ABOUT THIS EPISODE
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?
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