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. The Forgotten Guitar Tone Everyone's Missing | P.A.F. Pickups Out of Phase

    3d ago

    The Forgotten Guitar Tone Everyone's Missing | P.A.F. Pickups Out of Phase

    **The Forgotten Guitar Tone Everyone's Missing | P.A.F. Pickups Out of Phase** Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Before high-gain amps, pedalboards, and modern guitar rigs, many legendary players discovered a unique secret weapon hidden inside their guitars: the out-of-phase pickup sound. In this episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, we explore the distinctive tone of vintage P.A.F. humbuckers wired out of phase—a sound that is thinner, sharper, and surprisingly expressive, yet often overlooked by today's players. From blues and classic rock to the iconic tones of players like Peter Green and T-Bone Walker, we examine why this forgotten guitar tone became legendary and whether modern guitarists are missing one of the most inspiring sounds ever created. Tune in as we put authentic vintage-style P.A.F. pickups through their paces and rediscover a tone that deserves a second look. 🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode Vintage 1952/57 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop conversion with ThroBaK SLE-101 Plus MXV pickups. 2004 Gibson R7 1957 Historic Reissue Les Paul Goldtop with ThroBak '57 SteelHead Alnico 4 pickups. Vintage 1979 Fender Silverface Deluxe Reverb Nobels ODR-1 effect pedal Could one of the most distinctive vintage guitar tones be hiding in plain sight? In Episode #058 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon, Matthew, and Paul explore the fascinating world of **out-of-phase P.A.F. humbucker tones**—a forgotten sound that helped define some of the most recognizable guitar recordings ever made. We compare **electronic out-of-phase wiring** versus **magnetic out-of-phase pickups**, explain exactly how each works, and demonstrate the dramatic tonal differences through a series of guitar jams featuring ThroBak's legendary low and medium output P.A.F. reproductions. Along the way, we check in with Paul as he builds a set of **SLE-101+ P.A.F. pickups** destined for a Collings guitar, answer viewer comments from Episode #057, and dial in vintage-inspired tones through a **1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb** and **Nobels ODR-1**. Then things get heated in this week's **Guitargument** as we react to recent comments made by Fender CEO Bud Cole during a dealer meeting. Was the repeated use of foul language appropriate? Did his remarks help or hurt Fender's standing with guitar players and dealers? We even hear from a vacuum salesman responding to Bud Cole's infamous comments and make our case for why YouTube's Rick Beato might be the perfect candidate to become Fender's next CEO. In **The Cool Down**, we offer our final thoughts on the controversy surrounding Cole's remarks and what it could mean for Fender's future relationship with the guitar community. Plus: • A new "Rorschach Riffs" with Matthew • And finally Matthew muses musical about the upcoming RUSH "50 Something" Tour macking a stop in Detroit later this Summer.  Whether you're chasing vintage P.A.F. tones, curious about out-of-phase wiring, or following the latest developments in the guitar industry, this episode has something for every tone enthusiast. **Subscribe, leave a comment, and let us know: Which out-of-phase tone do you prefer—Electronic or Magnetic?** 👉 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

    1h 22m
  2. Vintage P90 Legends Face Off: '56 Goldtop vs '57 Les Paul Special

    3d ago

    Vintage P90 Legends Face Off: '56 Goldtop vs '57 Les Paul Special

    Vintage P90 Legends Face Off: '56 Goldtop vs '57 Les Paul Special Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Episode #057 the vintage P90 showdown! Jon and Matthew put two incredible vintage instruments head-to-head: a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special with its iconic wraparound bridge and a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop equipped with a Tune-o-matic bridge. Both guitars feature  vintage P-90 pickups, giving us a rare opportunity to hear how construction, bridge design, and overall guitar architecture influence tone. Can the stripped-down simplicity of the Les Paul Special deliver a more direct, aggressive P-90 sound? Or does the Goldtop's Tune-o-matic bridge provide the sustain, clarity, and refinement that players have chased for decades? We put both guitars through their paces so you can hear the differences for yourself. Show Rundown: In Episode #057, we kick things off by diving into the viewer feedback from Episode #056, where we asked the question: **Have Vintage Guitar Tones Become a Rich Man's Game?** Many of our viewers pushed back on the idea, arguing that vintage-inspired guitar tone is still attainable—but like any worthwhile hobby, it requires commitment, patience, and investment. Jon, Matthew, and Paul discuss the responses and what they reveal about today's guitar community. Next, we take a look at one of the biggest stories in guitar news this week. After entering bankruptcy proceedings, **Höfner**, the legendary German guitar maker best known for Paul McCartney's iconic Beatle Bass, has found a new owner. We discuss what the acquisition means for the future of the company and why preserving historic guitar brands matters to musicians and collectors alike. In our **Pickups of the Week** segment, we compare two extraordinary examples of vintage Gibson P-90 tone. Jon plugs a **1957 Gibson Les Paul Special** with vintage P-90 pickups and wraparound bridge alongside a **1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Standard** featuring original P-90 pickups and a Tune-o-matic bridge. Both guitars are played through a **Marshall Studio MKII amp**, allowing you to hear how bridge design, construction, and setup influence the sound of these legendary pickups. Which one delivers your favorite P-90 tone? You'll have to decide. For this week's **Guitargument**, we're doing something a little different with a special **Lightning Round Edition**. We tackle several timely topics from around the guitar world, including one of the biggest questions facing guitar players today: **Will the Tube Amp Eventually Become Extinct?** Along the way, Jon shares the story of his latest gear acquisition—a **1981 Fender Silver Panel Princeton Reverb** that may need a replacement transformer before it can sing again. Is vintage gear still worth the trouble, or are modern alternatives becoming impossible to ignore? In **Rorschach Riffs**, Matthew attempts to stump Jon and Paul using a **Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Reissue** tuned to **Drop D**. Can they identify the riffs before time runs out? Finally, in this week's **Matthew's Musical Musings**, we pay tribute to one of the most influential guitarists in rock history: **Duane Eddy**. Long before guitar heroes filled arenas, Duane Eddy pioneered the big, twangy lead guitar sound that inspired generations of players. We celebrate the legacy of the original guitar hero and discuss why his influence can still be heard today. Thanks for joining us for another episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast. Be sure to like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments: 🎸 Which P-90 guitar sounded better—the '57 Les Paul Special or the '56 Goldtop? 🎸 Will tube amps still be around 20 years from now? 🎸 Who was your first guitar hero? Subscribe for weekly guitar gear podcast episodes and let us know your opinion on this week's guitar argument in the comments below. 👉 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

    1h 7m
  3. Is Authentic Vintage Guitar Tone Only for the Wealthy?

    3d ago

    Is Authentic Vintage Guitar Tone Only for the Wealthy?

    Is Authentic Vintage Guitar Tone Only for the Wealthy?  | ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast Ep. 056 Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ In this week's Guitargument, a thoughtful comment from one of our viewers sparks a bigger conversation about vintage guitar tone, authenticity, and affordability. After purchasing a used 2005 Gibson Les Paul Studio for just $800, the viewer dreams of achieving the iconic late-'50s Les Paul sound but struggles to justify spending more on a set of premium reproduction pickups than he paid for the guitar itself. Have authentic vintage tones become a rich man's game? Is there a point where the pursuit of historical accuracy becomes financially unrealistic for the average player? Matthew reads the viewer's concerns, while Jon carefully addresses each point and explores the realities behind modern boutique pickup manufacturing. The discussion covers the true cost of reproducing vintage P.A.F. pickups, the importance of historically correct materials, custom-made USA components, exclusive vintage winding machinery, and the countless details that separate a faithful recreation from an ordinary replacement pickup. Along the way, Jon explains why ThroBak invests heavily in original vintage winding technology, American-made parts, and meticulous craftsmanship in the pursuit of recreating the finest vintage pickup tones possible. At the same time, the conversation acknowledges the challenges faced by everyday musicians who simply want great tone without breaking the bank. Whether you believe vintage-correct tone is worth every penny or think the market has gone too far, this Guitargument tackles one of the biggest questions facing guitar players today: How much should authenticity cost? 🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode Vintage 1955/56 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop with P90's Marshall SV20H Studio Vintage 20-watt Amplifier Head Episode 056 Breakdown Are Vintage Guitar Tones, Only for the Wealthy? This week on the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, we tackle one of the biggest questions facing guitar players today. As the prices of vintage-inspired gear continue to rise, are authentic vintage guitar tones becoming accessible only to those with deep pockets? Inspired by a thoughtful viewer comment, Jon and Matthew explore the realities of chasing legendary guitar tone in today's market and whether authenticity is worth the cost. Before diving into this week's Guitargument, we check in with Paul at the ThroBak shop as he shows us a genuine ThroBak KZ-115 bobbin being prepared for a customer order. From there, we head to the ThroBak Mailbox to answer viewer questions from last week's episode. Questions include, which ThroBak pickup is best for capturing Billy Gibbons' iconic guitar tone and our recommendations for guitar strings on several Stratocaster models, including Fender AVRI '54 and '56 Stratocasters, a 2008 Made in Japan '62 Reissue Stratocaster, and a Fender Jeff Beck Signature Stratocaster equipped with Noiseless pickups. In Pickups of the Week, Jon plugs a vintage 1955 Gibson Les Paul with original P-90 pickups into a Marshall Studio MKII amplifier to explore the raw, dynamic tones that helped define rock and roll. The conversation then turns to this week's featured Guitargument: Are Vintage Guitar Tones, Only for the Wealthy? Using a viewer's letter as the starting point, Jon and Matthew discuss the costs associated with historically accurate vintage reproduction pickups, the value of craftsmanship, and whether great tone is still within reach for everyday players. Later in the show, Matthew challenges viewers with four classic guitar riffs in another installment of Rorschach Riffs. Finally, in Matthew's Musical Musings, we share practical tips for protecting your guitars, amplifiers, and effects pedals during the summer gig season, including how heat, humidity, sunlight, sunscreen, and insect repellents can affect your gear. 👉 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

    1h 28m
  4. To Clone a Vintage P.A.F., Destroy It? | The P.A.F. Paradox

    May 31

    To Clone a Vintage P.A.F., Destroy It? | The P.A.F. Paradox

    To Clone a P.A.F., Destroy It? | The P.A.F. Paradox Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ How close can a pickup maker really get to cloning a legendary vintage Gibson P.A.F.? In Episode #055 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail tackle one of the biggest questions in the world of vintage guitar tone: can a P.A.F. ever be perfectly reproduced? Or does achieving a true one-to-one clone require taking apart—and potentially destroying—the very pickup you're trying to preserve? This thought-provoking Guitargument explores the fascinating paradox at the heart of vintage pickup research, restoration, and reproduction. If you've ever wondered what separates a great P.A.F. reproduction from the real thing, this episode is for you.To Clone a P.A.F., Destroy It? | The P.A.F. Paradox Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Episode 055 Breakdown 📬 **ThroBak Mailbox** We discuss the continuing fallout from Fender's cease-and-desist campaign and examine how the guitar community is responding. 🎸 **Pickups of the Week** A set of cloned high-output P.A.F. pickups through a Marshall amplifier. Hear the punch, harmonics, sustain, and classic rock authority that define these legendary pickups. ⚔️ **The Guitargument – To Clone a P.A.F., Must You Destroy It?** Can a pickup truly be cloned 100%? Or does complete knowledge require disassembling—and potentially destroying—the very pickup you're trying to preserve? Jon and Matthew debate the limits of reverse engineering, preservation versus discovery, and whether a perfect clone is even possible. ❄️ **The Guitargument Cool Down** After the debate, we put theory to the test by comparing our ThroBak cloned high-output P.A.F. pickups directly against a vintage set of high-output P.A.F.s so viewers can judge the results with their own ears. 🎭 **Rorschach Riffs with Matthew** For the first time on the show, Matthew presents a special Rorschach Riffs segment in Drop D tuning, exploring new sonic territory and riff ideas inspired by this classic tuning. 🎵 **Matthew's Musical Musings** Matthew reviews "The Late Great Paul," the moving presentation by British actor David Kossoff about his son, Paul Kossoff of Free and Back Street Crawler. Beyond celebrating Paul's remarkable guitar playing, the presentation serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of drug addiction and the importance of protecting your dreams, talents, and future. 🔬 **Outro** Jon Gundry closes the show with a brief discussion about the magnetic permeability of ThroBak's custom-made 1008 and 1018 steel pole screws and why details like these matter when pursuing authentic vintage pickup performance. Whether you're fascinated by vintage P.A.F.s, passionate about guitar tone, or interested in the intersection of preservation, history, and engineering, Episode #055 is packed with insights, great tones, and spirited debate. 🎸 Upgrade Your Guitar with ThroBak Pickups: [www.throbak.com](http://www.throbak.com) This episode has a strong central theme: **the P.A.F. Paradox**—the conflict between preserving a vintage pickup and learning everything necessary to clone it. That theme ties together the Mailbox, Pickup Demo, Guitargument, and Vintage-vs-Clone comparison particularly well and should perform strongly with the vintage guitar audience. 👉 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

    1h 6m
  5. Fender vs Influencers – Is Fender Getting Cancelled by the Guitar Community?

    May 31

    Fender vs Influencers – Is Fender Getting Cancelled by the Guitar Community?

    Fender vs Influencers – Is Fender Getting Cancelled by the Guitar Community? Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Episode 054 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast steps directly into one of the biggest controversies in the modern guitar world: Fender vs Influencers. After Fender reportedly sent aggressive cease and desist letters to boutique guitar builders over the Stratocaster body shape—demanding massive financial penalties and the destruction of guitars—the backlash from the guitar community was immediate and explosive. Major voices in the guitar world, including Phillip McKnight, Rhett Shull, and Tim Pierce and many others have publicly criticized Fender’s actions, igniting a debate about intellectual property, guitar culture, and whether the world’s most iconic guitar company is turning against the very community that helped build it. Is Fender protecting its legacy—or risking cancellation by the modern guitar audience? Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail step into the ring for a heated Guitargument that tackles one of the most divisive guitar industry stories of 2026. Plus, in Pickups of the Week, the guys fire up a real pair of vintage high-output P.A.F. humbuckers through a roaring Marshall amp to explore the aggressive, harmonically rich tones that helped define classic rock guitar history. From raw vintage pickup tone to one of the hottest controversies in the guitar world, Episode 054 is packed with the kind of debate, tone, and guitar obsession that only the ThroBak Guitar Lounge can deliver. Episode 054 Breakdown 📬 ThroBak Mailbox – Matthew Quail opens the show by clarifying a viewer question. 🎸 Pickups of the Week – Jon Gundry plugs a 1958 Gibson Historic Reissue Les Paul loaded with real vintage high-output P.A.F. humbuckers into a Marshall amp to explore the powerful, harmonically rich tones that helped shape classic rock history. Hear what happens when genuine hot vintage P.A.F.s meet classic British tube amp grind. 🔥 🥊 The Guitargument – Fender vs Influencers – One of the hottest guitar industry controversies of 2026 takes center stage. After Fender’s reported cease and desist actions against S-style guitar builders sparked outrage across the guitar community, major influencers like Phillip McKnight, Rhett Shull, and Tim Pierce have spoken out publicly against Fender’s actions. Jon and Matthew debate whether Fender is protecting its legacy—or risking serious backlash from the modern guitar world. 🎭 Rorschach Riffs with Matthew – Electric Guitar Edition – can you guess Matthew's riffs? 🎶 Matthew’s Musical Musings – Matthew reflects on Paul McCartney’s recent SNL performance and what it reveals about legacy artists, performance, and the enduring spirit of rock and roll. 👋 Outro – Final thoughts, wrap-up, and a look ahead to the next episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast. 🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode Vintage high output P.A.F. Pickups in a 1958 Gibson Les Paul Reissue Marshall SV20H Studio Vintage 20-watt Amplifier Head 👉 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

    1h 19m
  6. We Restored a Forgotten Fender Pickup Winder… and Discovered Something HUGE

    May 10

    We Restored a Forgotten Fender Pickup Winder… and Discovered Something HUGE

    We Restored a Forgotten Fender Pickup Winder… and Discovered Something HUGE | Ep. 052 Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Welcome to Episode 052 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast — a very special episode marking one full year of weekly podcasts from ThroBak! 🎉 To celebrate, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail unveil the fully restored Fullerton 457 pickup winder, the historic vintage Fender-era winding machine purchased from the Jim Irsay Collection auction. Is it Fender's first pickup winding machine? In this episode’s feature presentation, Jon presents an in-depth 19-minute “ThroBak Home Movie” documenting the restoration process and explaining why he believes the Fullerton 457 Winder may be one of the earliest Fender pickup winding machines ever discovered. Even more surprising, this historic machine appears to possess unique mechanical characteristics that directly influence the sound and feel of the pickups wound on it. For vintage Fender enthusiasts, pickup historians, and tone fanatics chasing true early Fender sound, this is an episode you do not want to miss. 🎸⚡ Episode Breakdown 🎉 Celebrating One Year of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast Jon and Matthew kick off Episode 052 celebrating a full year of weekly ThroBak Guitar Lounge episodes and reflect on the incredible response from the guitar community. 🎞️ ThroBak Home Movie – The Fullerton 457 Pickup Winder Restoration A detailed 19-minute feature presentation documenting the restoration of the historic Fullerton 457 Fender pickup winder. Jon Gundry explains the machine’s unusual construction details, early Fender-era design characteristics, and the evidence suggesting this may be one of the earliest surviving Fender pickup winding machines. Along the way, Jon reveals several unexpected features that may actually affect pickup tone and winding behavior. 🎸 Pickups of the Week – NEW ThroBak T-’52 MXV Telecaster Pickups Episode 052 also marks the debut of a brand-new ThroBak prototype pickup model: the T-’52 MXV Telecaster Set — wound on the Fullerton 457 itself. Based on an original 1952 Telecaster pickup set that came through the ThroBak shop for repair, these pickups aim to capture the raw snap, dynamic response, and harmonic character of the earliest blackguard-era Telecaster tones. ⚡ Hear the T-’52 MXV Telecaster Pickups in Action Jon and Matthew plug the new T-’52 MXV set into a Fender Telecaster and put them through their paces, exploring the touch sensitivity, clarity, attack, and vintage character produced by pickups wound on the restored Fullerton 457 machine. 🔥 The Guitargument – Good, Great & Exceptional Aftermarket Pickups Are premium aftermarket pickups really worth the cost? Jon and Matthew debate what separates “good” pickups from truly exceptional vintage-accurate reproductions. This segment offers a deeper look into the philosophy behind ThroBak pickups — where absolute vintage accuracy in tone, winding techniques, materials, construction, and cosmetics comes first, and the cost of achieving that level of authenticity follows naturally from the process. 😎 The Cool Down Jon and Matthew unwind after a massive episode with more guitar talk and reflections. 🎸 Rorschach Riffs with Matthew – Electric Guitar Edition Matthew returns with another electric guitar round of riffs to identify. 📀 Matthew’s Musical Musings – Matthew closes the episode with a discussion on the legendary Michael Bloomfield. 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 38m
  7. We Plugged a Telecaster Into a Marshall… This Happened!?

    May 9

    We Plugged a Telecaster Into a Marshall… This Happened!?

    What happens when a classic Telecaster meets a roaring Marshall amp?  Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ In Episode 051 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail dive headfirst into one of the most unexpected tone pairings in electric guitar history. Known for its snap, twang, and cutting clarity, the Telecaster isn’t usually the first choice for Marshall-driven rock tones—but what unfolds might just change your mind. From sparkling cleans to gritty crunch and full-on overdrive, we explore how this iconic guitar responds when pushed through a legendary British amp, revealing tones that blur the line between country, blues, and classic rock. If you think you know what a Telecaster can (or can’t) do, think again. 🎸🔥 Episode 051 Breakdown: 📬 ThroBak Mailbox – A look at ThroBak’s growing global reach 🌍 and a discussion around a recent rig rundown featuring Jack Ruch. 🎸 Pickups of the Week – The spotlight is on the ThroBak T-'59 MXV Telecaster pickups, paired with a Marshall for a tone test that challenges expectations. 🔊 Hear the Pickups – Listen to the T-'59 MXV Tele pickups in action through a Marshall—clean, crunch, and driven tones that redefine what a Tele can do. 🎲 Rorschach Riffs (Electric Edition) – Matthew reacts in real time with spontaneous riffs and tonal explorations. ⚡ The Guitargument: Lightning Round – Fast, fiery takes on hot-button guitar topics—no time to overthink, just pure instinct. 🧊 The Cool Down – Slowing things down with reflections, takeaways, and tone talk after the storm. 🎶 Matthew’s Musical Musings – A spotlight on Charlie Sexton, exploring his tone, style, and influence. 👋 Outro – Wrapping up the episode and final thoughts on this surprising Telecaster + Marshall pairing. 🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode ThroBak T-'59 MXV Telecaster Pickups  https://www.throbak.com/throbak-t-59-telecaster-pickups.html Fender Jimmy Page Signature Telecaster Marshall SV20H Studio Vintage 20-watt Amplifier Head Thanks for watching Episode 050 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast—be sure to like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments: Which P.A.F. tone wins for you… high output or low output? 👇🔥 👉 Explore ThroBak Pickups: https://www.throbak.com 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into vintage tone, pickups, and guitar gear. 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
  8. High Output vs Low Output P.A.F. Pickups – Which Sounds Better Through Fender?

    Apr 27

    High Output vs Low Output P.A.F. Pickups – Which Sounds Better Through Fender?

    High Output vs Low Output P.A.F. Pickups – Which Sounds Better Through Fender? | ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast Ep. 050 Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/ Welcome back to the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast! This week, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail put two very different P.A.F. pickup recipes head-to-head through a killer 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb to answer one big question: do high output P.A.F. pickups deliver the ultimate rock tone, or do low output P.A.F.s reveal the sweeter, more dynamic side of vintage humbucker tone? We compare the powerful ThroBak MC-102B Custom P.A.F. Repros against the articulate ThroBak ’57 SteelHead MXV A4 low output P.A.F. Repros, exploring clean tones, dirty tones, touch sensitivity, and what really works best with a classic Fender amp. If you love vintage guitar tone, boutique pickups, and real-world pickup shootouts, this episode is for you. 📬 In ThroBak Mailbox, we tackle the issue of counterfeit ThroBak ’64 Strat pickups showing up in the market—how to spot them, why it matters, and how to protect yourself when buying boutique pickups online. Then we bring you another exciting update on the legendary Fender/Irsay Pickup Winder, the historic machine tied to Charlie Davis, Fender history, and the Jim Irsay Collection that continues to spark major interest in the vintage guitar world. 🔥 Pickups of the Week features a full tone shootout between the high-output ThroBak MC-102B Custom P.A.F. Repros and the low-output ThroBak ’57 SteelHead MXV A4 P.A.F. Repros. Hear both sets through a killer 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb and decide for yourself—which P.A.F. recipe gives you the best clean tones, breakup, and dirty rock sounds? ⚡ We break down amp settings on the ’79 Fender Deluxe Reverb before comparing: • MC-102B Custom P.A.F. Repros – Clean & Dirty Tones • ’57 SteelHead MXV A4 Low Output P.A.F. Repros – Clean & Dirty Tones 📸 Paul Hudson shows us what he is working on this week and shares his homemade chocolate cookies with the Jon & Matt.  🎙️ In this week’s Guitargument: *The Vintage Guitar Steal: What Would You Do?* If you stumble across an unbelievably underpriced vintage guitar… do you tell the seller the truth, or quietly walk away with the deal of a lifetime? Ethics vs opportunity—this one gets spicy. ❄️ Then we hit The Cool Down before Matthew takes over with another electric edition of Rorschach Riffs 🎸 🎼 Finally, in Matthew’s Musical Musings, we explore Open Reel Ensemble and ask: Is this the future of music? Tape machines as instruments, experimental performance art, and where creativity meets technology. 🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode ThroBak MC-102B Custom  P.A.F. Repros ThroBak '57 SteelHead MXV A4  P.A.F. Repros 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb Nobels ODR-1 Gold Edition 2023 Gibson 1958 Historic Reissue Les Paul 2004 Gibson 1957 Historic Reissue Les Paul Thanks for watching Episode 050 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast—be sure to like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments: Which P.A.F. tone wins for you… high output or low output? 👇🔥 👉 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 24m
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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
    57
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 ThroBak Guitar Lounge
  • Show Website
    ThroBak Guitar Lounge

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