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  1. Guitars
  2. Acoustic Guitars

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (December 2013)

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 2 December 2013

November's electric and acoustic guitars, plus amps and effects

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

Springer Halfbreed

Springer Halfbreed

Our sister print publications - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music -produce the best independent gear reviews around on a monthly basis.

Here we've gathered reviews of all the guitar-related gear posted on the site throughout November, including guitars, amps, stompboxes and recorder/interfaces.

All of the gear here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 373/374, Total Guitar issue 246, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An original take on a very rootsy recipe, this is a raw tone machine that needs to be gigged. Excellent!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Springer Halfbreed review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Page 1 of 29
Page 1 of 29
Orange Crush Pro Series CR60C

Orange Crush Pro Series CR60C

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A brilliant first gigging amp. We wish this had existed in back 1995..."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Orange Crush Pro Series CR60C review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Orange Crush Pro Series CR60C currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 2 of 29
Page 2 of 29
Vox Tone Garage Straight 6 Drive

Vox Tone Garage Straight 6 Drive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A Brit-style distortion pedal that loads on the dirt."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Tone Garage Straight 6 Drive review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Vox Tone Garage Straight 6 Drive currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 3 of 29
Page 3 of 29
Sigma JR12-1STE

Sigma JR12-1STE

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A guitar we never thought we needed until we played it! Excellent build and price. One for the collection."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sigma JR12-1STE review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Page 4 of 29
Page 4 of 29
Victory V50 The Earl

Victory V50 The Earl

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"With its boutique-meets-mainstream style and immense tonal flexibility, here's an amp that you really need to try."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Victory V50 The Earl review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Victory V50 The Earl currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

Page 5 of 29
Page 5 of 29
Fret-King Corona JV

Fret-King Corona JV

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A no-nonsense instrument that provides powerful but quiet operation with a host of sensible upgrades on a well-loved theme."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Corona JV review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Fret-King Corona JV currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 6 of 29
Page 6 of 29
Washburn Parallaxe PXS20FRTBB

Washburn Parallaxe PXS20FRTBB

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A genuinely impressive modern guitar, Washburn goes back to its rock and metal roots with gusto."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Washburn Parallaxe PXS20FRTBB review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Washburn Parallaxe PXS20FRTBB currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Gear4Music

Page 7 of 29
Page 7 of 29
Vox Tone Garage V8 Distortion

Vox Tone Garage V8 Distortion

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Distortion pedal with a wide range of gain and tonal variations."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Tone Garage V8 Distortion review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Vox Tone Garage V8 Distortion currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 8 of 29
Page 8 of 29
Orange Crush Pro Series CR120H

Orange Crush Pro Series CR120H

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A budget head that doesn't look or sound like too much of a compromise."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Orange Crush Pro Series CR120H review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Orange Crush Pro Series CR120H currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 9 of 29
Page 9 of 29
MXR CSP265 Joe Bonamassa FET Driver

MXR CSP265 Joe Bonamassa FET Driver

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A pricey but worthwhile overdrive that suits both clean and dirty amps, especially for bluesy leads."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MXR CSP265 Joe Bonamassa FET Driver review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: MXR CSP265 Joe Bonamassa FET Driver currently available from:
UK: DV247

Page 10 of 29
Page 10 of 29
Victory V10 The Baron

Victory V10 The Baron

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A cute-looking but seriously designed low wattage combo that's a perfect recording and small gig tool."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Victory V10 The Baron review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Victory V10 The Baron currently available from:
UK: Andertons

Page 11 of 29
Page 11 of 29
Line 6 Sonic Port

Line 6 Sonic Port

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Sonic Port's app integration and connectivity options have upped the game for guitar to iOS connection."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Line 6 Sonic Port review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Line 6 Sonic Port currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 12 of 29
Page 12 of 29
Sigma OMR-21

Sigma OMR-21

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The perfect steel- string? Damn close. Affordable and classic-looking with a sound that punches above its price."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sigma OMR-21 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Sigma OMR-21 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Gear4Music

Page 13 of 29
Page 13 of 29
Providence DBS-1 Dual Bass Station

Providence DBS-1 Dual Bass Station

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you use two different basses or need an optional sound/boost for your solo bass, this is the pedal."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Providence DBS-1 Dual Bass Station review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Page 14 of 29
Page 14 of 29
Vox Tone Garage Trike Fuzz

Vox Tone Garage Trike Fuzz

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A versatile octave fuzz that can get quite extreme - try it out first!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Tone Garage Trike Fuzz review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Vox Tone Garage Trike Fuzz currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 15 of 29
Page 15 of 29
Eventide H9

Eventide H9

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A 'multi-effect' that's upgradeable, compact and has iOS control. Superb!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Eventide H9 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Eventide H9 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 16 of 29
Page 16 of 29
Washburn Parallaxe PXM20EFTBM

Washburn Parallaxe PXM20EFTBM

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The through-body stringing and EMG pickups make this ideal for all metal styles: it looks pretty good, too."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Washburn Parallaxe PXM20EFTBM review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Washburn Parallaxe PXM20EFTBM currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 17 of 29
Page 17 of 29
Vigier Excalibur Special Limited Edition

Vigier Excalibur Special Limited Edition

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Whether you shred, funk or rock, make sure this eye-popping modern classic doesn't pass you by."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vigier Excalibur Special Limited Edition review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Page 18 of 29
Page 18 of 29
Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III

Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Ultra-III could prove indispensable for cover band guitarists who need acoustic sounds in their repertoire, or for recording players who want quick access to a range of tones - Ultra, indeed."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 19 of 29
Page 19 of 29
Electro-Harmonix 45000

Electro-Harmonix 45000

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The 45000/controller combo is by no means a cheap option, but that multi-track functionality is seriously impressive and could be exactly what experienced loop fiends are looking for."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Electro-Harmonix 45000 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Electro-Harmonix 45000 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 20 of 29
Page 20 of 29
Blackstar LT Drive

Blackstar LT Drive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"With a valve-like response and huge amount of volume on tap, the Drive is insanely good value for money."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar LT Drive review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Blackstar LT Drive currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 21 of 29
Page 21 of 29
Hagstrom Pat Smear Signature Electric

Hagstrom Pat Smear Signature Electric

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Overall, though, this is one hell of a rock guitar. It feels weighty, has almost over-engineered hardware, and sounds the business."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Hagstrom Pat Smear Signature Electric review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Hagstrom Pat Smear Signature Electric currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 22 of 29
Page 22 of 29
Blackstar LT Dist

Blackstar LT Dist

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"There are bountiful tones to be uncovered here, from mid-heavy British crunch to smooth American distortion, with plenty of sweet spots in between."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar LT Dist review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Blackstar LT Dist currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 23 of 29
Page 23 of 29
Rob O'Reilly BE Guitar

Rob O'Reilly BE Guitar

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The BE Guitar is undoubtedly one heck of a visual statement, but for the money, it plays well and the tones it produces are more than acceptable."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rob O'Reilly BE Guitar review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

Page 24 of 29
Page 24 of 29
Blackstar LT Dual

Blackstar LT Dual

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"All the LT Pedals are impressive, but the Dual's range of tones makes it worth the extra cash."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar LT Dual review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Blackstar LT Dual currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 25 of 29
Page 25 of 29
Zoom Multistomp MS-70CDR

Zoom Multistomp MS-70CDR

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're after a highly tweakable chorus, delay and reverb pedal, the MS-70CDR is a worthy investment."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Zoom Multistomp MS-70CDR review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Zoom Multistomp MS-70CDR currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 26 of 29
Page 26 of 29
Nineboys Cigar Box Guitar

Nineboys Cigar Box Guitar

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Cigar Box Guitar is hardly essential, but it has an undeniable appeal, and it's fun."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nineboys Cigar Box Guitar review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

Page 27 of 29
Page 27 of 29
Blackstar LT Metal

Blackstar LT Metal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If it's skyscraper-demolishing metal tones you're after, the LT Metal has to be top of your list."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar LT Metal review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Blackstar LT Metal currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 28 of 29
Page 28 of 29
Bigfoot Engineering Thunder Pup

Bigfoot Engineering Thunder Pup

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Two Brit voices with superlative sound in one box."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Bigfoot Engineering Thunder Pup review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Page 29 of 29
Page 29 of 29
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
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