OK..I know this question has been asked "ad Infinitum"....but, any input will be much appreciated.

I have a G5120 made in 2010. I recently finalized the funding to purchase a set of TV Jones pickups for her.

I had pretty much always thought I would get TV Classics. I don't play "out". I am a purely bedroom player who plays mostly clean to slightly dirty (gritty?). I also mostly do chords with only a minor amount of "lead" type work (due to inability! ).

Like I said, I pretty much knew I was getting TV Classics...until hearing TV Jones himself say at the Cowtown Roundup that his favorite pickup combination was (if I remember correctly) a Supertron neck with a HiLoTron bridge.

That got me to thinking...maybe I should go with a set of Supertrons. I don't think I would like the asthetics of two different style pickups in a guitar....but, it seems like the Supertrons are still on the bright side of TV's scale of pickups. And here is a real consideration: I know that in the future I will have a Pro-Line...probably an Anniversary with Filtertrons. So, my goal is NOT to turn the G5120 into a 6120 "clone". My goal is to get rid of the Gretschbuckers and put in some nice pickups that will take it into the area of sound that the pro lines can achieve---"That Great Gretsch Sound".

Here is some information for consideration: I play mostly through a Fender Mustang III modeling amp, set on either the standard factory Twin or Deluxe Reverb settings, with a touch of reverb. I also have a Genz Benz Black Pearl 112, which is based upon a Vox Ac30 amp circuit. When I pick up a guitar that is not my G5120, I usually go for an American Deluxe Strat, usually in position 2 or 4. Hopefully that describes the sound I really like and would like to be in the ballpark of with the Gretsch...not necissarialy single coil sound, but a brighter, crisper sound.

So...after all that, my question is basically, would Supertrons be a mistake? Others have suggested a TV classic neck, and a classic plus bridge.

What I do not want to end up with is a "too powerful" pickup that makes me turn down the guitars volume to "clean up".

If anyone has done Supertrons and could point me at some sound clips it might be helpful.

So: Supertrons? TV Classics? TV Classic/Classic Plus?

That, my friends...is the question!

Hi-LoTrons can have an amazing sound, and clean + full is the best way.

One of my 1967 Double Annies will be getting new pickups, and I'm considering a Supertron Neck, and a Classic in the bridge (but only if the harsh mids can be wound OUT of it).

The bridges just seem to overpower the neck pickups, to me. So either that combination, or a full set of Supertrons.

Good luck.

The flavors that TV Jones himself prefers almost certainly reflect the sound that he personally is seeking in his own playing. I would limit applying his preferences to your situation with that context in mind. Which is to say: if your musical sensibiities match with his, then there you go!

I installed a pair of Supertrons in my Jag Tan Annie (the goosed midrange of the Powertrons just did not suit me). I have several guitars with Classics. The Supertrons seem to dig a little deeper tonally than the Classics -- some characterize them as "boomy," but that's not quite how I'm experiencing them in this guitar. I don't hear them as all that widely divergent from Classics.

Heck, if you're planning to get an Annie with Filtertrons, then carry on with the Supertron idea. If you don't like them or decide you want something else later, you can change them.

Paul/FF909

This page might help you a bit: http://tvjones.com/pickups/...

If you decide to go SuperTron and want to get fancy, Tavo split a SuperTron with a blender pot so he can split it gradually. Raves about it.

I love the supertrons on my SSLVO. The sound is very close to the classics but a little smoother round the very high frequenzies. No boominess at all.

This page might help you a bit: http://tvjones.com/pickups/...

If you decide to go SuperTron and want to get fancy, Tavo split a SuperTron with a blender pot so he can split it gradually. Raves about it.

I just took another gander at that link, since the last time I was there.

Not much help at all. Everything is bridge pickup (why is everyone so bloody fascinated with that thing, to the exclusion of any other???), and still the same poorly recorded "samples".

To the original poster, try searching around uTube, there are many much better recorded demos by ordinary people.

A blender pot you say? Sort of like.......I don't know.....the RIC blender?

Everything is bridge pickup (why is everyone so bloody fascinated with that thing, to the exclusion of any other???) -- Joe Hi-LoTron

Good question. I'm a neck man, myself. Occasionally I'll take the middle position. I only use the bridge to cross Green River (double entendre intended, but also true).

Paul/FF909

i just did a 5122 and a 5120 i know fancy pickups are cool and all but i went with regular filtertrons saved a ton of money and the sound is amazing

i just did a 5122 and a 5120 i know fancy pickups are cool and all but i went with regular filtertrons saved a ton of money and the sound is amazing

That's great that the std. Filtertrons make you happy....I've heard many say that they don't hear much, if any difference...and some even say that they sound better.

But, I've A/B'd my G5120 side by side with a G6120 RHH with TV Classic's....and I KNOW that the TV's will give me a sound I love.....my dilemma is that I now think I may like to try the Supertrons....since I know that in the near future I will be purchasing some sort of ProLine with (probably) filtertrons. What I don't want to end up with, tho, is a guitar with "too hot" of a pickup....so I am trying to decide if the reportedly slightly fatter sound of the Supertron will come with the negative (for me) of a "too hot" pickup. (For example, I have a Gibson with 496 and 500 pickups....and it rarely gets play time, mostly because the pickups are way too hot for my playing style. It would make a GREAT "metal" guitar....and I don't want a "metal" Gretsch )

Long and short...great that you like your Filtertrons....but for an extra few bucks...I want TV's!

So, I've gone direct to the source and asked my question of TV himself. According to Tauna, I should hear back from him in a few days!!!!

What I don't want to end up with, tho, is a guitar with "too hot" of a pickup....so I am trying to decide if the reportedly slightly fatter sound of the Supertron will come with the negative (for me) of a "too hot" pickup. --toddfan

I do not get a "too hot" experience with the Supertrons, versus either Filters or TV Jones Classics.

I did get "too hot" (for me) from the Powertrons, though.

My feeling on standard Filtertrons vs. TV Classics is that the TVs provide that last 5%-10% of brilliance and "better". It's not a huge difference; but, as in all fields of endeavor, the final 5%-10% in the pursuit of excellence is the hardest to get.

Paul/FF909

Here is a sound clip I did with my Corvette loaded with a Supertron in the Neck and a Magatron in the bridge. Running through a Mustang II with the 65 Deluxe Reverb. Reverb/Trem.

Both pups engaged.

https://www.box.com/s/crqhu...

The super when cranked up can make your box SCREAM! But when at parlor room levels, it has a deep bass, clean punch.

What I recommend is that if you are looking for the twang on the bridge side but want something smooth to really add to it, I'd go for a Super in the neck and either a classic or classic plus in the bridge. If you think the Super might be too overpowering do what I did with my Pro-Line Tennessee Special: Powertron in the neck, Classic in the bridge.

Also listen to Brian Setzer's Ignition album. He plays a lot with his black Hot Rod Gretsch that has a Supertron in the neck.

do supers still give decent twang?

I am not sure on the bridge side.

Today, I heard back from TV Jones (via Tauna) and he recommended for the type of playing I do, and the type of equipment I play through, that I go with the TV Classics......(not to mention I had the luxury of actually hearing them played through my amplifier via my son's RHH).

So, I pulled the trigger on a set.....the only hard part now will be waiting....Tauna told me she thinks they are out of the silver pickup ring covers and may not have them until JULY!!!! AaarrRRrrGGGGhhhh!

I must say that throughout my consternation over this decision, Tauna and TV have been very helpful....I must have exchanged eight to twelve emails with them....and they were always very prompt and very, very helpful!

Its nice to be able to "do business" with people who are real and are known to you on a personal level (I met them both at the Cowtown Roundup). I feel good not only about the Great pickups that will soon be in my G5120, but also about the Great Folks I got to purchase them from!

Sounds great, and sounds like how TV usually works. Can't ask for a nicer guy to do business with.

We had a nice chat at the Cowtown Round Up too. Told him that my first set of Classics had the "plain" covers, no PAF/TV Jones on them, and that I still have them.

He stated that those are really "old", back around 99/10 with a grin. We both howled when I said that I'm lucky...................I've got myself a set of "Vintage Jones".

You'll love those Classics

I had the Classic/Classic Plus combo in my old 5120 and absolutely loved it, and then got my old RHH with Classics and LOVED that, too. I think, quite honestly, whichever TV Jones pups you get, you're gonna love 'em. Great guy, great product. Hell, a few years ago I was wandering around at the Dallas Guitar Show and ended up bumping into TV himself, and we started talking. He had a Classic/Classic Plus combo on sale that I lamented missing out on since I didn't have my checkbook on me. TV was (and I still can't believe this) nice enough to sell me the set with the agreement that I mail him the check the following Monday. Really, a great guy, and one helluva pickup winder.