Filtertron Pickups: The Forgotten Guitar Sound?

[@UnusualVariable]

I have a 1957 Chet Akins Gretch (it was my mothers as a child and given to me) and the pickups in it are just incredible, nothing else sounds like it, until I heard this video

[@GCKelloch]

That guitar is worth a fortune if in decent shape. I'd keep it in a vault.

[@johndo9648]

What a waste. Enjoy the instrument and just play it. Keep it in a vault 🙄

[@IamMusicNerd]

Probably the #1 reason I first bought a Gretsch was the Filtertron sound. Then I fell in love with the guitar itself later.

[@cabledmoon6242]

I love the feeling of seeing a new Music is Win video on my home page! Love your stuff Tyler! Keep it Up!

[@tomaslopez2940]

Love that the pickups are Rio Grande! They operate in the same facility as Steamboat Amps and Robin Guitars in Houston! I got to visit their workshop because they’re also the only pedal repair shop in the city. My uncle found a beat up and dead Boss Super Overdrive pedal and gave it to me, so I took it to Rio Grande/Steamboat/Robin and they fixed it up like brand new! They also have a fun demo room for their products!

[@giggitygoose987]

They do well in T-style guitars. Awesome sound you're getting from that belltone!

[@-jank-willson]

flatcats have a great sound

[@Drunken_Hamster]

Absolutely this. To this day the best sound I've heard was a JBE Tron in the neck of a tele, featured on Darrell Braun Guitar's channel.

[@firefox71]

Tasty licks in that improv section, Tyler.

[@dougberry5003]

Tasty lead Tyler.. Nice and warm !! Dirty side is nice and crunchy , Always have been a Humbucker fan, But those Filtertrons sound amazing !!

[@duaneperkins8329]

I do like the Filtertrons...I had never heard of them before this. Thank you very much.

[@peachmelba1000]

I had a Gretsch reissue of their Corvette model several years ago with a version of Filtertron pu's called Megatron, (emphasis on the "mega"). Great sounding with powerful midrange, those pu's held up well in my band at the time, which was quite heavy.

[@jeffreyhayden3160]

I have Rio Grande Dirty Harry pickups in my telecaster. They are amazing pickups! I heard they went out of business, great to see they're still making them!

[@jkrause365]

My favorite? It's a toss-up between the lipsticks, and the filtertrons. The single coils are a bit thin, the P--90s and the humbuckers a bit too muddy for my tastes. My opinion and a couple bucks will buy you a cup of coffee.

[@SingleMaltIdiot]

Was really feeling the humbuckers in that final shootout. Been a major fan of the humbucker sound, and didn’t think anything could compete for me with that kind of tonal quality that I like. That is, until I heard the filtertron. Those things really are special!

[@matthewlee8917]

Been rocking filtertron pickups for a decade now. Love em.

[@picksalot1]

I liked the Filtertron sound a lot. Some form of hum rejection, cancelling, or noise rejection is a must for me. With advancements in Modeling, Capturing, Profiling, IRs, Plugins, EQ, etc., the tones from particularly types of Pickups can be emulated or replicated in the digital signal chain before the final Output. As a result, the things that matter for me in a Pickup are hum-cancelling, balance across the strings, clarity, dynamic sensitivity, and adjustable Pole Pieces. I've gone to using one Pickup, a Humbuckers in the Bridge location, and all the other heavy lifting is done by my Modeler. So much simpler and effective for me. 😎

[@Drunken_Hamster]

I disagree on the adjustable pole pieces and the bridge only position on the matter of mainly aesthetics and the way it interacts with the string physics respectively. Rails look better to me and I _think_ they sound smoother, too. As far as the position, the middle position I find to be more pleasing. It's not as harsh or thin as the bridge, but not as bassy or overwhelming as the neck. On top of that, as you fret a string shorter and shorter, the virtual string center moves closer to the pickup center. This allows it to pick up a stronger portion of the weaker amplitude that the shorter string can provide, which makes it particularly good for solo leads and shredding way high up on the fretboard. I particularly enjoy the idea of a middle pickup on a 24-fret guitar as that puts it right at the 36th fret position if you're the type to care more about variably applicable harmonic "nodes" than the constantly applicable string center physics. Also, it just makes sense to me to have two full octaves on the fretboard. Why not, right?

[@picksalot1]

@@Drunken_Hamster I've tried Rail Pickups in both the Neck and Bridge location. I liked the Rails in the Neck specifically for when doing wide bends. This is because the strings are never pulled away from the magnetic field, as can happen with Pole pieces, so there is no drop in volume. Middle Pickups get in the way of my picking, so they don't work for me, no matter how good they might sound. It's great that we have so many options to get the job done, and learning how to do my own Mods and Setups has worked well for me.

[@rhk4680]

I've been keeping an eye on those guitars for quite some time. You've chosen the right one, imo

[@jsage3955]

Also!! I have a Gretsch Roc Jet (1970’s) has what are called “Super Trons” but I don’t really know anything about them and haven’t seen them on another guitar. Would love a video or something on more weird vintage gretsch stuff!

[@jsage3955]

Haha. Watched more of the video and yours has a super tron! Love it

[@-jank-willson]

he should do a video on flatcat pickups too

[@fredchatham6680]

All pickups have their place. Each brings something unique and can do something better than the rest. I love them all.

[@fento9]

Sweet guitar! Always loved the sound of Filtertron pickups. I’ve owned two Gretsch guitars and that was one of the main reasons I bought them. As to which pickups sound the best it really depends on what style of music I’m playing. They all sounded great. You pretty much make everything sound great. lol! Thanks for what you do!

[@Gene_Cali]

The Blue guitar sounds like it has a lively personality. 👍🎸🔥 Always enjoy your playing and guitar offerings, Thanks Tyler.

[@edwinstovall3334]

I have to thank you for this vid, Tyler. I have not had the opportunity to get (or hear!) lipstick tubes or FilterTrons. This video gave me much more to consider about pickups. I have almost too many guitars to store, so I'm not going to get axes with other pickups, but at least now I have an idea of what I have been missing.

[@joanmanor6361]

I just stumbled along as an ignorant novice guitarist several years ago and say a Gretsch G5410T 'Rat Rod' for sale in Cleveland for an irresistible low price in nee condition with the case for $550. I loved the Filtertron sound as a kid. I couldn't walk away from an ivory and cherry red Rat Rod with Filtertrons! Momma didn't raise any idiots, and if she did, it's my sister!

[@tblx2675]

Awesome video, totally dig those Filtertrons. Generally a humbucker guy, all of my guitars have humbuckers, except one. My tele has a set of TV Jones Starwood’s and they sound great! Thanks Tyler 🤘🏼

[@truthinesssss]

It’s so frustrating that so many players start with a dirty tone when reviewing pick ups. Please please, let’s hear the clean tone first before you muddy it up thank you.

[@CleverNameBot13]

He’s does do clean, later, to be fair.

[@truthinesssss]

@@CleverNameBot13 Yeah, and that’s to my point. Wouldn’t you want him and so many others to start with the clean tone first?

[@RabbiB0Y]

Because the majority of guitarists don't play clean

[@alexhaugen7530]

It’s not that deep

[@GregMerritt-ws8tq]

I could see filtertrons doing well in making harsher, more extreme metal dirt boxes sound warm, smooth, and full.

[@Jawmsie]

I knew this video'd make me feel good about my partscaster's neck-position filtertron. I did not expect it to re-kindle my urge to switch out the pickups on my les paul knockoff for some P-90s. Now, THAT's mileage.

[@barbmelle3136]

Good demo. I have a Tele fitted with a pair of TV Jones Filtertrons. It is a very versatile instrument. I don't know why we do not see more of them.

[@randychadwick3776]

Great video comparing guitars and pickups. Really enjoyed that. Blue for sure, but they were all beautiful.

[@-jank-willson]

Would love a video on 'flatcat' pickups and their unique tones!

[@Hickeroar]

I wouldn't call it forgotten. :) They're still everywhere, and seem to be experiencing a surge in popularity right now.

[@timscarrow9151]

I bought a purple Grote hollowbody ripped out the microphonic pups and put filtertrons and sanded the neck so it didn't feel like a 2x4 . They are lower output so they need to be close to the strings and the screw adjustment help balance the strings, very Malcolm sounding and Beatley too. Grabber Blue I agree with your choice.

[@GregMerritt-ws8tq]

I can't say that I like one best. I'm just jealous of the full palette you got there.

[@styeontheeye3777]

This is what my childhood guitar tone is really? 😮

[@zukoHD]

I really really fucking love gretsch guitars man. this episode makes me very happy. always loved gretsch, unique, crisp, clear tones that you just cant find anywhere else. I dont play neo soul on anything besides my gretsch now, it just doesnt hit the same on the player sx, nor my dads les paul.

[@matthewlee8917]

I hear you dude! I play everything from outlaw country, singer song writer to metal and my Gretschs are all I need. Love em.

[@KenFernbach]

Fine guitars indeed! You toke the blue- me, I will take the other one. Really nice well rounded tones- yes compared to all other pickups- you made a valid statement here- nice going (as usual) so good to know your stuff! I always liked the tones Brian Setzer got as. Well as the great tones from A.C. / DC.

[@Roy_Gaber]

Days of the future passed. Sweet stuff Tyler. Thanks.

[@dreel1981]

1 filtertron 2 humbucker 3 lipstick The first cd i ever got was ac/dc back in black. The tones always stuck with me and didn't know he used filtertones in his guitar. Thanks I really enjoyed video. You should play the song you was jamming out in the wild and you should get a crowd around ya

[@mykhedelic6471]

For the piece you played, I have to give it to the Dano and its lipsticks. Lipsticks can cut diamonds with the right fuzz and sound like a crystal planet when clean.

[@KaidenHinton-ll9vi]

Can you do a collection video that showcases all the guitars you have, and tell some interesting facts about them, and demonstrate them?

[@richardclark.]

?

[@ericsampoll]

I can't help but giggle every time you say the pickup's name 😂 but jokes aside, cool guitars, clean playing as always 🎸⚡️🤘

[@michaeljohns2645]

Tyler... you make them all sound great

[@TribalGuitars]

The Blue T-style won the vote (wife, daughter, and myself) for the best sound between the two Belltones. My personal fave of the pickups was the P-90.

[@andybell8501]

I have a partscaster Strat with TV Jones classic in the bridge (FSS configuration). It’s my favorite bridge sound and balances well with the single coils. Now, if I could just find an FSS anodized pickguard. 😉

[@norseman61]

I’ve always liked the Filtertron sound. They kind of remind me of a P90 crossed with a “standard” single-coil.

[@Craig52-zq1bt]

I, recently, pulled the pickups out of my Epiphone LP Special and installed Filtertrons. So, with my Strat single coils, my Tele Humbuckers and now the Filtertrons, I have quite the palette of sounds to work with.

[@seanbrennan6836]

GTK.. was not aware of that PU history. The tone reminds me of classic Tom Petty clean- that burst PU combo… warm and vibrant.

[@HayesJC]

I have always loved Filtertrons. Considering some SD Psyclotrons for my PRS S2.

[@andrewbecker3700]

What many never realized while he was alive, is that Mal was the Jesus of Rock n Roll.

[@booth403]

I was always a P90 guy, but have recently just been enjoying them regular Fender Single Coils, these Filtertron deals seem like a really good option to go with to turn my Strat fat ... going to have to see about doing that now

[@Jach28]

Either the single coils or filtertrons ya. I probably woulda gone with red but that blue is hard to find so I think you made a solid decision with that one.

[@maxstover3363]

I think you made the right choice with the blue beltone

[@justinanderson9972]

I love the one with the turtle shell pickguard

[@jasonbates2687]

It is ironic and perhaps fortuitous that you posted this today. I was just looking at Gretsch 5420s on Reverb today with an intent to buy.

[@cliff2891]

Tasty tones FTW 👌

[@brandonjackson5865]

All the pickups sound great. I guess I have to explain to my wife that I need a guitar with each type. Obviously some are better suited for particular things but for all around playing covering all sounds the Humbucker and P90 is where it’s at I think. I’m a Strat with a HB in the bridge type guy myself though.

[@germarhoffmeister2752]

Try a TV Jones pickup. It's all worth it. But these things are difficult to find.

[@fueymanchoo1291]

TV Jones has a website that you can order directly from them. In fact I placed an order this earlier this morning prior to seeing this! After picking up a 6120 and a 6118 Anniversary, I love the filtertrons and am putting them in different guitars now.

[@germarhoffmeister2752]

@@fueymanchoo1291 in my comment I meant the old TV Jones. I forgot to mention that.

[@Drunken_Hamster]

Sticks, 90s, and Trons are the GOATS of pickups.

[@Vermonster23]

Filter Tron’s are the gateway pick up! Pretty soon you’ll be searching for slightly under wound P90’s

[@PulledPurk]

I have a Gretsch Super Chet. It sounds pretty awesome

[@nine9whitepony526]

Did you get another new guitar? Congratulations. I like the single coils best, then the filtertrons second best. I choose single coils because I love strats, but like most players, I'm probably just listening with my eyes.

[@nealrogowski659]

I would definitely pick the red one based off the sound to my ear.

[@benpowersguitar]

Such a great sound. Cool vid.

[@shadowstorm1928]

Awesome find ! ❤

[@Tool0GT92]

Oh yea I got a Gretsch G5230t with filtrons it’s great

[@michaelmenkes7233]

Gretsch sells plenty of guitars with filter'trons. They filtertron and the minihumbucker have been a superior application to replace single coils for a long time. When you know you know. Apparently MiW didn't know.

[@Killer-Machine42]

I put a set of these in a guitar over 2 years ago but have yet to try them out

[@P-J-W-777]

To me they’ve always had a very nice sound and a wide range of abilities. To me I really couldn’t pick one single pickup style. It would all really depend on what the song needed but I have always leaned a bit more towards Humbuckers

[@damienalvarez2957]

FilterTrons really are their own kind of beast. Nothing snarls like them, nothing twangs like them.

[@AllanGildea]

Fab playing, beautiful guitars, great sound.

[@QwertiusMaximus]

I have a set of Supertron pickups that someday I (hope) will build into a Tele.

[@dw7704]

It’s kind of amusing that the two main guys responsible for the two earliest successful humbucking pickups (the timing overlaps) probably got picked for their last names ( Butts & Lover)

[@rockpilerising]

I was reading the comments whilst the opening solo was playing and I didn't notice you'd switched guitar. For the comparisons at 6 mins I really couldn't hear any great difference with my eyes shut (and certainly not enough to drop £100 plus each). Nice tones but I'd more be more interested in what amp, settings, effects, speaker/IR etc

[@uniqdzign2]

Listening on studio headphones, for me the P90 jumped out amongst them all, although the Filtertron's have a nice mid to them.

[@zyrescott7157]

This is dope!! I work at tv jones and I’m actually the person that makes those red plastic tops. They also offer a cream option. Or will soon and I shouldn’t have said anything 💀💜

[@AllenCAndthecats]

Beautiful, clean and, warm☕

[@AllenCAndthecats]

P90

[@jrsoper6524]

Love the sound ❤

[@patmayer7222]

,,,,,,,,...HEARD , loud & clear ,,,in land o' lakes,wi,...well done,,.😮tnx for the early AC/DC sound check !..A-PLUS,,,,,,,,pat.

[@speelbergoMF]

Damn that’s perhaps the nicest bridge tone I’ve ever heard. Murders the strat and it pains me to say that

[@joermnyc]

For smaller humbuckers I prefer Firebird pickups (they are not the same as mini-humbuckers.) I have tried a Reverend Jetstream RB with their take on Filtertrons= Retro-Buckers.

[@topherbarrow4631]

I like that backing track during the improv can you make that available?

[@xamxamxamxa]

The red one !

[@JG-sherminator]

Great video, didn't know much about Filtertron until today. I think they sound amazing. Question: Didn't know you had a Fender H.E.R. - what's yer thoughts on it? Thanks for the great content!

[@GregMerritt-ws8tq]

I love how the AC/DC montage consisted of only the sleaziest of Bon Scott songs.

[@ruckailo88]

Los Filter Tron suenan bellísimo. ❤🎉😮😊😊😊

[@duaneperkins8329]

Oh no, the tea color was much nicer.

[@paradiswest4395]

I like them all.

[@numbersabcdefg]

If you want to have fun run a flitertron through a Pignose Amp! Amazing

[@seancollins3106]

I have a gretsch hollow body with the black top filtertrons on it. it's probably my favorite sounding guitar. the thing is just so big that I don't pick it up as often as I should :/

[@TheNewRevolution]

Gotta admit...those guitars sound pretty fucking good.

[@AlanShoreFan]

Wow. Belltone guitars sound great! Where can I buy one?

[@Guitarman833]

They sound cool

[@jefferywarburton2116]

That's the stuff right there.

[@chazstewart4865]

yep

[@Renters999]

For that sound the Lipsticks were lovely, but I hate Danelectros!! 😂

[@mariuszzdaniewicz3148]

P 90 n lipstick are my favourite 💪🎸

[@aligator381]

Nice video! What were you playing during the pickup comparison part of the video?

[@SundaySetlist]

I’m thinking about putting some Filtertrons in my LTD (Les Paul style). Any opinions? Has anyone done something similar?

[@TennesseeFrank]

Lipstick 1st, Single Coil 2nd.

[@MarlonEdwards86]

should i mod my tele neck pickup with a filtertron

[@rickc2102]

correction, Malcolm always used Filtertron pickup

[@raccoonresident5760]

How do the hagstrom guitars pickups from the 70’s stack up… I’ve got a 73 Viking semi acoustic. Fast everything. 😅 but the pickups mmmm😊