New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (August 2013)
Grover Jackson hits the Rhoads
GJ2 Concorde 5 Star
MusicRadar's sister magazines including Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music, publish the best gear reviews on a monthly basis.
Here we've collected every guitar, amp, pedal, recorder and interface reviews to feature in their reviews sections over the throughout July.
All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 370, Total Guitar issue 243, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A piece of rock history with tones that will surprise with their versatility. Just go steady with the points!"
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: GJ2 Concorde 5 Star review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 369)
A serious single-cut electric
Chapman ML-2
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Everything that made the original MLs so sought after is right here. Chappers has done it again - you'd be bananas not to give this guitar a whirl."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Chapman ML-2 review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 242)
BUY: Chapman ML-2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons
Plush acoustic DI/preamp
RMI Acouswitch IQ DI
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A superb design especially for the acoustic musician, with flexible loops and good DI facilities."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: RMI Acouswitch IQ DI review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
BUY: RMI Acouswitch IQ DI currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
Classic rockin' overdrive pedal
Lovepedal Eternity E6
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A great all-round overdrive with extra bite to excite."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Lovepedal Eternity E6 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
BUY: Lovepedal Eternity E6 currently available from:
UK: Andertons
US: Sweetwater
Big fuzz tones, mini pedal
Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini FFM1 Silicon
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Classic design, worthy update. Best of all, you can fit one on your pedalboard!"
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini FFM1 Silicon review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
BUY: Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini FFM1 Silicon currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
The Fuzz Face gets shaved down
Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini FFM2 Germanium
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Proves the versatility of the original Fuzz Face design while adding a few modern twists to the recipe."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini FFM2 Germanium review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
BUY: Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini FFM2 Germanium currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Bass combo with built-in effects
Kinsman K100B
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A simple bass amp with solid build quality, that's powerful enough to take you through small gigs. The EQ section is a highlight."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Kinsman K100B review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
Affordable parlour electro acoustic
Tanglewood Java TWJP E
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"This little parlour may not offer the finest plugged-in experience we've ever had, but in every other respect - and at this price - just buy one."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Tanglewood Java TWJP E review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
BUY: Tanglewood Java TWJP E currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
A versatile, high end acoustic guitar
Lowden 32SE Stage Edition
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A superb instrument, built for the stage, but with an endearing acoustic voice. If you're a performing musician, you must try one."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Lowden 32SE Stage Edition review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
Texas in a stompbox
Lovepedal Kalamazoo
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Harmonically rich drives, that retain presence: Kalamaz-ooh yes!"
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Lovepedal Kalamazoo review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
BUY: Lovepedal Kalamazoo currently available from:
UK: Andertons | DV247
A stunning Mexican model
Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster Lacquer
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The perfect choice if you can't stretch to a Fender American Vintage-series instrument. More colours please!"
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster Lacquer review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
BUY: Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster Lacquer currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Mini delay pedal
Lovepedal Echo Baby
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A quality, vintage sounding echo/delay in a tiny box: cool."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Lovepedal Echo Baby review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
BUY: Lovepedal Echo Baby currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
Modest, multi-tasking acoustic
Martin D-17M
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A great guitar that screams, "Play me!" Covers more bases than you expect, without batting an eyelid."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Martin D-17M review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
BUY: Martin D-17M currently available from:
UK: Andertons
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
An electric reliving metal's roots
GJ2 Glendora
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A somewhat lacklustre tonal performance is redeemed by the wonderful neck and palpable 80s vibe."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: GJ2 Glendora review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
Transparent overdrive pedal tones
Lovepedal OD11
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Surprisingly low price for this capable overdrive with plenty of gain."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Lovepedal OD11 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
Percussive acoustic guitarists' prayers answered
Lowden Thomas Leeb Signature
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A reminder of Lowden's original vision updated for the percussive player. You might not be Thomas Leeb but here's the tool you need."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Lowden Thomas Leeb Signature review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
Authentic PAF pickup replicas
Throbak MXV
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Be prepared to raid the piggy bank, but the tonal clarity and voice you'll gain will be worth it. An almost obsessive quest for vintage accuracy."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Throbak MXV review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
No frills = more thrills on this electric
Ibanez RGIR20FE
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The perfect example of a no-fuss shred machine that lets you impress your personality on the guitar, rather than the other way around."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Ibanez RGIR20FE review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 243)
BUY: Ibanez RGIR20FE currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
Fender tweed-style tones in a pedal
Lovepedal Les Lius
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Wonderful, evocative tweed tones in a pedal."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Lovepedal Les Lius review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
BUY: Lovepedal Les Lius currently available from:
UK: DV247
Flexible fingerpicking acoustic
Martin 000-17SM
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Taking the 'small brown guitar' ethic another step on, Martin reinvents a 157-year- old classic with style and panache."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Martin 000-17SM review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
BUY: Martin 000-17SM currently available from:
UK: Andertons
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Electric guitar that will have you wailing
Schecter Banshee 6 FR Passive
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The Banshee is among the finest-playing double-cuts at this price point, and that's really something to scream about."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Schecter Banshee 6 FR Passive review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 243)
BUY: Schecter Banshee 6 FR Passive currently available from:
US: Full Compass
Folk-sized electro at a friendly price
Tanglewood Java TWJF E
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"If you like the looks of figured woods and need a versatile, affordable acoustic, try this now. It's way more guitar than the price suggests."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Tanglewood Java TWJF E review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
Streetwise busking amplifier
Vox Mini5 Rhythm
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"For such a little amp, the Mini5 offers huge possibilities."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vox Mini5 Rhythm review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 243)
BUY: Vox Mini5 Rhythm currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Three tremolos in a tiny stompbox
Lovepedal Babyface Tremolo
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A versatile tremolo despite the tiny dimensions."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Lovepedal Babyface Tremolo review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 243)
BUY: Lovepedal Babyface Tremolo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
A reassuringly familiar radical
Ibanez RGIR27E
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"This is one of the most impressive mid-priced seven-strings we've played."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Ibanez RGIR27E review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 243)
BUY: Ibanez RGIR27E currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater
Another Gibson opinion-divider
Gibson N-225
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The N-225 captures some classic Gibson design elements, and actually, we quite like the looks - even if, like the tones, they won't please everyone."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Gibson N-225 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 370)
Affordable pre-war-style acoustic
Vintage Historic Series VE660
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The Vintage Historic Series boasts great playability and build quality, bags of tonal potential and a gig-ready pickup system - all wrapped in a distinctive old-school persona."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vintage Historic Series VE660 review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 243)
BUY: Vintage Historic Series VE660 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
Vintage tones from the metal kings
EMG Metal Works 57 & 66 pickups
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"EMG has seriously expanded its tonal palette with the 57 and 66 humbuckers. The message now? It's time to take a fresh look at what EMG has to offer."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: EMG Metal Works 57 & 66review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 243)
BUY: EMG Metal Works 57 & 66review currently available from:
US: Full Compass
Entry-level eight-string guitar
Ibanez RGIR28FE
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"At this price, it's an excellent option, however unwieldy, for those new to eight-strings looking to hone their technique."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Ibanez RGIR28FE review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 243)
BUY: Ibanez RGIR28FE currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater