Best Distortion Pedal Podcasts (2025)

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 w…

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The Pickup We Ignored for Years! 27:56

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16h ago27:56

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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 …

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Venetian Vs. Florentine Cutaways... Which Is Which? 7:10

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Today we explore the differences between Venetian & Florentine cutaways. Where they came from and who coined these names. You might be surprised to learn the history!By shadsguitarshow

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Why I Stopped Chasing the “Perfect” Pedalboard 36:15

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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,…

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The Great Mix Up! Tremolo Vs. Vibrato 7:38

7d ago7:38

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Today we tackle one of the biggest mix ups in music gear history, tremolo vs. vibrato.By shadsguitarshow

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The Story Of The Legendary Fender 5E3 Tweed Deluxe 13:20

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Today we discuss the history of one of the most revered and copied amp circuits ever. The Fender 5E3 Tweed Deluxe.By shadsguitarshow

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A Modern Amp With Shockingly Vintage Feel! 29:22

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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 f…

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The Boutique Gear Pioneers 23:28

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On this episode we discuss the early pioneers of boutique gear. This was back before "boutique" was really a thing. These are the visionaries who shaped the modern boutique gear area as we know it today.By shadsguitarshow

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The Story Of The Unmistakable Guitar Of Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree 9:44

17d ago9:44

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On this episode we discuss what is probably the most iconic Guitar intro to a Christmas song of all-time, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree!By shadsguitarshow

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Guitars You Didn't Expect To Love, But DID! 12:46

22d ago12:46

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On this episode we discuss those guitars you didn't expect much from but ended up being some of your favorites. We also discuss the bigger question of are we overlooking some great import options because we have a hang up about guitars not boutique or made in USA?By shadsguitarshow

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Let's Talk About Delay! 15:20

27d ago15:20

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On this episode we discuss one of the coolest effects ever created for guitar! Delay...lay...lay...lay...lay. Join me!By shadsguitarshow

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Why Isn’t Everyone Talking About These Pedals?! 33:23

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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-…

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What's The Story With Heritage Guitars? 13:39

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On this episode we discuss a little but about Heritage Guitars!By shadsguitarshow

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A Little About Wes Montgomery 11:47

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This episode is a look at the life and legacy of Wes Montgomery. Listen To Wes!By shadsguitarshow

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A Little About The ES-175! The King Of Jazz Guitars 8:48

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On this episode we discuss the mighty ES-175! The king of Jazz guitars! ES-175 Tones!By shadsguitarshow

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Everything You Need To Know About Guitar Strings 13:17

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On this episode we discuss guitar strings! How they are made, the materials used and how they all have a characteristic and unique tonal quality.By shadsguitarshow

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Let’s Dissect One Of The Greatest Rock Songs Ever Recorded! 10:57

1M ago10:57

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On this episode, we dissect the song "Stairway To Heaven" and learn why it's rightly credited as one of the most (if not THE most) iconic rock songs ever recorded. Follow Me On Instagram!By shadsguitarshow

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What Album Means The Most To You? 11:37

1M ago11:37

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On this episode, we discuss the music that you'll never forget that had a huge impact on your life.By shadsguitarshow

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The Short Story Of The Gibson Explorer 16:39

1M ago16:39

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On this episode, we discuss the story of the Gibson Explorer.By shadsguitarshow

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Vintage Deluxe Reverb vs D25 JL — What’s the Difference? 29:01

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65' Deluxe Reverb vs D25JL | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 47 This week on Golden Age of Gear, Derek & Joey nerd out on vintage Fender amps and put a 1965 Deluxe Reverb (blackface) up against Joey’s Revv D25 JL. We dig into what makes tweed / brownface / blackface / silverface circuits feel different, why bias-vary tremolo hits different than opto trem, a…

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A440 & The Story Of Concert Pitch 7:59

2M ago7:59

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On this episode we discuss the mysterious A440 hz frequency and why we (mostly) all tune to this pitch. Follow Me On Instagram!By shadsguitarshow

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What's The Story With Languedoc Guitars? 15:29

2M ago15:29

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On this episode we discuss, Paul Languedoc, Languedoc Guitars, his connection to Trey Anastasio & Phish and what makes these guitars so special. Follow Me On Instagram!By shadsguitarshow

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Does Vintage Gear Really Sound Better… or Are We Lying to Ourselves? 27:40

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Fuzz Faces | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 46 This week on Golden Age of Gear, Derek & Joey get fuzzy with a table full of legendary and boutique fuzz face pedals — from an original Arbiter England Fuzz Face to custom builds from Dominion Fuzz and DanDrive. They talk about why old carbon-zinc batteries make fuzz pedals sound different, how small tweaks ch…

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Let's Talk Vinyl Records! 18:57

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On this episode, we discuss the amazing world of collecting and listening to vinyl records! We'll learn how they are made, how they work, and hear from a special guest about why they are so cool. www.instagram.com/shads_guitar_showBy shadsguitarshow

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Let's Talk About Tom Murphy And The Gibson Murphy Lab 10:04

2M ago10:04

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On this episode, we dive into the legacy of Tom Murphy and his connection to the Gibson Murphy Lab. www.instagram.com/shads_guitar_showBy shadsguitarshow

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Why Soul Jazz Should Be On Your Playlist! 16:57

2M ago16:57

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On this episode, we discuss my favorite genre of Jazz, Soul Jazz. I'd say it's a styler of jazz for players who don't like (or understand) jazz. It blends blues, soul, gospel and bebop into a wonderful, funky stew. Check out the Spotify playlist attached for some great examples! Let's dive in... Soul Jazz Playlist…

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We Found the ‘Scrungiest’ Klon Ever Made! 24:51

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This week, Joey and Derek dive into one of their favorite pedal brands — Mythos Pedals — and talk about the story, the sounds, and the friendship behind them. Joey shares how his connection with Zach Broyles (founder of Mythos) goes all the way back to the very first Brothers Landreth show in Nashville, and how that led to his own signature Mjolnir…

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The Fender Jaguar 11:27

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On this episode, we discuss the ins and outs of the Fender JaguarBy shadsguitarshow

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Why Do We Love Vintage Guitars? 7:18

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On this episode, we discuss what makes us covet vintage guitars.By shadsguitarshow

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The Secret Weapon You’ve Been Ignoring! 26:54

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EQ Pedal Shootout | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 44 This week, Joey and Derek go deep on one of the most underrated tools on your board — EQ pedals. What started as a “clean boost side quest” turned into a full-blown shootout between classics, mods, and a few surprises. The guys compare the legendary Boss GE-7, the XTS and Analog Man mods, the bargain-bi…

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The Legend Of The Klon Centaur 14:57

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On this episode, we dive into the Klon Centaur story. We'll discuss the man behind the myth, Bill Finnegan, and his intention behind the pedal as well as it's rise to mythical status and the effect of the pedal community in the years since 1994 when it was first unveiled.By shadsguitarshow

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The Rise Of The Serious Home Based Guitar Player 18:42

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On this episode we discuss the recent rise in serious guitar players who play exclusively (or almost) at home. We'll discuss the pre-internet guitar playing landscape vs. modern technology based playing.By shadsguitarshow

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Slide Guitar Secrets You Were NEVER Told (Until Now)! 32:42

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The Rock Slide | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 43 This week, Joey and Derek dive deep into the world of slide guitar — and if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to actually play slide in tune, this is the episode for you. Joey breaks down everything from basic open E tuning and muting technique to vibrato tips that make your playing sing. The guys also check…

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Why Guitarists Are Obsessed with THESE Pedals! 25:00

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Fairfield Circuitry | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 42 This week we’re diving into some truly weird and wonderful pedals — including a Fairfield Circuitry ring modulator, tilt EQ, and more. These Canadian-made pedals have a cult following for good reason, and we’re putting them to the test to see just how wild (and surprisingly musical) things can get. Fr…

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Rush 2.0 & Can legacy artists stay too long? 12:39

3M ago12:39

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On this episode we discuss Geddy & Alex's decision to tour as Rush with new drummer Anika Nilles. Also, we discuss legacy artists and whether or not they should still be performing past their prime.By shadsguitarshow

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This MIGHT Be the [COOLEST] Guitar You’ve Never Played 🎸 21:20

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Veritas Portlander | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 40 This week on Golden Age of Gear, Derek & Joey sit down with a stunning Veritas Portlander custom build — a guitar that blends boutique craftsmanship with unique player-focused specs. From a wenge neck and custom burst finish to the kind of details only a small shop can pull off, this Portlander has us …

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Our Best-Selling Amp Just Got Better | D20 MK2 & JL 29:05

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Revv D20MK2 & D20JL | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 40 It’s new amp day! Derek and Joey plug straight into the brand-new Revv D20 MK2 and the D20 Joey Landreth Edition — no pedals, no frills, just pure amp tone. Both amps take everything players loved about the original D20 and make it even better: - More headroom thanks to larger transformers - Bright sw…

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So You Want Be Be A Gear Demo Guy.... 14:32

3M ago14:32

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On this episode we explore some best practices for anyone aspiring to get into the world of gear demos.By shadsguitarshow

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Why Does This Pedal Sound BETTER Than Modern Gear?! 24:46

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Mutron 3 Plus | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 39 What happens when Joey plugs into a real Mutron 3 Plus? You get legendary envelope filter tones that shaped Jerry Garcia, John Mayer & beyond—plus plenty of unexpected laughs along the way. From funky low-pass sweeps to high-pass half-cocked wah tones, the Mutron 3+ proves why it’s one of the most iconic pe…

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This Guitar Might Be TOO Good…Collings I-35 33:44

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Collings I-35 LC | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 38 Welcome back to The Golden Age of Gear! 🎸 This week Joey and Derek take a deep dive into one of Joey’s most played and most beloved guitars—the Collings I-35 LC. From its stunning figured top and unique finish checking, to its upgraded Ron Ellis pickups (the same set Bill Frisell uses 👀), this guitar has…

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The ULTIMATE Clean Boost Pedal Showdown – 7 Go Head-to-Head! 24:47

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Boost Shootout | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 37 Looking for the best clean boost pedal? We lined up some of the most talked-about boosts — Mythos Luxury Drive, Keeley Katana, Revv Tilt Boost, Heuristic Tilt EQ, Non-Human Audio Roughcast, XTS GE-7 Mod, and NRG Pumper — and put them through a good old-fashioned shootout. Some are transparent and loud, som…

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The WEIRDEST Pedals We’ve Ever Played! 23:21

4M ago23:21

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This week on Golden Age of Gear, Joey and Derek check out some of the most creative and unusual pedals we’ve ever come across — all hand-built by Pete’s Pedals. What looks like vintage gear pulled from a basement? Actually brilliant pedal designs. We’re talking: 📞 A rotary phone turned dual overdrive & boost (with a real preamp tube!) 👽 A theremin …

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The Fender Jazzmaster 22:26

4M ago22:26

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Let's discuss the Fender Jazzmaster. Arguably Leo's first failure. But since it's huge miss with its intended audience, it's gone on to find a home in the hands of many players who love the little quirks that make the design so special. Join me for a dive into the Jazzmaster!By shadsguitarshow

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This AMP [Might] Out-Tone My Vintage Fenders! 29:56

4M ago29:56

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McNeil B100 Amplifier | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 35 This week on Golden Age of Gear, Joey and Derek dive into something truly unique from Joey’s collection — a hand-built McNeil B100 amplifier from Boston-based builder Brian McNeil. What starts as a story about two new dads bonding over amps quickly turns into tales of blown fuses, near-electrocution…

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The King Of The Surf Guitar 6:57

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On this episode we discuss the king of the surf guitar, Mr. Dick Dale. We'll talk about his early days, the sound he pioneered and the gear he help innovate to get it! Click the playlist link below to hear a few examples of Dale's extraordinary playing! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0vPxfloSoyUFkFUkyRiaYy?si=1da6376e8cb4402d…

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Is This $5K PRS [REALLY] 5x Better Than the $1K PRS? 29:45

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PRS DGT Core Model VS PRS DGT SE | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 34 It’s the most goldenest day on Golden Age of Gear — we’re putting the legendary PRS DGT Core Gold Top up against its budget-friendly sibling, the PRS DGT SE Gold Top. Both look stunning, both play great… but one costs five times more than the other. We dive into every detail — neck feel, …

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Don't Take The Internet's Word For It 14:12

5M ago14:12

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On this episode, we discuss some neck specs that we're generally told we shouldn't like but may find out we actually DO!By shadsguitarshow

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A Healthy Way To Digest Your Favorite Social Media Guitar Player's Content 6:36

5M ago6:36

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Today I want to offer some thoughts on the dangers of comparison to Social Media guitar players we all follow and perhaps a different way we can approach digesting this content.By shadsguitarshow

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Why Are Guitarists Paying $1,000 For [THIS] Delay Pedal? 32:02

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Memory Man | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 33 This week on The Golden Age of Gear, Joey dives headfirst into analog delay heaven with the vintage Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man — modded by none other than Analog Man. Sent over by Evan of Pedals to Metal, this iconic delay quickly goes from “loaner” to “might never leave the studio” status. We explore …