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REVIEWS
TV JONES TV CLASSIC & TV CLASSIC PLUS TV JONES BRIAN SETZER SIGNATURE
These are the pickups that established TV Jones’ reputation. They Longtime Brian Setzer fans will know that his approach to his
were once reputed to be authentic vintage Filter’Tron replicas gear and tone has evolved over the decades. He famously said that
but with non-authentic hardware, revised pole spacing and Jones’ it took about 40 years to get his vintage 6120s roadworthy, and
preference for wax potting, that’s not entirely the case. The Classic although the first Setzer Signature models sported TV Classics,
Plus is a hotter version of the regular bridge Classic. Here, we’re he and Tom eventually collaborated to create the Brian Setzer
testing all three. Signature pickup set.
These differ from TV Classics thanks to mismatched coils, pole
IN USE screws with more steel content, and wider pole spacing on the
After playing these for a few seconds, it’s clear why TV Classics bridge pickup. Our set is also unpotted and the bridge is wound a
were the making of TV Jones. Together, the Classics combine little hotter than the vintage spec but less than a TV Classic Plus.
elements of both the vintage Filter’Trons and the High Sensitive
units. They’re bright, clear, sensationally balanced and generate IN USE
a thrilling combination of growl and twang. The bridge pickup There are vintage elements to the tone but this is a pickup set
easily overdrives an amp but without the edge and grit present designed to cut through in a live context. As such, they’re quite
in the High Sensitives. The neck sounds wide open and clear, bright and the absence of wax potting extends the upper treble.
with fabulous bass depth and no wooliness. The bridge is punchy and growly, and competes with the High
Switching over to the Classic Plus in the bridge delivers a tone Sensitive and Classic Plus for output. But compared to the latter,
that’s louder and more compressed but equally bright and clear. there’s a lower-mid scoop that shifts the tone to a more greasy
In fact, all three seem to be brighter and clearer versions of the brrrang while sounding a touch thinner.
originals, only with added punch and aggression. The neck unit is fuller and has more of a vintage frequency
Rather than being slavish replicas, these are more like idealised balance while also sounding bright and clear. Both units balance
Filter’Trons updated for modern ears to provide great Gretsch nicely and the in-between setting is quintessentially Gretsch. These
tones with minimum effort. are great fun and overdrive amps without any grittiness but we feel
they’re voiced more for live work than studios and home playing.
KEY FEATURES KEY FEATURES
PRICE $135 each (Classic), $138 (Classic Plus) PRICE $158 each (chrome and nickel options $153)
DESCRIPTION Humbucking pickups, made in the USA DESCRIPTION Humbucking pickups, made in the USA
FEATURES 1/4” alnico V magnet, wax potted FEATURES 1/4” alnico V magnet, unpotted
DC RESISTANCE 4.62k (bridge), 3.97k (neck), 7.61k (Classic Plus) DC RESISTANCE 6.14k (bridge), 4.41k (neck)
CONTACT tvjones.com CONTACT tvjones.com
These units still rank among the best and can The obvious choice if you’re chasing later Setzer tone or want
9/10 now be regarded as classics in their own right 8/10 a clearer, brighter and louder twist on vintage Filter’Trons
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