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
Laney Prism Mini
Guitar Amps “This ease of use is rare in such a small practice amp that covers so much tonal ground, and is the reason the Prism-Mini is worth considering as your desktop companion”: Laney Prism-Mini review
Custom Line King-12 CE NT
Acoustic Guitars "For a guitar that comes in at this price, the overall build is impressive, with a level of attention to detail that’s more than respectable": Harley Benton Custom Line King-12 CE NT review
An UDO Super Gemini synthesizer on a white table
Synths Best synthesizers 2026: Top analogue, digital, mono and polysynths
Yamaha CSP-255 review
Keyboards & Pianos Best digital pianos for beginners: 8 beginner-friendly pianos handpicked by a professional piano and music gear reviewer
Christian Andreu plays his Jackson signature Rhoads with a whole lot of pyro in the background.
Artists Jackson launches spectacular EverTune refresh of Christian Andreu’s signature Rhoads
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2026: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found over £1,000 off a PRS, $200 off the Akai Pro MPC Key 37, and so much more
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
The Harley Benton SpaceShip 40 is a pedalboard with an integrated power supply, and battery power.
Pedalboards “Would I take this to gigs and use it with confidence, knowing that my pedals are being powered sufficiently and safely? Absolutely”: Harley Benton Spaceship Power 40-B review
JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage: this computer-gray stompbox is a preamp-cum-distortion that emulates the analogue mojo of the Tascam Portastudio
Guitar Pedals “There’s plenty of output to use the pedal as a conventional boost with tonal options. And there’s a whole area of dirt to be explored”: JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage review
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2026: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score hundreds off PRS, Bose, and Moog - and grab a new guitar pedal for less than £10!
The Gretsch Electromatic Premier Jet reinvents the classic singlecut. Yes, there is the chambered body as before but with a compound radius fingerboard, Twin Six pickups, and contemporary touches such as Luminlay side-markers it is very much a modern update.
Guitars “The perfect marriage of brilliance and brute force”: Gretsch unveils the reinvention of the Jet
Mark Morton with his signature Les Paul Modern
Artists Mark Morton on the secret to his crushing Lamb Of God rhythm tone, and why some effects are best left to post-production
Woman in orange hat plays classical guitar in front of a laptop
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials What are the best online guitar lessons in 2026? I’m a professional guitar gear reviewer and these are my highest-rated lessons platforms
More
  • Sly and Survivor
  • In My Life
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • One chord Diamond
  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Pedals

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

News
By Guitarist, Total Guitar 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

Read more
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
Guitars The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
 
 
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
 
 
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
 
 
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2026: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
 
 
Close up of LR Baggs acoustic guitar pickup
Guitar Pickups Best acoustic guitar pickups 2025: electrify your acoustic for stage, studio and sound fx – our top picks for all budgets
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Save a colossal $500 off one of my favourite Sterling by Music Man guitars, grab $200 off a super cool D'Angelico, plus all the week's biggest sales on music gear
 
 
Latest in Guitar Pedals
Roland Pedal
Tech Exploring the new industry of AI-integrated hardware effects pedals
 
 
Polyend Endless
Tech We tried to vibe code a custom looper pedal with Polyend Endless – here's what happened
 
 
A Soma Warp multi-effects unit on a desk with various bits of studio gear
Guitar Pedals Shake off the winter lull and dust off the cobwebs with up to 60% off guitars, pedals, synths, mixers, and more in the massive Thomann Spring Sale, including £542 off an ESP LTD and £70 off a UAFX reverb pedal
 
 
Thomann Spring Sale 2026
Guitar Pedals With up to 60% off in Thomann's Spring Sale now is the time to give your pedalboard a spring clean - here are my 8 pedal choices starting at only £9.60!
 
 
Mark Morton with his signature Les Paul Modern
Artists Mark Morton on the secret to his crushing Lamb Of God rhythm tone, and why some effects are best left to post-production
 
 
JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage: this computer-gray stompbox is a preamp-cum-distortion that emulates the analogue mojo of the Tascam Portastudio
Guitar Pedals “There’s plenty of output to use the pedal as a conventional boost with tonal options. And there’s a whole area of dirt to be explored”: JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage review
 
 
Latest in News
Teddi Mellencamp presents the iHeartRadio Icon Award to honoree John Mellencamp onstage during the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award
Singers & Songwriters “He saved my life”: Teddi Mellencamp pays tribute to her dad at iHeart Radio Awards
 
 
suno
Tech Suno takes another step into music production with AI step sequencer MILO-1080
 
 
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Olivia Dean performs onstage during the 2026 MOBO Awards at Co-op Live on March 26, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/Getty Images for MOBO)
Artists Olivia Dean cleans up at the Mobo Awards, as Pharrell Williams accepts a special prize for songwriting
 
 
Sam Fender performs onstage during day two of the Syd For Solen Festival at Valbyparken on August 08, 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmar
Singers & Songwriters “Projects like these are so important”: Sam Fender has raised £50,000 for youth music charity
 
 
Anderson .Paak
Drummers “That thing’s got great breaks”: Anderson .Paak rides through LA… playing a drum kit on wheels
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found over £1,000 off a PRS, $200 off the Akai Pro MPC Key 37, and so much more
 
 

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 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...