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
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
A Boss RC-10R looper pedal on a wooden floor
Guitar Pedals Best looper pedals 2025: My favourite loop stations for every budget
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2025: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
Man holding acoustic guitar in front of a silver laptop
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials What are the best online guitar lessons in 2025? I review guitar gear for a living and these are my favourite lessons platforms
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
A Fender Player II Stratocaster and Telecaster on a white piece of wood with lots of holes in it
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2025: My top picks for players of all styles
A Yamaha Revstar electric guitar on a blue background
Electric Guitars Thomann's Guitar Days sale just hit up to 70% off with £474 off an Epiphone semi-hollow, £132 off a Death By Audio pedal, plus loads more massive savings
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Guitars Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
Warm Audio's Tube Squealer is a greatest-hits of Tube Screamer circuits, three-in one, while the Throne Of Tone, the new dual-overdrive twofer from the Texan pedal company channels not one but two classic pedals, which in a way were both inspired by the classic Marshall "Bluesbreaker" amps used by Clapton back in his John Mayall days.
Guitars Warm Audio channels the greatest hits of classic overdrive with the regal Throne Of Tone dual-drive and the 3-in-1 Tone Squealer
Close up of Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars under $500/£500 in 2025: Affordable electrics
The J, from Thorpy FX, is a new collab between the high-end British guitar effects pedal company and boutique amp brand Lazy J, and the amp that inspired it can be seen illustrated in white on. black on the enclosure's front.
Guitars Thorpy FX teams up with Lazy J to give guitarists premium vintage Tweed tone in a preamp/drive pedal
Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN
Electric Guitars “Some might say a guitar at this kind of price point has no business resonating so well”: Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN review
More
  • Radiohead's secret code
  • Blackbird
  • Spooky samples - free
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Captain Fantastic
  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Pedals

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (August 2015)

News
By Guitarist, Total Guitar ( Total Guitar, Guitarist ) published 4 August 2015

From pedals to electrics, acoustics to amps

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

Valeton La' Charger Modern Crunch

Valeton La' Charger Modern Crunch

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Marshall JCM flavour in a versatile dirt-deliverer for a more than reasonable price."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Valeton La' Charger Modern Crunch review

BUY: Valeton La' Charger Modern Crunch currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 1 of 23
Page 1 of 23
Alvarez ARDA 1965 Dreadnought Slope Shoulder

Alvarez ARDA 1965 Dreadnought Slope Shoulder

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Different looks and a sweet tonality, especially for fingerpicking."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Alvarez ARDA 1965 Dreadnought Slope Shoulder review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 2 of 23
Page 2 of 23
Ibanez LGB30

Ibanez LGB30

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An outstanding hollowbody for jazz and old-school blues fans, which looks and sounds exquisite."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ibanez LGB30 review

BUY: Ibanez LGB30 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 3 of 23
Page 3 of 23
Keeley Mini Katana review

Keeley Mini Katana review

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A practical 'more' pedal that you can slip into your signal chain."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Keeley Mini Katana review

BUY: Keeley Mini Katana currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 4 of 23
Page 4 of 23
Marshall JCM 25/50 2555X Silver Jubilee Reissue

Marshall JCM 25/50 2555X Silver Jubilee Reissue

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A great reissue of one of the most coveted Marshalls - we'd love to see a 2554 combo version, too. After the perfect Slash tone? Time to live the dream..."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Marshall JCM 25/50 2555X Silver Jubilee Reissue review

BUY: Marshall JCM 25/50 2555X Silver Jubilee Reissue currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 5 of 23
Page 5 of 23
Ibanez JSM10

Ibanez JSM10

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It may be endorsed by an iconic jazz-fusion player, but blues-rock guitarists will find much to love here."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ibanez JSM10 review

BUY: Ibanez JSM10 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 6 of 23
Page 6 of 23
Keeley Red Dirt Mini

Keeley Red Dirt Mini

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Robert Keeley designs a better mousetrap that's red not green."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Keeley Red Dirt Mini review

BUY: Keeley Red Dirt Mini currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 7 of 23
Page 7 of 23
Keeley Compressor Pro

Keeley Compressor Pro

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A versatile compressor offering not just plenty of options for sculpting guitar and bass sounds, but also many practical applications in the studio."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Keeley Compressor Pro review

BUY: Keeley Compressor Pro currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 8 of 23
Page 8 of 23
One Control Micro Distro

One Control Micro Distro

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Smaller than its rivals and competitively priced, the Micro Distro has plenty going for it, especially if you want to keep pedalboard space for pedals."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: One Control Micro Distro review

BUY: One Control Micro Distro currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 9 of 23
Page 9 of 23
Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar

Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The ultimate practice tool? The new Silent Guitar is better than ever."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar review

BUY: Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 10 of 23
Page 10 of 23
Guild Newark Street Starfire IV ST

Guild Newark Street Starfire IV ST

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The stud tailpiece gives the Starfire even more ES-335 credo. Usable, pro-spec, retro - excellent."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild Newark Street Starfire IV ST review

BUY: Guild Newark Street Starfire IV ST currently available from:
UK: Thomann
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 11 of 23
Page 11 of 23
Valeton Lazaro Modern Fuzz

Valeton Lazaro Modern Fuzz

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A compact fuzzbox that will cover a lot of options for your preferred sound."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Valeton Lazaro Modern Fuzz review

BUY: Valeton Lazaro Modern Fuzz currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 12 of 23
Page 12 of 23
Guild Newark Street T50 Slim

Guild Newark Street T50 Slim

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Highly evocative slice of history with jazz credentials, or maybe roosty style. Looks great, too."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild Newark Street T50 Slim review

BUY: Guild Newark Street T50 Slim currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 13 of 23
Page 13 of 23
Yamaha SLG200N

Yamaha SLG200N

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you've caught the nylon bug, this is the place to start. A lot of guitar for the money."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha SLG200N review

BUY: Yamaha SLG200N currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 14 of 23
Page 14 of 23
Valeton Dark Tale Vintage Distortion

Valeton Dark Tale Vintage Distortion

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The heavier end of distortion from the Rat school of dirt - at a lighter price."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Valeton Dark Tale Vintage Distortion review

BUY: Valeton Dark Tale Vintage Distortion currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 15 of 23
Page 15 of 23
Juketone Royal Blood 10

Juketone Royal Blood 10

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"For the money, it's amazing value. Go tweed, go Juketone!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Juketone Royal Blood 10 review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 16 of 23
Page 16 of 23
Mr Black Downward Spiral

Mr Black Downward Spiral

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"For adding a sense of derangement to any passage, it's a tortured treat."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mr Black Downward Spiral review

BUY: Mr Black Downward Spiral currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 17 of 23
Page 17 of 23
Danelectro DBS68 Baby Sitar

Danelectro DBS68 Baby Sitar

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"£599 is certainly not a bargain price, but with the vintage market pricing Corals well into four figures, the DBS68 represents good value."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Danelectro DBS68 Baby Sitar review

BUY: Danelectro DBS68 Baby Sitar currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 18 of 23
Page 18 of 23
Danelectro DC59TSB-12

Danelectro DC59TSB-12

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"At £499, there's really no excuse not to join the 12-string club with this great guitar."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Danelectro DC59TSB-12 review

BUY: Danelectro DC59TSB-12 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 19 of 23
Page 19 of 23
Sonuus Voluum

Sonuus Voluum

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Provided you have time to spare, the flexibility and quality of tones make the Voluum well worth getting lost in."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sonuus Voluum review

BUY: Sonuus Voluum currently available from:
UK: Thomann
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 20 of 23
Page 20 of 23
Danelectro DCV56CR Convertible

Danelectro DCV56CR Convertible

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"We like the Convertible but, at £599, we can't really get too excited - it's a lot to pay for a relatively niche sound."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Danelectro DCV56CR Convertible review

BUY: Danelectro DCV56CR Convertible currently available from:
UK: Thomann

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 21 of 23
Page 21 of 23
Martin Dreadnought Junior

Martin Dreadnought Junior

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Faultless in both concept and execution."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Martin Dreadnought Junior review

BUY: Martin Dreadnought Junior currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 22 of 23
Page 22 of 23
Mr Black Gilamondo

Mr Black Gilamondo

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A new force in phasing - well worth the money."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mr Black Gilamondo review

BUY: Mr Black Gilamondo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 23 of 23
Page 23 of 23
Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Social Links Navigation

Total Guitar is Europe's best-selling guitar magazine.

Every month we feature interviews with the biggest names and hottest new acts in guitar land, plus Guest Lessons from the stars.

Finally, our Rocked & Rated section is the place to go for reviews, round-ups and help setting up your guitars and gear.

Subscribe: http://bit.ly/totalguitar

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
A Fender Player II Stratocaster and Telecaster on a white piece of wood with lots of holes in it
Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2025: My top picks for players of all styles
 
 
A Yamaha Revstar electric guitar on a blue background
Thomann's Guitar Days sale just hit up to 70% off with £474 off an Epiphone semi-hollow, £132 off a Death By Audio pedal, plus loads more massive savings
 
 
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Best acoustic guitars 2025: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
 
 
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
 
 
Latest in Guitar Pedals
The J, from Thorpy FX, is a new collab between the high-end British guitar effects pedal company and boutique amp brand Lazy J, and the amp that inspired it can be seen illustrated in white on. black on the enclosure's front.
Thorpy FX teams up with Lazy J to give guitarists premium vintage Tweed tone in a preamp/drive pedal
 
 
Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster in new limited-edition white, photographed against a pink background with the new guitar strap and – freshly refinished in black – Hello Kitty op-amp fuzz.
The Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster returns in limited edition white as Fender announces expanded capsule collection
 
 
Orange King Comp: the new compressor from the British amp legend has what looks like a gorilla illustrated on the enclosure and has a road-ready build with a kick bar to protect your settings.
Orange’s King Comp is a monster compressor with the feel of a real amp and super low-noise operation
 
 
The Strymon Olivera is a five-knob stompbox in bronze-brown that offers an emulation of an oil-can delay
Strymon’s Olivera is a oil can delay without the oil, without the mechanics, and with a lot more control over your tone
 
 
Warm Audio's Tube Squealer is a greatest-hits of Tube Screamer circuits, three-in one, while the Throne Of Tone, the new dual-overdrive twofer from the Texan pedal company channels not one but two classic pedals, which in a way were both inspired by the classic Marshall "Bluesbreaker" amps used by Clapton back in his John Mayall days.
Warm Audio channels the greatest hits of classic overdrive with the regal Throne Of Tone dual-drive and the 3-in-1 Tone Squealer
 
 
An original silver Klon Centaur overdrive pedal, with its trio of oxblood coloured knobs and a single footswitch
Klon Centaur inventor Bill Finnegan’s lawsuit against Behringer over $69 clone has been dismissed
 
 
Latest in News
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Drake performs live on stage during day two of Wireless Festival 2025 at Finsbury Park on July 12, 2025 in London, England. Drake is headlining an unprecedented all three nights of Wireless Festival. (Photo by Simone Joyner/Getty Images for ABA)
Drake’s live sound engineer on why he has to be at the top of his game from first song to last
 
 
waves
Waves is teasing a free plugin release for Black Friday – sign up today to be first in line
 
 
IK Multimedia Tonex Plug: the new headphones amp is fully compatible with the brand's state-of-the-art modelling platform, giving players the opportunity to play anywhere, anytime, and access thousands of different tones while doing so.
IK Multimedia unveils the Tonex Plug – is this pocket-sized powerhouse a gamechanger for headphone amps?
 
 
Radiohead Live 2025 graphic, black and white
Everything In Its Right Place: Radiohead switch up their setlist on the second night of reunion tour
 
 
A selection of Waves plugins on a fluorescent green background
Waves just made the first move on Black Friday with 3 jaw-dropping offers - and one’s completely free
 
 
Ed Sheeran performs during the Heart and Armor Foundation benefit concert at The Wiltern on September 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California
“This is a step in the right direction”: Ed Sheeran gives thumbs up to government’s national curriculum changes
 
 

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...