To me, it is a sales pitch. I tend to shy away from "vintage" items, opting for the later, more technologically advanced items.So what is 'that vintage sound' regarding pedal steel guitars?
For pedal steels, I would take the Excel, GFI, Lamar, etc, over the Emmons and Sho-Buds.
Exception #1 Analog delays. They may not run as quiet, but to me they are "warmer" sounding.
Exception #2 Well built tube amps, with lots of clean headroom.
IMHO.