ThroBak Electronics

From pickups to pedals in Grand Rapids

Gundry founded ThroBak Electronics in Grand Rapids in 2002, beginning with both effect pedals and pickups¹. The company describes its mission through "lines of vintage inspired effects and period accurate pickups," with a commitment to USA made quality applied to every detail¹. Today the pedal line includes the Overdrive Boost, an overdrive/boost pedal⁴⁵, the Fuzz Haze, the Stone Bender MKII, and the Strange Master treble booster⁶⁷⁸³.

Known for P.A.F. and P-90 reproductions

ThroBak's reputation rests first on its pickups. The company states that its P.A.F. reproductions "are made with the exact same materials and cosmetics as the vintage collectable"¹. For players, that means the pickups are built to match the original Gibson humbuckers and P-90s in materials and appearance, not merely in sound.

The pedal line follows the same vintage reproduction approach:

• Fuzz Haze: a recreation of the germanium Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face, with socketed transistors that allow ThroBak to individually tune each pedal².
• Stone Bender MKII: based on the Sola Sound Tone Bender MKII. ThroBak says vintage units had inconsistencies that the Stone Bender has tamed⁶.
• Overdrive Boost: an overdrive/boost guitar effects pedal⁴⁵.
• Strange Master: a treble booster³.

Vintage tooling, parts and materials

The company's manufacturing story is unusual among pedal and pickup makers. When ThroBak winds a pickup in its shop, it does so on vintage winding machines that once sat in the Kalamazoo factory in the 1950s, the original home of Gibson pickup production¹. Gundry explains the reasoning:

Parts are made to vintage specifications with ThroBak's own tooling, and Gundry sources from Michigan machine shops with a direct link to the originals: "Here in Michigan I use many of the same shops that made parts in the 50's for Gibson"¹.

Made in the USA

Every ThroBak pedal page carries a "MADE IN THE USA" statement, covering the Overdrive Boost, Fuzz Haze, Stone Bender MKII and Strange Master⁴⁶⁸³. The company frames this as part of its overall approach: USA made quality applied to every detail, with parts made in the USA on its own tooling¹.

Shipping, returns and support

ThroBak sells direct, and its policies are stated on its product pages:

• Free shipping in the USA on all orders²
• Free international shipping on orders over $300²
• A 15% restocking fee applies to all returned effect pedals, and pedals returned with cosmetic or other damage are not accepted⁴

Support is available by phone at 616-734-8977³.

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