Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
A Boss IR-2 amp modeller pedal
Guitar Amps Best amp modellers 2025: High-tech tone solutions for all guitarists
Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst: the all-new high-performance S-style from the GIbson-owned shred brand is a grown-up looking S-style.
Electric Guitars “It’s as comfortable as a guitar can”: Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst review
A guitar VST running in Kontakt player on a computer
Plugins Best guitar VSTs 2025: Get the best simulated guitar tones for your next production
Spira S-450 TPP
Electric Guitars "Up there as one of the better value for money metal guitars that you can currently buy": Spira S-450 TPP review
Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac: the new semi-hollow signature model is a stunning singlecut with a quilted maple build in a natural finish.
Electric Guitars “Unbeatable... A play-anything guitar”: Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac Session Man review
EVH Gear Wolfgang WG Standard T.O.M.
Guitars Hold the Floyd: EVH reimagines Wolfgang Standard as a high-performance shredder with a TOM bridge
Cort KX507MS Pale Moon
Electric Guitars "Ordering one before clapping eyes on it will be a lottery": Cort KX507MS Pale Moon 7-string review
  1. Guitars

Best guitar gear of the month: April 2010 review round-up

News
By Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Chris Vinnicombe ( Guitarist, Total Guitar, Computer Music ) published 9 May 2010

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

Martin 000-15M acoustic guitar (£1250)

Martin 000-15M acoustic guitar (£1250)

Every month, MusicRadar’s industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.

We’ve collated the latest electric and acoustic guitars, amplifiers, effects and peripherals to have fallen under the expert eyes and ears of the magazine test teams. All the gear on show here was reviewed in recent issues of Guitarist, Total Guitar and Computer Music and was published on MusicRadar throughout April 2010.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review and check out video and audio demos. First up: a wonderful acoustic guitar from Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

MusicRadar's verdict:

"It looks brilliant, plays and sounds amazing and at this price point, its Guitarist Gold award must be the no-brainer of the century."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Martin 000-15M


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 328)

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3 (€318)

IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3 (€318)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A great update that sees AmpliTube 3 hanging in there as one of the premier amp sims for tone, flexibility and choice."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: AmpliTube 3


(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine 151)

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Fender American Special Telecaster (£869.99)

Fender American Special Telecaster (£869.99)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Aimed at the gap in the market between the American Standard and the Highway One ranges, these American Specials succeed with value and tone in abundance."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: American Special Telecaster


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 326)

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Boss ME-25 multi-FX (169)

Boss ME-25 multi-FX (169)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"If you want to get started with a unit that laughs in the face of its limited budget, buy an ME-25."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: ME-25


(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 201)

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Peavey Vypyr Tube 120H amp head (£510)

Peavey Vypyr Tube 120H amp head (£510)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Easily up there with the best the modern hybrid amp world has to offer, the Vypyr Tube 120H is destined to be popular with guitar players who need to access a lot of sounds. Is that you?"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vypyr Tube 120H


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 328)

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Blue Microphones Mikey iPod microphone (£59)

Blue Microphones Mikey iPod microphone (£59)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Every music-making iPod owner should have one. And there's an updated model in the pipeline that officially works with iPhone, too…"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mikey iPod microphone


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 327)

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
MXR M-228 Bass Octave Deluxe (£239)

MXR M-228 Bass Octave Deluxe (£239)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"This offers some classy sounds that can be used to positively inspire some new ideas."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: M-228 Bass Octave Deluxe


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 323)

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Fender Custom Deluxe Telecaster (£2099)

Fender Custom Deluxe Telecaster (£2099)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"The subtle 'player' improvements produce a top-notch classic that is subtly posh in appearance but awesomely endowed in the tone department."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Custom Deluxe Telecaster


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 319)

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
LR Baggs Venue DI (£339)

LR Baggs Venue DI (£339)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Whether you see it as a pucker DI box with extras or a preamp with all the toys, if you're a gigging acoustic musician, just buy one – you'll thank us."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Venue DI


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 328)

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Manson Guitars MB-1 Standard Matt Bellamy signature guitar (£3299)

Manson Guitars MB-1 Standard Matt Bellamy signature guitar (£3299)

MusicRadar's verdict:

Finally you can buy the exact same guitar that Matt Bellamy uses. It comes at a price, but remains a unique collaboration between artist and luthier.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MB-1 Standard


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 324)

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Chris Vinnicombe

Chris Vinnicombe worked with us here on the MusicRadar team from the site's initial launch way back in 2007, and also contributed to Guitarist magazine as Features Editor until 2014, as well as Total Guitar magazine, amongst others. These days he can be found at Gibson Guitars, where he is editor-in-chief.

The magazine for serious players image
The magazine for serious players
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
A Boss IR-2 amp modeller pedal
Best amp modellers 2025: High-tech tone solutions for all guitarists
Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst: the all-new high-performance S-style from the GIbson-owned shred brand is a grown-up looking S-style.
“It’s as comfortable as a guitar can”: Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst review
A guitar VST running in Kontakt player on a computer
Best guitar VSTs 2025: Get the best simulated guitar tones for your next production
Spira S-450 TPP
"Up there as one of the better value for money metal guitars that you can currently buy": Spira S-450 TPP review
Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac: the new semi-hollow signature model is a stunning singlecut with a quilted maple build in a natural finish.
“Unbeatable... A play-anything guitar”: Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac Session Man review
EVH Gear Wolfgang WG Standard T.O.M.
Hold the Floyd: EVH reimagines Wolfgang Standard as a high-performance shredder with a TOM bridge
Latest in Guitars
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: It's your last chance to grab a Prime Day deal on gear from Fender, Roland, Casio, Yamaha, Toontrack & more - but you'll have to be quick
Darkglass Electronics Kaamos: this high-end twofer is a hard-working addition to any bass player's pedalboard, and features a comprehensive suite of controls.
“A versatile overdrive and a high-quality octaver – two pedalboard mainstays in one box”: Darkglass Electronics Kaamos review
Ernie Ball Music Man Pino Palladino StingRay: the bass legend's new signature model is offered fretted or fretless, and in a deep and luxurious 79 Burst finish.
Pino Palladino teams up with EBMM for a signature StingRay inspired by the bass that started it all
Mooer Audio F15i Li Intelligent Amp: this battery-powered take-anywhere guitar amp is packed with amp and effects models, and is an all-in-one practice solution.
Mooer’s F15i Intelligent Amp is a desktop doozie equipped with 55 amps, 69 effects and a touchscreen
Epiphone 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue
“A really vintage‑flavoured friend”: Epiphone 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue review
EVH Gear Hypersonic FR-12: The newly launched FRFR speaker packs 1000-watts, is available in black or ivory, and might just be the perfect companion to your amp modeller.
EVH Gear drops the Hypersonic FR-12 FRFR speaker – 1000-watts to get the most from your amp modeller
Latest in News
Exodus Gary Holt
"It might have been like 12 people there”: Exodus’ Gary Holt pulls zero punches in his new autobiography
blur and oasis
“I am happy to accept and concede defeat”: Damon Albarn just admitted that Oasis won
Jeff Lynne ELO
"Jeff is devastated": ELO's last ever mega-gig plunged into jeopardy after last-minute cancellation of last night's Manchester show
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: It's your last chance to grab a Prime Day deal on gear from Fender, Roland, Casio, Yamaha, Toontrack & more - but you'll have to be quick
Ernie Ball Music Man Pino Palladino StingRay: the bass legend's new signature model is offered fretted or fretless, and in a deep and luxurious 79 Burst finish.
Pino Palladino teams up with EBMM for a signature StingRay inspired by the bass that started it all
Amerie
How Amerie created a ‘00s R&B/funk classic with producer Rich Harrison

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

  • 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...