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  • New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (December 2011)

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (December 2011)

By Chris Vinnicombe 2011-12-07T14:19:00.34ZGuitars 

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Gretsch G6128T George Harrison Signature Duo Jet (£2818)
As Gretsch launches its signature version of Beatle George's 'first real decent guitar', we ask the obvious question: what took so long?

Gretsch G6128T George Harrison Signature Duo Jet (£2818)

Every month MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the world's best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.

This is a collection of electric and acoustic guitars, amps and effects - all of which have been meticulously tested by either Guitarist or Total Guitar in recent months and published on MusicRadar throughout November 2011.

Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. First up, the guitar that rocked Hamburg and The Cavern...

Verdict:

"It might not be the Tribute, but with its top build, great playability and '50s tone, this is no consolation prize."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist review of the G6128T George Harrison Signature Duo Jet

BUY: G6128T George Harrison Signature Duo Jet currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247

Page 1 of 26
Page 1 of 26
Ampeg GVT52-112 (£677)
A welcome return to the guitar amp market for one of its biggest and most respected brands

Ampeg GVT52-112 (£677)

Verdict:

"A mid-priced do-it-all valve combo that offers something different from Marshall and Fender."

4 out of 5

Read the Guitarist review of the Ampeg GVT52-112

Page 2 of 26
Page 2 of 26
Charvel Desolation Skatecaster SK-1 FR (£742)
Drawing on the 1991 Surfcaster, this is one of several new Charvel designs bucking the manufacturer's traditions

Charvel Desolation Skatecaster SK-1 FR (£742)

Verdict:

"The Surfcaster's snottier younger brother may not appeal to everyone… but it does sound great."

3.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist review of the Charvel Desolation Skatecaster SK-1 FR

Page 3 of 26
Page 3 of 26
DigiTech iPB-10 (£499)
More proof that tablets are having a serious influence on the way we make music: a pedalboard that uses an iPad as its control surface...

DigiTech iPB-10 (£499)

Verdict:

"A state-of-the-art multi-FX floorpedal with the easiest editing ever, but you'll be needing an iPad. Then again, this might just give you the excuse you need to buy one…"

4.5 out of 5

Read Guitarist's DigiTech iPB-10 review

Page 4 of 26
Page 4 of 26
Gordon-Smith GS2 60 (£539)
The UK's longest running electric guitar company reckons that it builds better guitars than Gibson. That's definitely a claim worth investigating...

Gordon-Smith GS2 60 (£539)

Verdict:

"Hard to beat at this price - be proud of having the UK's own G-word on the headstock."

4.5 out of 5

Read Guitarist's Gordon-Smith GS2 60 review

Page 5 of 26
Page 5 of 26
Charvel Desolation DS-1 FR (£682)
It's a sharp left-turn for Charvel with this new single-cutaway Desolation model

Charvel Desolation DS-1 FR (£682)

Verdict:

"A decent, metal-ready take on Gibson's seminal single-cut."

4 out of 5

Read Guitarist's Charvel Desolation DS-1 FR review

Page 6 of 26
Page 6 of 26
Ibanez A300E-VV (£466)
Ibanez shows it's not just about signature electrics with this eye-catching electro-acoustic

Ibanez A300E-VV (£466)

Verdict:

"A good-looking electro that's most at home plugged in."

3.5 out of 5

Read Guitarist's Ibanez A300E-VV review

Page 7 of 26
Page 7 of 26
Charvel Desolation DC-1 ST (£634)
Charvel rips up its rulebook with this lightweight, double-cutaway Desolation - but is it any good?

Charvel Desolation DC-1 ST (£634)

Verdict:

"A good guitar with solid tones, but has its work cut out against Schecter, ESP and PRS SE."

4 out of 5

Read Guitarist's Charvel Desolation DC-1 ST review

Page 8 of 26
Page 8 of 26
Yamaha A1M (£599)
Is Yamaha's new dreadnought electro an A* performer, or a case of 'could try harder'? We find out…

Yamaha A1M (£599)

Verdict:

"Yamaha sure knows how to build a fine and affordable dreadnought electro."

4.5 out of 5

Read Guitarist's Yamaha A1M review

BUY: Yamaha A1M currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 9 of 26
Page 9 of 26
Suhr Guthrie Govan Antique Modern (£2849)
Guthrie Govan's latest signature axe may sport a retro finish, but its feature set is bang up to date as usual

Suhr Guthrie Govan Antique Modern (£2849)

Verdict:

"A top-class, modern guitar that does everything exceptionally well."

4.5 out of 5

Read Guitarist's Suhr Guthrie Govan Antique Modern review

Page 10 of 26
Page 10 of 26
Sandberg Florence Aged (£2099)
A brand-new guitar that looks battered might sound gimmicky, but the Florence genuinely feels older than its years

Sandberg Florence Aged (£2099)

Verdict:

"A fine original but 'familiar' design that sounds and feels as old as it looks. Quite a find!"

4 out of 5

Read Guitarist's Sandberg Florence Aged review

BUY: Sandberg Florence Aged currently available from:
UK: DV247

Page 11 of 26
Page 11 of 26
MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion (£109)
A classic circuit gets hot-rodded

MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion (£109)

Verdict:

"A solid, versatile distortion pedal."

4 out of 5

Read Guitarist's MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion review

BUY: MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 12 of 26
Page 12 of 26
MXR M234 Analog Chorus (£134)
Compact, controlled chorus

MXR M234 Analog Chorus (£134)

Verdict:

"Compact and adaptable - an excellent piece of kit."

4 out of 5

Read Guitarist's MXR M234 Analog Chorus review

BUY: MXR M234 Analog Chorus currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 13 of 26
Page 13 of 26
Electro-Harmonix Neo Mistress (£59)
The smallest Mistress yet!

Electro-Harmonix Neo Mistress (£59)

Verdict:

"If you want a straight-up flanger for your rig, check this out."

4.5 out of 5

Read Guitarist's Electro-Harmonix Neo Mistress review

BUY: Electro-Harmonix Neo Mistress currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 14 of 26
Page 14 of 26
Yamaha AC3R (£889)
Familiar body styling from Yamaha, but a new approach to player comfort and expectations

Yamaha AC3R (£889)

Verdict:

"Grade-A concert picker emphasises all-round high standard of Yamaha's new range."

4.5 out of 5

Read Guitarist's Yamaha AC3R review

BUY: Yamaha AC3R currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 15 of 26
Page 15 of 26
T-Rex ToneBug Sustainer (£109)
A bug for squashing…

T-Rex ToneBug Sustainer (£109)

Verdict:

"Useful tool if you want sustain with clean sounds."

3.5 out of 5

Read Guitarist's T-Rex ToneBug Sustainer review

Page 16 of 26
Page 16 of 26
Blackstar S1-104 EL34 & S1-104 6L6 (£1099)
Blackstar adds two four-channel heads to its already dazzling Series One range

Blackstar S1-104 EL34 & S1-104 6L6 (£1099)

Verdict:

"Awesome heads that round off the Series One range. If you're in the market for a new head or thinking about trading in that combo for something with a little more punch… start looking here."

4.5 out of 5

Read Guitarist's Blackstar S1-104 EL34 & S1-104 6L6 review

BUY: Blackstar S1-104 EL34 & S1-104 6L6 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 17 of 26
Page 17 of 26
Carparelli S4 (£996)
A blingtastic single-cut…

Carparelli S4 (£996)

Verdict:

"A worthy, if not outstanding addition to the mid-price single-cut market."

3.5 out of 5

Read Guitarist's review of the Carparelli S4

Page 18 of 26
Page 18 of 26
Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar (£1306)
A faithful, Mexican-built replica of the Nirvana man's Nevermind tour guitar

Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar (£1306)

Verdict:

"Fender has done a remarkable job of recreating Cobain's Jaguar with accuracy, taste and, above all, respect."

5 out of 5

Read Total Guitar's Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar review

BUY: Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Full Compass

Page 19 of 26
Page 19 of 26
VHT Special 6 Ultra (£249)
Just the six watts, sir? Because sometimes you don't want to melt the neighbours' faces...

VHT Special 6 Ultra (£249)

Verdict:

"A good excuse to keep the noise down."

3 out of 5

Read Total Guitar's VHT Special 6 Ultra review

BUY: VHT Special 6 Ultra currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 20 of 26
Page 20 of 26
Jackson Rhoads RR24XT (£503)
Randy for a bargain metal axe? We reckon we've got the perfect guitar for you...

Jackson Rhoads RR24XT (£503)

Verdict:

"Awesome budget metal axe."

4 out of 5

Read Total Guitar's Jackson Rhoads RR24XT review

Page 21 of 26
Page 21 of 26
Sozo Z7 Vintage (£699)
On a mission from God to bring the rock to the people. Norwegian black metallers, look away now

Sozo Z7 Vintage (£699)

Verdict:

"Christian luthier blesses us with a pretty heavenly instrument."

5 out of 5

Read Total Guitar's Sozo Z7 Vintage review

Page 22 of 26
Page 22 of 26
Dunlop JDF2 Fuzz Face (£159)
The world's cutest fuzzbox gets a reissue

Dunlop JDF2 Fuzz Face (£159)

Verdict:

"The Fuzz Face remains a classic - but you may want to check out the competition."

4 out of 5

Read Total Guitar's Dunlop JDF2 Fuzz Face review

BUY: Dunlop JDF2 Fuzz Face currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 23 of 26
Page 23 of 26
Fender G-DEC 3 Fifteen (£274)
This Fender's got the fun factor - but it means business too

Fender G-DEC 3 Fifteen (£274)

Verdict:

"Some of the most fun you can have with a plywood box - but a serious piece of kit too."

5 out of 5

Read Total Guitar's Fender G-DEC 3 Fifteen review

Page 24 of 26
Page 24 of 26
D*A*M Meathead M-13 (£159)
Yorkshire boutique rolls out a killer fuzz unit

D*A*M Meathead M-13 (£159)

Verdict:

"Fuzzy perfection in a simple, beautiful stomp box."

5 out of 5

Read Total Guitar's D*A*M Meathead M-13 review

Page 25 of 26
Page 25 of 26
Yamaha THR10 (£299)
Does the new THR series provide the 'perfect third amp' for all your offstage needs?

Yamaha THR10 (£299)

Verdict:

"Yamaha has reinvented the practice amp to dovetail neatly with the demands of the average guitarist's modern life. The perfect solution for playing and jamming at home."

4.5 out of 5

Read Guitarist's Yamaha THR10 review

BUY: Yamaha THR10 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 26 of 26
Page 26 of 26
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