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Filter-trons VS. Gibson's PAF

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9/3/2002 7:51 PM

Filter-trons VS. Gibson's PAF

What are the differences in tone between a Gibson PAF and a Gretsch Filter-tron? I've played a Gretsch Brian Setzer Hot-Rod 6120, but I've never played a Gibson hollow-body with the PAFs. All I've played with PAFs are SGs and Les Pauls.

I'm wondering because I've been wanting a Gretsch 6120 ever since playing the BS Hot-Rod, but then I saw this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=020903130354064012096046086961/search/g=home/detail/base_id/79177

Chris B

9/4/2002 3:44 AM

Filter Trons have alot more top end than typical Gibi HB's although once in a while you can find a really good 335 with really good PAF's that sound pretty good.
I gig with a guy that has a gretch with filtertrons and we both use Super Reverbs, If I take my average sounding 335 he stomps on me even though the output of the filtertrons is rather low. He will cut through right over the top of my 335. A better match for me to play in that situation is a guitar with P-90's.
So the filtertrons are not the typical HB sound, almost single coil like.

9/4/2002 1:43 PM
SK	The Gretch uses smaller magnets and somewhat lower output. It's going to be a brighter/fuller and smoother sound than a PAF. Think more "Jazz oriented" than Classic Rock. Not to say it can't do rock really well with the right amp.. I personally think some of the BEST tones come from lower output pickups thru a cranked tube amp...

9/4/2002 4:14 PM
Chris B	So, is it safe to say that the Filter-trons are more like the Gibson mini-humbuckers than a full-sized PAF? I have played a hollow-body with the mini-humbuckers, and they're a lot brighter than PAFs. Chris B

9/4/2002 6:29 PM
SK	I'd say it's more of a cross of the two...

9/4/2002 4:20 PM
Mark Hammer	Does anyone know anything about the wire gauge and #turns on them?

9/4/2002 5:02 PM
Jason Lollar	I know the hilotron (single coil) is 3600 turns 43 I recall that the filtertron is 2500 per bobbin but am unsure of that also they use a 1/4" thick bar magnet instead of a 1/8" bar.

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