Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • "She knew what she'd created": Back to Black
  • Trower's '80s supergroup
  • Music theory tricks
  • Stage Tour game
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

The 7 best new guitar innovations of 2017

News
By MusicRadar Team
Published 13 December 2017

The true pioneers of the guitar world

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

7. IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic Stage

7. IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic Stage

The MusicRadar/Total Guitar Best in guitars 2017 polls have received over 136,000 votes, and we're now ready to roll out the winners. The nominees were what we considered to be the guitarists and guitar gear that have excelled in 2017. Here, we present the best new guitar innovations of 2017. First up we have the IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic Stage...

We say: “A quick and simple solution for amplified solo performance.”

Full review: IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic Stage review

The MusicRadar Best in guitars awards are brought to you in association with Allianz Musical Insurance - the UK's Number 1 Specialist Instrument Insurer

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
6. DigiTech SDRUM

6. DigiTech SDRUM

We say: “For players seeking to get quick and easy rhythm tracks down, it’s an inspirational tool.”

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
5. Mooer Micro Preamps

5. Mooer Micro Preamps

We say: “Out of the more ‘rock’ amps, the Marshall JCM900 model (UK Gold 900) is the most convincing. It saturates nicely with a boost or drive in front, although it does lack clarity when cranked.”

Full review: Mooer Micro Preamps review

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
4. Electro-Harmonix Synth9

4. Electro-Harmonix Synth9

We say: “It may be something of a niche product, but for some this will do a job and do it darn well.”

Full review: Electro-Harmonix Synth9 review

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
3. Elixir Optiweb strings

3. Elixir Optiweb strings

We say: “The latest innovation from coated string bods at Elixir yielded a lightweight coating that provides long-lasting tone while sounding remarkably close to uncoated strings. The most natural-feeling - and sounding - coated strings yet."

More info: Elixir Optiweb Strings

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
2. Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher

2. Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher

We say: “A genuinely exciting pedalboard development.”

Full review: Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher review

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
WINNER: TC Electronic MASH footswitch

WINNER: TC Electronic MASH footswitch

We say: “First utilised on the Hall Of Fame 2 Reverb, MASH is a kind of pressure-sensitive footswitch, which allows players to adjust the intensity of the effect by how hard they push - it controls different parameters dependent on the reverb type, and is a little like having an expression pedal built in. Impressive stuff."

More info: TC Electronic MASH footswitch

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
MusicRadar Team
MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number 1 website for music makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, djs or producers...

  • GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
  • TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
  • STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music making that no other music website can.
Read more
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear roundup, ft. Lzzy Hale's signature Epiphone Explorer Custom, plus new gear from Hotone, Gibson, JHS Pedals, Death By Audio and more
Guitars “His effects are bonkers in the best way possible”: The MusicRadar guitar gear roundup Aug 2026 edit
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
A guitar VST running in Kontakt player on a computer
Plugins Best guitar VSTs 2026: Get the best simulated guitar tones for your next production
 
 
Stranberg x Jam Stik MIDI
Electric Guitars “Sounds you'll never have heard from a guitar before”: Strandberg x Jamstik Chameleon review
 
 
A worn, dirty pedalboard with a variety of different guitar pedals
Pedalboards Best pedalboards 2026: top choice 'boards for guitarists
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Brian May plays the Red Special live onstage; on the right, William Shatner holds what looks like an AI-generated Les Paul
Artists fOXX Phaser set to stun! Queen’s Brian May signs up for William Shatner’s all-star metal enterprise
 
 
Angus Young lights it up during AC/DC's 2026 Power Up Tour
Artists Does this viral video really show Angus Young 'forgetting' a guitar solo or did he actually nail it?
 
 
Troy Van Leeuwen with his new Squier Paranormal Telecaster XII in a still from the demo video.
Artists Troy Van Leeuwen on his Squier Tele XII’s origins, and when he learned it was (literally) roadworthy
 
 
Walrus Audio Lüm Texture Engine
Guitar Pedals “Forget Interstellar, if you want to know what being sucked into a black hole might sound like, this is the pedal for you”: Walrus Audio Lüm Texture Engine review
 
 
Harley Benton JB-62HA
Bass Guitars “Its build quality is miles ahead of any other new instrument at this price”: Harley Benton JB-62HA review
 
 
Ibanez Axe Design Lab Iceman ICMS721
Guitars Ibanez just weaponised the Iceman for metal and refreshed a bunch of its flagship signature models
 
 
Latest in News
Brian May plays the Red Special live onstage; on the right, William Shatner holds what looks like an AI-generated Les Paul
Artists fOXX Phaser set to stun! Queen’s Brian May signs up for William Shatner’s all-star metal enterprise
 
 
Angus Young lights it up during AC/DC's 2026 Power Up Tour
Artists Does this viral video really show Angus Young 'forgetting' a guitar solo or did he actually nail it?
 
 
Denon DJ Prime 4 G2
Dj Gear Denon’s Prime 4 G2 is a uniquely expressive DJ setup that borrows a few tricks from Akai’s MPC range
 
 
Singer Billy Joel and drummer Jon Small pose for a portrait in 1970
Singers & Songwriters “He helped define the format with landmark videos and live concert recordings”: Billy Joel announces death of bandmate and collaborator
 
 
1987 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS - Show Coverage - Airdate: January 26, 1987. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)JANET JACKSON
Artists Janet Jackson is celebrating 40 years of Control, but Jam and Lewis made a rookie mistake when they produced it
 
 
Gene Simmons
Artists “I always wanted to write with Bob Dylan. A crazy idea. Why would he pay attention to a peanut like me?”
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...