New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (December 2011)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
A bug for squashing…
T-Rex ToneBug Sustainer (£109)
Verdict:
"Useful tool if you want sustain with clean sounds."
3.5 out of 5
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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