woooya, a zombie thread from 2016!!!
T-armonds sound like really delicious vintage T-armonds just a tad bit more dynamic, very little if any microphony. The physical structure of the Tarmonds using bobbin material in the mechanics of the pickup slugs moving up and down differ than the original and the magnets are not as long w a slight bit more diameter.
As a kid I grew up playing original DeArmonds, they are in my blood. I'm a fan of these tvjones T-armonds and spec them in my own builds.
here's an original from a vintage starfire
reissue below Dyna
And the lovely construction of the Tvjones T-armond.. rocks n rolls as well at chetty n georgey all day long
TV Jones T-Armond, Analysis and Review
- Thread starter Antigua
- Start date
From everything I have read and listened to (I do own a set of T-Armonds, but never a set of Dynasonics to directly compare them in person):
The T-Armonds are VERY much like Dynas. The are built and function the same (altho nothing is exact). They have a bit more low end and less mids than the Seymour Duncan custom shop versions. Really, the biggest differences I have heard people note between the two are: (and they are SUBTLE differences):
TVJs are a tad more "hi-fi" sounding (less mids)
TVJs seem to "work better with dirt pedals" for some reason. I can verify that while I love them clean, adding a dirt pedal to a TVJ T-Armond was never a favorite tone for me.
If I had a guitar that took traditional-sized Dynasonics, I would likely get the SD versions, but I love mids. I have the Filtertron-sized TVJ Versions, because that is the only versions that fits into my Cabronita Thinline, and I love them.
The T-Armonds are VERY much like Dynas. The are built and function the same (altho nothing is exact). They have a bit more low end and less mids than the Seymour Duncan custom shop versions. Really, the biggest differences I have heard people note between the two are: (and they are SUBTLE differences):
TVJs are a tad more "hi-fi" sounding (less mids)
TVJs seem to "work better with dirt pedals" for some reason. I can verify that while I love them clean, adding a dirt pedal to a TVJ T-Armond was never a favorite tone for me.
If I had a guitar that took traditional-sized Dynasonics, I would likely get the SD versions, but I love mids. I have the Filtertron-sized TVJ Versions, because that is the only versions that fits into my Cabronita Thinline, and I love them.
Bertotti
Gretschified
Every time this thread comes up I want a set. And this post doesn't help me ignore them at all! I already spent more than I should have on gear this year now I am going to have to sell a kidney and a leg!woooya, a zombie thread from 2016!!!
T-armonds sound like really delicious vintage T-armonds just a tad bit more dynamic, very little if any microphony. The physical structure of the Tarmonds using bobbin material in the mechanics of the pickup slugs moving up and down differ than the original and the magnets are not as long w a slight bit more diameter.
As a kid I grew up playing original DeArmonds, they are in my blood. I'm a fan of these tvjones T-armonds and spec them in my own builds.
here's an original from a vintage starfire
reissue below Dyna
And the lovely construction of the Tvjones T-armond.. rocks n rolls as well at chetty n georgey all day long
woooya, a zombie thread from 2016!!!
Thank you for the pictures and info! Then what you are saying is, that the magnent 'holders' are plastic in the TV Jones model?, instead of brass or metal, among other things.
ruger9,
Good to hear that info from you. I do also like that TV Jones says they will mount right up to my G-Club, no fitting or modifications required.. well, besides some soldering, but that's ok.
Sounds like they don't have to be made exactly like the originals to sound similar?
Good to hear that info from you. I do also like that TV Jones says they will mount right up to my G-Club, no fitting or modifications required.. well, besides some soldering, but that's ok.
Sounds like they don't have to be made exactly like the originals to sound similar?
I think you are reading into that too much- they ARE made VERY MUCH like the originals. Yes, there are minor differences, but what matters: the pole magnets (and magnet type), the elevator mechanisms functioning, and how they are wound- make them 95% like old Dynasonics. I don't mention coil size, because while that does make a slight difference, there's nothing that can be done about that, since you have to buy the same version your guitar has (meaning top-mounted/original size or drop-in/Filtertron size.).
TVJ has made a business out of bringing back the classic designs, his T-Armonds ARE Dynasonics, that can now be experienced by a wider range of players thanks to his different sizes/mounting options.
All Thumbs
Gretschie
You'll still have a kidney and a leg!
I have only one experience about DynaSonic and T-Armond pickups, so it's probably not representative - at least for the DynaSonics !
I bought a pair of used DynaSonic originally for my Silver Zepp' guitar project, and I installed these pickup for a test in that guitar before modifying / refinishing it, to hear that famous DynaSonic tone, so prized by many for its Thump / Twang, etc...
I tried everything : closer / further , magnets in / out, pot value changes from 250KA to 1MA, etc... No way : weak, dull, ordinary tone - Nothing to do with what is described about these pickups. Surprising, confusing, disappointing.
Then I bought a cheap set of 3 Frankentone Lil'Chester pickups (for 143 euros delivered, including shipment and Custom taxes) and installed them in place for test, and it's still them, now thar the guitar is finished - no comparison...
What about the DynaSonics ? I finally installed them on a little project evolved from a mere Harley-Benton MS60-LH :
After moults tests and setups, I came to this in order to achieve a balanced tone between the pickups :
But no matter : those DynaSonics shows still the same ordinary sound character... Puzzling !
Then I decided to buy a pair of T-Armonds for my 2nd Gretsch G5220TLH "Custom Jet" :
Again, no comparison... Those T-Armonds have the expected Twang / Thump / etc... That I was originally waiting from the Dynasonics. However, these later ones stays totally unrecognizable compared to the other two, whether FrankenTone or T-Armonds !
I know, my deceptive experience related here seems unbelievable, but is nonetheless and unfortunately true...
Needless to say that in the future, if I want That Great Gretsch DynaSonic Sound, I will choose... TV Jones T-Armonds ! 
A+!
I bought a pair of used DynaSonic originally for my Silver Zepp' guitar project, and I installed these pickup for a test in that guitar before modifying / refinishing it, to hear that famous DynaSonic tone, so prized by many for its Thump / Twang, etc...
I tried everything : closer / further , magnets in / out, pot value changes from 250KA to 1MA, etc... No way : weak, dull, ordinary tone - Nothing to do with what is described about these pickups. Surprising, confusing, disappointing.
Then I bought a cheap set of 3 Frankentone Lil'Chester pickups (for 143 euros delivered, including shipment and Custom taxes) and installed them in place for test, and it's still them, now thar the guitar is finished - no comparison...
What about the DynaSonics ? I finally installed them on a little project evolved from a mere Harley-Benton MS60-LH :
After moults tests and setups, I came to this in order to achieve a balanced tone between the pickups :
But no matter : those DynaSonics shows still the same ordinary sound character... Puzzling !
Then I decided to buy a pair of T-Armonds for my 2nd Gretsch G5220TLH "Custom Jet" :
Again, no comparison... Those T-Armonds have the expected Twang / Thump / etc... That I was originally waiting from the Dynasonics. However, these later ones stays totally unrecognizable compared to the other two, whether FrankenTone or T-Armonds !
I know, my deceptive experience related here seems unbelievable, but is nonetheless and unfortunately true...
Needless to say that in the future, if I want That Great Gretsch DynaSonic Sound, I will choose... TV Jones T-Armonds !
A+!
They are, I had them in a big hollowbody. No clue how close, if at all, they sound to dynas, but they are really good sounding pickups.
I have only one experience about DynaSonic and T-Armond pickups, so it's probably not representative - at least for the DynaSonics !
I bought a pair of used DynaSonic originally for my Silver Zepp' guitar project, and I installed these pickup for a test in that guitar before modifying / refinishing it, to hear that famous DynaSonic tone, so prized by many for its Thump / Twang, etc...
View attachment 204387
I tried everything : closer / further , magnets in / out, pot value changes from 250KA to 1MA, etc... No way : weak, dull, ordinary tone - Nothing to do with what is described about these pickups. Surprising, confusing, disappointing.
Then I bought a cheap set of 3 Frankentone Lil'Chester pickups (for 143 euros delivered, including shipment and Custom taxes) and installed them in place for test, and it's still them, now thar the guitar is finished - no comparison...
View attachment 204389 View attachment 204390
What about the DynaSonics ? I finally installed them on a little project evolved from a mere Harley-Benton MS60-LH :
View attachment 204394
After moults tests and setups, I came to this in order to achieve a balanced tone between the pickups :
View attachment 204396
But no matter : those DynaSonics shows still the same ordinary sound character... Puzzling !
Then I decided to buy a pair of T-Armonds for my 2nd Gretsch G5220TLH "Custom Jet" :
View attachment 204399
Again, no comparison... Those T-Armonds have the expected Twang / Thump / etc... That I was originally waiting from the Dynasonics. However, these later ones stays totally unrecognizable compared to the other two, whether FrankenTone or T-Armonds !
I know, my deceptive experience related here seems unbelievable, but is nonetheless and unfortunately true...
Needless to say that in the future, if I want That Great Gretsch DynaSonic Sound, I will choose... TV Jones T-Armonds !
A+!
GFS Surf 90s : certainly yes ! I put a pair of GFS P90 AlNiCo II on my Epi LPS project, and I'm very satisfied by the tone quality they offer :
A+!
Hmmm, always like the idea if a P90 Les Paul, that could be a cheap way of making it happen!
Sure @Byron - the Epiphone Les Paul TV Yellow "Inspired by Gibson" would be a prime justification at a very affordable cost... Here's mine (LH), bought 2nd hand :
A+!
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Any idea if the Tarmonds would drop in here easily?
there is a mounting video for this application for jets pre 2012 on tvjones site, to put standard filter sizes
Pre-2012 Pro Jet Replacement
tvjones.com
BUT, the soapbar T-armonds would probably drop right in w the wood adapters for the route.
