ThroBak Guitar Lounge

ThroBak Electronics

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. Jim Irsay Auction Hidden Gem...and We Got It!

    1D AGO

    Jim Irsay Auction Hidden Gem...and We Got It!

    Jim Irsay Auction Hidden Gem...and We Got It! Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ In this episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, we take you inside a major moment for ThroBak: winning a vintage Fender pickup winder at the Jim Irsay Collection auction at Christie’s in New York City. While most eyes were on iconic guitars, we were focused on something else entirely—the machine behind the tone. This isn’t just a piece of gear. It’s a direct link to the methods, materials, and processes that defined the golden era of Fender pickups. And now, it’s part of the ThroBak workshop. In this segment, we break down: • What this vintage Fender winder is and why it matters • Why it may have been the most important item in the entire auction • How machines like this shaped the sound of classic Fender pickups • What this means for the future of ThroBak pickup design If you care about vintage-correct tone, real manufacturing history, and what actually makes great pickups… this is the story behind it. 📬 ThroBak Mailbox – Jim Irsay Auction News We kick things off with the story behind the auction win and why this vintage Fender winder may have been one of the most important pieces in the entire collection. 📸 Vintage Fender Pickup Winder Photos A closer look at the machine itself—what makes it special, and why tools like this are key to understanding true vintage Fender pickup tone. 🔥 Pickups of the Week – ThroBak ’59 MXV Strat Pickups We shift from history to tone with a deep dive into our ’59 MXV Strat pickups, built with the same obsession for vintage accuracy. 🎛️ Amp Settings – 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb Dialing in classic Fender clean and edge-of-breakup tones. 🟢 Pedal Settings – Nobels ODR-1 A touch of drive to push the amp into sweet, dynamic territory. 🎧 Tone Demo Hear the ThroBak ’59 MXV Strat pickups in action in a Road Worn Fender Stratocaster—pure vintage-inspired single coil tone. ⚡ The Guitargument – Lightning Round Rapid-fire takes, hot opinions, and instant debate—no safe answers here. 🧊 The Cool Down We bring it back to earth and reflect on the bigger picture. 🎭 Rorschach Riffs – Matthew (Electric Edition) Matthew interprets abstract prompts through guitar—always unpredictable, always musical. 🎶 Matthew’s Musical Musings – G&L Pickups A thoughtful look at G&L pickups, their design philosophy, and how they fit into the broader pickup landscape. 👋 Outro Thanks for hanging with us in the Lounge—where tone isn’t just heard, it’s understood. 👉 Explore ThroBak Pickups: https://www.throbak.com 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 15m
  2. Vintage Tone vs Modern Progress | Are Guitarists Stuck in the Past?

    MAR 15

    Vintage Tone vs Modern Progress | Are Guitarists Stuck in the Past?

    Vintage Tone vs Modern Progress | Are Guitarists Stuck in the Past? | ThroBak Guitar Lounge Ep. 044 Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Are guitar players — and guitar makers — stuck in the past? Or is the pursuit of vintage tone still the best path to great music? 🎸 In Episode 044 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail dive into one of the most polarizing debates in guitar culture. From vintage pickups and classic amps to modern creativity and innovation, the question is simple: Does honoring the past inspire better playing… or does it trap guitarists in endless gear nostalgia? Along the way Jon demonstrates ThroBak pickups through a vintage Fender Deluxe Reverb, Matthew returns with another round of Rorschach Riffs, and we wrap things up with a look at some of the greatest Irish guitar players ever. ☘️🎸 Episode Breakdown 🎬 Intro Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail introduce the episode’s big question: Is the guitar world stuck in the past? From vintage pickups to legendary amps, the duo sets up the debate over whether reverence for historic tone fuels creativity or holds guitar culture back. 📬 ThroBak Mailbox Listener mail sparks discussion about guitar tone, pickups, and the ongoing fascination with vintage gear among modern players. 🔊 Pickups of the Week Jon plugs in and demonstrates this week’s featured ThroBak pickups in a real-world playing context. Amp Settings – 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb A breakdown of the amp settings used for the demo so viewers can dial in similar tones. Pedal Settings – Nobels ODR-1 Jon shows the pedal settings used to shape the sound for the pickup demonstrations. 🎸 Hear ThroBak Broadcaster A3 – Classic BC-A3 Listen to ThroBak Broadcaster A3 Telecaster-style pickups installed in a 2020 70th Anniversary Fender Broadcaster, delivering classic early Telecaster tone. 🌐 ThroBak Website A quick look at the ThroBak website and where to learn more about the pickups featured in this episode. ⚔️ The Guitargument – Are Guitar Makers Stuck in the Past? The main debate of the episode. One side argues that companies like ThroBak preserve the legendary tones of the golden era of electric guitar. The opposing view claims that focusing too much on the past can turn into gear nostalgia, distracting players from innovation and real creative progress. 🧊 The Cool Down Jon and Matthew unpack the debate and explore where vintage tradition and modern creativity might meet in the middle. 🎧 Rorschach Riffs with Matthew – Electric Edition Matthew plays mysterious guitar riffs and viewers try to guess the songs. How many can you identify? 🎶 ☘️ Matthew’s Musical Musings – Greatest Irish Guitar Players Matthew highlights some of the most influential guitarists to come out of Ireland and their impact on guitar history. 👋 Outro Jon and Matthew wrap up the show and invite viewers to weigh in on the big question: Is guitar culture stuck in the past… or is the past where the best tone lives? 🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode ThroBak Broadcaster A3 Classic (BC-A3) Pickups 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive 2020 Fender 70th Anniversary Broadcaster 👍 If you enjoy the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment. What do you think — Vintage Tone or Modern Progress? 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.c

    57 min
  3. P90 Pickups vs P.A.F. Through a Marshall… The Difference Is Bigger Than We Expected

    MAR 8

    P90 Pickups vs P.A.F. Through a Marshall… The Difference Is Bigger Than We Expected

    P90 vs PAF Through a Marshall… The Difference Is Bigger Than We Expected | ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast #043 Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Welcome back to the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, where Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail dig into the details that shape great guitar tone. In this episode we put two legendary pickup designs head-to-head through a Marshall amp to hear how they really compare. P90 pickups and P.A.F. humbuckers each have their own reputation, but when played through a cranked Marshall the tonal differences can be surprising. Listen closely and decide for yourself which voice wins the day. 📬 Viewer Mail – The Truth About the KZ/LP-115 Pickup Winder We kick things off with a question from a viewer asking what makes ThroBak KZ-115 MXV pickups unique and why the vintage KZ/LP-115 Gibson pickup winder used by ThroBak is so significant. Jon Gundry explains the history behind this Kalamazoo-era coil winding machine and how its mechanical design, winding pattern, and production characteristics differ from modern equipment. Jon also addresses why some competitors claim similar capabilities—and why those claims don’t hold up when you understand how the original machine actually works. 🎸 Pickups of the Week – P90 vs PAF Through a Marshall In this episode’s featured tone test, Jon and Matthew compare two classic pickup voices: • ThroBak ’55/’56-SB MXV P90 Reproduction Pickups • ThroBak SLE-101 MXV P.A.F. Reproduction Humbuckers Both sets are played through a Marshall amplifier to hear how these legendary designs respond to British-style gain and midrange punch. If you love Les Paul tones, vintage pickup design, and classic rock amp sounds, this comparison is one you won’t want to miss. ⚡ Lightning Round Guitargument + Cool Down Next up, Jon and Matthew jump into a rapid-fire Guitargument Lightning Round, debating a series of spontaneous guitar topics. Expect opinions, friendly disagreement, and a few controversial takes before cooler heads prevail in the Cool Down. 🎵 Rorschach Riffs – Electric Guitar Edition Matthew returns with another edition of Rorschach Riffs, this time on electric guitar. Can you identify the famous riffs hidden in his quick-fire playing? See if you can beat Jon to the answers. 🎶 Matthew’s Musical Musings In this week’s Matthew’s Musical Musings, Matthew takes a look at the growing trend of mini vinyl records—tiny collectible pressings that are capturing the attention of music fans and vinyl collectors alike. 🎧 Outro We wrap up the show with final thoughts and a look ahead to the next episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast. 👍 If you enjoy real guitar tone tests, vintage pickup history, and honest guitar debates, subscribe and join the conversation in the comments. Gear used in this video: Pickups: ThroBak "55/'56-SB P90 Reproduction Pickups https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup-soap-bar-throbak-55-56-sb.html ThroBak SLE-101 Plus MXV P.A.F. Vintage Reproduction Pickups https://www.throbak.com/paf-style-pickups-throbak-sle-101-plus.html Guitars: • 2009 Gibson 1956 Reissue GoldTop Les Paul with ThroBak "55/'56-SB P90 Reproduction Pickups • 1952/'57 Vintage Gibson Les paul Conversion Amp: • Marshall SV20H Studio Vintage 20-watt Amplifier 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, established in 2002 to bring the best of vintage

    1h 13m
  4. Is Your Guitar STILL Vintage… After All Those Repairs? Vintage Delusions!

    MAR 1

    Is Your Guitar STILL Vintage… After All Those Repairs? Vintage Delusions!

    Is Your Guitar STILL Vintage… After All Those Repairs? Vintage Delusions! The Guitar of Theseus – ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast Episode 042 Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ At what point does a vintage guitar stop being vintage? • If the finish has been stripped… • If the neck has been replaced… • If the pickups have been rewound… • Is it still the same instrument — or just wearing the costume of one? In Episode 042 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail tackle the vintage guitar version of the Ship of Theseus — and along the way explore the tone, history, and mythology surrounding original P.A.F. pickups and unoriented Alnico 5 magnets. 🎙 Intro Jon and Matthew set up the central question: authenticity versus continuity. In a market obsessed with “all original,” where exactly is the line? And who gets to draw it? 📬 ThroBak Mailbox A listener writes in asking about the history of unoriented Alnico 5 magnets in vintage P.A.F. pickups. • Were they used in the late 1950s? • How do they differ from standard oriented A5? • And why do they matter to tone chasers today? Jon breaks down the metallurgy, magnet structure, and tonal implications behind this often misunderstood detail in late-50s humbuckers. 🎸 Pickups of the Week This week we explore the tonal character of unoriented A5 magnets in: • ThroBak SLE-101 Plus MXV • ThroBak JW-102B MXV Jon demonstrates how these pickups respond dynamically, comparing their attack, midrange texture, and harmonic bloom in two different Gibson Les Paul guitars. ⚡ The Guitargument The Guitar of Theseus The big debate: If you replace the neck… Refinish the body… Swap the electronics… At what point does a vintage guitar stop being vintage? Is originality about wood and metal? Or about continuity of ownership and history? 🧊 The Cool Down How do collectors, players, and builders think differently about originality? Does tone matter more than untouched solder joints? And why does this debate refuse to die? 🎶 Rorschach Riffs — Electric Edition Matthew returns with another electric installment of Rorschach Riffs — interpreting shapes and suggestions into spontaneous musical ideas. Pure instinct. No rehearsal. A tonal stress test for any “vintage” guitar. 🎬 Matthew’s Musical Musings A follow-up to last week’s discussion: Matthew shares his full thoughts on the Elvis IMAX film EPIC, reflecting on spectacle, mythmaking, and how legacy is constructed — a fitting parallel to the vintage guitar conversation. Gear used in this video: Pickups: ThroBak JW-102B MXV P.A.F. Repros  https://www.throbak.com/paf-style-pickups-throbak-jw-102b.html ThroBak SLE-101 Plus MXV P.A.F. Repros https://www.throbak.com/paf-style-pickups-throbak-sle-101-plus.html Guitars: • 2023 Gibson 1958 Reisse Les Paul • 1952/'57 Vintage Gibson Les paul Conversion Amp: • 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb Pedal: • Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive • 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.

    59 min
  5. The Perfect Score: How to Build Gold Medal Guitar Tone (1 Guitar, 1 Amp, 2 Pedals)

    FEB 21

    The Perfect Score: How to Build Gold Medal Guitar Tone (1 Guitar, 1 Amp, 2 Pedals)

    The Perfect Score: Build a Gold Medal Guitar Rig (1 Guitar, 1 Amp, 2 Pedals) Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Welcome to the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, where today we’re going for gold. 🥇 In this Olympic-themed episode, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail take on the ultimate tone challenge: if you could only choose one guitar, one amp, and two pedals, could you build a rig worthy of a perfect score? No endless pedalboards. No studio trickery. Just four pieces of gear that have to cover clean, crunch, and full-tilt lead — and deliver true gold medal guitar tone. Let the Guitar Olympics begin. 🎙️ Introduction The Guitar Olympics begin. Jon and Matthew lay out the rules of engagement: simplicity over excess, discipline over distraction. Can restraint actually unlock better tone? 📬 ThroBak Mailbox Top-Wrapped Burst Meets Marshall. We hear a top-wrapped Gibson 1958 Reissue Les Paul through a Marshall SV20H Studio Vintage amplifier. Does the minimalist rig already sound medal-worthy? The raw response and dynamic feel set the benchmark. 🎸 Pickups of the Week ThroBak ’57 SteelHead MXV (Alnico 4) P.A.F. Repros We hear the ’57 SteelHead A4 set in a 2004 Gibson 1957 Reissue Goldtop Les Paul, again through the Marshall SV20H, exploring how magnet choice and pickup design influence response and harmonic bloom. ⚡ The Guitargument Gold Medal Guitar Gear: What Wins? Jon and Matthew debate their ultimate podium rig: • The best single electric guitar • The one amp that must do it all • The two pedals that complete the system 🧊 The Cool Down After the competition heats up, cooler heads evaluate the results. What actually matters when building a rig for the real world? Where do players overcomplicate things? 🎶 Rorschach Riffs — Electric Edition Matthew plugs in and interprets tone on instinct alone. No prep. No rehearsal. Just feel and phrasing  🎬 Matthew’s Musical Musings Matthew shares thoughts on the new Elvis IMAX film EPIC, reflecting on spectacle, legacy, and the power of performance at scale. Whether you’re chasing vintage P.A.F. tone, building a streamlined stage rig, or wondering if less really is more — this episode challenges you to rethink what “perfect” actually means. 🥇 If you had to choose only four pieces of gear, what would make your podium? Subscribe, comment, and join the Guitar Olympics. Gear used in this video: Pickups: ThroBak MT-102B P.A.F. Vintage Reproduction Pickups https://www.throbak.com/paf-style-pickups-throbak-mt-102b.html ThroBak '57 SteelHead P.A.F. Vintage Reproduction Pickups https://www.throbak.com/paf-style-pickups-throbak-57-steelhead-mxv.html Guitars: • 2004 Gibson 1957 Reissue GoldTop Les Paul with ThroBak '57 SteelHead A4 Pickups • 2023 Gibson 1958 Reissue Les Paul with ThroBak MT-102B MXV Pickups • 2025 Heritage H-150 Custom Core Amp: • Marshall SV20H Studio Vintage 20-watt Amplifier Pedals: • Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive • ThroBak Overdrive Boost https://www.throbak.com/overdrive-boost-overdriver-power-boost.html 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.

    56 min
  6. Is There Such a Thing as a Perfect Guitar? Myth vs Reality

    FEB 20

    Is There Such a Thing as a Perfect Guitar? Myth vs Reality

    Is There Such a Thing as a Perfect Guitar? Myth vs Reality 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Welcome to the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, where real-world guitar tone, vintage knowledge, and no-nonsense debate take center stage. In this episode, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail dig into one of the most hotly debated questions in modern guitar culture: is it reasonable to expect a brand-new guitar to be perfect? Here’s what’s covered in this episode, in order: 📬 Viewer Mailbox We kick things off by answering a viewer question about how to decode the ThroBak guitar pickup naming system. Jon breaks down what the model numbers, letters, and suffixes actually mean—and how players can use that information to choose the right pickup for their guitar and playing style. 🎸 Pickups of the Week Jon plugs in and plays ThroBak KZ-115 MXV P.A.F. reproduction pickups installed in a 2015 Heritage Guitars H-150, giving listeners a clear, real-world look at how these pickups respond in a classic single-cut style guitar. Jon and Matthew also dive into the history of the vintage KZ/LP-115 pickup winder, the original Gibson Kalamazoo-era machine used to wind late-1950s P.A.F. pickups. This week marks the 11-year anniversary of ThroBak’s acquisition of this historic winding machine, now an integral part of ThroBak Electronics’ pursuit of historically accurate P.A.F. reproductions. ⚔️ Guitargument Is There Such a Thing as a Perfect Guitar? Myth vs Reality The main debate of the episode tackles whether it’s reasonable—or even realistic—to expect perfection when buying a new guitar, regardless of price. Jon and Matthew argue both sides, exploring manufacturing realities, player expectations, cosmetic flaws vs functional issues, and how the idea of “perfect” has evolved in the modern guitar market. 🧠 Rorschach Riffs (Electric Edition) Matthew switches to electric guitar for this week’s Rorschach Riffs, challenging listeners to identify familiar musical ideas through abstract, tone-driven playing. 🎵 Matthew’s Musical Musings Matthew closes the content portion of the show by breaking down how streaming versions of classic LPs have altered original album content, sequencing, and flow, and why these changes matter to listeners who grew up with the vinyl format in mind. 🔊 Outro Gear Peek In the outro, Jon and Matthew reveal a new Marshall amplifier head from Marshall Amplification that will be used for future Pickups of the Week demonstrations, giving viewers a preview of what’s coming next on the show. If you care about guitar tone, vintage accuracy, and honest conversations about the realities of modern guitar gear, you’re in the right place. 👍 Like, subscribe, and join the discussion—is the perfect guitar real, or just a myth we keep chasing? Gear used in this video: Guitars: • 2015 Heritage H-150 • 2025 Heritage H-150 Custom Core 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 16m
  7. Boutique Guitar Pickups & Boutique Advice

    FEB 8

    Boutique Guitar Pickups & Boutique Advice

    Boutique Guitar Pickups & Boutique Advice | ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ What does boutique really mean in the guitar world—and does that idea extend beyond gear into broader guitar advice itself? In this episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail explore the balance between generosity, expertise, and sustainability in today’s guitar community, alongside tone talk, jams, and listener favorites. 🎙️ Introduction Jon and Matthew kick things off with a look at how boutique builders, players, and educators fit into a guitar world overflowing with information, opinions, and advice. 📬 Viewer Mailbox A listener asks about our favorite non-Custom Shop Les Paul–style guitar, and the answer might surprise absolutely no one: the Heritage H-150 Custom Core. We break down why it continues to stand out for tone, build quality, and real-world value. 🎸 Pickups of the Week This week’s spotlight is on the ThroBak MT-102B MXV P.A.F. replicas, faithfully derived from the original P.A.F. pickups found in Mick Taylor’s legendary 1959 Les Paul Burst from his time with The Rolling Stones. Jon and Matthew put them to the test with a jam, featuring Jon on a Gibson 1958 Reissue Les Paul loaded with ThroBak MT-102B Custom pickups. ⚡ The Guitargument & Cool Down Boutique Pickups & Boutique Advice Time building vs. time with customers, Jon and Matthew take opposing views, debating how builders, shops, and experts can serve the community without burning out. The Cool Down brings perspective, nuance, and common ground. 🎶 Rorschach Riffs (Acoustic Edition) Matthew switches things up with an acoustic guitar version of Rorschach Riffs. No pedals, no amps—just ears, instincts, and musical memory. 🎼 Matthew’s Musical Musings Matthew reflects on Robbie Robertson’s memoir and its insights into creativity, collaboration, and leadership. He also discusses Joe Bonamassa’s new tribute album honoring B.B. King, released to commemorate what would have been B.B. King’s 100th birthday. Whether you’re here for tone, gear, philosophy, or the joy of talking guitars, this episode invites everyone into the conversation—no boutique membership required. 🎸 Subscribe, comment, and tell us where you think the line should be drawn. Gear used in this video: Guitars: • 2023 Gibson 1958 Reissue Custom Shop Les Paul 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 20m
  8. 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
See All (45)

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
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 ThroBak Guitar Lounge
  • Show Website
    ThroBak Guitar Lounge

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