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
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  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 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
 
 
Best audio interfaces: IK Multimedia AXE IO
Audio Interfaces Best guitar audio interfaces 2026: Get studio-quality tones at home
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Yngwie Malmsteen
Artists Yngwie Malmsteen emerges from an “avalanche” of ideas with “80 to 90” songs and a scorching new album
 
 
Fender 75th Anniversary Telecaster Road Worn '51
Guitars Fender CEO clarifies his controversial comments comparing cover songs to AI
 
 
Ozzy Osbourne and Slash perform together in 2009.
Artists Slash says he and Ozzy Osbourne had plans to go into the studio together
 
 
Epiphone Marcus King El Dorado Limited Edition
Artists Marcus King’s signature Epiphone is a stunning dreadnought acoustic inspired by his first-ever guitar
 
 
Line 6 Helix Stadium Native Plugin
Guitars “Craft tones practically at the speed of thought”: Line 6 unveils Helix Stadium Native plugin
 
 
Joe Bonamassa wears a blue suit and plays his signature Epiphone Les Paul [left]; the late great Albert Collins with his Telecaster.
Artists Joe Bonamassa on how Albert Collins taught him to wield his guitar as “a weapon”
 
 
Latest in News
Travis Barker
Drummers “I’ve never left a show thinking ‘I wish I didn’t play the way I did’”: Travis Barker on his raucous drumming style
 
 
Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and Ronnie Wood attend the exclusive launch event of The Rolling Stones new album “Foreign Tongues” at The Weylin on May 05, 2026 in Brooklyn, New York.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for UMG)
Singles And Albums “Ronnie’s guitar part came from hearing Keith’s riff": Mick Jagger talks about the guitar work on new Stones song
 
 
Suno text prompt
Tech We have “a clear set of principles” says Suno CEO, in attempt to limit reputational damage after legal defeat
 
 
1010music Blackbox 2
Tech 1010music Blackbox 2 adds a better screen, onboard battery and USB audio streaming
 
 
Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher perform onstage at the Oasis Live '25 - Toronto concert at Rogers Stadium on August 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Gigs & Festivals “Oasis’ schedule is booked”: The Gallaghers’ masterplan for 2027 is allegedly already in place
 
 
midipad
Tech MIDIpad transforms your gamepad into a musical instrument and MPE controller – and there’s a free version
 
 

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...