Gretsch BT65A Broadtrons vs Powertrons?

[Stefan87]

I have been looking at the 6228 a bit lately as the broadtrons really interest me and if I was to ever buy another jet then it would be one of these as I think they would do great for the type of music that I'm in to, and I have also been considering the idea of putting powertrons in my penguin.

It got me thinking though seeing as both the powertrons and the broadtrons have been described as filtertons version of a PAF pick up so to speak, how different are these two pick ups? Are they far enough apart to be different or are the broadtrons just gretsch's version of TVJ's powerton?

Would love to hear from those of you who have played/owned jets with both style pickups in them as to how they compare to each other?

Truth be told if the 6228 came in a silver finish (not sparkle) then I probably look at selling my 5230 for one, a caddy green would be nice too though.

 

[Merc]

I absolutely love the BT65A in my 6228. They offer a lot more power like a PAF. However they seem to retain clarity and a bit of the FilterTron sparkle to my ears. I sort of get annoyed when I hear people knock down these pickups. Mainly due to a probability that most likely haven’t even played them.

I know @TSims1 has a 6228. He’s owned enough Gretsch’s he might’ve had one with PowerTrons at one time. But I’m throwing this out there as a guess that he may have. And if so, I have no idea how busy he is right now.

 

[Stefan87]

I absolutely love the BT65A in my 6228. They offer a lot more power like a PAF. However they seem to retain clarity and a bit of the FilterTron sparkle to my ears. I sort of get annoyed when I hear people knock down these pickups. Mainly due to a probability that most likely haven’t even played them.

I know @TSims1 has a 6228. He’s owned enough Gretsch’s he might’ve had one with PowerTrons at one time. But I’m throwing this out there as a guess that he may have. And if so, I have no idea how busy he is right now.

Yeah I don't understand why people would knock these pick ups, personally everything I have heard via sound clips, which as we know only gives an indication of the sound, is gretschy enough from me and sounds great including Tony's demo of his 6228 he did not so long ago, people love powertrons so why not broadtrons as well.

I'd just like to hear a comparison so there is some form of guide as powertrons have been around for awhile and have been heard quite a bit.

 

[Anacharsis]

I have played both, and I like both. I think they're pretty different. To me, the Broad'Trons sound like kind of moderate output PAFs (meaning considerably higher than a typical Filter'Tron) with a dash of Gretsch-iness in the upper mids and top end. It's been a while since I played the Power'Trons, and I am considering them for a guitar I have, so I called a buddy who I know uses them. To both of our ears, the Power'Trons (and especially the Power'Tron Plus) are more of an angry Gretsch - fatter and louder, but still very much a Filter'Tron.

So they have some connection, but they come at it from being anchored on opposite sides of the PAF - Filter'Tron equation.

And they both sound very good to my ears.

 

[YouFellowRebels]

Interested in the differences also, as I’ve heard the BT65 most resembles that TVJ pickup

 

[Stefan87]

I have played both, and I like both. I think they're pretty different. To me, the Broad'Trons sound like kind of moderate output PAFs (meaning considerably higher than a typical Filter'Tron) with a dash of Gretsch-iness in the upper mids and top end. It's been a while since I played the Power'Trons, and I am considering them for a guitar I have, so I called a buddy who I know uses them. To both of our ears, the Power'Trons (and especially the Power'Tron Plus) are more of an angry Gretsch - fatter and louder, but still very much a Filter'Tron.

So they have some connection, but they come at it from being anchored on opposite sides of the PAF - Filter'Tron equation.

And they both sound very good to my ears.

Ok cool, so based on what you are saying, I am hearing that to simplify it the BT65 is a PAF wanting to be a filtertron and the powertron is a filtertron wanting to be a PAF.
So it would be justifiable to have/want both .

 

[YouFellowRebels]

I’m no Gretsch pro, so anybody feel free to correct things. I’ve had the G5220 for a couple months now, and feel safe to say it’s the Gretsch pull to get some Les Paul customers to cross over. I just last week put in a set of BT65 pickups. I’ve owned several PAF style Les Paul guitars as currently own one with P90s. I’d say that the BT65 is powerful, and driving. It can easily push the amp, though has a great touch sensitivity to it. It doesn’t seem as punchy/boomy as a PAF to me. It definitely sounds different and what I perceive Gretschy. I think they both have a unique compression to them. That’s where the BT65 reminds me of a Gretsch, and sounds closer to my Ric than my Gibson’s. There’s an openness to the highs in the BT65 that a PAF doesn’t have to me. Both great, just different! My two cents.

 

[Anacharsis]

Ok cool, so based on what you are saying, I am hearing that to simplify it the BT65 is a PAF wanting to be a filtertron and the powertron is a filtertron wanting to be a PAF.
So it would be justifiable to have/want both .

I agree with your last sentence 100%, and on balance with the entire post, yes.

 

[Tele295]

I got my 5220 in the mail today, and I really like these pickups. They are so far removed from a PAF, it isn’t funny. They kind of remind me of a hotter version of a Hilo’tron.

 

[JPHster]

I’m no Gretsch pro, so anybody feel free to correct things. I’ve had the G5220 for a couple months now, and feel safe to say it’s the Gretsch pull to get some Les Paul customers to cross over. I just last week put in a set of BT65 pickups. I’ve owned several PAF style Les Paul guitars as currently own one with P90s. I’d say that the BT65 is powerful, and driving. It can easily push the amp, though has a great touch sensitivity to it. It doesn’t seem as punchy/boomy as a PAF to me. It definitely sounds different and what I perceive Gretschy. I think they both have a unique compression to them. That’s where the BT65 reminds me of a Gretsch, and sounds closer to my Ric than my Gibson’s. There’s an openness to the highs in the BT65 that a PAF doesn’t have to me. Both great, just different! My two cents.

Where did you get bt65’s for your g5220? I want to do the same! Why do you switch? What did you not like about the standard blacktop Broadtrons in the g5220?

Thanks