Gretsch Filtertron Pickups

4.5 (7)

1 Critic Review

3 Reviews

Find out who is using Gretsch Filtertron

7 wishlisted

17 saved

Page last updated Oct 30, 2025

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 21, 2025.

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Price

£75.00

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Description

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Gretsch Filtertron Pickups are a staple in the world of electric guitars, renowned for their distinctively bright and articulate sound. Originally introduced in the late 1950s, these pickups have become a beloved choice for musicians seeking a blend of vintage warmth and modern clarity. The Filtertron design features dual coil construction, which helps to reduce unwanted noise and hum, making it ideal for both studio recordings and live performances.

What sets the Gretsch Filtertron Pickups apart is their ability to deliver a punchy midrange while maintaining a tight bass response. This makes them versatile across a wide range of musical genres, from rock and roll to jazz and country. The pickups are compatible with a variety of electric guitars, allowing musicians to upgrade their instruments with a piece of history and craftsmanship that Gretsch is known for.

Whether you're looking to capture the classic "twang" of a Gretsch guitar or simply want to add a new dimension to your sound, these pickups provide the tonal flexibility and reliability required by both amateur and professional musicians alike.

Key Features:

Dual coil construction for noise reduction
Bright and articulate sound with a punchy midrange
Versatile tonal performance suitable for various genres
Compatible with many electric guitar models
Known for their classic "twang" and vintage warmth

Videos

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gearmanndude

TV Jones MagnaTron pickups compared to stock Gretsch Filtertron in 6120 guitar

gearmanndude

Gretsch 5420T - Blacktop Pickups vs High Sensitivity Filtertrons

Derek Irving

Roswell vs. Gretsch Filtertron // Pickup Shootout!

Fabian's Tiny Workshop

FILTERTRON Gretsch Pickups on Squier MUSTANG | Installation and Demo

Stamatis Stabos

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gretsch Filtertron Pickups.

Mods and upgrades

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A TV Jones Power'Tron in the neck position paired with a Gibson 57+ humbucker provides a balanced tone, addressing muddiness in an Epiphone Sheraton's original pickup.
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Nocturne Brain pedals, such as the Mystery Brain with echo, enhance lower output Filtertron pickups, improving clarity and presence.
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Super'trons are recommended for those seeking better string blending and increased push, offering a balance between single coil clarity, Filtertron shine, and humbucker power.
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Comparisons

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Filtertron pickups are described as closer to P90s or single coils in tone, while humbuckers produce a hotter sound, impacting the dynamic mix when paired.
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TV Jones Classics are noted for their round and full sound, favored by Brian Setzer, while some players prefer the gritty tone of ceramic Filtertrons paired with an early 80's Distortion+.
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Use cases and applications

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Filtertrons in the neck position capture more string vibration, ideal for players seeking a stronger, less spiky tone compared to bridge positions.
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Adding fuzz effects enhances the articulation and versatility of Filtertrons, making them ideal for varied musical styles.
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Owners mention that HS Filtertrons might not mount easily to Electromatics pickup rings, suggesting TV Jones models for a smoother installation without modification.
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User experience

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An owner who tried a Power'Tron and Gibson 57+ setup found the middle position tone neutral, not offering a distinctly unique sound.
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Owners describe Filtertrons as underutilized, yet highly effective for achieving articulate and versatile tones, especially in non-traditional pairings like Fender guitars.
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Some players describe HS Filtertrons as having a "stuffy" midrange, while TV Jones Classics are appreciated for their crispness and slight tonal scoop.
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Features and functionality

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Filtertrons in a 25.5" scale Fender create a uniquely versatile sound, bridging the gap between single coil and humbucker tones.
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Value and pricing

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TV Jones pickups often hold their value well, making them a safer investment if future resale is considered.
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Critic Reviews

Filter’Tron Shootout: Gretsch, House Of Tone, TV Jones, McNelly and more

guitar.com

While the Gretsch Filter’Tron pickups offer a unique and alluring fusion of clarity, twang, and midrange growl, they aren't without their drawbacks. Priced competitively, these pickups provide a classic Filter’Tron tone with added grit and aggression, making them suitable for players who crave power. However, they sacrifice some clarity and twang, with the neck pickup potentially sounding woolly in the lows. Their slightly compressed quality means they lack the 'air' frequencies found in unpotted counterparts. Overall, they strike a fine balance for those seeking a powerful yet traditional sound, but fall short of being the most authentic vintage replicas.

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 7 Ratings

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1 star

bthompson2020

736

over 7 years ago

The sound great

I am going to put a pair of GFS (Guitar Fetish) Minitron Nashville pickups in the ES-339 I'm getting, they are mini humbuckers that come with the P90 casing to fit it into the P90 slot, and they sound great, I wanted an ES-339 because Dave Grohl plays a Gibson Trini Lopez ES-335, so I'm getting a pelham blue ES-339 from Epiphone, but I've always preferred P90s and Mini Humbuckers, but loved the sound of the Lollartrons in the Chris Cornell ES-335 this way I figured by getting these GFS pickups I'd get the best of both worlds.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

Genres:

Rock Blues rock Southern rock

jimmarchi1

40997

7 years ago over 7 years ago

do you have actual filtertrons? they're not really minihumbuckers or PAFs, they're their own thing. They have smaller bobbins than a PAF, lager than a mini, different magnet installation than either... and the bobbins are TALLER than any other humbucker. They also have a much lower DCR. They're great pickups and I encourage you to try some real ones or properly sized repros like the TV jones Gibson or p90 mount. Event he lollars cornell used in his custom 335 were not right.... wrong magnets. Nothing against gfs, but they're not striving for accuracy. They'll sound good, but don't expect the legit 60s fitler sound. Also, tis not cool to review stuff you haven't used. Again, the lollartrons are not quite what you get from a Gretsch, they're way smoother due to the A2 magnets.

mort

244

over 4 years ago

Mine is the blacktop version

Blacktop is said to be not as eloquent as the standard versions, also slightly hotter. In a Gretsch 5410T, it really sings and is delicate yet commanding in a solo. I am wanting to try the TV jones version now, apparently mine is subpar when compared to TV jones Classic and Plus for the bridge. Yet to try them but hell, the blacktop is already dripping!

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

Genres:

Rock Pop Orchestra