Relay Torch
Punch · Vocal mids · Presence
A P90-type middle pickup acts as a primary voice, giving the guitar stronger mids, more punch, and a forward position in the mix.
Bridge
Humbucker
Alnico V · 11.2K
Middle
P90-type
Alnico V · 8.7K
primaryNeck
Humbucker
Alnico II · 7.6K
Pickup interaction: Primary voice
The P90-type middle pickup is a main selector destination for punch, vocal mids, and mix presence.
What it is
Relay Torch is a mid-forward, expressive guitar with a strong personality. The middle pickup is a P90-type primary voice, not a blend layer for the humbuckers.
Pickup interaction
Category: Primary voice.
The 5-way blade gives the middle pickup its own position and two combined positions. The Mean 90 is treated as a main voice because its midrange character is the point of the model.
That matters because Torch is not trying to be smooth or neutral. The switch should give you places where the guitar pushes forward in the mix instead of politely filling space.
Controls
5-Way Blade
Bridge
Bridge humbucker alone. Hot and driven — for heavy rhythm parts and lead.
Bridge + Middle
Bridge combined with the Mean 90. Punch with upper-mid push — cuts through a band mix.
Middle
Mean 90 alone. The central Torch voice — vocal, punchy, and forward in the mix.
Neck + Middle
Neck combined with the Mean 90. Still present but with more warmth and body.
Neck
Neck humbucker alone. The most rounded position — usable, but not the defining sound here.
Tone (push-pull) — Edge contour.
How it behaves
Torch is punchy because the middle voice puts more information in the mids, where the guitar competes with vocals, keys, and rhythm tracks. It feels vocal because notes have a clear center instead of a scooped or glassy shape.
The bridge humbucker should be hot enough to drive an amp, but it cannot get muddy. The neck should stay usable and not overpower the middle. The combined positions should feel like different ways to use that midrange character, not like attempts to hide it.
Choose Torch if you want presence and character more than refinement.
Who it's for
Rock, pop, alternative, and modern country players. Torch fits players who want the guitar to push back a little: stronger hooks, more front-of-mix rhythm parts, and lead lines that do not need extra brightness to be heard.
Pickup choices
- Neck: GFS Professional Series Alnico II Humbucker
- Middle: GFS Mean 90
- Bridge: GFS VEH humbucker
If you substitute parts, the middle pickup must have strong midrange character. The bridge should be hot but not muddy. Avoid scooped pickups because they pull Torch away from the vocal, forward behavior that defines it.
Next in your build
This voicing shares the Relay body and hardware; its electronics and wiring are specific to the sound you just picked.
Join the community
Building Torch? Ask about parts choices, wiring quirks, and substitutions before you order.