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Black Cat Filtertron®


Handwound Filtertron® Style Pickups - Made in Manchester

After looking at modern variants of the old Filtertron style pickups, and wanting to design my own range of Gibson/Humbucker & Gretsch/Cabronita sized Filtertron® style pickups, I came up with these - introducing the Black Cat - True Specification Filtertron® design pickups. Custom, Handwound 'Black Cat' Pickups from The Creamery.

Use the tabs below to view the full range of Creamery Handwound Replacement Black Cat Filtertron Pickups

Or check Creamery Custom Black Cat Pickups Shop for prices.

Classic 'Black Cat' - PAF Size

Classic 'Black Cat' - PAF Size

The Classic Bright, attacking filtertron design. Direct drop-in replacement.

See Below

Classic 'Black Cat' - No Ears

Classic 'Black Cat' - No Ears

The Classic Bright, attacking filtertron design. Direct drop-in replacement.

See Below

Classic 'Black Cat' - Hot

Classic 'Black Cat' - Hot

Hotter, overwound, attacking filtertron design. Direct drop-in replacement.

See Below

Black Cat "Spaghetti Western"

Black Cat "Spaghetti Western"

Bright, Wiry, Crunchy Gretsch / Cabronita Size Pickup with individual threaded M4 Magnets.

See Below

'Super' Black Cat Pickups

'Super' Black Cat Pickups

The Classic Bright, attacking filtertron design with plated steel blades. Direct drop-in replacement.

See Below

"HiLo" '60 - No Ears/Lugs

"HiLo" '60 - No Ears/Lugs

Single Coil Sound based on the old Gretsch HiLo'Tron® Pickups from mid 1960.

See Below

Black Cat - Replacement Filtertron® Style Pickups

Creamery Custom Handwound Replacement Filterton Pickups & Upgrades

Creamery Custom Handwound Black Cat Replacement Filtertron Style Pickups

Creamery Vintage, Modern, Custom & Alternative Gretsch/Filtertron design Pickups - Both Gibson/PAF Humbucker Size & the slightly narrower Gretsch®/Cabronita 'No Ears' Mount

One of my favourite pickup designs and a range I spent a long time perfecting. The bright yet powerful & attacking Filtertron® design pickup used in many classic Gretsch guitars in both a standard 'No Ears' mount and a direct drop-in replacement for standard Gibson / PAF Humbucker size pickups - Giving you that sparkle, growl, crunch & attack you only get with the true Filtertron® (internal) design.

A reduced number of offset winds on each coil provide a rich, clear, rockabilly sound - Punch, Crunch & Attack. The stronger Alnico 5 magnets help keep great attack due to their thicker 1/4" height, boosting the output of the lower windings on each coil to balance great 'boom' & punch, volume & clarity, definition and that attacking brightness unique to this design.

A rich, snarly bridge sound with that classic sweet attacking presence in the neck position - Known for pure Rockabilly/Psychobilly sounds, they're actualy a very versatile pickup for those looking for something a little different, a little alternative to traditional humbucker sounds. Don't be fooled by the seemingly lower output, Black Cat Filtertrons can really push.

A real spank & twang and growl to these Creamery replacement Filtertron® design pickups.

Handwound in my workshop here in Manchester - Custom, Handwound Gibson/PAF Humbucker Sized or Gretsch®/La Cabronita size true specification Replacement Filtertron® Design Pickups from The Creamery.

For prices, just head straight to the online Creamery Custom Black Cat Pickups Shop.

Handwound in my workshop here in Manchester

Use the tab menu below to view the full range of Creamery Replacement Black Cat Filtertron Pickups

 


  • Gibson / Humbucker Sized Filtertron® Style Pickups

     

    Classic Black Cat

    Creamery Handwound Humbucker Sized Filtertron Style Pickups - Classic Black Cat Pickup

    Magnets Double Thickness (1/4") Alnico 5
    Coil Wire 42AWG
    Lead Wire Simple Three-Way
    Bridge Output 4.6k
    Neck Output 4.1k

    Creamery Custom Guitars and Handwound Pickups - Made in Manchester - Video Demo Creamery Custom Guitars and Handwound Pickups - Made in Manchester - Audio Demo

    The Classic Fitertron Bite & Sizzle


    Filtertron Style Design in a standard Gibson / Humbucker Size

    Currently, the brightest pickup in the whole Creamery range. The Humbucker sized Filtertron style bridge pickup is Jangly & bright, but designed to break up the amp at gain for a biting attack.

    My modern interpretation of the old classic Filtertron pickups of yesteryear in a standard humbucker size. 12 Pole screws for individual string balance give you the option to follow your neck radius and define your own tone.

    The Neck pickup has a sweeter voice due to its position but still with the brightness needed from this kind of pickup.

     

    > Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Black Cat Filtertron Pickup Upgrades

     

    Gibson / Humbucker Sized Filtertron® Style Pickups

     

    Hot Black Cat

    Creamery Handwound Humbucker Sized Filtertron Style Pickups - Hot Black Cat Pickup

    Magnets Double Thickness (1/4") Alnico 5
    Coil Wire 42AWG
    Lead Wire Simple Three-Way
    Bridge Output 7.3
    Neck Output 6.4k

    Hotter Fitertron Bite & Sizzle


    Higher Output Filtertron Style Design in a standard Gibson / Humbucker Size

    A hotter, overwound version of the original Black Cat pickup. Still with the classic bright tone but with an added fatness with more in the mids. A fuller tone, almost humbucker-like but with that twang unique to this design of pickup.

    My hotter interpretation of the old classic Filtertron pickups of yesteryear in a standard humbucker size. 12 Pole screws for individual string balance give you the option to follow your neck radius and define your own tone.

    The Neck pickup has a sweeter voice due to its position but still with the brightness needed from this kind of pickup.

     

    > Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Black Cat Filtertron Pickup Upgrades

     

    Gibson / Humbucker Sized Filtertron® Style Pickups

     

    'Super' Black Cat

    Creamery Handwound Gibson PAF Humbucker Sized Filtertron Style Pickups - Super Black Cat Pickup

    Magnets Double Thickness (1/4") Alnico 5
    Coil Wire 42AWG
    Lead Wire Simple Three-Way
    Bridge Output 6.3
    Neck Output 5.4k

    Hotter Fitertron Bite & Sizzle


    Higher Output Filtertron Style Design in a standard Gibson / Humbucker Size

    After looking at modern variants of the old Filtertron® style pickups, and wanting to replicate the original twang & growl of the original '50s versions, I came up with these - introducing the Black Cat Filtertron® design pickups - Back to the original specifications for that brighter, attacking rock, rockabilly & blues sounds.

    A reduced number of offset winds on each coil provide the extra richness. The much thicker Alnico 5 magnet helps keep the attack but being stronger due to their 1/4" height, the magnet boosts the output of the lower windings on each coil to give great volume & brightness. A real spank & twang to these Creamery Classic Black Cat Filtertron® stye pickups.

    'Super' Black Cat Dual Blade Version

    The 'Super' Black Cat is similar to my Classic Black Cat with the exception of dual plated steel blades taller than the usual pole screws. This helps to give a more even string balance, especially with string bending, and a slightly fuller, slightly warmer sound. Aesheticaly it looks a completely different design.

    The Black Cat bridge is full yet jangly, attacking, powerful & bright, designed to break up the amp at gain for great bite, great growl to the sound. Don't let the lower output reading fool you, these are no tame pickups.

    The Black Cat Neck pickup has a warmer, sweeter voice due to its position but still with the attack & brightness you'd expect from the classic Filtertron® design. It keeps great clarity & definition in the naturally darker neck position.

    'Super' Black Cat Filtertron® Style Pickup - standard Gibson/PAF Humbucker Size - Direct Drop-In Replacement

    These are a direct drop-in replacement for standard humbuckers and are available in regular 2-hole/screw mount or th emodern Fender 3-hole/screw mount.

     

    > Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Black Cat Filtertron Pickup Upgrades

     


  • Gretsch®/Cabronita Size Filtertron® Style Pickups

     

    Classic Black Cat - 'No Ears' Mount

    Creamery Handwound Filtertron Style Pickups - Classic Black Cat Pickup No Ears Mount

    Magnets Double Thickness (1/4") Alnico 5
    Coil Wire 42AWG
    Lead Wire Simple Three-Way
    Bridge Output 4.65k
    Neck Output 4.1k

    The Classic Fitertron Bite & Sizzle


    Filtertron Style Design in a standard Gretsch®/Cabronita Size

    After looking at modern variants of the old Filtertron® style pickups, and wanting to replicate the original twang & growl of the original '50s versions, I came up with these - introducing the Black Cat 'No Ears' Mount Filtertron® style pickups - True to the original specifications for that brighter, attacking rock, rockabilly & blues sound.

    A reduced number of offset winds on each coil provide the extra brightness. The much thicker Alnico 5 magnet helps keep the attack but being stronger due to their 1/4" height, the magnet boosts the output of the lower windings on each coil to give great volume & brightness. A real spank & twang to these Creamery Classic Black Cat Filtertron® stye pickups.

    Currently, the brightest humbucker pickup in the whole Creamery range. The Black Cat bridge pickup is jangly, attacking, powerful & bright, designed to break up the amp at gain for good bite. 12 Pole screws for dialling in individual string balance give you the option to follow your neck radius and define your own sound.

    The Black Cat Neck pickup has a sweeter voice due to its position but still with the attack & brightness you'd expect from the classic Filtertron® design.

    Black Cat Filtertron® Style Pickup - 'No Ears' Mount - Direct Drop-In Replacement

    These are a direct drop-in replacement for the standard 'No Ears' mount Gretsch & Cabronita pickups.

    Currently available with chrome covers included with the option of choice of wax potted or not potted.

     

    > Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Black Cat Filtertron Pickup Upgrades

     

    Gretsch®/Cabronita Size Filtertron® Style Pickups

     

    'Super' Black Cat - 'No Ears' Mount

    Creamery Handwound Filtertron Style Pickups - Super Black Cat Pickup No Ears Mount

    Magnets Double Thickness (1/4") Alnico 5
    Coil Wire 42AWG
    Lead Wire Simple Three-Way
    Bridge Output 4.65k
    Neck Output 4.1k

    Tighter, Focussed Fitertron Bite & Sizzle


    The Twin Blade Filtertron Design in a standard Gretsch®/Cabronita Size

    After looking at modern variants of the old Filtertron® style pickups, and wanting to replicate the original twang & growl of the original '50s versions, I came up with these - introducing the Black Cat Filtertron® design pickups - Back to the original specifications for that brighter, attacking rock, rockabilly & blues sounds.

    A reduced number of offset winds on each coil provide the extra richness. The much thicker Alnico 5 magnet helps keep the attack but being stronger due to their 1/4" height, the magnet boosts the output of the lower windings on each coil to give great volume & brightness. A real spank & twang to these Creamery Classic Black Cat Filtertron® stye pickups.

    'Super' Black Cat Dual Blade Version

    The 'Super' Black Cat is similar to my Classic Black Cat with the exception of dual plated steel blades taller than the usual pole screws. This helps to give a more even string balance, especially with string bending, and a slightly fuller, slightly warmer sound. Aesheticaly it looks a completely different design.

    The Black Cat bridge is full yet jangly, attacking, powerful & bright, designed to break up the amp at gain for great bite, great growl to the sound. Don't let the lower output reading fool you, these are no tame pickups.

    The Black Cat Neck pickup has a warmer, sweeter voice due to its position but still with the attack & brightness you'd expect from the classic Filtertron® design. It keeps great clarity & definition in the naturally darker neck position.

    'Super' Black Cat Filtertron® Style Pickup - standard Gretsch®/Cabronita Size - Direct Drop-In Replacement

    These are a direct drop-in replacement for the standard 'No Ears' mount Gretsch & Cabronita pickups.

    Currently available with chrome covers included with the option of choice of wax potted or not potted.

     

    > Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Black Cat Filtertron Pickup Upgrades

     


    Gretsch®/Cabronita Size Filtertron® Style Pickups

     

    Classic Black Cat 'Spaghetti Western'

    Creamery Handwound Filtertron Style Pickups - Classic Black Cat Pickup No Ears Mount

    Magnets Custom Made, Individual Threaded M4 Alnico Screws
    Coil Wire 42AWG
    Lead Wire Simple Three-Way
    Bridge Output 4.9k
    Neck Output 4.2k

    Tight, Wiry, Cutting Filtertron Sounds


    Creamery Black Cat "Spaghetti Western" Pickup - No Ears Mount

    I wanted to design a new type of Filtertron looking pickup, still with the same bright attack but with a lower output for a more wiry, more brittle, more 'steel string' sound and after many, many prototypes they're here - introducing the Black Cat 'Spaghetti Western' pickups for Gretsch & Cabronita style guitars.

    I didn't want to just make slight modifications to the classic Filtertron spec, wanting to make something a little different, a little more unique. The idea of having 12 individual, adjustable magnets would allow you the 'dial in' each string, akin to each string having its own EQ, and unlike the classic Filterton design, I wanted much more clarity, much more definition.

    Custom Manufactured, Individual Threaded & Adjustible M4 Magnetic Screws

    The geometry of the slimmer 'No Ears' mount Filtertron size & style meant a new approach had to be taken with the magents. The usual threaded magnets I have made for me Wide Range Humbuckers and Sonic-Six pickups were just too fat, too wide a diameter so I've had a new custom size threaded rod magnet manufactured uniwue to this new pickup design.

    Individual Threaded Magnets

    The Individual threaded magnets and custom, offset coils help give the new 'Spaghetti Western' pickups a unique wiry, attacking, brittle bridge sound that really cuts through the mix without being too bright or shrill, a clear, crunchy middle position and a sweet, rich, defined neck sound.

    Black Cat 'Spaghetti Western' Pickup - 'No Ears' Mount - Direct Drop-In Replacement

    These are a direct drop-in replacement for the standard 'No Ears' mount Gretsch & Cabronita pickups.

    Currently available with chrome covers included with the option of choice of wax potted or not potted.

     

    > Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Black Cat Filtertron Pickup Upgrades

     


  • Gretsch®/Cabronita Size Filtertron® Single Coils

     

    "HiLo" '60 No Ears Mount

    Creamery Handwound Humbucker Sized Filtertron Style Pickups - Black Cat HiLo '60 Pickup - No Ears Mount

    Magnets Double Thickness (1/4") Alnico 5
    Coil Wire 43AWG
    Lead Wire Simple Three-Way
    Bridge Output 4.3k
    Neck Output 3.4k

    Bright, Single Coil Sounds


    Black Cat "HiLo" '60 Pickup - No Ears Mount

    I wanted to recreate the old classic Gretsch HiLo'Tron® Pickup of the early '60s - That bright, single coil pickup in a standard Gretsch® 'No Ears' mount size just to get those great clear, rockabilly sounds with bite, with twang that really cut through the mix. A totally unique single coil sound with a little more mid-range due to the thinner coil wire and Tele-like twang due to the use of large internal ferrous plate.

    Crisp, clear with single coil definition its essentially 'half a Filtertron' design - one coil rather than two but with a thick bar magnet, sideways mounted to an angled steel plate that holds the coil and six adjustable plated steel pole piece screws.

    Although the Black Cat "HiLo" '60 is a single coil, it has its own unique sound, unlike the traditional Strat single coil pickup - It has more of the brittle bite of the Tele bridge with rockabilly twang mixed with a slightly sweeter high-frequency roll off, a little more mid-range than the output reading would suggest due to its use of thinner coil wire.

    These are a direct drop-in replacement for the standard 'No Ears' mount Gretsch & Cabronita pickups.

    Currently available with chrome covers included with the option of choice of wax potted or not potted.

     

    > Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Black Cat Filtertron Pickup Upgrades

     


  • Creamery Black Cat Filtertron Reviews

     

    Creamery Custom Replacement Black Cat Filtertron Design Pickups - Reviews

    Thanks for the great feedback

    Its great when I get positive feedback from customers, and good reviews & word-of-mouth really help the custom shop maker so with this in mind, I've created this page of reviews.


    All the comments below were either emailed to me or posted to my Twitter, Facebook, Youtube or Instagram pages.

    Have a read through what others are saying about my replacement Black Cat Filtertron Pickups and get in touch if you'd like me to custom make some pickups for you. I don't have pickups all boxed up ready to send out, each order is custom made which means I can modify the specifications to suit you, your playing and your guitar.

    It really means a lot


    Hi mate, all good, they sound just a lot more chunky and a lot more tone. Happy camp! Just on tour now, Newcastle tonight. Freezin!

    The Courteeners - Custom Black Cat 'No Ears' Set

    Just dropped them in. They sound GREAT - loads of jangle, very shiny, just what I was looking for. Very pleased. Thanks again!

    Pete Janner - Black Cat Set

    Everybody that has heard it have been so impressed and agrees we have created the sound I wanted. My biggest high is John O'Malley giving it the thumbs up, and saying he prefers this sound to his Tele, cool hu?

    Colin Larke - Vintage 2 Tele Bridge, Black Cat Neck

    I ordered some overwound Blackcat pickups from you a few months back and it's an understatement to say that I'm very happy with them. They've made a 'project' guitar into an all-time favorite.

    Jamie Parfitt - Classic Black Cat Set

    I’ve now got both pickups installed, one in a LP junior and the other in a custom made Cabronita Tele and they both sound very good indeed! Thank you.

    Keith Marwick - P90 Dogear Bridge, Classic Black Cat Bridge

    Great pick up, thanks again Jaime

    Alec Johnson - Black Cat Neck

    Hi Jaime, Pickup received and fitted. Very happy!

    Alec Johnson - Black Cat Bridge

    Sounds really good!

    Alan D'alvarez - Black Cat Neck

    Hey Jaime just got the guitar back from the shop, and the pickups so d fantastic! Really great work

    Zach Day - Black Cat Set

    Hi Jaime, Just installed my Black Cat Classic regular humbucker size filtertron set - love them, really very nice pickups.

    Steve Ball - Black Cat Set

    Hi Jaime, Got the guitar back a few days ago and it's had some use, so here's my thoughts. It's a completely different animal with the new pickups in! The McCarty's it had in before were very bland, very polite, and the tone control did nothing really. With the upgraded pots the tonal variation is brilliant. I rarely play anything clean, but the cleans are fantastic. The bridge pickup is capable of a real jangly, 60's tone, quite Rickenbacker-ish but not harsh. The sound is toppy, but not all treble. The neck pickup on clean is exactly how I hoped it's be, real depth to the sound. With plenty of reverb it's the Gretsch in a storm drain sound that I love. On the distortion channel the bridge has plenty of snarl, the tone control really comes into it's own so you get a really useable overdriven sound with good separation of notes, almost like a mini humbucker. The neck pickup on distortion is pretty manic...need to play with settings more there!

    My mate was playing it last night and really liked the clean settings on both pickups, even getting a good funky sound from the bridge.

    I'm, once again, completely delighted with the pickups. The guitar was always so nice to play but so dull to listen to, your Swing-O's have totally changed it's character for the better. I'd recommend this upgrade to anyone who's a bit disappointed with the sound of the PRS SE's. Now I can leave the Les Paul on the rack for a while and rest my shoulder!

    Steve Turpin - Black Cat Humbucker Sized Set

    The pick ups arrived today and my genius son wired them up for me....it sounds incredible! Ricky-like chime from the bridge Black Cat, lovely open and breathy tones from the neck Domino Pickup and the combined tone is the kind of honking Fender rhythm sound I’ve been looking forever for. It’s an unusual mod, putting these p/us in a semi-acoustic but I’ve always loved playing the Dot but never got on with the low grade humbuckers – I’m not a humbucker kind of guy anyway, so I think – thanks to your wonderful pickups – I’ve finally got my dream guitar! Thanks again

    Tim Hooper - Black Cat Bridge - Domino Neck - Calibrated Set

    Hi Jaime, just letting you know the f'trons sound superb on my latest hollow body tele, your p'ups really are the biz. Future projects are basses similar to guild B320, I,ve owned and played one since mid seventies and the sound is the best . I'll be in touch for the p'ups, Thanks again

    John Lacey - Black Cat Set

    Hi J, Received the pickups yesterday and just got them installed ... exactly what I hoped for! Just perfect for my custom-made 335 guitar.

    Anssi Hautamäki - Black Cat Humbucker Sized Set

    ...sounds brilliant, clear as day, lovely & hollow with all the low end I could desire. Very chimey like the Byrds.

    Simon D Holmes - Custom Black Cat Humbucker Sized Set

    I have just gone from having a good guitar to having a tonemonster! The Black Cat's have transformed my Gretsch 5120. The clarity and sweetness of the top end are fantastic. I’m having huge fun just using volume changes and finger dynamics to get different amounts of drive and attack.

    In a word, they are FANTASTIC. I've upgraded humbuckers and single coils before, but I've never had pups make this much dfference before. I now have no envy for any of the good sound samples I have heard online, and this guitar now sounds as good as the filtertron-equipped Gretschs I've played and heard in person. I was a bit nervous departing from the tried and true, but the "Black Cats" have exceeded my best expectations. And my Fender Twin has never sounded as good as in this combination.

    Hats off to Mr Jaime Campbell at The Creamery. When I finally get around to playing my other guitars again, I will be looking at his other pickups to make them sing, too.

    These sound fantastic! They've brought this guitar to life. I've always loved the playability of this guitar, but like others, felt the Gretschbuckers lacked character and tonal crispness. The new filtertron-style "Black Cats" have surpassed my expectations.

    Zane Holton - Black Cat Humbucker Sized Set

    I was looking for some cool new pickups for my guitar and I ended with buying The Creamery’s Black Cats, awsome filtertron styled pickups, with the retro “H” cover you expect from this kind of toy, but with a tone that goes further my expectations! These pickups has all the brightness I wanted, a wonderful Setzer-ish twang that turns my 335-styled semi-hollow in a perfect machine for rockabilly, surf, country and all those cool retro “Pulp” tunes that I love. But the good news is that the bottom end of your sound is still there, you finally don’t have to sacrifice the body of your sound to have all that awsome sparkle! But that’s more, just a little turn on your tone knob, and here’s a classic humbucker sound for your rock-blues riffs and licks, but I use them wonderfully even in jazz tunes, giving me a little more attack to get through the mix than standard jazz-boxes, thing that I really appreciate. Yeah, you read it right, no compromises from now on! Anyway, just to dispel any doubt, I wasn’t given any money or something for what you read :D I really like these pickups (actually I payed for those! they have reasonable prices btw, take a look) and Jaime is a really nice guy!

    Eva's Gang - Custom Black Cat Humbucker Sized Set

    Great sounding pickup! Thank you.

    Halobrace - Custom Black Cat Humbucker Sized

     

     

    > Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Black Cat Filtertron Pickup Upgrades