Short Alnico 5 vs. Short Alnico 2: Which P.A.F. Magnet Reigns Supreme?
Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/

Episode #069 | Short Alnico 2 vs. Short Alnico 5 — Can You Hear the Difference?

Welcome back to the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast! Episode #069 comes on the heels of a breakout Episode #068. But what brought everyone to the show? Was it the story of Steve Clark’s 1979 Gibson T-Top bridge pickup—or our discussion about whether the once-overlooked T-Top humbucker is becoming the new P.A.F.? We delve into these questions and also dig deeper into the tonal differences between Short Alnico 2 and Short Alnico 5 magnets in another P.A.F. Magnet Face Off!

🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode
Heritage H-150 Custom Core Guitars
ThroBak Lucky 7's P.A.F. Style Repro Reference Pickups
Vintage 1979 Fender Silverface Deluxe Reverb
Nobels ODR-1 effect pedal

This week we keep the pickup conversation rolling with another head-to-head magnet showdown!

🎸 PICKUPS OF THE WEEK — SHORT ALNICO 2 vs. SHORT ALNICO 5

How much difference can the magnet make when everything else is kept as consistent as possible?

Jon puts two sets of ThroBak Reference P.A.F.-style pickups to the test. The pickup sets are wound to the same specifications, but one set is loaded with Short Alnico 2 magnets while the other uses Short Alnico 5 magnets.

To make the comparison even more revealing, the pickups are installed in a pair of Heritage H-150 Custom Core guitars with very similar weights. This gives us a great opportunity to hear what Short Alnico 2 and Short Alnico 5 bring to the equation.

Which has the sweeter highs? Which has more punch and authority? Which has the better low end? And most importantly—which one would you choose?

⚔️ THE GUITARGUMENT — IS THE GUITAR BUSINESS BECOMING TOO CORPORATE?

Craftsmen vs. the C-Suite!

The guitar business has always been built around musicians, inventors, craftsmen, small shops and larger manufacturers. But as private equity and corporate ownership become increasingly involved in the musical instrument industry, is something changing?

Jon and Matthew debate whether P.E. ownership provides the capital, professional management and resources companies need to grow—or whether an intense focus on profits, losses and financial performance ultimately puts restrictions on the very people who make the products special.

🎸 RORSCHACH RIFFS — BASS EDITION!

Put down the six-string! This week Rorschach Riffs goes LOW.

We have a special Bass Edition featuring four classic bass riffs spanning nearly four decades: one from 1966, a couple from the 1980s and one from 2004.

How quickly can you identify them?

🎶 MATTHEW'S MUSICAL MUSINGS — RUSH RETURNS TO DETROIT!

Matthew reports back from the August 28, 2026 RUSH concert at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

The last time RUSH played Detroit was during the R40 Tour in June 2015. Eleven years later, RUSH returned with Anika Nilles behind the drums and Loren Gold on keyboards.

The concert was fantastic and the musicianship was everything you would expect, but Matthew came away particularly impressed by Geddy Lee’s voice. Compared with the R40 Tour 11 years ago, Geddy sounded remarkably strong. He has reportedly been working with a vocal coach, and from Matthew’s seat, the work has definitely paid off!

Join Jon and Matthew for another episode filled with vintage-inspired pickup tone, guitar-industry debate, mystery bass riffs and a first-hand report from the return of RUSH to Detroit.

Let us know in the comments:

Short Alnico 2 or Short Alnico 5—which magnet wins?

Is the guitar business becoming too corporate?

And if you saw RUSH on this tour, what did you think?

Thanks for watching Episode #069 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast!

👉 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

Are T-Tops the New P.A.F.? The Next Vintage Pickup Boom?
Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/

Welcome to Episode #068 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast! This week Jon Gundry and Matthew dive into the world of vintage Gibson T-Top humbuckers with Steve Clark's repaired T-Top. We ask whether these once-overlooked pickups are finally stepping out of the shadow of the legendary P.A.F. As original P.A.F. pickups become increasingly rare, expensive, and out of reach for many players, could the T-Top be the next great vintage Gibson humbucker?

🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode:

2026 Gibson 1958 Historic Reissue Les Paul
1979 T-Top Bridge pickup from Steve Clark's Les Paul used heavily on stage and in studio.
Vintage 1979 Fender Silverface Deluxe Reverb
Nobels ODR-1 effect pedal

🎸 PICKUPS OF THE WEEK — VINTAGE GIBSON T-TOPS

For Pickups of the Week, we go straight to the source with a vintage set of Gibson T-Top humbuckers installed in a 1968 Gibson ES-335. Jon puts the guitar through its paces using a 1979 Silver Panel Fender Deluxe Reverb for the clean tones and kicks on a Nobels ODR-1 for some added grit.

This is your chance to hear what vintage T-Tops actually sound like in a period Gibson guitar and decide for yourself whether these pickups deserve more respect from players and collectors.

🔥 A T-TOP WITH ROCK & ROLL HISTORY

Jon shows off a guitar he picked up during last week's visit to Chicago Music Exchange: a Gibson '58 Historic Les Paul finished in a VOS Tobacco sunburst. But there's something inside this Les Paul that makes it unlike just about any other Historic Reissue.

In the bridge position is a 1979 Gibson T-Top pickup that came out of Def Leppard guitarist Steve Clark's 1978 Tobacco Sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard.

The pickup arrived at ThroBak in non-working condition and presented Jon with an unusual restoration challenge: how do you repair a vintage pickup with real rock & roll history while preserving as much of its originality as possible?

Jon repaired the pickup using ThroBak's historic pickup winding equipment, and in this episode we get to hear this piece of Def Leppard guitar history come back to life. Jon plugs in the '58 Historic and lets the restored Steve Clark T-Top do the talking!

⚔️ THE GUITARGUMENT — ARE T-TOPS THE NEW P.A.F.?

Matthew and Jon take sides in the Guitargument: Are vintage Gibson T-Tops becoming the new P.A.F. for the discerning guitarist and collector? Are players beginning to recognize something that has been hiding in plain sight for decades? And as P.A.F. prices continue to put originals beyond the reach of most guitarists, will T-Tops become the next highly sought-after vintage Gibson humbucker?

🎵 RORSCHACH RIFFS — MATTHEW GETS SLIPPERY!

Matthew returns with four brand-new Rorschach Riffs designed to test Jon's musical memory. But this week Matthew introduces something we've never seen before on Rorschach Riffs — a glass slide!

Finally, Matthew's Musical Musings pays tribute to the incredible Dolly Parton.

The discussion begins with a striking 1972 portrait of Dolly taken by photographer Henry Horenstein and featured in his book Honky Tonk: Portraits of Country Music 1972–1981.

If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell so you never miss a new episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast!

👉 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

We Went To The Fretboard Summit: Does NAMM Still Matter?
Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/

Welcome to Episode #067 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast! This week, Jon Gundry and Matthew are back from Chicago after attending the 2026 Fretboard Summit, an event that brought together guitar builders, gear makers, musicians, collectors and serious guitar enthusiasts under one roof. After experiencing the Summit firsthand, we came home with a big question for this week's Guitargument: Does the Guitar World Still Need NAMM?

🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode
1967 ES-335 with ThroBak ER-Custom P.A.F. style pickups.
Vintage 1979 Fender Silverface Deluxe Reverb
Nobels ODR-1 effect pedal

🎬 Intro
Welcome to Episode #067! Jon and Matthew are back from Chicago with plenty to talk about, including their visit to the 2026 Fretboard Summit and the big question it inspired: Does the Guitar World Still Need NAMM?

📰 ThroBak News: ThroBak Chicago Road Trip
Jon and Matthew hit the road for Chicago! We kick off the travelogue with highlights from the ThroBak road trip and their adventures around the Windy City.

⚾ Cubs Game
You can't visit Chicago without taking in a little local culture. Jon and Matthew make a stop at historic Wrigley Field for a Chicago Cubs game.

🎸 Chicago Music Exchange Visit
The road trip continues with a visit to Chicago Music Exchange, where Jon and Matthew check out the guitars, amps and gear at one of America's best-known guitar shops.

📬 Viewer Comments
We check in with the ThroBak Guitar Lounge community and respond to viewer comments and reactions from last week's episode.

🎟️ Fretboard Summit 2026
Jon and Matthew head to the Fretboard Summit and report back on what they saw, who they met and their impressions of this guitar-focused gathering of builders, manufacturers, players and enthusiasts. Does an event like this offer a glimpse into the future of guitar shows?

🎸 Pickups of the Week: '67 Gibson ES-335 + ThroBak ER-Custom MXV P.A.F. Style Pickups
This week's guitar is a vintage 1967 Gibson ES-335 loaded with ThroBak ER-Custom MXV P.A.F. style pickups. Jon puts this classic semi-hollow through its paces and explores what the ER-Custom MXV set can do.

🥊 The Guitargument: Does the Guitar World Still Need NAMM?
After experiencing the Fretboard Summit firsthand, Jon and Matthew tackle the big question: Does the guitar world still need NAMM? Are smaller, guitar-focused events offering manufacturers and players something the massive traditional trade-show format can't? Or does NAMM remain an irreplaceable part of the guitar industry?

🧊 The Cool Down
The debate may be over, but the discussion isn't! Jon and Matthew cool things down and continue unpacking the changing role of NAMM, guitar shows and industry events.

🎵 Matthew's Rorschach Riffs: Chi-Town Theme!
Matthew takes over the guitar for a Chicago-themed edition of Rorschach Riffs. Can Jon identify Matthew's Windy City-inspired musical clues?

🚌 Jon's Musical Musings: Frankfort Bass Safari
Jon heads out on a Bass Safari to Frankfort, Michigan!

👋 Outro
Jon and Matthew wrap up Episode #067 and another week in the ThroBak Guitar Lounge. Thanks for watching, commenting and joining the conversation!

If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell so you never miss a new episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast!

👉 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

P.A.F. Repro Reference Pickups Face Off | No. 2 | Long Alnico 5 vs Short Alnico 5
Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/

Welcome back to Episode #066 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast! This week Another P.A.F. magnet  a fascinating vintage Gibson pickup restoration with a Def Leppard connection, another ThroBak Reference P.A.F. magnet comparison, a Lightning Round Guitargument, and a trip back to an incredible period for rock guitar in 1991!

🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode
Heritage H-150 Custom Core Guitars
ThroBak Lucky 7's P.A.F. Style Repro Reference Pickups
Vintage 1979 Fender Silverface Deluxe Reverb
Nobels ODR-1 effect pedal

📬 ThroBak Mailbox — The Podcast Go Bag!

One viewer was impressed that Matthew joined the podcast remotely from Canada and wanted to know if he actually travels with a microphone. Matthew reveals the ThroBak Podcast Go Bag — packed and ready to go at a moment's notice! Wherever Matthew travels, he's prepared to keep the Guitar Lounge rolling.

🔧 ThroBak News — Restoring Steve Clark's Gibson Pickup

Jon shares the story of an interesting call about a dead bridge pickup from a 1978 Gibson Les Paul Standard owned by Def Leppard's late guitarist Steve Clark and was used during the High 'n' Dry recordings and tour and again during the recording of Pyromania and its subsequent world tour.

Learn how the dead pickup presents an unusual problem: How do you restore a vintage Gibson pickup to its original specifications when you can't get a resistance reading from it? Find out in today's episode!

🧲 Pickups of the Week — LONG A5 vs. SHORT A5!

The Great P.A.F. Magnet Duel continues!
We return to our pair of closely matched Heritage H-150 Custom Core guitars, each loaded with a set of ThroBak Lucky 7's Reference P.A.F. pickups. There's just one important difference:

One set has LONG ALNICO 5 magnets, teh other has SHORT ALNICO 5 magnets.

Guitarists frequently debate the tonal differences between Alnico grades, but what happens when we keep the Alnico grade the same and change the length of the magnet?

Jon puts both guitars through a 1979 Fender Silver Panel Deluxe Reverb, with a Nobels ODR-1 adding some grit for the dirty tones. Listen carefully and tell us which magnet you prefer!

⚡ The Guitargument — Lightning Round!

It's time for another rapid-fire edition of the Guitargument! After tackling a series of guitar-related questions, Jon and Matthew settle on this week's big debate:

IS THE VINTAGE GUITAR MARKET HURTING GUITAR INNOVATION
Jon and Matthew pick their sides and get ready to argue!

🎸 Rorschach Riffs — The Class of 1991
Matthew takes control of Rorschach Riffs with four mystery riffs. 
Every riff comes from an album released between mid-August and late September of 1991 — an extraordinary period in rock history.

🎶 Matthew's Musical Musings 
Rorschach Riffs leads directly into Matthew's Musical Musings as Matthew looks deeper into the four albums and bands behind his mystery riffs.

👋 Outro

That brings us to the end of Episode #066!
Thanks for watching!

If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell so you never miss a new episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast!

👉 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

Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/

A vintage '65 Gibson ES-330 demo to celebrate the 65th episode of the podcast. The only question is are these the original flatwound strings that are on this guitar. Hear it put through it's paces with clean and dirty tones. 

Welcome back to the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast! In Episode #065, the first international edition of the podcast, Matthew is north of the border in Canada while Jon holds down the Fort back in Grand Rapids, but the show must go on! Jon brings our viewers special news of a celebrity guitarist who was in town for a tour stop and made time for a ThroBak shop tour! And in the Guitargument we tackle the topic - TOO LARGE! Guitar Collection Nightmare or Nirvana ? Does Anyone Need This Many Guitars?

🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode

Vintage '65 Gibson ES-330 
Heritage H-150 Custom Core Guitar
ThroBak Lucky 7's P.A.F. Style Repro Reference Pickups with Long A2 magnets
Vintage 1979 Fender Silverface Deluxe Reverb
Nobels ODR-1 effect pedal

## 🎸 Episode #065 Show Rundown

📬 **ThroBak Mailbox**
We kick off the first-ever international edition of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast! Jon joins us from Grand Rapids, Michigan, while Matthew broadcasts from Canada. We dive into your comments from Episode #064, where viewers shared their thoughts on our Lucky 7's Reference Pickup comparison between identical 7.7K P.A.F.-style sets equipped with USA-made Long Alnico 2 and Long Alnico 5 magnets. Which magnetic recipe won the popular vote?

📰 **ThroBak News**
Celebrity guitarist Allen Hinds recently stopped by ThroBak while on tour with Men at Work! Jon gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Allen's visit to the shop and shares details about Allen's well-loved 1952 Fender Esquire. Jon was even able to take measurements from this legendary guitar, offering another fascinating glimpse into vintage Fender history.

🎵 **Pickups of the Week – 1965 Gibson ES-330**
To celebrate our 65th episode, Jon plugs a beautiful vintage 1965 Gibson ES-330 into a 1979 Fender Silver Panel Deluxe Reverb, with a Nobels ODR-1 adding just the right amount of grit for the overdriven tones. One intriguing mystery accompanies this guitar—it still wears a set of flatwound strings. Could they actually be the original strings installed when the ES-330 left the Gibson factory over sixty years ago? We discuss the possibilities while putting this incredible vintage guitar through its paces.

⚡ **The Guitargument**
**Can You Actually Own Too Many Guitars?**
It's one of the oldest debates among guitar players—and perhaps the most dangerous question we've ever asked! Is there really such a thing as owning too many guitars, or is every instrument another chapter in your musical journey? Jon and Matthew tackle the topic with humor, honesty, and perhaps a surprising dose of realism.

🦘 **Rorschach Riffs – Jon's Australian Walkabout**
Jon heads Down Under with an Australian-themed edition of Rorschach Riffs! From legendary Australian artists to iconic guitar riffs, can Matthew correctly identify all four songs before time runs out?

🍁 **Matthew's Musical Musings**
This week Matthew celebrates RUSH's long-awaited Toronto Homecoming. With four sold-out concerts set to be professionally recorded and filmed for a future release, he reflects on what this historic event means for Canadian music fans and for one of rock's most influential bands.

👋 **Outro**
Thanks for joining us for the very first international edition of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast! Be sure to like, subscribe, and leave us a comment with your thoughts on this week's Guitargument: **Can anyone really own too many guitars?** We'll feature some of your best comments in the next episode of the ThroBak Mailbox.

👉 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

P.A.F. Repro Reference Pickups Face Off | No. 1 | Long Alnico 2 vs Long Alnico 5
Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/

Welcome back to the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast! In Episode #064, we're excited to launch the first installment of an all-new P.A.F. Magnet Duel series with the debut of the ThroBak Lucky 7's Reference Pickup Set. Two nearly identical Heritage H-150 Custom Core guitars, matched in weight and fitted with pickup sets wound to the exact same 7.7K ohm output, face off in the most controlled comparison we've ever produced. The only variable? The magnets. One guitar features USA-made long Alnico 2 magnets, while the other is equipped with USA-made long Alnico 5 magnets, allowing you to hear an honest, apples-to-apples comparison of two legendary P.A.F. magnetic recipes.

🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode
Heritage H-150 Custom Core Guitars
ThroBak Lucky 7's P.A.F. Style Repro Reference Pickups
Vintage 1979 Fender Silverface Deluxe Reverb
Nobels ODR-1 effect pedal

Show Run Down:

📬 ThroBak Mailbox

We begin the show by answering your comments and questions from Episode #063 before Jon introduces the brand-new Lucky 7's Reference Pickup Set. He explains how the project came to life, the winding philosophy behind it, and the technical details that make these pickups unique.

🎸 Pickups of the Week

The moment you've been waiting for! Jon puts two matched sets of ThroBak Lucky 7's Reference P.A.F. pickups through their paces in two nearly identical Heritage H-150 Custom Core guitars. Both pickup sets are wound to the exact same 7.7K ohm output, with the only difference being their magnets—USA-made long Alnico 2 versus USA-made long Alnico 5. You'll hear one of the most controlled P.A.F. comparisons we've ever produced through a 1979 Fender Silver Panel Deluxe Reverb with a Nobels ODR-1 adding just the right amount of "hair on the dog!"

⚡ The Guitargument – Lightning Round

Jon and Matthew jump into another spirited Lightning Round, tackling timely news, opinions, and hot-button topics from around the guitar world. Fast-paced, thought-provoking, and always entertaining, this has quickly become one of our favorite recurring segments.

🎵 Rorschach Riffs with Matthew

This week's challenge features Chordal Riffs! Matthew plays a collection of memorable guitar riffs built primarily around chords instead of single-note lines. Can Jon identify them all before time runs out?

🏕️ Matthew's Musical Musings – Yooper Edition, eh!

Matthew shares highlights from a family trip through Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula, including a visit with his daughter Kathleen to Yooptone Music in Marquette. Together they explore the store's impressive selection of guitars and gear, learn about its instrument repair services and music lessons, see a Peavey T-15, affectionately known as the "Mississippi Mustang." Matthew also reflects on why independent music stores like Yooptone Music continue to play such an important role in keeping the guitar community thriving throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

👋 Outro

Whether you're chasing authentic vintage P.A.F. tone, curious about the differences between Long Alnico 2 and Long Alnico 5 magnets, or simply enjoy guitars, gear, and great conversation, you've come to the right place.

Tell us in the comments: Which classic P.A.F. magnet would you choose for your ideal tone—Long Alnico 2 or Long Alnico 5?

If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell so you never miss a new episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast!

New vs. Used Fender Guitars — Has Fender Forced the Issue?
Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/

Is buying a new Fender still the best move, or has the recent controversy surrounding Fender's legal actions made the used market the better choice? In this episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail tackle that question in a spirited Guitargument Lightning Round as they debate whether Fender has unintentionally encouraged guitarists to buy used instead of new. 

Before the debate, Jon puts a used Fender Stratocaster loaded with ThroBak '63 MXV Strat pickups through its paces to demonstrate why a great used guitar can still deliver world-class vintage tone. Later in the show, Jon and Paul reveal the connection that has made ThroBak what it is today.

## 🎸 Episode #063 Show Rundown

📬 **Pickups of the Week**
Jon Gundry plugs a **used Fender Stratocaster** loaded with **ThroBak '63 MXV Strat pickups** into the amp to explore the unmistakable sparkle, chime, and vintage character that made the Stratocaster a legend. Can a great used Strat deliver everything you'd ever want from a classic Fender?

⚡ **The Guitargument – Lightning Round Edition**
It's a fast-paced round of timely guitar debates! Leading the discussion is this week's headline topic: **New vs. Used Fender Guitars — Has Fender Forced the Issue?** Jon and Matthew also weigh in on several other current topics making waves throughout the guitar world.

🎼 **Rorschach Riffs – Jon Gundry Edition**
It's Jon's turn to challenge Matthew and the audience with mystery guitar riffs. Will you recognize them immediately?

🎄 **Matthew's Musical Musings**
Matthew kicks things off with a fun **Jon & Paul Travelog**, sharing the story behind an event they attended last weekend. Then it's time for **Christmas in July**, as Matthew offers gift ideas and inspiration for the guitar player on your shopping list—or perhaps for your own wish list!

👋 **Outro**
Thanks for spending time with us in the ThroBak Guitar Lounge! If you enjoyed the conversation, the guitar tones, and this week's Guitargument, be sure to **Like**, **Subscribe**, and **leave a comment** letting us know where you stand on the debate: **Would you buy a new Fender—or go used instead?** We'll see you next week!

👉 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

One Great Guitar or Five Average Guitars? The Debate Every Guitarist Has

What would you rather own: one truly great guitar or five average guitars? It's a question that every guitarist eventually faces, whether you're just starting your collection or have been chasing great tone for decades. In this episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon and Matthew tackle this classic dilemma in this week's Guitargument, debating whether it's better to invest in a single exceptional instrument or spread your budget across several good ones.

Along the way, we put a truly special vintage guitar in the spotlight during Pickups of the Week—a beautiful 1967 Epiphone Riviera loaded with its original Gibson Mini Humbucker pickups. Plugged into a classic tube amp, this iconic semi-hollow delivers the unmistakable chime, clarity, and bite that have made it a favorite of legendary players for over six decades. Whether you're a collector, a gigging musician, or simply searching for your next great guitar, this episode is packed with vintage tone, spirited debate, and plenty of inspiration.

🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode
Vintage 1967 Epiphone Riviera with Mini Humbuckers
Vintage 1979 Fender Silverface Deluxe Reverb
Nobels ODR-1 effect pedal

## 🎙️ Episode #062 Show Rundown

📬 **ThroBak Mailbox**
We kick off the show with a great viewer comment from a longtime listener who shares why the **ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast** has become a bright, positive, and enjoyable part of his week. Jon and Matthew reflect on the importance of building a guitar community that celebrates great music, vintage gear, and the joy of playing.

🎸 **Pickups of the Week**
Jon Gundry plugs in a stunning **1967 Epiphone Riviera** equipped with its original vintage **Gibson Mini Humbucker** pickups. Through a classic tube amp, we explore the clear, articulate, and unmistakably rich voice that has made these pickups a favorite among blues and rock guitarists for generations.

⚖️ **The Guitargument**
**One Great Guitar or Five Average Guitars? The Debate Every Guitarist Has**
If you had the same budget, would you invest in one exceptional guitar that inspires you every time you pick it up, or build a collection of five solid instruments that cover a variety of sounds and styles? Jon and Matthew debate one of the biggest buying decisions every guitarist eventually faces.

🎵 **Rorschach Riffs**
This week, Jon Gundry steps into the spotlight with a collection of **Chicago Blues-inspired riffs**. Can Matthew identify the influences and legendary players behind the licks? Play along and see how many you can recognize before the answers are revealed.

🎼 **Matthew's Musical Musings**
Matthew explores the fascinating history behind **Keith Richards' famous Open G tuning**, how it became the signature sound of the Rolling Stones, and why one simple tuning change helped create some of the most iconic guitar riffs in rock history.

👋 **Outro**
Thanks for joining us for another episode of the **ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast**! If you enjoyed the show, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment letting us know where you stand in this week's Guitargument: **Would you rather own one great guitar or five average guitars?**

👉 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

Irate Guitar Influencers: Is Outrage Good for Guitar?
Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/

Is outrage becoming the new currency of Guitar YouTube? In Episode #061 of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon and Matthew dive into another fast-paced Guitargument Lightning Round, tackling one of the hottest questions in the guitar community today: "Irate Influencers: Is Outrage Good for Guitar?" Does controversy strengthen the guitar community by encouraging honest debate, or is it driving players away in search of clicks and views? 

Before the sparks begin to fly, we plug a set of ThroBak KZ-115 MXV P.A.F. reproduction pickups with long Alnico 2 magnets into a 2025 Gibson 1957 Historic Reissue Les Paul Goldtop to explore the rich, dynamic vintage tones inspired by some of the finest original late-1950s P.A.F.s. It's another episode packed with legendary tone, spirited discussion, and everything that makes the guitar world endlessly fascinating.

🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode
2025 Gibson R7 1957 Historic Reissue Les Paul Goldtop with ThroBak 'KZ-115 MXV Alnico 2 pickups.
Vintage 1979 Fender Silverface Deluxe Reverb
Nobels ODR-1 effect pedal

Show Run Down:

📬 **ThroBak Mailbox**
We kick off Episode #061 by reading viewer comments from Episode #060, where our debate over **"The End of Tube Amps"** generated plenty of passionate feedback. Matthew shares comments from viewers who aren't convinced the era of vacuum tube amplifiers is coming to an end..

🎸 **Pickups of the Week**
This week's featured pickups are the **ThroBak KZ-115 MXV P.A.F. reproductions with long Alnico 2 magnets**, installed in a **2025 Gibson 1957 Historic Reissue Les Paul Goldtop**. Along with plenty of vintage-inspired tones, Jon demonstrates his recommended pickup height measurements and explains how proper setup can dramatically influence output, clarity, dynamics, and overall P.A.F. character.

⚡ **The Guitargument – Lightning Round**
It's another fast-paced Lightning Round as Jon and Matthew tackle several timely topics from around the guitar world. Headlining the discussion is **"Irate Influencers: Is Outrage Good for Guitar?"** Has controversy become the secret to success on Guitar YouTube, or is constant outrage doing more harm than good for the guitar community? Expect spirited opinions, plenty of laughs, and opportunities for viewers to weigh in with their own perspectives.

🎼 **Matthew's Rorschach Riffs**
Matthew celebrates the release of the latest **Rolling Stones** album with a brand-new Rorschach Riffs challenge. Can Jon and Paul identify the musical inspiration behind Matthew's original riff, or will this tribute to one of rock's greatest bands leave everyone guessing?

📰 **Matthew's Musical Musings**
This week Matthew takes a nostalgic trip through the **May 1977 issue of Guitar Player magazine**, highlighting memorable articles and fascinating vintage advertisements that capture the state of the guitar industry nearly fifty years ago. From classic gear to iconic brands, it's a fun look back at what guitar players were reading—and dreaming about—in 1977.

👋 **Outro**
Thanks for joining us for another episode of the **ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast!** If you enjoyed the discussion, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your thoughts—especially on this week's Guitargument. We'll see you next time for more vintage tone, great guitars, and lively conversations from the Guitar Lounge.

If you enjoy vintage guitars, authentic P.A.F. pickups, P-90 tone, classic Fender and Gibson gear, and spirited guitar debates, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Bell so you never miss an episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast.

👉 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

The Tube Amp Era Is OVER! | P-90 vs P.A.F. Out-of-Phase Shootout + America's 250th Anniversary.
Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/

Happy Independence Day from all of us at the **ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast!** 🇺🇸

Episode #060 is a special Semiquincentennial Edition celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the United States, and we're marking the occasion with vintage guitar tone, guitar history, and one of the biggest debates in the modern guitar world.

This week's Guitargument asks the question that has guitar players talking everywhere:

Is the Tube Amp Era officially over?

With more touring professionals relying on digital modelers than ever before, are traditional tube amplifiers nearing the end of their reign? From legendary players embracing digital rigs to the continued love for classic Fender and Marshall amplifiers, Jon and Matthew debate whether tube amps are becoming obsolete—or whether they'll remain the gold standard for guitar tone for generations to come.

🎸 Gear Featured in This Episode
2006 Gibson CR6 1956 Historic Reissue Les Paul Goldtop with ThroBak Special-SB MXV P-90 Soap Bar 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

📬 ThroBak Mailbox
We answer viewer comments and questions from Episode #059, including reactions to our vintage 1959 Gibson P-90 Dog Ear comparison and how the ThroBak P-90 Dog Ear stacks up against one of the finest original vintage pickups we've ever tested.

🛠 Fullerton 457 Update
Jon provides the latest update on the historic Fullerton 457 vintage Fender pickup winding machine and discusses the exciting pickups ThroBak will soon be producing on this remarkable piece of American guitar history.

📰 Guitar News
We discuss the surprising departure of both of Bob Dylan's touring guitarists and the addition of acclaimed Chicago guitarist and ThroBak artist Joel Patterson to Dylan's touring band.

🎸 **Pickups of the Week**
This week's tone shootout features the **ThroBak P-90 SB Special** installed in a chambered Gibson Historic R6 Goldtop. We explore its unique out-of-phase middle position through a vintage Fender Silverface Deluxe Reverb before comparing it directly to a set of ThroBak '57 SteelHead P.A.F. humbuckers, also demonstrating their classic out-of-phase middle position. Which delivers the most inspiring out-of-phase tone?

👨‍🔧 Checking in with Paul
Paul gives us a look inside the shop as he winds a new set of Reference P.A.F. pickup bobbins that will be used in future episodes to demonstrate how different USA-cast Alnico magnets influence authentic vintage P.A.F. tone using a pair of Heritage H-150 Custom Core guitars.

⚡ The Guitargument
The Tube Amp Era Is OVER!
Digital modeling has reached an astonishing level. With artists such as Alex Lifeson and many other touring professionals embracing modelers for live performance, is the age of the tube amplifier coming to a close? Will classic tube amps become collector's pieces, or will they always remain the benchmark for great guitar tone?

🎼 Rorschach Riffs
Matthew celebrates Independence Day by challenging Jon with four patriotic guitar riffs. Can he identify them all?

🇺🇸 Matthew's Musical Musings
To celebrate America's 250th birthday, we look back at the musical interests of two of the nation's Founding Fathers—Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin—and explore their appreciation for stringed instruments and early American musical culture.

If you enjoy vintage guitars, authentic P.A.F. pickups, P-90 tone, classic Fender and Gibson gear, and spirited guitar debates, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Bell so you never miss an episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast.

Happy Fourth of July, and thanks for watching!
👉 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