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  1. Home
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  3. Total Guitar

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

By Guitarist, Total Guitar
published 4 August 2015

From pedals to electrics, acoustics to amps

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Valeton La' Charger Modern Crunch
MI-style Marshall-aping stompbox

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
12 fret dreadnought

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
F the shred, Ibanez's semi-hollow shines

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
JFET-loaded boost pedal

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
One of the most requested amp reissues in history arrives

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
A sub-£1,000 signature jazzer

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
Modded mini Tube Screamer-style pedal

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
Clever compressor pedal

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
Compact pedal powerer

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
What's the point of a Silent Guitar? Practice, that's what... and you need one

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
A new Korean-made electric joins the Guild

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
A lot of fuzz for minimal outlay

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
Thinline f-hole electro-acoustic revived

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
The ultimate practice tool, or is there more to it than that?

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
Another pedal joins the RAT-pack

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
Point-to-point tweed tone - at an old-school price!

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
Nine Inch Trails - a descending delay

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
Sit' back and enjoy yourself...

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
12 steps to tonal heaven

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
The most voluminous of volume pedals

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
Roof down, surf's up with this hollowbody electric

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
A very grown-up Junior Dread

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
Going through an eight-stage phase

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
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