United States · Est. 1993
TV Jones
The definitive manufacturer of Filtertron pickups for Gretsch guitars. The Classic is the most recognised rockabilly and country pickup in the world.
About the brand
Tom Jones (TV Jones) founded his company in 1993 after years repairing and modifying Gretsch guitars. His passion for the vintage sound of 1950s and 60s Gretsches led him to recreate the original Filtertron pickups with the correct components and original winding process.
The TV Jones Classic is today the reference Filtertron worldwide, used by Brian Setzer, Chet Atkins, and a generation of rockabilly, country, and jazz guitarists. Unlike a conventional humbucker, the Filtertron has narrower coils and more turns, producing that characteristic sound: bright, twangy with plenty of attack, but with the noise-cancelling of a humbucker.
TV Jones also manufactures the Power'Tron, a higher-output version of the original design, and a range of pickups for other guitar types. The brand is the undisputed authority on the Gretsch sound.
Key facts
- Classic: the reference recreation of Gretsch's original Filtertron pickup
- Tom Jones repaired and modified Gretsches for years before creating the brand
- Unique sound: bright and twangy like a single-coil but hum-free
- Brian Setzer uses TV Jones on all his touring guitars
Iconic pickups
TV Classic
The definitive recreation of the original Gretsch Filtertron. Narrower coils than a PAF, more turns, bright and twangy tone with hum cancellation.
Power'Tron
Higher-output version of the Classic. More muscle and more mid presence than the Classic while maintaining the unmistakable Filtertron character.
TV Classic Plus
Improved Classic with greater high-frequency definition and better dynamic response. Most popular for players who want more versatility than the original Classic.
Magna'Tron
Bar pole design rather than individual poles. More warmth and sustain than the Classic, better suited for jazz and blues.
Notable musicians
- Brian Setzer · TV Jones Classic, Power'Tron
- Chet Atkins · Classic (en sus Gretsches)
- Duane Eddy · varios Filtertron
- Eddie Cochran · Filtertron vintage