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
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • NAMM 2026: Rumours, predictions and live updates
  • Mad World
  • The Cure's "happy land"
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

Best guitar gear of the month: review round-up (June 2010)

News
By Guitarist, Total Guitar, Computer Music, Chris Vinnicombe ( Guitarist, Total Guitar, Computer Music ) published 17 June 2010

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

DigiTech JamMan Solo (£223)

DigiTech JamMan Solo (£223)

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 May-June 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 seriously loopy stompbox...

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A smart looper with plenty of power and a small footprint."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DigiTech JamMan Solo


(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 202)

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Gibson Slash Appetite Les Paul (£2099)

Gibson Slash Appetite Les Paul (£2099)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A lovely vintage-inspired Les Paul with the gentlest of nods to modernity. But will it be more often collected and stored than played though?"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Slash Appetite Les Paul


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 329)

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Egnater Rebel 30 1 x 12 combo (£749)

Egnater Rebel 30 1 x 12 combo (£749)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"One of the best small combos in its class - add the 1 x 12 extension cab and you've got a killer rig that's highly portable and versatile."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rebel 30 1 x 12 combo


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 328)

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Jaden Rose Original 'Custom' Hardtail (£1749)

Jaden Rose Original 'Custom' Hardtail (£1749)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Here's a modern rock guitar that combines resonance, character and speed. A rare combination, a great guitar."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Original 'Custom' Hardtail


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 328)

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Marshall MA100H amp head (£577)

Marshall MA100H amp head (£577)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"After an affordable, powerful rock amp with visual wow factor? Put this at the top of your list!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MA100H amp head


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 323)

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Blackstar HT Club 40 1 x 12 combo (£549)

Blackstar HT Club 40 1 x 12 combo (£549)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"The HT Venue series sets a benchmark for affordable performance. Plug in as soon as you can!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: HT Club 40 1 x 12 combo


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 329)

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Taylor GT-8 eight-string baritone (£3218)

Taylor GT-8 eight-string baritone (£3218)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Few acoustic instruments available outside of small luthiers' workshops challenge like this baritone. A unique voice on a mainstream stage."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: GT-8 eight-string baritone


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 330)

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Fender Road Worn '72 Telecaster Deluxe (£889)

Fender Road Worn '72 Telecaster Deluxe (£889)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Quite simply one of the coolest and most versatile Teles around. Looks and feels ready for the road and takes no tonal prisoners."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Road Worn '72 Telecaster Deluxe


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 329)

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Magix Vandal (£155)

Magix Vandal (£155)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Vandal isn't feature-heavy, nor is it covered in faux Marshall logos, but it's got it where it counts, with impressively real amp tones."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Magix Vandal


(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
GearSkinz amp cases (from £65)

GearSkinz amp cases (from £65)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"GearSkinz won't replace a full flight case for heavy road use, but assuming that your gear isn't moved by angry gorillas, this is a brilliant medium protection solution."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: GearSkinz amp cases


(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 329)

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Mesa/Boogie TransAtlantic TA-15 (£1099)

Mesa/Boogie TransAtlantic TA-15 (£1099)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Every bit a pro all-valve head, despite the miniscule dimensions: your life just got easier."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TransAtlantic TA-15

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 330)

Liked this? Now read: The best guitar gear of the month, April 2010

Connect with MusicRadar: viaTwitter, Facebook and YouTube

Connect with Rhythm:via Twitter and Facebook

Get MusicRadar straight to your inbox: Sign up for the free weekly newsletter

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
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
Latest in Guitars
MXR EVH Modern High Gain: this classy, red high-end stompbox was co-designed with the late Eddie Van Halen in 2015.
MXR's high-gain Eddie Van Halen collab headlines Jim Dunlop's fresh pedal drop – and there's an Iron Maiden Killers Cry Baby too
 
 
Faith Guitars Nexus Neptune and Venus 2026
“For those seeking acoustic power, projection and an enormous amount of volume": Faith unleashes a slew of updates and new models at NAMM
 
 
Seymour Duncan Mortal-Coil Multi-Voice Humbuckers
Seymour Duncan unveils MortalCoil active humbucker set – will it dethrone Fishman as metal’s state-of-the-art pickup?
 
 
The Epiphone Fatouma Diawara SG has a Malian graphic finish
“Everybody can play it... Just bring your own energy”: Fatoumata Diawara’s signature SG wears her Malian roots proudly on its horns
 
 
Press release images of a Blackstar Beam Mini Desktop Bluetooth Guitar Amplifier on a white background
Blackstar unveils the Beam Mini – it’s portable, desktop-friendly, and as the first guitar amp to allow players to load Neural Amp Modeller captures, it's a game-changer too
 
 
A close-up of the new Arc Tilt tremolo bridge on a Strandberg guitar
"Rethinking motion, balance, and response": Strandberg’s new Arc TILT tremolo has been designed from the ground up for a more natural, expressive and inspiring playing experience
 
 
Latest in News
Arctic Monkeys in black and white
“We hope the record will make a positive difference”: Arctic Monkeys contribute brand new track to HELP(2) album
 
 
Landr Blueprints and Layers
“A seamless start-to-finish creative workflow”: LANDR announces new “ethical” AI music-making assistants for songwriting and production, but will using them leave you feeling empty inside?
 
 
Kyle Gass and Jack Black
“We hashed it out”: Jack Black and Kyle Gass have repaired their friendship
 
 
Apogee Symphony Nova
Champagne Symphony Nova? Apogee’s latest audio interface is fizzing with ARM-based DSP
 
 
Glen Matlock 2025
Pro-Trump punks: "it's a bit weird" says Glen Matlock. Who could he be talking about, we wonder…?
 
 
Chuck D and John Densmore
“A meditation on responsibility and legacy”: Chuck D and John Densmore have made a concept album about ageing
 
 

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
  • 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...