Best TV Jones Pickup Frames 2026
Alright, so you're chasing that vintage Gibson mojo, that warm, articulate growl that cuts through a mix without being fizzy? A lot of folks tweak amps and guitars, but the often-overlooked secret weapon is the pickup frame. If you're serious about nailing that classic tone and you're already in the Tv Jones camp, let's talk about their frames - they're not just metal, they're a tonal refinement.
Last updated: April 11, 2026
TV Jones EM1 Humbucker Ring Tall CR
- • Tall design accommodates high-profile Tune-O-Matic bridges effectively.
- • Plastic construction keeps weight minimal, crucial for vintage-style guitars.
- • Specifically designed for TV Jones Universal Mount pickups, ensuring a perfect fit.
- • Cream color offers a classic aesthetic, blending seamlessly with vintage tones.
- • Limited to Universal Mount pickups; standard humbuckers are incompatible.
- • Plastic material, while lightweight, lacks the premium feel of metal alternatives.
- • Not suitable for instruments with tremolo systems or low-profile bridges.
TV Jones EM1 Humbucker Ring Tall BK
- • Tall design accommodates high-profile bridges common on vintage guitars.
- • Plastic construction keeps weight minimal, preserving instrument resonance.
- • Universal mount compatibility expands pickup options significantly.
- • US-made quality ensures reliable performance and precise dimensions.
- • Plastic construction feels less premium compared to metal alternatives.
- • Limited compatibility restricts use to specific guitar types and pickups.
- • Corner radius discrepancy with some modern Filter'Trons requires verification.
TV Jones EM1 Humbucker Ring Low BK
- • Specifically designed for TV Jones Universal Mount pickups, ensuring a perfect fit.
- • The 'low' profile accommodates high-bridge guitars, a common issue with vintage designs.
- • Plastic construction keeps the weight minimal, crucial for neck pickups.
- • US-made quality ensures dimensional accuracy and reliable mounting.
- • Limited compatibility; strictly for TV Jones Universal Mount pickups only.
- • Plastic construction, while lightweight, might feel less premium than metal alternatives.
- • The corner radius specification is critical; mismatch can cause fitment issues.
TV Jones EM1 Humbucker Ring Low CR
- • Provides crucial clearance for high-profile Tune-O-Matic bridges.
- • Specifically designed for TV Jones Universal Mount pickups, ensuring perfect fit.
- • Tall frame accommodates thicker windings for enhanced output potential.
- • Cream finish complements vintage aesthetics, a nice touch for classic builds.
- • Limited compatibility; won't work with tremolo systems or low bridges.
- • Plastic construction, while cost-effective, may feel less premium.
- • Only suitable for Universal Mount pickups; standard humbuckers are incompatible.
TV Jones EM5 Gretsch-Style Ring SI
- • Precise fit for TV Jones and English Mount Filter'Trons.
- • Durable plastic construction maintains pickup stability.
- • Silver finish complements classic Gretsch aesthetics.
- • Provides proper corner radius for authentic vintage tone.
- • Plastic material isn't as rigid as metal alternatives.
- • Compatibility limited; won't fit standard humbuckers or some modern Filter'Trons.
- • Requires additional hardware like Ring Risers for certain Gretsch models.
TV Jones EM2 Gretsch-Style Ring GO
- • Accurate corner radius caters to vintage Filter'Tron aesthetics and tone.
- • Gold finish provides a classic Gretsch look, enhancing visual appeal.
- • USA-made construction suggests a level of quality control and durability.
- • Universal mount design offers compatibility with TV Jones pickups and some Filter'Trons.
- • Plastic construction feels less premium compared to metal alternatives.
- • Compatibility is limited; won't fit standard humbuckers or all Filter'Trons.
- • Requires risers for certain Gretsch models like 5120/5122, adding complexity.
TV Jones EM2 Gretsch-Style Ring SI
- • Accurate Gretsch aesthetic for vintage-correct builds.
- • Solid plastic construction offers decent durability for the price.
- • Universal mount accommodates TV Jones Filter'Tron style pickups.
- • Precise internal dimensions ensure proper pickup alignment.
- • Plastic material lacks the premium feel of metal rings.
- • Potential fitment issues with some modern Filter'Tron variations.
- • Requires risers for certain Gretsch models like the 5120/5122.
TV Jones EM2 Ring Riser Set
- • Solves neck angle issues common on Gretsch guitars with EM2 pickups.
- • Acrylic construction provides a stable, rigid mounting platform.
- • Includes longer screws, preventing stripping and ensuring secure attachment.
- • Allows for proper pickup height adjustment, optimizing output and tone.
- • Acrylic material can be prone to cracking under extreme stress or temperature changes.
- • Limited to Gretsch-style humbucker applications; not universally compatible.
- • Requires careful installation to avoid neck pocket damage or incorrect alignment.
TV Jones DeArmond Mount Shims
- • Precisely laser-cut compression foam ensures consistent, repeatable pickup height adjustments.
- • Ideal for vintage-style guitars with DeArmond floating pickups, minimizing fret buzz.
- • Simple, inexpensive solution for optimizing output and tonal balance of TV Jones pickups.
- • Lightweight foam won't significantly alter guitar resonance or overall feel.
- • Foam material can compress over time, potentially requiring occasional replacement.
- • Limited to DeArmond-style mounting; not suitable for standard pickup routes.
- • While effective, they aren't a substitute for proper pickup installation and routing.
How to Choose the Best Pickup Frames
Material & Construction
Tv Jones frames are typically made from solid brass, which contributes to a warmer, more resonant tone compared to cheaper steel or pot metal frames. That brass adds a subtle sustain and a richness that's noticeable, especially with overwound pickups.
Mechanical Stability
A wobbly pickup is a pain, plain and simple. These frames are robust and provide a solid mounting point, reducing microphonic feedback and ensuring consistent string spacing and intonation - vital for a well-setup guitar.
Tonal Impact
The brass imparts a subtle but significant tonal shift - a smoother high end, a more focused midrange, and a touch more low-end thump. It's not a drastic change, but it's enough to give your pickups that extra something, that 'vintage' vibe.
Compatibility
Tv Jones frames are designed to be drop-in replacements for many vintage-style Gibson pickups, but always double-check dimensions. The fit isn't always perfect with heavily modified or non-standard pickups, so a little tweaking might be needed.
Finish & Aesthetics
Beyond the tone, these frames often have a beautiful aged brass finish that just looks the part. It's a small detail, but it contributes to the overall vintage aesthetic - especially important for players aiming for that authentic look and feel.
Buying Guide
Don't expect these frames to magically transform a cheap, harsh-sounding pickup into a vintage dream. They're a refinement, a subtle enhancement. While the price is higher than basic frames, it's a worthwhile investment if you're already committed to the Tv Jones sound. Pay attention to the dimensions; some guitars have tighter pickup cavities, and you might need to file or sand the frame slightly for a perfect fit. It's a little extra work, but the tonal reward is worth it.
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page ranks 9 pickup frames from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category.
Position is computed, not curated. Four signals, in order of weight: how completely the manufacturer documents the instrument (number of published specifications), where it sits in the price range, how specific the model designation is — which filters out generic accessories — and whether a product image exists. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
