Falcon with HS Filtertons- should I try Setzer?

TVJ Setzer's tone is hotter (thus darker) than TVJ classic, which are close to average HS filters.

From my personal experience, before FMIC (<2006) the HS filters were inconsistent in their tone. I don't know why but some are very punchy, so others quite clear and bright, and some quite dark and muddy. Btw as everybody taste's is different, I find it good to try a guitar first and pick the one which has the sound you like. But, yes you can find pearls and donkeys.

To me the main contribution of TVJ products was to give every pickup the ~same tone.

1/ Try set up the pickup height closer to the strings (not the pole screw but the whole pickup body)
2/ Swap neck to bridge and the reverse...
3/ Go classics set from TVJ.com

 

I never hesitate to replace pickups, I have done so in most my guitars for one reason or another.
However, I love the HS trons in my Falcon. They are some of my favorite pickups, and it’s my go-to guitar.

 

I have Brian Setzers in my Falcon
G6139t center block.

They are great but I only have black tops to compare them to.

so not sure that is any real help

 

Yeah, go for it. It won't hurt anything. I put a Bridge Setzer Sig in my G5232T. Sounds good.

 

Welcome to the forum, Steveee!

 

i like both pickups, can´t go wrong with either of these

 

Do you want a classic/late 50s/60s Gretsch sound or something different?

I had the TV Jones/Setzer Signature pickups in my Country Gent/G6122-1962. They were kind of like a Filtertron on steroids. Interesting but not my cup of tea.

 

Changed the HS to Classics in my Country Club.. was a bit bright but I got along with them...then went to the Setzer’s. I was pleased. Nice mix between the HS and Classics.. Twang, Articulate and Growl with a bit more hot mid range tone.. I got Em in three guitars now..
I wana try the T Armonds in the Filter surround next.. gonna drop em in one of my Setzer Hot Rods.

 

Part of getting The Great GRETSCH 50s/60s sound is to use two, low output Filtertrons (~4.0k ohms each) that are the same output and standard string spacing, with alnico V magnets, sans wax potting. Two (2) neck HS Filtertrons or two (2) neck TV Jones Classics pickups work nicely. Ya' know, in the old days, there wasn't a "neck" and a "bridge" pickup.

 

TV Jones Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity Filtertrons are the closest one can get to the original Filtertron tone.
They’re built based on the original design from the 50’s.
I have a set in my 6120. They’re incredible pickups.
https://tvjones.com/shop/guitar-pickups/ray-butts-ful-fidelity/

 

I have a double neck p/u set in my 5120. Should I schlep out my wife’s hairdryer and melt out the potting? Sounds pretty ok right now!

 

I would, but if you're happy with what you're hearing, that's great

 

With all due respect, the TV Jones Classic Neck is the closest specification (DCR - 4.0k / Inductance - 1.4H) wise and aurally. In the 50s/60s, Gretsch used the same pickup in the neck and bridge positions. I don't know of any vintage Gretsch guitars with Filtertrons that had these specs:

Bridge: DCR - 4.2k / Inductance - 1.7H
Neck: DCR - 3.8k / Inductance - 1.4H

I'm sure that they sound nice though, and are better balanced than having two pickups that are the same.

Regards,
ZD

 

I like the Setzers in my 5420, nice punch, great lows, bright highs and awesome break up point. You can allways tweak the sound a bit by adjusting either pickup, either side.

Welcome to our little club

 

Ray Butts are what the doctor ordered

from the words of Tom Vincent Jones on the Ray Butts pickups ""We offer a lower 3.8K ohm version for the neck position, and a 4.2K ohm version for the bridge position. I have worked on many late 1950's Gretsch guitars with these ohm reading variations...most vintage Filter'trons float somewhere around 4.0k" - TV Jones."

 

Just know it can be a messy job to remove that wax, especially with a hair dryer! And you may not even hear a difference afterwards.

My vote would also be the Ray Butts for your Falcon.