0:04 TV Classics bridge 0:27 TV Classics both 0:41 TV Classics both strummed harder 1:00 TV Classics neck 2:01 TV Classics single notes runthrough 2:46 Setzers bridge 3:12 Setzers both 3:25 Setzers both strummed harder 3:42 Setzers neck 4:18 Setzers single notes runthrough 4:56 HS Filtertrons bridge 5:22 HS Filtertrons both 5:39 HS Filtertrons both strummed harder 5:57 HS Filtertrons neck 6:33 HS Filtertrons single notes runthrough Thx for the video :) I have a White Falcon G6136DC (MIJ) with HS Filters and a G5622T (center block) with Blacktop Broads. Can‘t decide what to put into the 5622 for a more classic tone…
Shouldn’t have to have a comment like this. Should just compare one setting at a time between pickups. So fucking stupid. Thank you for your comment though. Would be nice to hear this on my tv though and not need to click this on my phone
Great comparison and awesome playing ! I have the HS Filtertrons in my Black Panther, and I’m now sold on the Setzer set ! Right combination of punch and chime. Thanks for the video
I have a TV Jones classic in the neck position and a Power'tron Plus in the bridge position on my Gretsch 5655TG. It's a nice mix for Rock and Hard Rock songs.
Thanks mate! You're right; they all do sound superb. The Gent has the most low end punch and has most mids(thanks to the sealed body / fake f-holes and HS filters I think.), the 6120 is the bigger / rounder sounding one (because of the slightly hotter wound setzer pickups and 2,75 thick body) and the 6118 is the twangiest' one (lower output tv classics, lighter weight and comfortable 2,5 body)
Thanks for doing this video. My 2005 Gretsch G6122 '62 came with ceramic-magnet HS Filtertrons, even though FMIC was supposed to transition to alnico magnets in 2003. I'm pretty sure that the 2004 Gretsch G6122 '62 in the video has ceramic pickup magnets which sound different than alnico V magnets. I have retrofitted ~2010 alnico V magnet HS Filtertrons (sans wax potting), Setzer Signatures (alnico V magnets) and TV Classics (alnico V magnets, sans wax potting) and they all sound a little different. For a classic/vintage/late 50s/60s Gretsch sound, I have used 2 alnico V magnet, neck HS Filtertrons (4.1k ohms each), 2 alnico V magnet, neck TV Classics (4.0k ohms each) and Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity (alnico V magnets, 3.8k ohms [neck] and 4.2k ohms [bridge]). In the late 50s and 60s, Gretsch used the same alnico V Filtertron pickup (~4.0k ohms in both the neck and bridge positions. Sorry for the long-winded comment but I think that these differences are important.
Thanks for your comment! The HS Filters I used in the 2004 '62 G6122 are 2021 made Gretsch Alnico HS filters. The guitar came with a ceramic neck pickup and an alnico bridge so I'm not too suprised to hear your 2005 model came with ceramic filters. :) I've changed them now for a set of TV Ray Butts pickups. I didn't like the Classics I've had on a lot of Gretsches. Bass was too muddy, even without wax. The Ray Butts are the perfect filters for me. They really sound almost the same as the ones I have in a original '66 6120 (with a 4,1 k bridge and a 4,5 k neck that changed positions because of the imbalance, as you said; in the 50s/60s they used the same pickups for both positions). Only better balanced and with tighter/stronger bass response. Maybe because of the new strong magnet.
@@episua Thanks for following up. You sound like you're from the same "school" as me. I don't have my 60s Gretsch guitars ('67 Black Hawk with Supertrons, '62 Double Cutaway G6120 with Filtertrons) but going from my memory, I think I get a good vintage-type Filtertron sound with The Ray Butts and the de-waxed TV Classic neck pickups. You may have observed that the Ray Butts neck pickup is a bit clearer than the Classic neck? I've never heard TV Jones Supertrons but I suspect that they are very close to original Supertrons. You have some nice Gretsch hollow bodies (!) Regards, ZD
Guitar differences aside, I think I like the Setzers the best, they still have the chime and clarity of the TV Classics, but have a wee bit more punch, that I barely hear in the Bridge, but definitely hear in the middle position - the Classics sounded a bit thin, especially in the middle position. The HS Filtertrons are a bit too muddy and lack clarity and chime to my ears. Great guitars and I dig your playing.
I have a black Power Jet with PowerTrons. I opted for the Brian Setzer Signatures. Awaiting delivery and will swap them out when they arrive. The PowerTrons are not without their appeal. but any of these three would be a vast improvement. There are a few reasons why I chose the Brian Setzers. The builders at TV Jones love them!! Even the owner! The Brian Setzer Signatures were developed over a long period of time. 20yrs of collaboration. In your video examples, my decision is reinforced. Hard to put words on it. The differences are subtle. TV Jones builds to order. They build FOR Gretsch. So their reputation is outstanding. You can't go wrong though with any choice. Let us know what you finally decide!
I think you made a good choice! The Setzers are my favorite. Tight bass response, nice midrange, not to shrill. I've sold the Anniversary with the classics and now I'm waiting for a set of Ray Butts for my Country Gentleman. I hope they a have a tighter bass response than the classics and the HS filters. When I play through my Vox amps the Setzers are a perfect match. On my Fender 65 princeton the bridge pickup almost has too much mids.
You say it so objectively that any of these are superior to powertrons. What’s wrong with powertrons? I’ve never seen them in a store to try but I’d like the neck to be not so dark and chimey and like the bridge mid-focused for leads. Is the powertron neck too dark? Is the powertron bridge too hot or too mid-forward? What are your thoughts on the Setzers since you put them in?
Hello again. Maybe it's best to build the pickup without wax like the 'Ray Butts', then trying to remove it from an HS Filtertron or TV Jones Classic with a hair dryer or Naphtha? Luthiers have said to me that the pickup won't get damaged but, how can you be sure?
I don't know about removing the wax but I think the Ray Butts is just a different pickup compared to a TV Classic and HS filtertron. I had a Classic without wax and it just sounded different compared to the Ray Butts. Different style pole screws and base plate if I remember correctly. I never liked the muffled sound of the bass strings on the Classics or HS filters, the Ray Butts is like the Setzer just a bit tighter in the low end / bass strings to my ears. All in the same ballpark but I guess we're lucky TV Jones makes the Ray Butts now for the people who really want the original recipe.
Are the pickup and tone switches the other way around on these models? Im not sure whether the presenter is actually flicking through the tone selector on some occasions rather than the pickups
Hi! No tone selector switches are being used! On the Setzer and Annie both of the pickup selector are wired the 'Setzer' way. On the Gent they are wired the traditional Gretsch way.
I can’t understand how you make a comparison video without comparing the same playing/settings from one pickup to another. You playing a ton of different settings with the same fucking pickups in makes no sense. You forget what things sound like between the pickups which is the entire point of the video.
0:04 TV Classics bridge
0:27 TV Classics both
0:41 TV Classics both strummed harder
1:00 TV Classics neck
2:01 TV Classics single notes runthrough
2:46 Setzers bridge
3:12 Setzers both
3:25 Setzers both strummed harder
3:42 Setzers neck
4:18 Setzers single notes runthrough
4:56 HS Filtertrons bridge
5:22 HS Filtertrons both
5:39 HS Filtertrons both strummed harder
5:57 HS Filtertrons neck
6:33 HS Filtertrons single notes runthrough
Thx for the video :)
I have a White Falcon G6136DC (MIJ) with HS Filters and a G5622T (center block) with Blacktop Broads.
Can‘t decide what to put into the 5622 for a more classic tone…
Shouldn’t have to have a comment like this. Should just compare one setting at a time between pickups. So fucking stupid. Thank you for your comment though. Would be nice to hear this on my tv though and not need to click this on my phone
Great comparison and awesome playing ! I have the HS Filtertrons in my Black Panther, and I’m now sold on the Setzer set ! Right combination of punch and chime. Thanks for the video
Thanks! The Setzer signature filters are really good! Panthers are awesome guitars
I have a TV Jones classic in the neck position and a Power'tron Plus in the bridge position on my Gretsch 5655TG. It's a nice mix for Rock and Hard Rock songs.
I envy your collection of great Gretsch guitars! They all sound superb!
Thanks mate! You're right; they all do sound superb. The Gent has the most low end punch and has most mids(thanks to the sealed body / fake f-holes and HS filters I think.), the 6120 is the bigger / rounder sounding one (because of the slightly hotter wound setzer pickups and 2,75 thick body) and the 6118 is the twangiest' one (lower output tv classics, lighter weight and comfortable 2,5 body)
Thanks for doing this video.
My 2005 Gretsch G6122 '62 came with ceramic-magnet HS Filtertrons, even though FMIC was supposed to transition to alnico magnets in 2003. I'm pretty sure that the 2004 Gretsch G6122 '62 in the video has ceramic pickup magnets which sound different than alnico V magnets. I have retrofitted ~2010 alnico V magnet HS Filtertrons (sans wax potting), Setzer Signatures (alnico V magnets) and TV Classics (alnico V magnets, sans wax potting) and they all sound a little different. For a classic/vintage/late 50s/60s Gretsch sound, I have used 2 alnico V magnet, neck HS Filtertrons (4.1k ohms each), 2 alnico V magnet, neck TV Classics (4.0k ohms each) and Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity (alnico V magnets, 3.8k ohms [neck] and 4.2k ohms [bridge]). In the late 50s and 60s, Gretsch used the same alnico V Filtertron pickup (~4.0k ohms in both the neck and bridge positions. Sorry for the long-winded comment but I think that these differences are important.
Thanks for your comment! The HS Filters I used in the 2004 '62 G6122 are 2021 made Gretsch Alnico HS filters. The guitar came with a ceramic neck pickup and an alnico bridge so I'm not too suprised to hear your 2005 model came with ceramic filters. :)
I've changed them now for a set of TV Ray Butts pickups. I didn't like the Classics I've had on a lot of Gretsches. Bass was too muddy, even without wax.
The Ray Butts are the perfect filters for me. They really sound almost the same as the ones I have in a original '66 6120 (with a 4,1 k bridge and a 4,5 k neck that changed positions because of the imbalance, as you said; in the 50s/60s they used the same pickups for both positions). Only better balanced and with tighter/stronger bass response. Maybe because of the new strong magnet.
@@episua Thanks for following up. You sound like you're from the same "school" as me. I don't have my 60s Gretsch guitars ('67 Black Hawk with Supertrons, '62 Double Cutaway G6120 with Filtertrons) but going from my memory, I think I get a good vintage-type Filtertron sound with The Ray Butts and the de-waxed TV Classic neck pickups. You may have observed that the Ray Butts neck pickup is a bit clearer than the Classic neck? I've never heard TV Jones Supertrons but I suspect that they are very close to original Supertrons. You have some nice Gretsch hollow bodies (!) Regards, ZD
Cant go wrong with any of them!
Guitar differences aside, I think I like the Setzers the best, they still have the chime and clarity of the TV Classics, but have a wee bit more punch, that I barely hear in the Bridge, but definitely hear in the middle position - the Classics sounded a bit thin, especially in the middle position. The HS Filtertrons are a bit too muddy and lack clarity and chime to my ears. Great guitars and I dig your playing.
Thanks!
Nice comparison. Thanks 👏
Annie with classics all the way!
Excellent comparison. Thank you so much.
I have a black Power Jet with PowerTrons. I opted for the Brian Setzer Signatures. Awaiting delivery and will swap them out when they arrive. The PowerTrons are not without their appeal. but any of these three would be a vast improvement. There are a few reasons why I chose the Brian Setzers. The builders at TV Jones love them!! Even the owner! The Brian Setzer Signatures were developed over a long period of time. 20yrs of collaboration. In your video examples, my decision is reinforced. Hard to put words on it. The differences are subtle. TV Jones builds to order. They build FOR Gretsch. So their reputation is outstanding. You can't go wrong though with any choice. Let us know what you finally decide!
I think you made a good choice! The Setzers are my favorite. Tight bass response, nice midrange, not to shrill. I've sold the Anniversary with the classics and now I'm waiting for a set of Ray Butts for my Country Gentleman. I hope they a have a tighter bass response than the classics and the HS filters.
When I play through my Vox amps the Setzers are a perfect match. On my Fender 65 princeton the bridge pickup almost has too much mids.
I really want the 6636T falcon center block. You Guys think this guitar is good?
You say it so objectively that any of these are superior to powertrons. What’s wrong with powertrons? I’ve never seen them in a store to try but I’d like the neck to be not so dark and chimey and like the bridge mid-focused for leads. Is the powertron neck too dark? Is the powertron bridge too hot or too mid-forward?
What are your thoughts on the Setzers since you put them in?
Hello again. Maybe it's best to build the pickup without wax like the 'Ray Butts', then trying to remove it from an HS Filtertron or TV Jones Classic with a hair dryer or Naphtha? Luthiers have said to me that the pickup won't get damaged but, how can you be sure?
I don't know about removing the wax but I think the Ray Butts is just a different pickup compared to a TV Classic and HS filtertron. I had a Classic without wax and it just sounded different compared to the Ray Butts. Different style pole screws and base plate if I remember correctly. I never liked the muffled sound of the bass strings on the Classics or HS filters, the Ray Butts is like the Setzer just a bit tighter in the low end / bass strings to my ears.
All in the same ballpark but I guess we're lucky TV Jones makes the Ray Butts now for the people who really want the original recipe.
Are the pickup and tone switches the other way around on these models? Im not sure whether the presenter is actually flicking through the tone selector on some occasions rather than the pickups
Hi! No tone selector switches are being used! On the Setzer and Annie both of the pickup selector are wired the 'Setzer' way. On the Gent they are wired the traditional Gretsch way.
@@episua thanks! Thought so but I hadnt heard of that before 👍
Can't compare using different guitars
You can with ease lol
I can’t understand how you make a comparison video without comparing the same playing/settings from one pickup to another. You playing a ton of different settings with the same fucking pickups in makes no sense. You forget what things sound like between the pickups which is the entire point of the video.