The classic Filter’Tron sound resides somewhere between a Gibson
ES-335 and a Fender Telecaster on the guitar tone spectrum. These
hum-canceling pickups were designed by Ray Butts in the mid-50s, with
input and direction from Chet Atkins for the Gretsch company. At that
time, Atkins was working on an improved version of his signature guitar
and voiced concerns about the noise produced by the single-coil pickups
in the earlier iterations of his guitars.
The Filter’Tron is
similar in its basic design to the Gibson humbucker. It utilizes two
coils to generate the output and cancels unwanted noise when the coils
are connected in series (Gretsch patent no. 2892371).
By the
early 60s, this combination quickly became the choice for Rockabilly
guitar players, and the sound of this pickup became the go-to sound for
George Harrison on many of the Beatles" early recordings.
DiMarzio’s
New’Tron is our modern take on a Filter’tron-style pickup and is a
direct size replacement. It is not a clone of a vintage Filter’Tron but
rather a modern twist, capturing the best characteristics of this
great guitar tone and enhancing them. The top-end response is dynamic
but not overly bright, with just the right amount of presence and
twang. The midrange has a unique growl and bite, especially when used
with digital modeling amps and distortion, and the low end is
consistently tight and punchy without becoming muddy. The New'Tron
Bridge is louder than the traditional Filter’Tron pickup and is
designed to balance with the New'Tron Neck, without losing any presence
or clarity. Altogether, the DiMarzio New’Tron Bridge is a versatile
pickup perfect for anything from clear, chiming cleans to a snarling
Rockabilly edge.
The New'Tron Bridge includes optional mounting hardware for humbucker mounting applications. (see second image)
Here are some of the differences when comparing the traditional Filter’Tron to its Gibson counterpart from the same period:
- Lower output and DC resistance
- Narrower spacing between the coil pole pieces, which gives it a brighter, twangy characteristic
- A Filter’Tron uses two rows of adjustable poles, whereas the Gibson uses one row of adjustable poles and one row of studs
With
its lower output, the Filter’Tron produces less distortion than a
humbucker pickup. The narrower magnetic field window samples a smaller
segment of the string, naturally reducing the low-frequency information
in the generated signal.
Recommended For: Bridge
Quick Connect: Yes
Wiring: 4 Conductor
Magnet: Alnico 5
Resistance: 8.20 Kohm
Year of Introduction: 2024
Filter'Tron and Gretsch are registered trademarks of Gretsch Guitars, with which DiMarzio, Inc. is not affiliated.
Gibson is a registered trademark of Gibson Brands, Inc., with which DiMarzio, Inc. is not affiliated.
Fender
and Telecaster are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments
Corp., with which DiMarzio, Inc. is not affiliated.
