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.