NAMM 2025: Vintage’s Retro Desktop Amps Redefine Affordable Tone
While Vintage has made a name for itself by offering classic electric guitar designs at accessible prices, the British company is now venturing into new territory wiht its innovative Retro desktop amplifier series.
Introducing the Retro Series
The Retro series features 15- and 25-watt combo amplifiers, marking Vintage’s debut in the amplifier market. These models are engineered to provide a diverse array of tones, equipped with high-quality digital signal processing (DSP) effects, Bluetooth connectivity, recording capabilities, and eight distinct amp models that emulate some of the most legendary guitar amplifiers in history.
feature Breakdown
The 25-watt variant comes packed with an extensive feature set, including six effects—chorus, vibrato, delay, and two types of reverb—along with 30 customizable drum sounds for solo practice and adjustable treble and boost settings. In contrast, the 15-watt model simplifies the effects to five (omitting the flanger and one reverb option) and lacks the drum feature and treble/bass cut controls.
Despite these differences, both models deliver a rich tonal palette, offering a mix of “ultra-clean” and “heavily distorted” sounds. The amp simulations may include classics like the Peavey 5150, Vox AC, Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, and Marshall Plexi, providing players with a taste of iconic tones.
Control and Connectivity
On the 15-watt amp, users will find dials for selecting the amp simulation, as well as controls for Gain, Tone, and Master Volume. The 25-watt model adds four additional dials for the drum machine, including volume and tempo adjustments, along with treble and bass controls.
For connectivity,musicians can easily link their devices via Bluetooth or USB,allowing for seamless integration with digital audio workstations (DAWs) for home recording. Additionally, the Retro amps can connect to an external cabinet through a jack cable, with Vintage offering a 1×10 cabinet as part of the series. A 3.5mm headphone jack is also included for private practice sessions.
Competitive Landscape
As the market for budget-friendly and portable modeling amps continues to expand, with competitors like Positive Grid’s Spark GO and Boss’s Katana-Mini X, Vintage is stepping into a highly competitive arena. This growing selection ultimately benefits guitarists, and with the increasing popularity of floor modelers projected to continue into 2024, these amps are likely to remain in demand.
Affordability and Availability
The Vintage Retro amps are available in three stylish colors: Black, Vintage White, and Mint green, all at impressively low prices. The 15-watt model retails for just £119 (approximately $145), while the 25-watt version is priced at £149 (around $180). the cabinets are available for £89 (about $107) each.
For more details, visit Vintage’s official website.
