New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (April 2014)
PRS Brent Mason Signature
If you’re looking for guitar gear reviews, you’ve come to the right place. Every month MusicRadar's sister magazines Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music feature the best independent gear reviews.
In this gallery, we've collected all the guitar reviews featured on the site in March, including guitars, amps, stompboxes and other guitar-related gear.
All of the reviews here were originally published in Guitarist issue 379, Total Guitar issue 251, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.
MusicRadar’s verdict:
”A superb take on Fender's finest with hot-rod trickery from one of the world's top players. PRS's finest ever bolt-on electric? We think so.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PRS Brent Mason Signature review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 379)
BUY: PRS Brent Mason Signature currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater
D'Angelico EXL-1
MusicRadar’s verdict:
”A very competent old-school jazz box that evokes a bygone age and the memory of the great John D'Angelico.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: D'Angelico EXL-1 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 378)
Fender Modern Player Coronado
MusicRadar’s verdict:
”A Fender semi for Gretsch admirers, that conveniently doubles as a fabulous-looking and sounding indie-rock machine.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Modern Player Coronado review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 378)
BUY: Fender Modern Player Coronado currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Guild Standard F-30
MusicRadar’s verdict:
”A superb, pro-grade picker that trades visual niceties for the most important tonal features and build. Needs a pickup as standard, though.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Guild Standard F-30 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 378)
BUY: Guild Standard F-30 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
Ibanez ES2 Echo Shifter
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The ES2's lush repeats have classic analogue charm without the noise; and if you want to get crazy, the option's there."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Ibanez ES2 Echo Shifter review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 251)
BUY: Ibanez ES2 Echo Shifter currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Fender Classic Series '50s Esquire
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A well-made, good-sounding taste of Fender's leanest, meanest tone machine."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Classic Series '50s Esquire review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 378)
BUY: Fender Classic Series '50s Esquire currently available from:
US: Full Compass
D'Angelico EX-SS
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"More compact and hollow-sounding than an ES-335: a superb jazz, blues and all-round vibe-y electric."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: D'Angelico EX-SS review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 378)
Fender Modern Player Starcaster
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Fender's most polarising electric is updated with a few twists. The result? A cool and affordable platform for experimental indie guitar."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Modern Player Starcaster review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 378)
BUY: Fender Modern Player Starcaster currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Guild Traditional D-55
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A loud, proud and classy dread offering serious credibility, quality and tone. Just make sure you bond with the flattish neck profile."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Guild Traditional D-55 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 378)
BUY: Guild Traditional D-55 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Takamine GJ72CE-BSB
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"For general use, this is a good-looking, well-made stage-ready electro."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Takamine GJ72CE-BSB review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 251)
BUY: Takamine GJ72CE-BSB currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Eastwood Airline '59 1P
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A leftfield, funky treat of a guitar that feels and sounds quite inspirational."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Eastwood Airline '59 1P review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 378)
Toontrack Metal Amps EZMix Pack
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"For demos, and even the occasional tone in a pro-quality production, here's all the heavy you need."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Toontrack Metal Amps EZMix Pack review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 251)
Gordon-Smith GS-1
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Surprisingly versatile, more 'rock' take on the single-pickup Junior, with options."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Gordon-Smith GS-1 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 378)
Ibanez Roadcore RC320M
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"If you're after an axe that's off the beaten track in both looks and sounds, a Roadcore makes for a worthy travelling companion."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Ibanez Roadcore RC320M review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 251)
BUY: Ibanez Roadcore RC320M currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
Guild Traditional F-512
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The dream 12-string: either the realisation of a dream, or a serious pro-grade working guitar (as long as you buy the one with a pickup!)."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Guild Traditional F-512 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 378)
BUY: Guild Traditional F-512 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
LTD Eclipse EC-407
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"This is an instrument built for intimidation. Oh yeah, it looks suave, but it's a brawler - and yes, it's also available in black."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: LTD Eclipse EC-407 review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 251)
BUY: LTD Eclipse EC-407 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
Peavey ValveKing Combo 50
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Anyone on the lookout for a cut-price, gig-ready valve combo will hail the ValveKing."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Peavey ValveKing Combo 50 review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 251)
BUY: Peavey ValveKing Combo 50 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass
Mastery Offset Bridge
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"If you are having problems with a Fender Jaguar or Jazzmaster bridge, this could solve them."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Mastery Offset Bridge review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 379)
Electro-Harmonix Slammi
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"An acquired taste perhaps, but a commendable alternative pitch shifter."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Electro-Harmonix Slammi review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 251)
BUY: Electro-Harmonix Slammi currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Italia Modena Semitone
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"If you're into the aesthetics, the Modena Semitone is worth more than a look."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Italia Modena Semitone review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 251)
Vintage Viator
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"An endearing travel guitar offering a completely different vibe from the big American-name options."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vintage Viator review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 379)
Pykmax
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Ardent followers of the plectrum may sneer, but we salute this brave new form of picking."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW:Pykmaxreview
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 251)
Italia Mondial Sonoro
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A guitar that's as fun as it is unique, there's a surprising amount of tonal flexibility to hand, too, which, if you ask us, makes the Sonoro a must-try."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Italia Mondial Sonoro review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 251)
TC Electronic Ditto Looper X2
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"If you loved the simplicity of the Ditto, but found yourself longing for increased functionality, the X2 is the looper for you."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Ditto Looper X2 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 379)
BUY: TC Electronic Ditto Looper X2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Italia Muira
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"It might not be the greatest acoustic guitar you've ever got your hands on, but it's certainly got plenty of spark where it counts."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Italia Muira review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 251)
Classic 25 Electric Bass Guitar
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Seems as though the whole world is downsizing, so why not the electric bass? This short-scale Classic 25 hits the spot, with plenty of retro appeal."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Classic 25 Electric Bass Guitar review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 379)
PRS S2 Singlecut
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A stripped-down USA guitar that offers build and sound over visual ornamentation."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PRS S2 Singlecut review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 379)
BUY: PRS S2 Singlecut currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Schecter Hellraiser Stage 100
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"If you're into metal then the Hellraiser is one amp you can't afford to miss."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Schecter Hellraiser Stage 100 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 379)
Collings CJ35
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Simply jaw-dropping build quality and awe- inspiring modern-vintage tone, albeit at an equally arresting price."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Collings CJ35 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist)
