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REVIEWS
GRETSCH HIGH SENSITIVE FILTER’TRON VINTAGE GRETSCH FILTER’TRON
Like our 6120 conversion, the G6118T Anniversary has trestle Compared to 1950s and 1960s Gibson and Fender pickups,
bracing, a Rocking Bar bridge and a Bigsby, and they sound similar vintage Filter’Trons aren’t particularly expensive. In part, this can
unplugged. Gretsch introduced this pickup with an alnico V be attributed to the fact that, over its first three decades of
magnet in about 2001, replacing the earlier ceramic magnet units operation, Gretsch never deviated from Ray Butts’ design. There’s
found on reissue models during the previous decade. The pole no narrow ‘golden era’ as such, and there’s no way of dating them.
screws were changed to a more vintage style too, the ceramic The vintage units featured here were bought on Reverb, appear to
versions having domed screw heads. be from the 1960s, and cost a shade more than £400.
IN USE IN USE
These units have a thickness in the midrange that ramps up the These pickups have a slightly lower output than the High Sensitives,
power at the expense of a little clarity and twang. The bridge has and are far less gritty in the upper mids. Not only that, they’re
more of the nasal upper-midrange character that we associate with noticeably smoother too, and plain strings played high up the neck
Gibson-style humbuckers, while the neck has a smooth fullness that combine a full solidity with a hint of wiriness.
can sound a touch woolly in the lows if you aren’t careful. There’s midrange growl in abundance but the bridge has a clucky
Both pickups have a slightly compressed quality and, while there quack that hints at Telecaster tone, while the neck has a mellower
are plenty of upper mids to produce that classic gritty Filter’Tron roundness that’s equally suited to clean jazz and overdriven blues.
growl, the ‘air’ frequencies of unpotted Filter’Trons are missing. Unsurprisingly, these nail the tones you hear on records by the
These are a fine compromise for players who want to reap some likes of Neil Young, The Who and even Chet Atkins.
power and aggression from their guitar but retain much of the
classic Filter’Tron tone.
KEY FEATURES KEY FEATURES
PRICE £61.99 each PRICE £225-£300 each approx (used)
DESCRIPTION Humbucking pickups, made in Asia DESCRIPTION Humbucking pickups, made in the USA
FEATURES Alnico V magnets, potted FEATURES 42 AWG heavy formvar magnet wire, 1/4” alnico V magnet, unpotted
DC RESISTANCE 4.58k (bridge), 3.93k (neck) DC RESISTANCE 4.12k (bridge), 4.1k (neck)
CONTACT gretschguitars.com
Priced competitively for Filter’Tron tone with added grit, Although there are fabulous modern alternatives,
8/10 aggression and player-friendly compression 9/10 Ray Butts’ design is still the benchmark
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