Magnatone announced the Lil’ Viper, the newest addition to its Slash Collection, during the 2026 NAMM Show. Magnatone reported in a press release issued from St. Louis that this lightweight 8-watt combo amplifier was created with guitarist Slash to deliver a remarkably big tone. The unit serves as the brand’s smallest and most portable offering in the Slash lineup, intended for home use, studio sessions, and show preparation. Obeid Khan, the chief engineer, explained that the goal was to create a big-sounding backstage solution by putting a large amp inside a little box. This design approach aimed to satisfy the need for significant sound within a compact enclosure.
Slash stated the amplifier sounds better than units three times its size. The device is manufactured in the USA and uses a single 12AX7 preamp tube alongside two NOS 6AQ5 power tubes to drive an 8-inch custom speaker. Features include a high or low gain switch for different voicings and a tone control that increases highs while reducing lows. The layout also contains a speaker-emulated headphone output and an eighth-inch line input for backing tracks. Visually, the amplifier displays Slash’s signature Purple Python finish with gold-accented hardware and a backlit logo. Ted Kornblum, president and CEO of Magnatone, confirmed the model delivers a surprisingly big sound despite its small footprint. The Lil’ Viper carries a minimum advertised price of $1,899 and is available exclusively in the Purple Python cosmetic scheme.
For more information, visit magnatoneusa.com.
