ThroBak Guitar Lounge

ThroBak Electronics
  • 4.8 (4)
  • MUSIC

Guitar players, sit back in the ThroBak Guitar Lounge and be part of the internet's most informative guitar hang! Fun takes on tone, guitar collecting, repair and installation tips, guitar news of the day and much more. ThroBak Electronics owner Jon Gundry and co-host Matthew Quail draw upon decades of guitar expertise and insights from their work at ThroBak Electronics making the finest reproductions guitar pickups available today.  Join us each week by subscribing to the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast!

  1. NAMM 2026 Verdict: Was the Show Actually Worth It? | Real Cost vs Real Value (Part 2)

    FEB 1

    NAMM 2026 Verdict: Was the Show Actually Worth It? | Real Cost vs Real Value (Part 2)

    NAMM 2026 Verdict: Was the Show Actually Worth It? | Real Cost vs Real Value (Part 2) Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ In Episode 038 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail deliver their final verdict on NAMM 2026 after actually walking the show floor. Is NAMM still worth the time, money, and effort for guitar players, builders, and industry insiders — or has the value equation changed for good? 🎸 ThroBak Viewer Mailbox The episode kicks off with listener questions, including a deep dive into mixing Alnico magnet types in P-90 pickups, plus a discussion on correct vintage Gibson Les Paul M-69 pickup ring and pickguard colors and why those details still matter. 🔥 Pickups of the Week Jon plugs in and plays the ThroBak ESG-102B MXV pickups installed in his Collings I-35LC, exploring tone, response, and why this set works so well in a semi-hollow guitar. ⚖️ The Guitargument: NAMM 2026 Jon and Matthew debate whether attending the 2026 NAMM Show was truly worth it for exhibitors, builders, and attendees — breaking down real costs versus real value now that the show is over. ❄️ Cool Down Paul Hudson joins the conversation to share his first-time NAMM attendee impressions, offering a fresh perspective on the show. 🎸 Rorschach Riffs — Bass Edition Matthew returns with another bass-focused round of Rorschach Riffs. Can you identify the songs just from the riffs? 🎵 Matthew’s Musical Musings The episode wraps with photos and stories from the people we met at NAMM 2026, along with reflections on the personalities, conversations, and moments that made this year’s show memorable. Of special note Jon and Matthew discuss a new adjustable Amp Stand that will soon be available, the Amp Tiltor. https://amptiltor.com/ Whether you attended NAMM 2026 or stayed home, this episode gives you the honest, post-show reality check — no hype, just real talk from the floor. 👉 Subscribe for more real-world guitar tone, vintage insight, and industry debates from the ThroBak Guitar Lounge. ThroBak Electronics is a world leader in classic reproduction guitar pickups. To learn more visit.: https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup.html https://www.throbak.com/paf-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/stratocaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/telecaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/alnico-magnets.html https://www.throbak.com/pedals.html https://www.throbak.com/strings.html ThroBak Electronics, located in Grand Rapids Michigan, was established in 2002 to bring the best of vintage tone back to the guitar player of today.Make sure to watch the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast each Saturday on YouTube.

    1h 12m
  2. Foolproof P.A.F.'s? The Pickup Design That Refuses to Sound Bad?

    JAN 25

    Foolproof P.A.F.'s? The Pickup Design That Refuses to Sound Bad?

    Are P.A.F. pickups foolproof? Why do so many P.A.F.-style humbuckers sound good—even inexpensive ones—while only a few sound truly great? In this episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail take on one of the most interesting tone debates yet. We break down why the original P.A.F. humbucker design is so musically forgiving, how “good” is easy to achieve, and why the final leap to exceptional tone lives in the fine details most players never hear—or think about. 🎙️ Episode Segments 📬 Viewer Mailbox Listener questions and comments. 🎸 Pickups of the Week Jon and Matthew demo and discuss the ThroBak Koss-301 MXV post-repair-spec P.A.F. reproduction pickups, exploring: • Why this spec exists • What separates it from typical P.A.F. builds • How subtle construction details affect feel, response, and harmonic complexity ⚔️ The Guitargument + Cool Down “P.A.F. Pickups Are Foolproof” We debate both sides: • Why the P.A.F. design almost guarantees good tone • Why great P.A.F. pickups are still rare • Where the line between good and great actually lives Then cooler heads prevail as we bring it all back to real-world playing and listening. 🧠 Rorschach Riffs Matthew challenges Jon — and the audience — with short snippets of famous guitar riffs. Can you name them before Jon does? 🎶 Matthew’s Musical Musings Matthew wraps the show with stories of memorable celebrity sightings at past NAMM shows, reflecting on how the industry—and the show itself—has changed over the years. 🔍 Topics Covered P.A.F. pickups Humbucker design Vintage pickup tone Good vs great guitar pickups Pickup winding and materials NAMM show memories Guitar tone myths Aftermarket pickups ThroBak P.A.F. reproduction pickups If you’ve ever wondered: • Why cheap P.A.F. pickups can sound shockingly good • Whether boutique pickups are worth it • Or what really separates “close enough” from nailed it…this episode is for you. 👉 Upgrade your tone with ThroBak Pickups: https://www.throbak.com/ 👍 Like, subscribe, and comment with your take: Is NAMM 2026 worth it — or are you sitting this one out? ThroBak Electronics is a world leader in classic reproduction guitar pickups. To learn more visit.: https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup.html https://www.throbak.com/paf-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/stratocaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/telecaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/alnico-magnets.html https://www.throbak.com/pedals.html https://www.throbak.com/strings.html ThroBak Electronics, located in Grand Rapids Michigan, was established in 2002 to bring the best of vintage tone back to the guitar player of today.Make sure to watch the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast each Saturday on YouTube.

    1h 8m
  3. Is NAMM 2026 Still Worth It? | The Real Cost vs. Real Value

    JAN 17

    Is NAMM 2026 Still Worth It? | The Real Cost vs. Real Value

    Is NAMM 2026 Still Worth It? The Real Cost vs. Real Value. Is the NAMM Show still the best way to take the pulse of the guitar industry — or has the cost finally outweighed the value?  Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Along the way, things get weird, informative, and very guitar-centric — just the way we like it. 🍩 Intro — Cinnamon Rolls & Nitrile Gloves We kick things off with a fan-supplied box of cinnamon rolls. To protect the guitars (and maybe our dignity), nitrile gloves are deployed. A lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek start before diving into serious guitar talk. 📬 The ThroBak Mailbox A viewer writes in with an unexpected benefit of the podcast: learning blues phrasing by playing along with our guitar jams. We also discuss the new **Keith Richards signature Gibson ES-335 and what it represents in today’s market. 🎵 Pickups of the Week Jon demonstrates the ThroBak ’55/’56-SB vintage P-90 Soapbar reproduction pickups installed in his 2009 Gibson R6 Historic Reissue Les Paul. Classic Goldtop tones, real-world dynamics, and why early P-90 recipe details still matter. 🔥 The Guitargument & Cool Down Is NAMM 2026 still worth traveling to Anaheim — or has it lost its role as the best gauge of the modern guitar market? Jon and Matthew debate whether NAMM remains essential, or if builders and players now get better insight from direct-to-consumer sales, YouTube, and real customer feedback. 🧠 Rorschach Riffs Matthew challenges Jon — and the audience — with short snippets of famous guitar riffs. Can you name them before Jon does? 📖 Matthew’s Musical Musings Matthew reviews Last Rites, reflecting on legacy, honesty, and what it means when icons take one final look back. 🎸 About the ThroBak Guitar Lounge The ThroBak Guitar Lounge is a weekly guitar podcast where tone, history, and real-world experience collide — no hype, no influencer fluff, just honest conversation about guitars, pickups, and the music that drives us. 👉 Upgrade your tone with ThroBak Pickups: https://www.throbak.com/ 👍 Like, subscribe, and comment with your take: Is NAMM 2026 worth it — or are you sitting this one out? ThroBak Electronics is a world leader in classic reproduction guitar pickups. To learn more visit.: https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup.html https://www.throbak.com/paf-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/stratocaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/telecaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/alnico-magnets.html https://www.throbak.com/pedals.html https://www.throbak.com/strings.html ThroBak Electronics, located in Grand Rapids Michigan, was established in 2002 to bring the best of vintage tone back to the guitar player of today.Make sure to watch the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast each Saturday on YouTube.

    1h 4m
  4. The P.A.F. Pickup Scam Nobody Warns You About — Paid, Waiting, Never Delivered

    JAN 10

    The P.A.F. Pickup Scam Nobody Warns You About — Paid, Waiting, Never Delivered

    The PAF Pickup Scam Nobody Warns You About — Paid, Waiting, Never Delivered ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com What if the biggest danger in the vintage-style pickup world isn’t fake tone… but never getting your pickups at all? In this episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail expose one of the most damaging and least discussed problems in the boutique pickup world: P.A.F. reproduction pickup scams built around endless delays, prepaid orders, and sellers who never deliver. This isn’t about fake parts — it’s about real money, real players, and real orders that sit unfulfilled for 1–3 years while new buyers keep sending cash. 🎸 Why Guitar Scams Keep Happening Scams have always been part of guitar culture. From finish and repair "experts" ghosting customers for refinishing, Les Pauls neck reset. To parts swapping and counterfeit guitars, high-value vintage gear has always attracted bad actors. P.A.F. reproduction pickups are especially vulnerable to scams because for following reasons: • Original vintage P.A.F.s sell for museum-level prices • Players desperately want the tone • Scarcity creates emotional buying decisions • That combination makes it the perfect environment for a “paid, waiting, never delivered” scam. Jon and Matthew break down the anatomy of a scam step by step, showing how it usually unfolds: • A builder claims to have “the best P.A.F. repro ever” • Prices are high to signal exclusivity • Guitar forum shills appear with glowing praise • Real testimonials mix with planted ones • Claims of secret specs, hidden sources, and magic formulas • Pre-payment required instead of a normal waitlist • Orders pile up into a massive backlog • Customers start posting polite, apologetic complaints • Shills reassure everyone it’s just “temporary delays” • Seller blames illness, parts shortages, or unforeseen issues • Meanwhile, the seller quietly lists “in-stock” pickups on Reverb, eBay, or Facebook • Promises of a big comeback and exciting future plans • More time passes… and nothing ships • Buyers go through the 7 stages of grief • Finally, the truth breaks • Years of unpaid orders come out • Pitchforks come out next This cycle has repeated again and again in the boutique pickup world. 🛡️ How to Avoid P.A.F. Pickup Scams Jon and Matthew provide a real-world checklist to help guitar players protect themselves: ✔ Never pre-pay for delayed orders that should be handled with a waitlist ✔ Look for proof of work — photos, videos, shipments, active production ✔ Check business traffic: YouTube views, Facebook activity, Reverb & eBay feedback ✔ Ask for specifics when you see “USA Made” vs “Assembled in America” ✔ Buy from builders with a long, verifiable track record ✔ Be wary of self-proclaimed experts who appear out of nowhere ✔ If a legit builder has a waitlist, wait until the bottleneck clears 🎙 Why This Matters Scams don’t just hurt buyers — they: • Damage trust in legitimate builders • Scare players away from boutique pickups • Poison the entire P.A.F. reproduction market This episode is about protecting guitar players and keeping the boutique pickup world honest. To lighten the mood we end the show with another bass edition of Rorschach Riffs. ThroBak Electronics is a world leader in classic reproduction guitar pickups. To learn more visit.: https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup.html https://www.throbak.com/paf-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/stratocaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/telecaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/alnico-magnets.html https://www.throbak.com/pedals.html https://www.throbak.com/s

    1h 10m
  5. ThroBak 2026 Gear Preview – New Pickups, Tone Innovations & What’s Next

    JAN 10

    ThroBak 2026 Gear Preview – New Pickups, Tone Innovations & What’s Next

    ThroBak 2026 Gear Preview – New Pickups, Tone Innovations & What’s Next Start 2026 the right way with an inside look at new ThroBak guitar gear for 2026. In this episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail reveal upcoming pickup designs, wiring innovations, and tone-focused developments currently in the works at ThroBak Electronics. The show opens with a call to the ThroBak community: What new pickups or gear do YOU want to see from ThroBak in 2026? Drop your ideas in the comments and help shape the future of ThroBak tone. 🎸 Player Grade Vintage Jon asks for viewer help in completing his Corona-made, Fullerton-spec Fender Stratocaster collection (1985–1987) and discusses what makes these guitars special from a player-grade vintage perspective. 🔥 Guitargument + Cool Down Jon and Matthew debate what 2026 may hold for the guitar industry, including trends, challenges, and opportunities facing builders, players, and collectors. 🎛️ New ThroBak Gear Demo Jon demos the new ThroBak H/S Telecaster pickup set and wiring harness, designed to extract the best possible tone from a humbucker + single-coil Telecaster configuration—covering clarity, balance, and real-world usability. 🎵 Rorschach Riffs – Special Bass Guitar Edition Matthew challenges the audience with a special Bess guitar edition of Rorschach Riffs. Can you identify the songs from the riffs alone? 🎶 Matthew’s Musical Musing To wrap up the episode, Matthew looks ahead to concert tours coming in 2026 and what guitar fans should be watching for. 🎥 Topics Covered in This Episode • New ThroBak gear for 2026 • Pickup design & tone innovation • H/S Telecaster pickup tone • Vintage Fender Stratocasters (1985–1987) • Guitar industry outlook for 2026 • Riff recognition challenge 👍 Like, subscribe, and comment to stay updated on ThroBak pickups, vintage-correct tone, and real-world guitar discussions—no hype, just tone. Guitars: • Fender Custom Shop H/S Telecaster Amp: • 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb Pedal: • Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive ThroBak Electronics is a world leader in classic reproduction guitar pickups. To learn more visit.: https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup.html https://www.throbak.com/paf-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/stratocaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/telecaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/alnico-magnets.html https://www.throbak.com/pedals.html https://www.throbak.com/strings.html ThroBak Electronics, located in Grand Rapids Michigan, was established in 2002 to bring the best of vintage tone back to the guitar player of today.Make sure to watch the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast each Saturday on YouTube.

    1h 4m
  6. The Best & Worst of the Guitar World in 2025 | ThroBak Guitar Lounge Year in Guitar

    JAN 3

    The Best & Worst of the Guitar World in 2025 | ThroBak Guitar Lounge Year in Guitar

    ThroBak Guitar Lounge 2025 Year in Guitar, our final podcast episode of the year. Join Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail as they look back on the biggest moments, surprises, wins, and disappointments in the guitar world throughout 2025 — with plenty of real-world tone talk along the way. 📬 Viewer Mail The show kicks off with questions from the ThroBak community. Jon dives into: • Internal start wires and construction details in current production Gibson and Heritage  pickups • How modern guitars compare to vintage specs • His recent excellent buying experience with Eddie’s Guitars 🎸 Player-Grade Vintage Jon breaks down the best (and worst) player-grade vintage guitar purchase of 2025: • 1987 Lake Placid Blue AVRI ’62 Fender Stratocaster • Where expectations met — and missed — reality 🔥 Guitargument & Cool Down Jon and Matthew debate: • The best things to happen in the guitar world in 2025 • The worst trends, products, and industry moves • What these shifts mean for players, builders, and collectors going forward 🎵 Rorschach Riffs Jon tries to stump Matthew and the audience with mystery riffs played on a: • 2004 Gibson R7 ’57 Historic Reissue Les Paul • Loaded with ThroBak ’57 SteelHead P.A.F. reproduction pickups Can you name the riffs? 🎶 Matthew’s Musical Musing Matthew wraps up the episode with thoughts on Höfner Guitars and the impact of their recent bankruptcy on the guitar industry. If you love vintage guitars, modern guitar debates, pickup tone, Gibson vs Fender discussions, and real-world gear insights, this episode is a must-watch. 👉 Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups: https://www.throbak.com/ 👍 Like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments. 🎸 Gear Used in This Episode Guitars: • 1987 Lake Placid Blue AVRI '62 Fender Stratocaster • 2004 Gibson R7 1957 Historic Reissue Les Paul with ThroBak '57 SteelHead pickups Amp: • 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb Pedal: • Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive ThroBak Electronics is a world leader in classic reproduction guitar pickups. To learn more visit.: https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup.html https://www.throbak.com/paf-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/stratocaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/telecaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/alnico-magnets.html https://www.throbak.com/pedals.html https://www.throbak.com/strings.html ThroBak Electronics, located in Grand Rapids Michigan, was established in 2002 to bring the best of vintage tone back to the guitar player of today.Make sure to watch the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast each Saturday on YouTube.

    58 min
  7. Why Heritage Guitars Are Giving Gibson A Run For Their Money

    12/20/2025

    Why Heritage Guitars Are Giving Gibson A Run For Their Money

    Why Heritage Guitars Are Giving Gibson a Run for Their Money Is Heritage the best value in USA-made guitars today? Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Are Heritage Guitars really giving Gibson a run for their money? In Episode 032 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail put modern USA-made guitars to the test with a live A/B comparison between a Heritage H-150 Custom Core and a Gibson Custom Shop 1950s Les Paul Reissue. If you’re wondering which guitar delivers the best tone-per-dollar, build quality, and long-term value, this episode breaks it all down. 📬 The ThroBak Mailbox Jon and Matthew answer real-world player questions, including: • How to properly humidify guitars during winter • String choice and how it affects tone and feel • Community-driven guitar tone debates 🎸 Player-Grade Vintage: Future Vintage? Are some new guitars of today destined to become tomorrow’s player-grade vintage collectibles? Jon explains how he identifies guitars with long-term desirability and what separates future classics from short-term hype. 🔥 Guitargument: Heritage vs. Gibson Is Heritage’s Custom Core lineup challenging Gibson’s Historic reissues for ownership of Kalamazoo’s guitar legacy? Jon and Matthew take opposing sides in a spirited debate over: • Build quality • Tone authenticity • Brand heritage and more Cooler heads prevail in the Cool Down… or do they? 🎵 Rorschach Riffs & Musical Musings Four new Rorschach Riffs to test Jon — and you Musical Musings covering: • Famous guitarist birthdays • Rolling Stones tour news 🎥 WATCH • COMMENT • SUBSCRIBE Which would you choose — Heritage or Gibson? Drop your take in the comments and subscribe for more vintage-inspired guitar tone, industry debate, and real-world comparisons. #HeritageGuitars #Gibson #LesPaul #ThroBak #GuitarTone #GuitarPodcast #BoutiqueGuitars #KalamazooGuitars #USA-MadeGuitars #Guitargument Why Heritage Guitars Are Giving Gibson A Run For Their Money Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ 🎸 Gear Used in This Episode Guitars: • 2025 Heritage H-150 Custom Core • 2023 Gibson 1958 Les Paul Reissue Amp: • 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb Pedal: • Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive ThroBak Electronics is a world leader in classic reproduction guitar pickups. To learn more visit.: https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup.html https://www.throbak.com/paf-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/stratocaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/telecaster-pickups.html https://www.throbak.com/alnico-magnets.html https://www.throbak.com/pedals.html https://www.throbak.com/strings.html

    1h 14m
  8. Restoring a Vintage Gibson ES-335 – Reclaiming the Tone & Mojo

    12/13/2025

    Restoring a Vintage Gibson ES-335 – Reclaiming the Tone & Mojo

    Restoring a Vintage Gibson ES-335 - Reclaiming the Tone & Mojo Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Is owning a vintage Gibson ES-335 out of reach? In this episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast #031, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail show how a player-grade vintage electric guitar can be carefully restored to reclaim its original tone, feel, and mojo—with patience, knowledge, and the right parts. 📬 The ThroBak Mailbox The show kicks off with unfiltered viewer comments and questions, as Jon and Matthew dig into real-world guitar tone debates from the ThroBak community. 🎸 Player-Grade Vintage: 1968 Gibson ES-335 Next, we dive deep into a 1968 Gibson ES-335 that’s been thoughtfully returned to its natural state. • Correct Patent Sticker early T-Top pickups • Player-grade authenticity vs collector perfection • Hear the guitar come alive in a classic ThroBak jam • Is restoration about originality, tone, or both? We break it all down. ⚡ Lightning Round Guitargument • Another fast-paced Lightning Round Guitargument fires up: • Fender vs Gibson • Strings, tone myths, and guitar lore • Strong opinions, hotter takes Cooler heads prevail in the Cool Down… or do they? 🎵 Rorschach Riffs & Musical Musings Matthew challenges Jon and the audience with four new Rorschach Riffs. Then it’s time for Musical Musings, covering: • Famous guitarist birthdays • Dave Stewart • AI licensing and the future of music rights Subscribe for weekly guitar tone debates, vintage gear deep dives, pickup comparisons, and industry insights from the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast. 🎸 Gear Used in This Episode Guitars: • 1968 Gibson ES-335 - With Original T-Top Patent # Pickups • Fender 70th Anniversary Fender Broadcaster — With ThroBak Nocaster- A3 Classic Pickups  • 2025 Fender Squier Telecaster Custom Amp: • 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb Pedal: • Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive ThroBak Electronics, located in Grand Rapids Michigan, was established in 2002 to bring the best of vintage tone back to the guitar player of today.Make sure to watch the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast each Saturday on YouTube.

    1h 13m
See All (38)

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Guitar players, sit back in the ThroBak Guitar Lounge and be part of the internet's most informative guitar hang! Fun takes on tone, guitar collecting, repair and installation tips, guitar news of the day and much more. ThroBak Electronics owner Jon Gundry and co-host Matthew Quail draw upon decades of guitar expertise and insights from their work at ThroBak Electronics making the finest reproductions guitar pickups available today.  Join us each week by subscribing to the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast!

Information

  • Creator
    ThroBak Electronics
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 ThroBak Guitar Lounge
  • Show Website
    ThroBak Guitar Lounge

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