Filtertrons vs Dynasonics vs Hilotrons! Gretsch Pickup Shootout/Comparison!

[@evanhansen5064]

the dynasonics seemed to have the most articulate bass and string seperation which i’ve found to be very important in many genres

[@Kevin-the-Just]

Came for the pickup info. Stayed for the music. Bravo.

[@BenNeal]

Thanks!

[@thenewmedic]

I listened twice just to hear that intro track. So good! Great demo

[@BenNeal]

Thank you!

[@ElephantTusks]

The intro track is stellar.

[@BenNeal]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@tinkercitymusic]

What a wonderful demo this is. INCREDIBLE track at the beginning. Subscribed!

[@BenNeal]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽

[@kerranz]

The Dynasonics are the spikiest. The Hilotrons are woodiest. The TVJ's are the most balanced, but a little gritty.

[@DMSProduktions]

They ALL sound GOOD Benno! I was surprised with the Hilo'trons. A bit more scooped than the Dynasonics! And the Filter'trons just had tons of mid PUNCH! Nice 1 mate! Where about in Oz are you?

[@BenNeal]

Thanks mate! I’m on the mid north coast of NSW!

[@DMSProduktions]

@@BenNeal Nice! I'm in Melb! Rock on!

[@GoldTopDeluxe70]

A Tennessee Rose w/ Hilotrons has been my main electric for about 15 years. I am feeling I’d like to try some Filtertrons, maybe a Duojet. Great comparison that reminds me why I got the T-Rose in the first place!

[@JackTheSkunk]

Chet Atkins did not like the Dynasonics at all....said Duane Eddy was the only guy who could get a good sound out of them. So he started working with Ray Butts to come up with a set of humbuckers that he would be happy with. Tone is so subjective. Personally I think Duane got a fabulous sound even on his earliest albums while Chet didn't do so until the mid 60's.

[@EduardoMartinez-dm5pp]

I think I like more Dynasonic, kinda feel the sound is closer to an acoustic guitar... Dunno who wants to have this sound on an electric guitar

[@BenNeal]

Same 😊

[@WesIncredible]

Such a good test, I could absolutely hear differences in the side by side, I found that each of them had a spot where they would shine as the "best in category" but I prefer the Dynasonics overall

[@BenNeal]

Yeah all great and all different! I agree that the Dynasonics take the cake for me, most of the time!

[@bompobilly]

Great vid, and great playing. Great combo with the White Falcon and the Dynasonics. Just the right amount of break up. I Have a WF with TV Jones. I love it, but may have to look for a Duo Jet with Dynasonics. Are they single coil or like a mini humbucker? Anyway, thanks for a great vid. 👍🏼

[@BenNeal]

That falcon would be epic! The dynasonics are single coils 🙏🏼

[@Davimre]

The dyna are the closest to my ears to a tele pickup. The hilos are more scooped and strat-y. The filtertrons have their own thing: hollow humbucker with a bright top end.

[@BenNeal]

Yeah great observations!

[@Terribleguitarist89]

I have to agree, I've always loved the dyna sound but being a strat player the hilos did have a "familiar" tone to them in hindsight.

[@thewey]

Ben. This is the other track that puts me in worship mode. What pedals are you using? I’m going to buy an electromatic Gretsch but LOVE the ethereal sound.

[@addamchavarria]

That intro track didnt have to slap so hard but it did and I love it hahahaha PLEASE MAKE IT A FULL SONG!!!!

[@BenNeal]

Hahaha thanks so much! Yeah I might!

[@addamchavarria]

@@BenNeal please do!

[@martin_schwarz]

I'd take the Dynasonic at the bridge and the Hilotron at the neck. Of course the question would be, do they match for the middle position? Great video, helps a lot!

[@BenNeal]

That would be killer. I’m sure they’d match!

[@FenderLewis]

Hey so question for you. Would you think that hilotrons would sound similar to this example in a Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose? Im looking at one now.

[@BenNeal]

Tennessee Rose’s usually have filtertrons but if the one you’re looking at has Hilotrons I’m sure they’ll sound pretty similar to this anniversary!

[@margaretzabinski9977]

I love all things Gretsch so they were all keepers. Keep up the great work.

[@BenNeal]

Agreed! Thank you!

[@markorfila3832]

Are you doing your one music Ben ? I think stuff like this would be massive in the UK with a proper band set up ! huge delays and reverbs and fat snares ! haha

[@BenNeal]

That would be epic!

[@titi64230]

Excellent video ! Are thèse classic dynasonic in your falcon or the seymour duncan ? Thnaks

[@BenNeal]

Thanks! Yeah just Gretsch Dynasonics!

[@derp8748]

Dynasonic Coolest badass look. Filtertron the classic look. HiLos definitely a full noticeable low end.... Dynas more ....dynamic. overall, most chet atkinsy was TV Jones Filters.

[@Jeremiah_NE]

the Filter'Tron seem to have more midrange and bottom end, which I guess makes sense. I've read the Hilo'Tron and the Dynasonic fall into the Strat/Tele range of pickup sounds. All that said, you're still you playing (nice job, btw), so a lot of the tone is coming from your technique and the construction of each guitar itself. I like your solution of just having 3 separate guitars and that makes the most sense for me as well. Thank you for the video

[@BenNeal]

Thanks for the comment! Yeah I think they’re all great for different things!

[@stringedaz]

I started the video expecting to find one pickup superior to the others. I think they are all slightly different but have a similar overall tone--bright, articulate, clear, hi-fi. I could see how someone could prefer one to the other, but it would be merely a taste thing, and not a knock on the other ones. Great demo! Very informative. That said, I think I liked the Hilotrons best.

[@daddyhotrock]

Thank you, finally, a pickup comparison that works! To me, most pickup shootouts on KZbin are useless because usually the takes are so long, that by the time the next pickup is on I've forgotten what the second one before that sounded like. I like the Dynasonics.

[@BenNeal]

Thank you! 🙏🏽

[@jimmyhansen5842]

You're right and too many demos are with drive pedals😔

[@smop]

Hilotrons sounded nicer than I expected, I’ll have to check those out more. I haven’t seen them on too many recent guitars.

[@BenNeal]

They’re definitely not as common, but they’re great!

[@Ian_sheridanuk]

I have one in the neck of my Tele. It's perfect there.

[@cass2771]

First thing, my Tenny has HiLoTrons, so it was doing my head in trying to associate Filter’Trons with your Tennessee Rose! I have been wondering about swapping out my pickups with . . FilterTrons. Er, no . . . Dynasonics. Aaarghh! No matter what I switch to, I know I’m going to miss what I had! So, yes, more guitars. Or maybe just accept that other pick ups are great, but enjoy what I have (and work on my technique). Lovely playing, Thank You!

[@BenNeal]

Thanks so much! Yeah I’ve thought about swapping my dynasonics out for filtertrons for some time, but I think I would miss what I have too much!

[@johnwozniak9279]

My vote: Filter-Tron (in Bridge), Dyna-Sonic (in Neck). Alternatively P90 (in Neck). But Filter-Tron (in Bridge) is a must for me. Dyna-Sonic (in Bridge) is just a brutal, unforgiving task-master on my playing. It reveals every defect in my playing technique. That's my $0.02. Your mileage may vary.

[@alainbrisebois8334]

Dynasonic more retro, clean and clear sound or tone. Filtertrons more modern, PAF, darker tone. Hilotrons sits right in between the other two. I would put the Dynasonic in my Gretsch for a bolder statement , or just to just to be different. I'm aslo thinking trying Dearmond vintage 65 goldfoil.

[@BenNeal]

Yeah totally agree! All have their own thing for sure! I’ve never had the chance to try goldfoils!

[@dtk3600]

This was soooo rad! I ended up getting the 2-tone smoke green Gretsch because this video sold me on it! Remarkable playing and dare I say "incredible video editing!" Keep up the professional work! Very impressive all-around! Love from San Francisco!

[@seanzinger]

I’ve never had a Gretsch and I am debating a 6128 with filtertrons vs dynasonic pickups. By the way, the intro track is amazing!!

[@devilichus]

They all sound like sharpened hand made classical guitars amazing approach to the sound by Gretsch Also they sound like compressored by themselves making the mixing stage easier at the pickup side 😂

[@theblytonian3906]

Reasons why we all -need- want more than one Gretsch.

[@ulyssescale]

What are the serial/product number for the Dynasonics is the 2006-2013 White Falcon?

[@PatrickJWenzel]

Unreal tune at the start mate. Came here in search of pickups to replace the BTBTs in my NTM G5622. Bit muddy for my liking.

[@chaskiandcie]

Thanks for your awesome video. Now I know that it's the FT that is really not my cuppa, but all the other gretsch pickups sound nice =)

[@thewey]

Ben...Finish this song PLEASE! From soup to nuts. It is FANTASTIC!

[@BenNeal]

I hope to!

[@mic2261]

What a Fantastic and Comprehensive Gretsch pickup comparison! You helped me decide which pickups I want in my new project guitar!! Thank You!!

[@BenNeal]

Thanks Mic, you’re welcome! What did you decide?

[@lucistired]

I think I like the hilotrons the most. They have a lovely clarity to them without really skipping out on any frequencies. They sound a lot like Wide Range Humbuckers to my ears, or at least if Gretsch made a wide range

[@ChristopheArribat]

I agree. On the hunt for my first Gretsch ; I liked the Dynasonics better than Filtertrons (no surprise as I always like singlecoils better than 'buckers) so I was about to get a pre-59 VS Gretsch .. But I just discovered the existence of these Hi-lo-Trons and I can't understand why there aren't more guitars with them, they sound awesome, the G6119T-62 VS might be what I was looking for ! (and yes I get why you compare them to WRHBs, these pickups have that mix of both punch and clarity)

[@bigduke6702]

I love my Dynasonics. They sound kinda "raw" to me. Your playing is brilliant, thanks.

[@BenNeal]

I agree! Thanks!

[@rayfranchi1507]

Love your playing! All 3 sound fantastic. My opinion.... Filtertronics Dynasonics is toss up to me

[@jonathanhorne6503]

I have dynasonics on my newest duo jet. I thought the Filtertrons were awesome. Growing up in the 60s we snickered at people that had hilotron equipped guitars. Teen naïveté.

[@seanbatterberry]

I know this is 2 years old, but I've been just listening to that opening track over and over again just jamming along on my own Gretsch Duo Jet. Such a freaking vibe dude! You're so talented 🤘🏻

[@Glicksman1]

There is nothing like a Gretsch. My first electric guitar (1957 Streamliner w/one Pat. Pend. Filtertron and a Melita), and latest guitar (Harrison Duo -Jet w/two Dynasonics) were Gretschs. A nice bookend pair. I had a Tennessean for while with H-Lo Trons and it was so nice. They all have their charm, as you said.

[@BenNeal]

Agreed! Special things!

[@andyvitali7510]

Damn! That intro!❤ Some TWOD vibes that I love

[@yannickvandenbroeck7582]

Hi Ben, that intro is wicked ! Would you mind sharing the effects you are using ? Cheers

[@jerrymckenzie1858]

I prefer the clarity of the Dynasonics!

[@ratta2006]

Dynasonics win.... Want Twang?.. You need Dynasonics.

[@JonBingham-dy5rk]

Well shoot... now I need a Gretsch with Dynasonics.

[@kevinmcgovern5110]

Very well done, straightforward comparison. One of the most helpful on YT. Thank you!

[@BenNeal]

Thank you! 🙏🏽

[@kirkp_nextguitar]

Great job: clean, short samples, good consistent playing make it easy to compare.

[@BenNeal]

Thank you!

[@jeremybaker195]

Did someone have the abalone fret markers put in after the fact? This is the first Gretsch I've seen with the thumb nail markers and the dots. What with that?

[@jammininthejammies4982]

Love the Dynasonics in that Falcon!

[@BenNeal]

Me too 😍

[@davidanastasovski1188]

If I have to choose one... its hard but yeah, "Dynasonics" ( cause they remind me the most of that "origin Gretsch sound" that was on most of the recordings time-back ). They're all great sounding, Thanks for the review Ben, great skills.

[@RavnerRavner]

NGL Tru fire in your playing.

[@BenNeal]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@marcoboni3807]

Qualcuno mi potrebbe dire il modello della Gretsch verde per cortesia???? Grazie

[@pg123ab]

What amp did you use for the demo?

[@BenNeal]

Direct with the Strymon Iridium!

[@twoys440]

BROOOO THAT INTRO TRACK IS FIRE

[@ExploreAmerica]

I like them all

[@BenNeal]

Me too 😍

[@Sirstarfish]

I'd take a hi-lo neck and a Filtertron bridge. But the middle position on that falcon is sublime!

[@thewey]

What a gorgeous song! AWESOME! Don't touch anything on those guitars. They each have a "Family" voice with each doing it a little different. Together, when all three are playing, the sound is UNFREAKIN Believeable. That song should have lyrics sung by a voice similar to Michael McDonald.

[@VladCotrus]

I remember I came across this video when I was searching for filter'tron videos for my Telecaster project and I was mesmerized by your little tune at the beginning. Time went by and I had this stuck in my head and I could not find you anymore. But here I am after 2 years, and this time I subscribed and followed you on IG also. Really nice work.

[@f2detaboada]

The Dynasonics sound so rich and thick for being single coils.

[@RustyMadd]

@BenNeal Hey Ben, which one did you settle on and go with?

[@BenNeal]

Hey Rusty! I’ve kept my White Falcon!

[@RustyMadd]

@@BenNeal Gotta love those dynasonics. They are sweet and articulate. Thanks for replying and for the great work and demo. Blessings my friend.

[@brooklynboy1000]

Can only be judged in a mix format. And the talent of the person playing. You are splitting hairs.

[@onian7861]

Hey what pedals are you using in this? Your tones are stunning!

[@petermckernanmusic757]

man do u have music on spotify? The intro tracks are great.

[@ZachariahConnor]

Lovely intro track

[@BenNeal]

Thank you!

[@sixstringgypsy1]

This is a really great video. My fave are the Dynas, but this is really a great demo very simply and efficiently showcasing everything you need to know about each. They all sound great in their own way. Beautiful, beautiful tone and playing- sounds like it's in your hands mainly, as it should be.

[@BenNeal]

Thank you so much! I agree, the Dynas are my favourite!

[@sixstringgypsy1]

@@BenNeal Another thought: it's almost as if the Dynas are "talking clearly" whenever I use them. It's like going from AM to FM, or, really, a voice in the room. Or like my conscience speaking and then the very words finally coming across my own lips, turning the thought into idea (and maybe subsequently, a work). That, but with music, and a guitar. Dynas personally help me play better and more complete, very much being the voice in my head- if any of that makes a bit of sense...

[@guitarswhiskeyandgolf]

I've heard dynasties are super bright is that the case? Probably a good fit for a Falcon as that guitar is naturally warm which might take a little harshness off the dynasonics do you think that is the case?

[@guitarswhiskeyandgolf]

Awesome track by the way really inventive

[@deanallen927]

I think the Filtertrons are a little Gibsony. The Hi-Lo Trons are almost indistinguishable from the Dynasonics, which are to me "That Great Gretsch Sound" as it says on the cover of my old full color Gretsch catalog. I know people will be burning crosses on my front lawn for saying this, but if I got rid of any of these it would be the TV Jones.

[@BenNeal]

I’ll be burning no crosses Dean! The Dynasonics are really hard to beat for “That Great Gretsch Sound”

[@Manuel-gh9wm]

I have a gretsch hollow-body and I like my filtertron pickups... I love my Gibson humbuckers for a slight a different sound tone .. and I love my Telecaster sound. Three different style of tones 😅

[@VoodooLoveChild]

Great video man. Love the back to back comparison, as well as used in an actual track. Super useful to be able to help choose between the Dynas and Filtertrons. I have Dynas in my Gretsch and love them, but have been thinking about putting a Filtertron in one of the pickup positions to help distinguish/separate the tonal character a little, especially for leads when I need to stand out. Do you/anyone have any suggestions for pairing Dynasonics? The Filtertrons sound hotter but also darker than the Dynas, so not sure which one would be better for lead, compared to rhythm. I guess it's all relative to playing style and preference.

[@BenNeal]

Thanks for the comment! I’ve been tossing up a similar thing for my White Falcon. I’ve been recommend the TV Jones Classic Plus for the bridge. Apparently it matches well with a Dynasonic or T-Armond in the neck. Every time I go to order one for the bridge though, I pick up my Gretsch and remember how much I love the Dynasonic 🤣

[@leapingtortoise]

I might be late to the party. I have a Gretsch penguin that came with Dynasonics. I swapped out the bridge for a TV Jones Classic Plus. They pair extremely well. The bridge has a bit more grunt/bight and plays a bit nicer with my drive stages (I generally run into a clean vox amp). I absolutely love the sound of the Dyna in the neck. I can't really articulate exactly what it is about the tone but it's got this almost woody sound with a little chime. Phenomenal clean sounds. I do need to be a little more careful with drive to avoid it getting too muddy, although I recently got a Tumnus Deluxe and the three band eq has helped keep it from getting muddy so an eq might solve that issue. Middle position I think is a little brighter than just the two dynas, very very chimey, particularly into a vox amp. I've found riding the tone knob either at the guitar or on a drive is a good option. This position pairs nicely with my tube screamer (VS-XO) voicing. Both pickups are matched volume-wise. One thing I will not is that while my originally dynasonic in the neck is still shiny gold, the newer TV Jones bridge has tarnished, although they did look similar when the tv Jones was installed.

[@leapingtortoise]

Oh, and one other note. The dyna is WAY noisier than the TV Jones. I've shielded the guitar/pickups and it helps, but if your in a venue where you have to deal with EMI there's not much to be done outside of volume knobs and noise gates

[@ACEMediaProductions88]

Nice demo bruh, for my subjective and personal preference, ill stick with FILTERTRONS on the BRIDGE and DYNASONIC for the NECK, why? I prefer the BASS sound of filtertrons for the Bridge while i prefer the Treble of Dynasonic for the neck ^_^; curious if you happen to know the Pots used for each? they say that DYNAS are best for 1meg while the FILTERTRONS with 500k pots.

[@vasiliy2207]

Hi! Nice review. What strings set are you using?

[@jeremyslemenda4669]

What amp were you playing through ?

[@dggydddy59]

Once again I am really enjoying your intro track! If this is your own material I must say you've got excellent compositional ideas and fabulous execution. Nicely done, friend!

[@0475cmoore]

Filtertrons in the Tennie have more clarity on the bottom end otherwise they sound more similar than I thought they would! Not a huge difference

[@BenNeal]

Yeah good call actually!

[@0475cmoore]

@@BenNeal I am finally going to be able to get the Gretsch I’ve always wanted when I get my end of year Bonus at work! Such a tough decision! The Penguin or Falcon may be just a bit much, but I’m leaning toward the most underrated under appreciated one out there! No one ever talks about the Fulltron Pickups mainly because they are only in the Broadkaster and Broadkaster Jr! I think I love the Junior and those pickups are probably my favorite out of all of them!

[@ryanbirabent-genone9219]

Man, killer intro and awesome comparison. All of these pickups sound great! Also, props on the shirt - I lived in Santa Cruz for about a decade.

[@BenNeal]

Thank you!

[@addamchavarria]

what gauge of strings do you usually use? Right now I have the 6118 model you have in the video and have been using 12s but I have been thinking about using 10s just to experiment.

[@BenNeal]

I personally use 10’s on the Falcon which has a 25.5” scale. 11’s would probably be better but I like them fairly light

[@addamchavarria]

​@BenNeal so recently put some dynasonic pickups on a G6118 and I have been trying to find a good amp to pair. What are some of your favs when you use your Falcon?

[@jasonmoore5675]

Like all three pickups but prefer the dynasonics. The intro is incredible ... subscribed ... looking forward to more of your playing.

[@BenNeal]

Me too! Thanks so much!

[@EricMakingWaves]

Yo, what did you use for drums on that opening track? Was loving that snare sound in particular. Great demo dude.

[@oldboygarage]

Filtertrons are stone roses sounding really nice but all sound great

[@BenNeal]

🤘🏽

[@alisterwiddowson2412]

Cracking vid, thanks Ben. just made up my mind to get some dynasonics

[@BenNeal]

Thanks! Hopefully you like them as much as I do!

[@paoloelicano]

That was a very nice intro song!

[@zeus_rene]

Yo make that intro track a separate video, or release it on Spotify/Apple Music. It stinking slaps

[@thesurfjunkies]

Excellent demo and we agreed with your assessment.

[@BenNeal]

Thanks!

[@toddheimbuch5429]

I was excited to hear your soundcheck, but all I could get out of it was that you have three great sounding guitars there. I think you should expand the test a bit...more variety in string attack..less focus on long ringing notes, and minimize the reverb..you know, short solo note runs, some chunk-chunk string muting stuff,...I feel it would reveal more about each guitar's attributes. I hope you take my suggestion, I am genuinely interested in a more complex analysis

[@toddlogan9023]

What model Falcon is that?

[@BenNeal]

G6136T-LDS!

[@toddlogan9023]

@@BenNeal thanks for the reply!

[@shaalis]

The most helpful video for comparison I've ever seen.

[@BenNeal]

Wow thank you!

[@RustyMadd]

For me I like the Dynasonics, really close second is the Hilotrons, then the Filtertrons. But I've been playing humbuckers lately and that may be biasing me toward the Hilotrons. They do indeed all sound great and sound "Gretsch." Nice quick side by side demo. Thanks for doing it quickly and without comment. But those Dynasonics have a great high-end chime. 😎

[@mark-dietz]

Im picking up a 5622t today, and Im already shopping for options without even playing it yet lol. Its got the HiLo ones. Actually Ive been just checking out Gretsch players and their sounds, in anticipation of getting this guitar, and your sound on that opening track is heavenly! SUBBED!

[@frankpfau9054]

awesome work! thank you very much… but… now it’s not easier to choose because they all sound fantastic…

[@BenNeal]

Haha agreed! Thank you!

[@robsmith6443]

What about Broad'trons?...been looking at Streamliners and wondering about the pickups. I haven't heard a side by side comparison to filters, but I did read that they don't clean up well on a tube amp with volume control? On the other hand, Gretsch says they're similar to filters with a bit of mid-range punch and less twang.( I like the clarity of Filters but I'm not really about twang)...What do you think?

[@walterhambrick8705]

I have 5 Gretsch guitars: 4 5422 models, 2 6 string and 2 12 strings and a Country Classic all with Filtertrons. My Epiphone Dot has a Filtertron in the bridge position.

[@meleepinata]

Dynasonics. No contest.

[@thewey]

What kind of pedals and tones did you use? Also what are you using for a drum track? You MUST finish that song!

[@toddheimbuch5429]

Oh, and also, I thought your quick A..B..C..comparison was the best approach to comparing their sounds

[@arthurrose6473]

Looking at exactly these pups and your video was perfect. Your intro very nice and Gretsch! Right again on Gretsch pups- they are all special and thus your video, spot on, still leaves me unable to choose- the HiloTron seems to have both of the other two... Probably try the HT. THANKS!

[@smokepeddler]

I still think dynasonics are the best sounding pups out there.

[@BenNeal]

And super underrated!

[@jeffreyduncan989]

IMO the filtertron is Gretsch’s staple sound… if I’m reaching for the Gretsch sound it’s going to be a filtertron but…… I love them all. I have a 67 fender Coronado with tv jones classics in it and it is amazing