New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (August 2014)
Guitars, amps, pedals and more
Palmer Pedalbay 60
MusicRadar’s sister publications, Total Guitar and Guitarist magazines, publish reviews of the latest guitars, amps, effects and other guitar-related music gear on a monthly basis.
Here, we’ve gathered every review featured on the site during the last month, from mini pedals and multi-fx, to hand-crafted electrics and new Fender combos. All of the reviews in this gallery were originally published in Guitarist issue 382/383/384 and Total Guitar issue 254/255/256.
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The Pedalbay 60 is an affordable route to tidy 'boards.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Palmer Pedalbay 60 review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)
BUY: Palmer Pedalbay 60 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
Planet Waves NS Art Capo
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Easier to move, with buzz-free playing on acoustics and electrics - a solid choice for pro capo players.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Planet Waves NS Art Capo review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)
BUY: Planet Waves NS Art Capo currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater
Hogjim Pik-Tik
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A stress-free way to alternate between different techniques on pickguard-ed guitars.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Hogjim Pik-Tik review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)
Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A good-looking, intelligent take on one of the world's most individual guitars - sonic experimentalists will love it.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
MI Audio Effects Super Crunch Box
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A British-style dirt pedal that delivers so much more than just distortion, with a punchy, addictive tonality.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: MI Audio Effects Super Crunch Box review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: MI Audio Effects Super Crunch Box currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
Danelectro DC 59M NOS
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“For our money, the DC59M NOS is one of the best-sounding incarnations of the definitive Danelectro model.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Danelectro DC 59M NOS review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 255)
BUY: Danelectro DC 59M NOS currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you're a solo singer-guitarist who wants to travel light, go straight into the PA and have real-time control over your sound, the VoiceLive 3 could be exactly what you're looking for.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3 review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 255)
BUY: TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Sabre Syren 6
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“We salute Sabre for giving us the opportunity to get hold of a genuine hand-built instrument without the astronomical price tag.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sabre Syren 6 review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 255)
Moog Minifooger Drive
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“An overdrive distortion pedal with huge variability and a unique dirty wah if you 'play' the filter with an expression pedal.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Moog Minifooger Drive review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Moog Minifooger Drive currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Fender '68 Custom Princeton Reverb
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A studio essential that might just cater for your live needs, too.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender '68 Custom Princeton Reverb review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Fender '68 Custom Princeton Reverb currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Homebrew Electronics UFO
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A very versatile fuzz box for modern and vintage sounds, that lives up to its name.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Homebrew Electronics UFO review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
Fret-King Black Label Elise 'JE'
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Superbly crafted, with a broad sonic palette to draw from. Beyond the 335 indeed.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Black Label Elise 'JE' review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Fret-King Black Label Elise 'JE' currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
G7th Performance 2 capo
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Hard to say anything other than in its second generation, the Performance is probably the best capo there is.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: G7th Performance 2 capo review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: G7th Performance 2 capo currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The definitive 'amp for all occasions' just got even more versatile.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
LTD Xtone PC-1V
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A fine build and design, which leans on the rockier side of the tone tracks.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: LTD Xtone PC-1V review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
Comins GCS-1
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A perfect choice for the serious jazz/blues/fusion player. Beautifully crafted, too.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Comins GCS-1 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
Moog Minifooger Trem
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you are looking for a diverse range of tremolo sounds, this may be for you.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Moog Minifooger Trem review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Moog Minifooger Trem currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Homebrew Electronics Detox EQ
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The Detox EQ is a clever design that offers practical tone tweaking with extra benefits.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Homebrew Electronics Detox EQ review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
Fender '68 Custom Twin Reverb
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Massive sounds, but the power may just be too much for today's player.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender '68 Custom Twin Reverb review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Fender '68 Custom Twin Reverb currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Guild Starfire V with Bigsby
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Characterful, classy build, evocative old-school sound and excellent street pricing. This one's spoken for!”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Guild Starfire V with Bigsby review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Guild Starfire V with Bigsby currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
Moog Minifooger Boost
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Thoughtful rather than bombastic, with a nice tone knob. It can sweeten your signal chain and kick things up a gear.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Moog Minifooger Boost review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Moog Minifooger Boost currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Marshall 1962HW
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Marshall's homage to the past is still a potent tool for today's players.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Marshall 1962HW review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Marshall 1962HW currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Homebrew ParaDrive
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Put one of these in front of your amp for excellent flexibility.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Homebrew ParaDrive review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
Moog Minifooger Delay
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“True analogue delay with expressive control possibilities.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Moog Minifooger Delay review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Moog Minifooger Delay currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Homebrew Germania
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“An aggressive shot in the arm for your amp.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Homebrew Germania review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
Guild CE-100D Capri with Bigsby
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Guild's version of the ES-175 takes you from jazz to way beyond. With aggressive street pricing, it's hard not to like.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Guild CE-100D Capri with Bigsby review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Guild CE-100D Capri with Bigsby currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater
Moog EP-3
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Massively broaden the scope of any Minifooger for less than £40.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Moog EP-3 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Moog EP-3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Homebrew CPR
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Smooth, fat compression to revive your tone.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Homebrew CPR review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
Randall RD45H
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The Diavlo not only sounds great, it's also highly affordable, and reinforces Randall's position as a metal-amp titan.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Randall RD45H review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 256)
Moog Minifooger Ring
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you want to add some (very) leftfield sounds to your rig, this is the way to go.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Moog Minifooger Ring review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Moog Minifooger Ring currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Homebrew Cremolo
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Good, old-fashioned creamy vintage-sounding tremolo!”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Homebrew Cremolo review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A solid choice, unless you have lots of high-current pedals. If so, try the Pedal Power 4x4.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar NOS
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Ultimately, the Kurt Cobain Jaguar remains one of the greatest signature models of modern times, and will work for a range of styles - with or without the dents.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar NOS review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 256)
BUY: Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar NOS currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Rotosound The Leveller
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Musical EQ to enhance your tonal options.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Rotosound The Leveller review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 256)
Cioks DC10
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“An extremely versatile power supply that will suit most pedalboards. If you have a massive 'board, check out the Ciokolate.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Cioks DC10 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: Cioks DC10 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
T-Rex Fuel Tank Junior
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you have high-current pedals, maybe look elsewhere, but if you use standard pedals this is an elegant choice.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: T-Rex Fuel Tank Junior review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)
BUY: T-Rex Fuel Tank Junior currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Full Compass
Electro-Harmonix EHX Tortion
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A flexible vintage-style drive that apes cranked-amp tones - if you haven't tried a FET-based overdrive before, start here.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Electro-Harmonix EHX Tortion review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 383)
BUY: Electro-Harmonix EHX Tortion currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Rotosound The Crusader
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Great for full-on or minimal vintage chorus sounds this is a chorus pedal that's big on versatility - as well as just big!”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Rotosound The Crusader review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 383)
Visual Sound 1 Spot Combo pack
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A simple, useful and cost-effective piece of gear.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Visual Sound 1 Spot Combo pack review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 383)
BUY: Visual Sound 1 Spot Combo pack currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Hamstead Soundworks Artist 20+RT combo
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“It's a great British amp in every sense, but some may want a lil' more dirt.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Hamstead Soundworks Artist 20+RT combo review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 383)
EBS FuzzMo
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you want to apply some dirty edge to the sound of your bass, or down- tuned six-string, make the FuzzMo your first port of call.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: EBS FuzzMo review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 383)
BUY: EBS FuzzMo currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
IK Multimedia AmpliTube Orange for iPad
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Make music on the go with a range of Orange amp sounds.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia AmpliTube Orange for iPad review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 383)
Digitech Supernatural Ambient Reverb
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A to-the-point reverb that will take players of an atmospheric disposition to whole new levels of ambience.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Digitech Supernatural Ambient Reverb review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 383)
BUY: Digitech Supernatural Ambient Reverb currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Yamaha NTX700C
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“For anyone after a different sound but with steel-string-like playability, this is the place to start: an absolutely superb modern nylon-string electro.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Yamaha NTX700C review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 383)
BUY: Yamaha NTX700C currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater
Vox Soundbox Mini
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The broad range of tones and effects, as well as the impressive 3D effects of Acoustage, make the Soundbox Mini a serious contender for your desktop amp.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vox Soundbox Mini review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 256)
BUY: Vox Soundbox Mini currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Full Compass
Gretsch G5622T-CB Electromatic
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“An outrageously cool guitar with an inspiring set of tones available. This guitar has songs in it!”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Gretsch G5622T-CB Electromatic review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 383)
BUY: Gretsch G5622T-CB Electromatic currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Orange Dual Dark 100 head
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A great British metal amp that will find many friends and admirers on both sides of the Atlantic.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Orange Dual Dark 100 head review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 383)
BUY: Orange Dual Dark 100 head currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Jackson Chris Broderick Pro Series Soloist 6
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Whether you like Megadeth or not, this is one seriously impressive metal guitar.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Jackson Chris Broderick Pro Series Soloist 6 review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 256)
BUY: Jackson Chris Broderick Pro Series Soloist 6 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
TC Electronic Flashback Mini Delay
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“With stunning tones the Flashback Mini is a great secondary delay for a crammed 'board.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Flashback Mini Delay review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 256)
BUY: TC Electronic Flashback Mini Delay currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Fractal Axe-Fx II XL
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you are thinking about becoming an Axe-Fx owner for the first time, the XL version is now top of the line, and we reckon the extra spend is justified.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fractal Axe-Fx II XL review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 384)
Gretsch G5655T-CB Electromatic
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A new take on the Jet format that's a compact, retro tone machine with grunt and twang in equal measure.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Gretsch G5655T-CB Electromatic review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 383)
BUY: Gretsch G5655T-CB Electromatic currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Guitarist is the longest established UK guitar magazine, offering gear reviews, artist interviews, techniques lessons and loads more, in print, on tablet and on smartphones Digital: http://bit.ly/GuitaristiOS If you love guitars, you'll love Guitarist. Find us in print, on Newsstand for iPad, iPhone and other digital readers
“Clean explores the wild side of compression and brings the interactivity of distortion circuits to a clean signal”: Chase Bliss unveils Clean, a studio-quality analogue compressor with a “fun” twist
"We want to make our platform available to more people": Neural DSP's Francisco Cresp on what its new Nano Cortex means for the innovative company