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New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (April 2012)

By Chris Vinnicombe
published 2 April 2012

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Gibson Les Paul Classic Plus (£1600)
Sell your body. Call a loan shark. Flog a kidney. Just get this guitar into your life

Gibson Les Paul Classic Plus (£1600)

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

This is a collection of electric and acoustic guitars, amps and effects - all of which have been tested meticulously by either Guitarist or Total Guitar in recent months and published on MusicRadar throughout March 2012.

Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. First up, something blue...

Verdict:

"If you can afford it, you're unlikely to regret it."

5 out of 5

Read the Gibson Les Paul Classic Plus review.

BUY: Gibson Les Paul Classic Plus currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 1 of 27
Page 1 of 27
Ibanez Premium RG870QMZ (£875)
This business-class speed machine is calling at all destinations en route to Shredsville

Ibanez Premium RG870QMZ (£875)

Verdict:

"Not for the conservative, this is a supremely playable instrument."

4 out of 5

Read the Ibanez Premium RG870QMZ review.

BUY: Ibanez Premium RG870QMZ currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 2 of 27
Page 2 of 27
Vox AC15C2 'Twin' (£720)
Half an AC30 or double an AC15? Well, it's sort of part way between the two. Let us explain…

Vox AC15C2 'Twin' (£720)

Verdict:

"Pretty much the only relatively affordable 2 x 12, EL84-driven, 15-watt valve combo available. Thank heavens it's good!"

4.5 out of 5

Read the Vox AC15C2 'Twin' review

BUY: Vox AC15C2 'Twin' currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 3 of 27
Page 3 of 27
PRS Stripped 58 (£2995)
PRS shows off a decade of singlecut progression…

PRS Stripped 58 (£2995)

Verdict:

"This limited Singlecut trims nearly 25 per cent off the SC 58's price. A hugely attractive modern Singlecut firmly rooted in the tonality of the past but with up-to-the-minute precision and consistency."

4.5 out of 5

Read the PRS Stripped 58 review.

BUY: PRS Stripped 58 currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 4 of 27
Page 4 of 27
Takamine EF300SE-BW (£1103)
Does this electro-acoustic live up to the sheer brilliance of its paintwork?

Takamine EF300SE-BW (£1103)

Verdict:

"If you can go for the looks, this should be a quality electro for the long haul."

4 out of 5

Read the Takamine EF300SE-BW review

Page 5 of 27
Page 5 of 27
Electro-Harmonix Analogizer (£75)
Sounding sterile? Try this pedal

Electro-Harmonix Analogizer (£75)

Verdict:

"The Analogizer becomes less noticeable the longer you leave it switched in - but turn it off and you'll realise how thin your rig can sound without it."

4 out of 5

Read the Electro-Harmonix Analogizer review

BUY: Electro-Harmonix Analogizer currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 6 of 27
Page 6 of 27
Gibson Les Paul Classic Custom (£1399)
A Les Paul with a baked maple 'board and 'non-pearl' decoration? Time address our doubts head-on…

Gibson Les Paul Classic Custom (£1399)

Verdict:

"A truly excellent marriage of price and performance."

4 out of 5

Read the Gibson Les Paul Classic Custom review

BUY: Gibson Les Paul Classic Custom currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 7 of 27
Page 7 of 27
Z.Vex Instant Lo-fi Junkie (£208)
This junkie's got us hooked

Z.Vex Instant Lo-fi Junkie (£208)

Verdict:

"If you're a fan of crusty retro effects or cinematic soundscapes, you'll be addicted to the Junkie."

4 out of 5

Read the Z.Vex Instant Lo-fi Junkie review

BUY: Z.Vex Instant Lo-fi Junkie currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 8 of 27
Page 8 of 27
Vox V846-HW (£203)
Witness the reboot of the wah that wocked the world

Vox V846-HW (£203)

Verdict:

"Probably the closest you'll get to sounding like Hendrix."

4 out of 5

Read the Vox V846-HW review

BUY: Vox V846-HW currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 9 of 27
Page 9 of 27
Gibson Midtown Custom (£1300)
A brand-new flat-topped ES-shape semi - but can it handle the weight of heritage?

Gibson Midtown Custom (£1300)

Verdict:

"A guitar that can do almost everything you'd want – a beauty and a beast combined!"

4.5 out of 5

Read the Gibson Midtown Custom review.

BUY: Gibson Midtown Custom currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 10 of 27
Page 10 of 27
Dunlop Cry Baby Classic GCB-95F (£169)
There'll be no tears before bedtime for Dunlop's famous wah

Dunlop Cry Baby Classic GCB-95F (£169)

Verdict:

"Makes everything sound sexy, slinky and slightly seedy (in a good way)."

4 out of 5

Read the Dunlop Cry Baby Classic GCB-95F review.

BUY: Dunlop Cry Baby Classic GCB-95F currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 11 of 27
Page 11 of 27
Caparison Horus-HGS (£2239)
If you want to play around with baritone tuning, you don't necessarily need a baritone guitar to do it - well not any more anyway…

Caparison Horus-HGS (£2239)

Verdict:

"If down-tuned, Satanic-voiced riffs are your business, the Horus-HGS offers excellent bottom-string grunt in an ultra-playable format."

4 out of 5

Read the Caparison Horus-HGS review

Page 12 of 27
Page 12 of 27
Akai Analog Custom Shop series effects (£59)
Overdrive, fuzz, phase and much more...

Akai Analog Custom Shop series effects (£59)

Page 13 of 27
Page 13 of 27
Faith Eclipse Venus (£689)
Faith's highly popular Eclipse series is fitted with the all-new Shadow stereo electronics system. And yes, we did say stereo electronics…

Faith Eclipse Venus (£689)

Verdict:

"An exciting package of electronics loaded onto what was already an impressive electro-acoustic."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Faith Eclipse Venus review

BUY: Faith Eclipse Venus currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music

Page 14 of 27
Page 14 of 27
Knaggs Quebec Series Kipawa (£1199)
Knaggs teams up with Godin, to produce a more affordable electro. A happy marriage?

Knaggs Quebec Series Kipawa (£1199)

Verdict:

"The Kipawa marries good acoustic tone with excellent electro sounds - it's a fine entry to the range."

4 out of 5

Read the Knaggs Quebec Series Kipawa review

Page 15 of 27
Page 15 of 27
Laney LH50 Head (£1082)
Class A power with a twist; Laney's L50H promises great tone from a unique power stage

Laney LH50 Head (£1082)

Verdict:

"One of the best-sounding amps we've ever plugged into, this Laney could change your world if you try one."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Laney LH50 review.

BUY: Laney LH50 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 16 of 27
Page 16 of 27
PRS SE Bernie Marsden (£729)
Is this an even more impressive guitar than a standard SE 245?

PRS SE Bernie Marsden (£729)

Verdict:

"If you like your single-cuts rooted in the fifties, you'll like this. It may only be subtly different from the 245, but it's enough."

4.5 out of 5

Read the PRS SE Bernie Marsden review

BUY: PRS SE Bernie Marsden currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 17 of 27
Page 17 of 27
Planet Waves American Stage Cables
Hi-spec, affordable guitar leads

Planet Waves American Stage Cables

Verdict:

"At these excellent prices - despite the lack of a right-angled jack version - this is an impressive debut for the American Stage cables range."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Planet Waves American Stage Cables review

BUY: Planet Waves American Stage Cables currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 18 of 27
Page 18 of 27
Gibson SG Standard Limited (£999)
Chubby chasers rejoice! A fat-necked '60s classic is back in business

Gibson SG Standard Limited (£999)

erdict:

"Once you go fat there's every chance that you might not want to go back."

4 out of 5

Read the Gibson SG Standard Limited review

BUY: Gibson SG Standard Limited currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 19 of 27
Page 19 of 27
Option Knob FX pedal foot controller ($13)
Toe-tal control

Option Knob FX pedal foot controller ($13)

Verdict:

"It's fairly primitive, but we can't dispute that it works."

4 out of 5

Read the Option Knob review

Page 20 of 27
Page 20 of 27
Crafter SA-BUB (£549)
A do-it-all guitar that brings electric sounds to acoustic strummers

Crafter SA-BUB (£549)

Verdict:

"Make sure that the range of sounds on offer are what you're looking for and will work with your particular setup - ifthey do, you'll be very happy."

4 out of 5

Read the Crafter SA-BUB review

BUY: Crafter SA-BUB currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 21 of 27
Page 21 of 27
Blackstar HT-Reverb (£199)
From room to reverse and back again

Blackstar HT-Reverb (£199)

Verdict:

"It's expensive, but if you want the perfect atmosphere and decay to your guitar tone, give the HT-Reverb a test drive."

4 out of 5

Read the Blackstar HT-Reverb review

BUY: Blackstar HT-Reverb currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 22 of 27
Page 22 of 27
Red Witch Ivy Distortion (£99)
The little lady that packs a punch

Red Witch Ivy Distortion (£99)

Verdict:

"Watch your amp EQ and bring in some other pedals, and you may well find a partner for life."

4 out of 5

Read the Red Witch Ivy Distortion review

BUY: Red Witch Ivy Distortion currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 23 of 27
Page 23 of 27
TC Electronic The Dreamscape (£209)
TC's first signature pedal packs Petrucci's modulation needs into a wee green box

TC Electronic The Dreamscape (£209)

Verdict:

"Even if you're not hacking your way through the Images And Words songbook, The Dreamscape is still a super-cool one-stop box for modulation."

4 out of 5

Read the TC Electronic The Dreamscape review

BUY: TC Electronic The Dreamscape currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass

Page 24 of 27
Page 24 of 27
Egnater Tweaker 40 Head (£529)
Sparkle and snarl from the Golden State

Egnater Tweaker 40 Head (£529)

Verdict:

"A tweakable and giggable head that won't slip your disc, shred your overdraft or spare your audience."

4 out of 5

Read the Egnater Tweaker 40 review

BUY: Egnater Tweaker 40 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 25 of 27
Page 25 of 27
ESP LTD MH-417 (£829)
Holy extra string tuned to a low B… Batman! This dark knight gets ready for battle

ESP LTD MH-417 (£829)

Verdict:

"The fact that it looks and sounds so damn cool makes the MH-417 almost unbeatable."

4 out of 5

Read the ESP LTD MH-417 review

BUY: ESP LTD MH-417 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

Page 26 of 27
Page 26 of 27
Schecter Hellraiser C-7 (£799)
Schecter goes to greater lengths for tighter low B performance

Schecter Hellraiser C-7 (£799)

Verdict:

"It may be a Hellraiser by name, but this guitar is so much more than that."

4 out of 5

Read the Schecter Hellraiser C-7 review

BUY: Schecter Hellraiser C-7 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 27 of 27
Page 27 of 27
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Chris Vinnicombe
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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.

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