Golden Age of Gear - hosted by Joey Landreth & Derek from Revv Amps

Maxon OSD9 | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 30

This week on the Golden Age of Gear, Joey and Derek go down the rabbit hole with a vintage sleeper: the Maxon OSD9 Overdrive Soft Distortion.

Fresh from the same Toronto trip that turned up the legendary MXR Blue Box, Joey picked up this oddball overdrive after years of eyeing it in the case at Capsule Music. At first glance, the OSD9 looks a lot like a typical green box Tube Screamer—but it’s definitely something different. Joey and Derek talk about how this pedal compares to the SD9 Sonic Distortion, why it’s more mid-focused, and how it cleans up like a fuzz face if you dial it in just right.

Joey also dives into how session legends like Mike Landau and Steve Lukather inspired him to dig deeper into these quirky, vintage drives and why sometimes a pedal that sounds terrible in one context ends up being magic in another. Along the way, they swap stories about the golden era of Tube Screamers, the search for the perfect overdrive, and whether any of it really matters once you start playing.

If you’ve ever wondered why old Maxon and Ibanez pedals have such a cult following—or you just love seeing gear nerds pick apart the details—this episode is for you.

What’s your favorite underrated overdrive? Let us know in the comments!

Tom Anderson Raven | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 29

This week on the Golden Age of Gear, Joey and Derek dive into a custom-made masterpiece: the Tom Anderson Raven.

Derek walks us through the story behind this stunning silver sparkle Raven, built to his specs after Tom Anderson reached out for a trade that ended with a dream guitar. From the unique neck pocket design with just two screws, to the perfectly matched headstock color and Buzz Feiten tuning system, this Raven is packed with thoughtful details that set Anderson guitars apart.

We dig into what makes Tom Anderson one of the most respected builders in the US, compare it to other top-tier custom brands, and swap stories about why it’s worth investing in an instrument that feels like a true “forever guitar.” Along the way, Derek and Joey check out the Raven’s versatile HSS pickup setup, explore the switching system, and reflect on how this guitar has held up through dry Canadian winters (and a little inevitable fret sprout).

Whether you’ve always been curious about Tom Anderson’s work or you just love geeking out over beautiful custom builds, you’ll enjoy this look at one of the most inspiring guitars in the shop.

👉 What’s your “forever guitar”? Tell us in the comments!

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Vintage MXR Blue Box Fuzz | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 28

In this episode of Golden Age of Gear, Joey takes us on a trip to one of Canada’s most legendary guitar shops, Capsule Music in Toronto, for a day of crate digging and unexpected discoveries. Fresh off a Soul Coughing show (hence the now well-worn band shirt he refuses to wash), Joey, his brother, and his dad explored the shop’s walls of vintage guitars and stumbled onto something special: an original MXR Blue Box fuzz pedal from around 1980, complete with the original box, warranty card, and typewritten manual.

What started as a casual visit turned into scoring a rare piece of gear that’s probably worth way more than the price on the tag. Joey shares the story behind the pedal, why old gear was so expensive even decades ago, and how he lucked into finding it after years of seeing it in the display case.

Then, it’s time to finally plug it in and hear the gnarly fuzz tones and glitchy octave-down sounds that made this pedal a cult classic. If you’ve ever dreamed about stumbling across hidden gems in a dusty guitar shop, you’ll appreciate this one.

Let us know in the comments what your coolest guitar store find has been, and don’t forget to subscribe and ring the bell so you never miss an episode. Thanks for hanging out with us!

Marshall JCM800 50W CSA Edition | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 27

This week on The Golden Age of Gear, we’re cranking up one of the most iconic amps of all time — a 1986 Marshall JCM800 50-watt CSA edition — and asking the important question: Is this the JCM800 that could convert the haters?

This particular amp isn’t stock — it’s been lovingly modded and toured the world, originally owned by Mike Hall of Killer Dwarfs. Derek and Joey take it for a spin, talk about how it completely changed their minds on JCM800s, and compare it to other Marshalls they've owned and played over the years.

We also explore how voltage affects the feel and tone of vintage Marshalls using the AmpRX BrownBox, get into CSA certification quirks (hello, Canadian toggles), and dive into the great debate: 50-watt vs. 100-watt Marshalls — which do you prefer?

Along the way, you’ll hear some massive tones, unexpected stories (including bike-riding amp pickups), and why nothing beats the real deal when it comes to loud, cranked-up, British tone.

Let us know in the comments: Are you Team 50-Watt or Team 100-Watt? And what’s the best Marshall you’ve ever played?

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#Marshall #JCM800 #GoldenAgeOfGear #GuitarTone #AmpShootout #VintageGear #JoeyLandreth #RevvAmps

Keeley Zoma | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 26

This week on The Golden Age of Gear, we’re diving into the brand new Keeley Zoma—a reverb and tremolo unit that might just be a sleeper hit. Joey and Derek (or should we say Doey and Jarek?) sit down to explore what makes this deceptively simple pedal so inspiring to play.

From lush plate reverbs to beautiful harmonic tremolo and a surprisingly musical spring algorithm, the Zoma packs a ton of vibe into a compact box. Joey breaks down why this might be the first digital reverb pedal to really feel right—and what it’s like compared to classics like the Strymon Flint.

Along the way, we demo the Keeley Zoma in mono, talk about the nuances of harmonic trem vs phaser-like modulation, compare spring and plate verbs, and even dive into a few stories from GitCon and the broader world of boutique gear. This episode is as much about the joy of playing guitar as it is about the tech behind it.

We also talk about Robert Keeley’s impact on the gear world, his generosity in the community, and why the Zoma might be the best plug-and-play option for players who don’t want to get lost in menus and MIDI maps.

Let us know in the comments – have you tried the Zoma? What’s your go-to reverb or trem pedal?

JHS - NotaDumble | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 25

We hopped on the hype train and put together two JHS NotaDumbles to see what this IKEA-style DIY overdrive is really all about. Spoiler: It sounds surprisingly good—and it’s one of the easiest kits we’ve ever assembled.

In this episode, Derek and Joey dive deep into the NotaDumble, compare it to real Dumble amps they've played, and talk about what it gets right, what it doesn't quite capture, and why the clean boost might be the real star here. We also talk about the brilliance of the NotaKlon, JHS’s marketing magic, and the eternal tone quest for the perfect feel—not just sound.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a $120 pedal kit can hang with the big dogs, this one’s for you.

Let us know in the comments—did you grab a NotaDumble? What did you think?

Chicago Iron Octavian  | Ep. 24 - Golden Age of Gear

This week on Golden Age of Gear, Derek and Joey dive deep into one of Joey's most prized pedals: the Chicago Iron Octavian. It’s not just a killer sounding fuzz—this was the first expensive pedal Joey ever bought, and it's been with him ever since.

The Octavian is a faithful clone of the legendary Tycobrahe Octavia, the same fuzz that helped shape iconic tones from Hendrix, SRV, and Michael Landau. But as Joey explains, this isn’t a plug-and-play fuzz. From dialing in the right pickup settings to understanding how your playing dynamics affect the tone, the Octavian is a wild and rewarding ride—especially when paired with other fuzzes, drives, or a neck pickup and a 12th fret solo.

Along the way, Joey gets hands-on with the pedal, and talks about his favorite fuzzes, pairing tricks, and alternatives like the Mythos Argo, Kingtone Octaland, and Scott McKeon’s builds. Some of the other gear featured in this episode includes the Kingsley Juggler and Peasant, the El Capistan delay, the DanDrive Bonk Machine, and a few other fuzz and drive pairings that bring out the best in this iconic octave fuzz sound.

If you’ve ever struggled with fuzz pedals, this episode will help you fall in love—or at least understand what the hype is all about.

💬 Got a favorite Octavia-style fuzz? Drop it in the comments!

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James Tyler Studio Elite with Dann Huff  | Ep. 23 - Golden Age of Gear

This week on The Golden Age of Gear, we’re thrilled to welcome a truly legendary guest — guitarist, producer, and friend, Dann Huff. With a career that spans decades and includes work on some of the biggest records in the world, Dann’s influence on modern music is impossible to overstate.

In this episode, we dive into some serious guitar talk, starting with Derek’s brand new James Tyler “White Shmear” and Dann’s beautifully crafted ’64 Strat replica built by Tyler. Dann shows us what makes the Tyler preamp so unique, and shares how James Tyler modded his original 1964 Strat during his days as an LA session player.

We also catch up with Dann about a major milestone in his own career — the release of his very first solo instrumental album, When Words Aren’t Enough, out now on Baked Alaska Records. It’s a powerful, expressive guitar record that you are going to love.
Join us for an episode full of amazing stories, deep gear knowledge, and the kind of wisdom only a true legend can offer.

Pickup a copy of Dann's Album "When Words Aren't Enough" at https://bakedalaskarecords.com/

Schecter Nick Johnston - USA Custom | Ep. 22 - Golden Age of Gear

In this episode of Golden Age of Gear, Derek and Joey sit down for a deep dive into one of Derek’s most treasured guitars: his Schecter Nick Johnston USA Custom Shop. From its stunning wenge neck to the killer tone and rock-solid stability, this isn’t the Schecter you think you know. The guys chat about the backstory behind the guitar, how it compares to the import Diamond Series version, and why Derek refuses to fly overseas with it.

Plus, they get real about their Instagram doomscrolling habits, guitar neck finishes, pickup preferences, and what it really means when a guitar becomes your #1.

Whether you’re a diehard Schecter fan or just love hearing players gush about their favorite gear, this one’s full of laughs, honest takes, and killer tones.

👇 Let us know in the comments: What’s your #1 guitar?

#SchecterGuitars #NickJohnston #GoldenAgeOfGear #GuitarReview #CustomShopGuitars #StratStyle #GuitarTone

Giudis Pedals | Ep. 21 - Golden Age of Gear

This week on The Golden Age of Gear, Derek and Joey take a first look at one of the most unique pedals to ever grace the show—a wild Italian fuzz unit from Giudis Pedals, built into a repurposed military control box.
Sent to Joey by Giulio from Italy, this one-of-a-kind stompbox delivers gritty octave fuzz tones, a starve switch for voltage freakouts, and a vintage enclosure that might’ve once launched missiles (or at least operated a walkie talkie).
We plug it in for the very first time on camera—and yeah, it rips. Think Bosstone meets DIY art project meets Cold War relic.

We also dive into our love for other weird pedals with custom enclosures, talk about fuzz tones that still manage to retain stringiness and surprising dynamics, and reminisce about some of the wildest gear we’ve seen—like pedals built into literal toolboxes and guitars made from vintage Micro Machines playsets.

Got a bizarre or beautiful DIY pedal you think we should check out? Drop a comment—we want to see the weirdest stuff you’ve got.

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Check out Giudis pedals over at: https://giudispedals.jimdofree.com/

0:00 - Intro
0:56 - What Is it?
5:07 - Let’s Hear It!
10:15 - Slide Tones
11:37 - Check Out This Trick!
12:25 - Some Thoughts
17:10 - What Is The Box?
18:20 - Fun Stories
20:50 - Joey Plays Us Out