P90 Pickups vs P.A.F. Through a Marshall… The Difference Is Bigger Than We Expected

P90 vs PAF Through a Marshall… The Difference Is Bigger Than We Expected | ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast #043
Upgrade your guitar with ThroBak Pickups 👉 https://www.throbak.com/

Welcome back to the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast, where Jon Gundry and Matthew Quail dig into the details that shape great guitar tone. In this episode we put two legendary pickup designs head-to-head through a Marshall amp to hear how they really compare. P90 pickups and P.A.F. humbuckers each have their own reputation, but when played through a cranked Marshall the tonal differences can be surprising. Listen closely and decide for yourself which voice wins the day.

📬 Viewer Mail – The Truth About the KZ/LP-115 Pickup Winder
We kick things off with a question from a viewer asking what makes ThroBak KZ-115 MXV pickups unique and why the vintage KZ/LP-115 Gibson pickup winder used by ThroBak is so significant.
Jon Gundry explains the history behind this Kalamazoo-era coil winding machine and how its mechanical design, winding pattern, and production characteristics differ from modern equipment. Jon also addresses why some competitors claim similar capabilities—and why those claims don’t hold up when you understand how the original machine actually works.

🎸 Pickups of the Week – P90 vs PAF Through a Marshall
In this episode’s featured tone test, Jon and Matthew compare two classic pickup voices:

• ThroBak ’55/’56-SB MXV P90 Reproduction Pickups
• ThroBak SLE-101 MXV P.A.F. Reproduction Humbuckers

Both sets are played through a Marshall amplifier to hear how these legendary designs respond to British-style gain and midrange punch.

If you love Les Paul tones, vintage pickup design, and classic rock amp sounds, this comparison is one you won’t want to miss.

⚡ Lightning Round Guitargument + Cool Down
Next up, Jon and Matthew jump into a rapid-fire Guitargument Lightning Round, debating a series of spontaneous guitar topics. Expect opinions, friendly disagreement, and a few controversial takes before cooler heads prevail in the Cool Down.

🎵 Rorschach Riffs – Electric Guitar Edition
Matthew returns with another edition of Rorschach Riffs, this time on electric guitar. Can you identify the famous riffs hidden in his quick-fire playing? See if you can beat Jon to the answers.

🎶 Matthew’s Musical Musings
In this week’s Matthew’s Musical Musings, Matthew takes a look at the growing trend of mini vinyl records—tiny collectible pressings that are capturing the attention of music fans and vinyl collectors alike.

🎧 Outro
We wrap up the show with final thoughts and a look ahead to the next episode of the ThroBak Guitar Lounge Podcast.

👍 If you enjoy real guitar tone tests, vintage pickup history, and honest guitar debates, subscribe and join the conversation in the comments.

Gear used in this video:
Pickups:
ThroBak "55/'56-SB P90 Reproduction Pickups
https://www.throbak.com/p90-pickup-soap-bar-throbak-55-56-sb.html
ThroBak SLE-101 Plus MXV P.A.F. Vintage Reproduction Pickups
https://www.throbak.com/paf-style-pickups-throbak-sle-101-plus.html

Guitars:
• 2009 Gibson 1956 Reissue GoldTop Les Paul with ThroBak "55/'56-SB P90 Reproduction Pickups
• 1952/'57 Vintage Gibson Les paul Conversion

Amp:
• Marshall SV20H Studio Vintage 20-watt Amplifier

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, established in 2002 to bring the best of vintage