In this episode of Golden Age of Gear, Derek and Joey break down their latest collaboration: the Dirt Dog overdrive — a pedal designed to capture the amp-like overdrive tones Joey used while recording Dog Ear, and recreate them reliably on a pedalboard.

What started as a conversation about chasing specific record tones turned into a deep dive on touch response, gain structure, and flexibility. The goal wasn’t just “another overdrive” — it was something that could move from clean boost to saturated drive, clean up with your volume knob, and feel more like an amp than a pedal.

We talk about:

How the Dirt Dog came together from early prototypes to final tweaks
Why amp-style overdrive is harder to get right than people think
Gain staging, EQ balance, and dialing the “in-between” tones
The importance of touch sensitivity and volume-knob cleanup
Why this pedal isn’t tied to a specific amp model — and why that matters

Along the way, Derek and Joey get sidetracked (as usual) talking about guitar technique, right-hand struggles, Winnipeg’s absurd talent pool, and why some pedals just feel better the more you play them.

If you’re into amp-like overdrive pedals, signature collaborations, or understanding how great tones actually get built, this episode is for you.

👇 Let us know in the comments
What kind of overdrive do you reach for most? Do you prefer amp-style pedals or classic circuits? And what tones should we chase next?

DSM Humboldt Dumblifier | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 55

In this episode of Golden Age of Gear, Derek and Joey check out a brand-new release from DSM Humboldt — an analog Dumble-style amp simulator designed to capture classic ODS tones in a compact, pedalboard-friendly format.

Known for their Simplifier series, DSM Humboldt takes a different approach here: pure analog circuitry, dual channels, built-in reverb, cab simulation, and direct-out capability — all aimed at players who love Dumble-style amps but don’t love hauling (or affording) a six-figure amplifier.

We dig into:

What makes Dumble-style / ODS circuits feel and respond the way they do
Clean vs dirty channel interaction and gain staging
Power amp feel vs pedal feel
Analog cab simulation (and why most of them miss the mark)
Using this as an end-of-board solution or straight into a power amp
How this stacks up against other Dumble-style pedals and solutions

Most importantly, we talk about feel — how this responds under the fingers, how it handles single coils vs humbuckers, and whether it actually delivers the bloom, sustain, and midrange complexity people chase in Dumble-style amps.

If you’re into Dumble-style pedals, amp-less rigs, analog amp simulation, or pedalboard-based touring setups, this one’s worth watching.

👇 Let us know in the comments
What’s your favorite Dumble-style pedal or amp sim? Have you tried DSM Humboldt gear before? And what should we put into a full ODS shootout?

Like, subscribe, ring the bell — and we’ll see you next week.

Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 54

In this episode of Golden Age of Gear, Derek and Joey go deep on one of the most divisive effects in guitar history: compression. Starting with the famously weird Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer (yes, the Lego-looking one), the conversation quickly turns into a real-world discussion about why players use compressors, when they actually make sense, and why so many guitarists (including us) have struggled to love them.

From vintage slide tones inspired by Lowell George, to modern pedalboard-friendly compressors like the Analog Man Bi-Comp, we explore how compression shapes sustain, attack, feel, and tone — and why it can be magical in one context and completely unbearable in another.

This episode isn’t about telling you what to like — it’s about figuring out what compression actually does, how players really use it, and whether there’s a version out there that adds sustain without killing your tone.

Along the way, we cover:
The Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer and why it inspired so many modern compressors
Why compressors feel incredible for slide guitar (and awful for some players)
Compression as a solo boost vs always-on effect
Attack, sustain, and the dreaded “puffy” sound
Why some players swear by compression — and others can’t stand it
The never-ending hunt for a compressor that adds sustain without artifacts

As always, this episode is equal parts tone nerdery, real-world experience, and friendly disagreement — which is kind of the whole point of Golden Age of Gear.

👇 Let us know in the comments:
Do you love compressors? Hate them? Use one only for solos? Or have you found the compressor that does exactly what we’re talking about?

If you’re enjoying these conversations, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell so you don’t miss future episodes. We’ve got a lot more gear debates coming.

P90 Pickups | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 53

In this week’s episode of Golden Age of Gear, we go all-in on P90 pickups — why they feel so good, why they sit in that perfect middle ground between single coils and humbuckers, and why so many players (including us) have slept on them for way too long.

We A/B a wide range of P90-equipped guitars, exploring how different winds, builders, and designs shape feel, output, noise, and attitude — from modern boutique options to stock pickups that seriously overdeliver.

In this episode we dig into:

Why P90s might be the best of both worlds
Noise, output, and gain handling compared to single coils and humbuckers
Drop-in P90 upgrades that completely transform a guitar
Boutique vs stock pickups (and when each makes sense)
Why some guitars just come alive with P90s
How P90s handle modern gain surprisingly well
The “single pickup” magic and why it feels different

Pickups featured include options from Tom Anderson, Lindy Fralin, Ron Ellis, Peg City Pickups, and Yamaha, along with guitars from Novo, Gibson, and Yamaha. — all through real amps, real gain, and real-world playing.

👇 Let us know in the comments:

What’s your favorite P90 pickup or guitar?
Which builder should we try next?
Are you Team P90, Team Humbucker, or still loyal to single coils?

If you love honest gear talk, real-world comparisons, and discovering why certain pieces of gear just feel right, hit Like, Subscribe, and ring the bell so you don’t miss future episodes of Golden Age of Gear.

Joey's New Board | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 52

In this week’s episode of Golden Age of Gear, Joey walks Derek through a brand-new pedalboard build — not just what’s on it, but why it’s there, what’s likely to change, and how his approach to gear has evolved.

This isn’t a “perfect Instagram board.” It’s a working, modular rig built around inspiration, portability, and real-world use — something that can do fun, creative sounds without getting in the way of actually playing guitar.

We talk about:

Why this pedalboard is intentionally less precious and more flexible
Choosing pedals that inspire you instead of chasing hype
The balance between “want” vs “need” on a board
MIDI control, stereo rigs, and avoiding tap-dancing
Transformer-based boosts and subtle tone shaping
Travel-friendly pedalboard design and airline realities
Why some pedals stay forever — and others are always up for replacement

Joey also breaks down his new Pivotal Pedal Boards setup, loop routing, power choices, cable decisions, and how this board is designed to change over time instead of being locked in forever.

This episode is less about rules and more about permission — permission to experiment, pivot, simplify, and build a rig that actually serves the music instead of slowing you down.

👇 Let us know in the comments:

Are you constantly rebuilding your pedalboard or do you lock it in?

What’s the one pedal you can’t seem to take off your board?

If you enjoy honest gear conversations, real-world rigs, and slightly unhinged pedalboard philosophy, hit subscribe, ring the bell, and come hang with us every week.

Revv Dynamis D40 | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 51

What’s up, friends? We’re back this week with a proper look at the Revv D40 — an amp that’s been part of the Revv lineup for a while now, but one Joey hasn’t really spent meaningful time with since the early prototype days. After hearing how incredible Dann Huff sounded through it earlier this year, it felt like the right time to finally plug in and see what this thing is all about from Joey’s hands-on perspective.

We get into how the D40 grew out of the original Dynamis 740, what changed, what carried forward, and how Shawn Tubbs and Dan worked together to reshape the drive channel into something with more bloom, more feel, and more of that vintage-inspired character players kept asking for. It’s still undeniably a Revv amp — tight low end, punchy response, super clear articulation — just with its own vibe and personality.

And of course, it wouldn’t be Golden Age of Gear without some wandering prairie philosophizing, truck talk, and general guitar-nerd joy along the way.

What’s Inside This Episode

🎛️ Clean Channel Tones — bright switch magic, tons of headroom, reverb in the loop, and why this clean channel loves pedals.
⚡ Drive Channel Breakdown — voicing updates, note bloom, and how Shawn Tubbs helped dial in the feel.
🎸 Real Playing — slide tones, boost stacking, cleanup tests, sustain experiments, and Joey’s take on the “Revv punch” vs. the looser feel of vintage amps.
🔧 Design Notes — dual masters, Two Notes Torpedo reactive load with IRs, pedal-platform behaviour, and where the D40 sits in the Revv family.

If you’ve ever wondered how the D40 actually feels under the fingers — especially compared to the 740 or the Generator — this episode should paint the full picture.

👇 Let us know in the comments:
Are you gigging a D40? Still rocking a 740? What should we run into this amp next?

Thanks for hanging with us — like, subscribe, ring the bell, and we’ll see you next week.

Bob Burt Gr8t Distortion Pedal | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 50

Welcome back, friends! Today we’re diving into a seriously cool piece of boutique distortion history — the Bob Burt Gr9t Distortion, a pedal from one of the OG custom cabinet builders turned pedal-maker. This thing looks wild, sounds wild, and has one of the strangest compression controls we’ve ever used… in all the best (and sometimes weirdest) ways.

In classic Golden Age fashion, we go down the rabbit hole: RAT circuits, boutique builders from the ’90s, Alan Hinds’ tone secrets, compression controversies, used pedal bin glory, and even a little family history involving Derek, Luke, and budget-stretching Canadian Kijiji hauls.

What We Cover in This Episode

🎛️ Bob Burt Gr8t Distortion — Volume, tone, gain, and the bizarre-but-cool compression knob.
⚡ RAT vs. Gr8t — How close it gets, what’s different, and why it sounds the way it does.
🎸 Real-World Use — Slide tones, cleanup behavior, mix placement, and dynamic feel.
🧰 Boutique Pedal Quirks — Odd enclosures, one-off layouts, and why weird old pedals are often gems.

If you dig boutique distortion, RAT circuits, oddball vintage clones, or gear with real builder history behind it — you’re gonna love this one.

👇 Let us know in the comments:
Have you ever played a Bob Burt pedal? What’s your favorite RAT variant? And what weird, obscure pedal should we track down next?

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell to help keep the Golden Age rolling.

Kernom Pedals | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 49

In this episode of The Golden Age of Gear, Derek and Joey dive into some truly wild sonic territory with three next-level pedals from Kernom — the Ridge, the Moho, and the Ellipse. These French wizards have been making a quiet but VERY loud splash in the guitar world, and today we dig into why their analog-driven, feature-packed designs have so many players talking.

We’re exploring how these pedals blend analog tone, clever digital control, and deep tweakability to create everything from classic overdrive flavors to gritty fuzz madness and rich modulation textures. Whether you're chasing transparent drive, thick vintage fuzz, tri-chorus dreaminess, harmonic trem, or a super-flexible overdrive that can mimic your favorite pedals from across your board — these boxes kind of do it all.

What We Cover:

🎛️ Kernom Ridge – An all-analog overdrive that can emulate your favorite ODs using its “mood” knob to switch clipping types on the fly. MIDI, presets, tone shaping, AND a unique enclosure? Yeah… it’s a thing.

⚡ Kernom Moho – A fuzz machine that goes from vintage, spitty, gated tones to modern high-gain fury. Octaves, ring mod, smooth transitions between textures… Derek even likes it, and he’s famously “not a fuzz guy.”

🌊 Kernom Ellipse – Modulation galore. Harmonic trem, rotary, flanger, phaser, vibe, tri-chorus — all analog-driven with beautiful control over shape, blend, and movement. Not stereo, but ridiculously deep and insanely musical.

Along the way we get into:

How the “mood” knob actually alters clipping components

Pre/post EQ tricks for shaping drive the way amp builders do

What really matters with harmonic trem

Univibe purism (Joey has opinions)

The surprisingly impressive design choices in Kernom’s enclosures

Why these pedals feel like an analog counterpoint to modern multi-FX units

As always, we’d love to hear from you — what Kernom pedal impresses you the most? What should we check out next? Drop your thoughts in the comments and hit that subscribe button to help keep the show rolling.