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/