make it sound anything at all like a Les Paul, I just don't want to throw away $400 on a failed experiment.

[beep.click]

I have Gretsches with TV Jones pickups and also with regular HS FilterTrons. Frankly, the difference isn't huge, and I wouldn't even say the TV Jones pickups are clear winners.

If you don't want to throw big money into the DiPinto experiment, why not get a pair of HS FilterTrons (about $100) and see what you think?

[dobro]

I'm taking the plunge. I A/B ed the two in a SERIOUS studio today, and the difference was GLARING.
I'm a believer in the TV Jones Filter 'Tron Classic, so that's what I'm doing.

[telespank]

Originally Posted by dobro

I'm taking the plunge. I A/B ed the two in a SERIOUS studio today, and the difference was GLARING.
I'm a believer in the TV Jones Filter 'Tron Classic, so that's what I'm doing.

I agree with you - Classics are incredible pickups.

[mak1965]

Attitude. Yes the TVJones Help,, But Feeling and attitude. Works better and is way cheaper!!!

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by dobro

I A/B ed the two in a SERIOUS studio today, and the difference was GLARING.

Can't argue with that -- if I heard $300 worth of improvement, I'd take the plunge myself! Enjoy 'em!

[dobro]

I may have been unclear; I A/B ed my DiPinto with factory mini hums vs Falcon w/TV Classics. You can't imagine how big the difference was. If a new set of pickups closes the gap by HALF, it will have been worth it.

[PacRat]

Please let us know what you think when you get the new Classic's installed

[cybermgk]

Originally Posted by dilver

........ Sure, you'll pay more for TVJones, vs. HS Filtertrons, but in my opinion, they're worth every penny and I'm surprised you don't see them in more guitars.

Just one man's opine as to why TVJ pups are not in more guitars. It's their perception out there. Many guitarists think of them as "Rockabilly" and niche pickups. I know I did before I got my first Gretsch. Part of that is how they are marketed. Well, and their price per pup.

I had quite a few Humbuck, few P90 and single coil guitars before my first Gretsch. This included quite a few really good PAF humbuckers, good P90s, and some decent Single Coils.

My first Gretsch, was a Vette sporting Mega'Trons. The tone on these pickups were a revelation. They provided everything I like about Single Coils and P90s, the clarity, high end chime, string seperation, clarity when dirty and ability to growl. But, they also added the quiet and fatness of good, low to medium output PAF hummies. Pretty much the best of all worlds for my ears. This is what I value, musical variety, clarity.

Next came the Blacktop Filtertrons. Different flavor, perhaps a few less harmonics, but just as good in their own way.

Next was the TV Jones Classics. Again, all the same things I liked in the Mega'Trons and BT Filters, but again, their own slightly different sound. Truly great sounding pups, all of them.

OF my current guitars, to and for my ears I'd rank them as follows, as far as overall tone and versatility.

1. TVJ Classics
2. Mega'Trons make a close 2nd
3. Seymour Duncan Seth Lover PAF
Blacktop Filtertrons
4. Seymour Duncan 59 and JBs, close behind
5. Tonerider Rocksongs (close behind, barely behind #4)
(some tonerider soap bar P90s I had had)
6. GFS Memphis Retrotron
Ibanez 90s era Super 58
7. Gibson Mini-hum
Behind these quite a few GFS offerings I have had, (59s, Dream 180s, Mean 90s) and one set of Dragonfire , then well behind these, almost every 'stock' humbucker that came on every guitar and some other GFS offerings.

So, as you can see, I find the TVJ Classics, and Gretsch offerings, extremely versatile, and awesome sounding. But, frankly, before that Vette, I thought TVJ = Rockabilly tones, Hollow-body, only.

[dobro]

Ordered a bridge/neck pair of chrome TV Jones NE Filter 'TronClassics...

[dobro]

Pickups being installed now....

[dobro]

Magnificent!!! Gig tonight, can't WAIT!!!