Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity Filter'Tron™ Bridge Pickup - Original Gretsch Mount
Some parts of history are so legendary that they never die. The original Filter'Tron, invented by Ray Butts and originally called the "Ful-Fidelity" in his technical journals is one of those things. These pickups are made according to Ray's personal notes, designs and Jones' extensive, multi-decade analysis of original Filter'Tron pickups. Butts was awarded one of the first patents for a hum-canceling guitar pickup (No. 2,892,371, June 30, 1959.)
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"This is the real deal...each offering includes all of the original design's bells and whistles...the vintage pole spacing, covers, original zinc-coated backplate used by Gretsch at that time - and more. In Ray's era, factory made guitar pickups were not wax saturated as they are now. These pickups will not be saturated in order to remain absolutely historically correct," said Jones. "I notice a more three-dimensional, open-air quality to the tone of a pickup that is not saturated in wax. Microphonic feedback is not a big issue with this design. To be clear though - I do find waxing necessary for higher-gain, "squeal-less" applications."
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Cover Options:
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Blank Cover - Late 1957-1958
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PAT. APPLIED FOR - 1959 - Early 1960
- U.S. PAT 2892371 - 1960 and onward
Tone/Characteristics
Tighter bass response and slightly more top end EQ than a TV Classic. Truly unique sparkle and dynamics provided by the lower output and absence of wax. If you want that unmistakable Great Gretsch Sound then these pickups are the way to go.
Output/Power
"We offer a lower 3.8K ohm version for the neck position, and a 4.2K ohm version for the bridge position. I have worked on many late 1950's Gretsch guitars with these ohm reading variations...most vintage Filter'trons float somewhere around 4.0k" - TV Jones.
DC Resistance is not entirely an indicator of true pickup output, although it can be helpful.
Bridge: DCR - 4.2k / Inductance - 1.7H
Neck: DCR - 3.8k / Inductance - 1.4H
Installation
The Pro Gretsch Mount is a direct drop-in replacement for any guitar with original sized Filter'Trons - with the vintage "tabs". This pickup comes with two pieces of compression rubber and 2 mounting (wood) screws. Note: Covers are not soldered to pickup.
Wiring Notes
This pickup is shipped with vintage spec 2-conductor wire.
Special Considerations
Gretsch Electromatics and Streamliner Guitars: This pickup does not fit in Electromatics, Streamliners, or any other guitars that suspend mount pickups. If there is a will there is a way, but it would take considerable modification to the instrument and pickup to do so.
Filter'tron Replacement: The Original Gretsch Mount is a direct drop in replacement for guitars with Vintage Filter'Trons, HS Filter'Trons, and will fit in almost any Professional Gretsch guitar that is made for Filter'Trons.
Humbucker Replacement: The Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity can not replace PAF style humbuckers because of the shape and mounting style. If you are looking for a close alternative then undipped TV Classics (meaning no wax) would be the closest thing in our line.
Check our our Guitar Modifications Section for more details on these unique guitars and more!
- Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity Bridge and Neck Videos and Demos -
