Guitar Journal: My Top 3 NAMM 2025 Highlights
My NAMM 2025 Highlights - My Top 3 new products from this year's show
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This year’s NAMM was full of fantastic new guitar gear, and there was so much to talk about, with some significant new releases from all the larger companies. This week, I share my top three highlights of the show.
My NAMM 2025 Highlights
Friedman Jose Arredondo Plexi Mod Amp
Dave Friedman was at the show, showing off the not-yet-released Jose Arredondo Plexi Mod amp, which looks fantastic. It will be a limited run once it is officially announced, and he worked closely with Jose’s family.
The King of Modded Marshalls
In the 1970s, if you craved a truly exceptional Hard Rock/Metal modded Marshall amplifier, your destination was Jose Arredondo. He was renowned for his extensive array of modifications, meticulously tailored to deliver the precise sound each musician desired.
Dave Friedman
I’m a sucker for Dave’s work anyway, and she worked with Jose’s daughter to make these, and she grew up in her father’s workshop.
These are going to be epic! I will update you once all the details have been officially revealed, but for now, watch the video and drool.
Way Huge
As much as I love Dave Friedman’s amps, I also adore Jeorge Tripps’ Way Huge effects (I’m addicted; I have a Way Huge stompbox fetish), and he announced the limited run Geisa Girl Overdrive at NAMM.
There have been a few variations on the aesthetic of these over the last few years (with some being highly collectible), and for 2025, the pedal has gone blue (plus a highly limited edition green version).
Dynamic Drive
The Way Huge Smalls Geisha Drive is a versatile overdrive/distortion pedal. Its simple design lets your guitar’s voice shine through, offering a wide range of tones from subtle overdrive to aggressive distortion.
Three Knobs
Adjust your guitar’s volume for dynamic control. The three knobs (Volume, Drive,Tone) shape gritty, responsive tones. It excels with both clean and slightly overdriven amps.
Looks great in blue (available at Thomann) and green (and yes, I want one).
MSRP – USD 199 / GBP 195
AmpRx Brownie Voltage Controller
Okay, if you made it this far, then you’ll have guessed (I hope) that all off my top three highlights of NAMM 2025 are based around overdrive, amps and great drive tones. Well, the new AmpRx Brownie Voltage Controller is designed to help you get that ‘Brown Sound’ from your tube amp.
Ed’s Brown Sound
Without all the hassles of running a Variac, like Mr Van Halen taught us (Happy Heavenly 70th Birthday, Eddie). Ed used a Variac to lower line voltage and this helped him achieve his legendary tones, which we all know as the Brown Sound.
No need to trash your amp!
The AmpRx Brownie is a cutting-edge voltage optimiser for modern tube amps. It lets musicians precisely control and adjust voltage, both increasing and decreasing it. This enhances tone consistency and safeguards valuable gear, making it the first of its kind in this category.
Mr Van Halen was a Genius! (but he trashed a lot of gear)
Whatever you think, I guarantee that Eddie Van Halen trashed more quality vintage gear than we could ever imagine on his relentless pursuit of tone (and I thank him for it), so this little brown box will save you thousands in trashed tube amps.
Watch the interview above with Eddie and he tells it like it is.
I think this new gadget could be perfect for studios and live, as it simplifies the process and is simple to use.
MSRP – USD 299
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