ToneQuest Report: May 2025 – Vol. 26, No. 7

The Inside:

“Resonance is a thing. How many times have you picked up an electric and strummed a big open G chord and you just know?—It’s amazing.”— Charlie Starr

Unlock a rare, inside track to the sounds that move stages and shape records. Ride shotgun with Charlie Starr as he reveals the real-world setups behind his stage sound—from handpicked Les Paul Juniors and custom-wired harnesses to vintage amps and pedalboard flow. Discover the mystique of Steve Howe’s Coral electric sitar, its SitarMatic bridge, and the Eastern textures it brought to classic Yes recordings. Then, go inside the meticulous world of Tom Holmes—master pickup builder—as he unveils the craft, components, and voice behind his legendary H450/H455 humbuckers. Tune in, take notes, and refine the architecture of your tone.

Going To The Depths With Charlie Starr
Rounds Two & Three With A Zen Seeker
Recent Amp Bender
Signal Path-Starr Words Of Wisdom And Toying With The Possibilities
Comparing SG Juniors To The ’50s
How The Gibson Charlie Starr Came To Be
Pedal Dive
Most Played Acoustic Guitars-The J-45’s Preferred Tone
The Show Must Go On…Remembering Brit Turner “The Song Drummer”
—Scott Ulrichs

In this comprehensive multi-part cover story, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke delivers a technical deep-dive into the tonal architecture behind his electrics, acoustics, and amp configurations. From vintage Juniors and boutique tube heads to nuanced pedalboard signal chains, Starr shares refined insights earned from decades of professional touring and studio work—shedding light on the subtle elements that define truly great guitar tone.

Steve Howe’s Coral Sitar – Eastern String-Trigue – EMEAPP Private Rock Collection – Playing Steve Howe’s Coral Guitar —Pete Prown

A detailed examination of the rare and iconic Coral Sitar as modified and utilized by Steve Howe of Yes. Now housed at EMEAPP, this electric sitar’s SitarMatic buzz bridge, sympathetic strings, and lipstick pickups created one of rock’s most exotic voices. We analyze its construction, playability, tone shaping capabilities, and period-correct alternatives for those chasing vintage psychedelic textures.

Feature Interview – Tom Holmes 2.0 And The Bionic Heart —Riverhorse

An exclusive conversation, Tom Holmes—renowned pickup builder and former Gibson consultant—details his lifetime of innovation, precision machining, and the obsessive craftsmanship that defines his legendary humbuckers. From proprietary tooling and decades-old molds to philosophical insights and post-surgery resilience, Holmes shares a master class in tone-building rooted in discipline, knowledge, and tradition. This is the definitive story of how one man redefined the humbucker for players who demand uncompromising fidelity.

 

Tom Holmes Pickup Review – THC H450/H455 Humbuckers —Riverhorse

We put a freshly wound set of Tom Holmes’ H450/H455 pickups to the test in a vintage-correct Goldtop with a ’58 harness and pure nickel .011s. The results were revelatory—big, harmonically rich note bloom, articulate chord definition, and dynamic response that rivals vintage PAFs. With measured DC resistance and extensive A/B comparisons, this review captures the tonal characteristics and feel of what many consider the gold standard in boutique humbuckers. A true benchmark for serious tone chasers.