ThroBak P.A.F. Repro Showdown: Alnico 4 vs Alnico 2 Tone Battle!

ThroBak P.A.F. Showdown: Alnico 4 vs Alnico 2 — Ultimate Tone Battle! Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups: https://www.throbak.com/ How much of your tone comes down to magnet choice? In this episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, Jon and Matthew put two classic P.A.F. magnet formulas to the test in a true A/B comparison. Hear the sonic differences between ThroBak USA-cast long Alnico 4 magnets and ThroBak USA-cast “Dry” long Alnico 2 magnets loaded into the new ThroBak ’57 SteelHead MXV low-output P.A.F. reproduction pickups. We run these pickups through two Gibson Les Paul Goldtops so you can hear exactly how each magnet flavor shapes your attack, sustain, clarity, compression, and vintage sweetness. If you've ever wondered how A2 vs A4 changes your P.A.F. tone, this is the ultimate real-world demo. 🎸 What’s Inside This Episode 🔊 P.A.F. Magnet A/B Test: Alnico 4 vs Alnico 2 •Side-by-side comparison of A4 and A2 ThroBak magnets •Les Paul Goldtop tone shootout •Hear the dynamic response, bloom, and midrange differences •Perfect for vintage tone fans and pickup geeks 💼 Industry Insights Jon and Matthew discuss: •The start of the holiday guitar sales season •What players can expect from retailers this year •Details about ThroBak’s Black Friday → Cyber Monday sale ⚔️ Guitargument Lightning Round •Rapid-fire takes on hot guitar topics—fast, fun, opinionated. 🧠 Matthew’s Rorschach Riffs •Jon and the audience jump into a round of riff recognition. Can you name them all? 🎶 Matthew’s Musical Musings •Matthew needs YOUR advice: Should he go see Rush on their upcoming tour? 🎧 Why This Video Matters If you're researching: •A2 vs A4 magnets •PAF pickup comparisons •Les Paul pickup upgrades •Best vintage-style humbuckers •ThroBak SteelHead MXV review This video gives you live pickup sound samples and direct commentary from the people who build them. Gear used in video: Guitars: 2004 Gibson Les Paul Historic Reissue R7 1968 Gibson Les paul Standard Goldtop converted to humbuckers 2020 Fender 70th Anniversary Broadcaster Pickups: ThroBak '57 SteelHead MXV P.A.F. Repros with Long A4 Magnets https://www.throbak.com/paf-style-pic... ThroBak Nocaster - A3 Classic MXV, NC-A3 pickups Amp: 1979 Fender Deluxe Reverb Pedal: Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive 0:00:00 Intro 0:00:45 ThroBak Mailbox 0:05:46 Hear ThroBak '57 SteelHead pickups with Alnico 4 magnets 0:09:21 Hear ThroBak '57 SteelHead pickups with Alnico 2 magnets 0:12:30 Discussion about tonal differences of Alnico 4 vs Alnico 2 0:18:39 Industry Insights: Black Friday deals have begun 0:22:12 Industry Insights: More G&L thoughts 0:29:58 The Guitargument: The Lightning Round 0:36:08 The Cool Down 0:43:35 Rorschach Riffs 0:53:10 Matthew's Musical Musings - Rush sticker shock! 1:00:54 Outro 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-... https://www.throbak.com/telecaster-pi... https://www.throbak.com/alnico-magnet... https://www.throbak.com/pedals.html https://www.throbak.com/strings.html Amazon Tool Links: Micro-Mesh https://amzn.to/3HofHju Wooden Cam Clamps https://amzn.to/45UokeI https://amzn.to/45jPlIr Hakko CHP-170 Micro Soft Wire Cutters https://amzn.to/4osrX2Z Lutz 15-in-1 Ratchet Screwdriver https://amzn.to/4m0O9j4 Virtuoso Premium Cleaner https://amzn.to/45cbA2M Jonard AT-6241 Amp Trim Pot Tool https://amzn.to/4lmO1dh Guitar Pick Organizer https://amzn.to/3TlboHY TC Electronics Polytune 3 Mini https://amzn.to/4klPMWU D'Addario Eclipse Cello/Bass Tuner https://amzn.to/3ThMU2f StewMac Micro-Mesh Touch Up Filing Stick https://amzn.to/3GdzHEM Hosco Nut File Set https://amzn.to/3I8qs9t Shinwa 150mm Steel Machinist Ruler https://amzn.to/3TqeVVe Stew Mac Fretboard Finishing Oil https://amzn.to/3HykDSl Groove Tech Jack and Pot Wrench https://amzn.to/43FXFQA Grobet 4" Round Needle File Cut 0 https://amzn.to/3GTWd5A Weller Soldering Iron https://amzn.to/4k79TIE Weller Soldering Iron Tips Variety Pack https://amzn.to/42TaxUz Weller Wide ETD 4.8mm Soldering Tip https://amzn.to/4kb8twL Book Links: The Ultimate Book of Blues Guitar Legends https://amzn.to/3SZmzWD Mike Campbell Heartbreaker Book https://amzn.to/43zy9MR 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.