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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Right Guitar or Right Pickups? How to Spend Your Money Smartly!
Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups: https://www.throbak.com/

Is your bad guitar tone caused by the wrong guitar or the wrong pickups? In ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast Episode 030, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail break down one of the most common questions players ask: Should you buy the right guitar, or buy the right pickups?

📬 Viewer Mail & Vintage Gear Deep Dive

The episode kicks off with Jon answering viewer questions, followed by another Player Grade Vintage segment. Jon and Matthew explore the 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb, discussing why it has a bad reputation among some players—and why pros like Marty Stuart swear by it. How can one amp be both underrated and iconic? We explain.

⚔️ Guitargument: Right Guitar vs Right Pickups

Matthew argues that pickups are the perfect tool to tailor and refine your tone, while Jon insists the guitar itself is the real culprit behind bad sound. Who’s right? Tune in to hear the debate.

😌 Cool Down + Black Friday Gear

In the Cool Down segment, Jon reveals his new Fender Squier Telecaster Custom, proving great guitars don’t have to cost a fortune and are deserving of great guitar pickup upgrades.

🎵 Rorschach Riffs + Musical Musings

Matthew challenges Jon and the audience with four new Rorschach Riffs, followed by his musical musings on concert films and why they matter to guitarists.

🎸 Gear Used in This Episode

Guitars:
• 2004 Gibson R7 Historic Reissue Les Paul — ThroBak '57 SteelHead MXV pickups
• 2006 Heritage H-150 — ThroBak SLE-101 MXV pickups
• 2024 Fender Squier Telecaster Custom

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.