Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Guitar Amps
  • Drums
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Lemmy vs Dylan
  • Are 'Friends' Electric?
  • Flava D - DnB is hard
  • Prince's drummers
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
A Fender Player II Stratocaster and Telecaster on a white piece of wood with lots of holes in it
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2025: My top picks for players of all styles
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a mind-blowing $1,000 off the stunning D'Angelico Excel SS, $500 off the gorgeous Heritage Standard H-535, and so much more
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
PRS SE Semi-Hollow Special
Electric Guitars "A stellar build complements a gorgeous aesthetic, and thankfully, it has the tones and playability to back it up": PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow review
Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac: the new semi-hollow signature model is a stunning singlecut with a quilted maple build in a natural finish.
Electric Guitars “Unbeatable... A play-anything guitar”: Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac Session Man review
Close up of Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars under $500/£500 in 2025: Affordable electrics
Fender American Ultra Luxe 60s Stratocaster
Electric Guitars Fender Ultra Luxe Vintage '60s Stratocaster review
Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo: the metallic gray box has cream dials, an LED that lights up blue and/or red, and is photographed here against a wooden background.
Guitar Pedals “A perfect melding of vintage sound with modern practicality”: Strymon EC-1 review
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
Guitars “These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
Orbit Culture's guitarists
Electric Guitars Orbit Culture show us their ESP guitars – and tell us why the EverTune bridge is a game-changer
The BEAM SOLO is the new headphone amp for guitar and bass from Blackstar Amplification, and is a compact unit with an integrated jack featuring amp models and effects, and a suite of digital features.
Guitars Blackstar Amplification unveils the BEAM SOLO – has the Fender Mustang Micro Plus found a rival?
Strymon PCH Active Direct Interface: the little black box from the digital effects powerhouse offers routing for sending your signal direct from a pedalboard to a PA or FRFR speakers, and it has a headphones output for silent monitoring.
Guitars Strymon unveils the PCH Active Direct Interface – the missing link for your amp-less pedalboard setup?
native instruments
Music Production Tutorials "As nuanced as the real thing, but only if you know what you're doing": The ultimate guide to plugin guitars
EVH Gear Hypersonic FR-12: The newly launched FRFR speaker packs 1000-watts, is available in black or ivory, and might just be the perfect companion to your amp modeller.
Guitars EVH Gear drops the Hypersonic FR-12 FRFR speaker – 1000-watts to get the most from your amp modeller
Debbie Gough of Heriot demoes the new Jackson Pro Plus Metal Phase II Warrior on a darkened studio set.
Guitars Jackson adds Warrior, King V and Concert Bass to its limited edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
  1. Guitars

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

News
By Total Guitar, Guitarist ( Guitarist, Total Guitar ) published 8 December 2015

All of the month's guitar gear in one place

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

Vintage Viator USB Paul Brett Signature Travel Guitar

Vintage Viator USB Paul Brett Signature Travel Guitar

It's been a real month of pre-festive treats for our guitars team, with gorgeous aged Les Pauls, limited edition Strats and pedals galore coming in for review.

Click through the gallery for an overview of all the guitar gear that came under the MusicRadar microscope in November, and was originally featured in Guitarist and Total Guitar magazines.

MusicRadar's Verdict

”Not an essential purchase, but like so much of Paul Brett's signature range, its character is undeniable.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vintage Viator USB Paul Brett Signature Travel Guitar

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 1 of 24
Page 1 of 24
LR Baggs Session Acoustic DI

LR Baggs Session Acoustic DI

MusicRadar's Verdict

”Quality mastering in a pedal with feedback rejection? That's about the size of it. Niche, but very nice.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LR Baggs Session Acoustic DI

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: LR Baggs Session Acoustic DI currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 2 of 24
Page 2 of 24
Martin 00-15E

Martin 00-15E

MusicRadar's Verdict

”For once, we have some serious choice from a very serious guitar.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Martin 00-15E

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Martin 00-15E currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 3 of 24
Page 3 of 24
PRS McCarty

PRS McCarty

MusicRadar's Verdict

”The McCarty has just gotten better – and then some.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS McCarty

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: PRS McCarty currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 4 of 24
Page 4 of 24
Moog MF Flanger

Moog MF Flanger

MusicRadar's Verdict

”While the MF Flange is one of Moog's tamer offerings, it offers some of the lushest analogue flange tones we've heard in quite some time – well worth a try.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Moog MF Flanger

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Moog MF Flanger currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 5 of 24
Page 5 of 24
Taylor 360E 12-string

Taylor 360E 12-string

MusicRadar's Verdict

”This 12-string is bags of fun, too, meaning that these limited-run guitars from Taylor's 300 Series should certainly be explored.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Taylor 360E 12-String

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Taylor 360E 12-string currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 6 of 24
Page 6 of 24
Taylor 326E Baritone

Taylor 326E Baritone

MusicRadar's Verdict

”A veritable playground, its unfamiliarity adding considerably to its cachet.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Taylor 326E Baritone

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 7 of 24
Page 7 of 24
Ogre Thunderclap Distortion

Ogre Thunderclap Distortion

MusicRadar's Verdict

”Ogre's monster is built for outrageous riffs and insane solos, and it does this unashamedly.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ogre Thunderclap Distortion

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Ogre Thunderclap Distortion currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 8 of 24
Page 8 of 24
Earthquaker Devices Rainbow Machine

Earthquaker Devices Rainbow Machine

MusicRadar's Verdict

”A solid-performing pedal that conjures up a heap of sonic opportunities.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Earthquaker Devices Rainbow Machine

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Earthquaker Devices Rainbow Machine currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 9 of 24
Page 9 of 24
Epiphone Gary Clark Jr Blak & Blu Casino

Epiphone Gary Clark Jr Blak & Blu Casino

MusicRadar's Verdict

”This is one classy package – steeped in heritage, a choice of vibrato or trapeze versions, not to mention aggressive on-the-street pricing, this is a compelling offering.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Epiphone Gary Clark Jr Blak & Blu Casino

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Epiphone Gary Clark Jr Blak & Blu Casino currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 10 of 24
Page 10 of 24
Dunlop Cry Baby Mini Wah CBM95

Dunlop Cry Baby Mini Wah CBM95

MusicRadar's Verdict

”The Mini's compact size does nothing to diminish the Cry Baby legacy, thanks to top-class sounds and functionality.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Dunlop Cry Baby Mini Wah CBM95

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Dunlop Cry Baby Mini Wah CBM95 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 11 of 24
Page 11 of 24
IK Multimedia AmpliTube Mesa/Boogie

IK Multimedia AmpliTube Mesa/Boogie

MusicRadar's Verdict

”Anyone who desires record-ready Mesa/Boogie tones without spending thousands of pounds would be well advised to take a look.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia AmpliTube Mesa/Boogie

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: IK Multimedia AmpliTube Mesa/Boogie currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 12 of 24
Page 12 of 24
Vintage V7HTBB

Vintage V7HTBB

MusicRadar's Verdict

”The V7 could have launched at a higher markup and you can only commend it as an instrument that ticks all the boxes at such mind-boggling value.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vintage V7HTBB

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 13 of 24
Page 13 of 24
Schecter Diamond Series C-6 Deluxe

Schecter Diamond Series C-6 Deluxe

MusicRadar's Verdict

”The C-6 Deluxe is very much an all-purpose rocker.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schecter Diamond Series C-6 Deluxe

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Schecter Diamond Series C-6 Deluxe currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music

Page 14 of 24
Page 14 of 24
Schecter Diamond Series C-7 Deluxe

Schecter Diamond Series C-7 Deluxe

MusicRadar's Verdict

”The C-7 Deluxe is a rock solid budget seven string.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schecter Diamond Series C-7 Deluxe

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Schecter Diamond Series C-7 Deluxe currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 15 of 24
Page 15 of 24
Mad Professor Evolution Orange Underdrive

Mad Professor Evolution Orange Underdrive

MusicRadar's Verdict

”There's a certain simplicity to stepping on a pedal for a cleaner sound. Genius.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mad Professor Evolution Orange Underdrive

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 16 of 24
Page 16 of 24
TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor

TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor

MusicRadar's Verdict

”A compressor pedal that you can program exactly to your needs. About time!”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 17 of 24
Page 17 of 24
Charvel USA Custom Shop RTM San Dimas 1H

Charvel USA Custom Shop RTM San Dimas 1H

MusicRadar's Verdict

”A unique opportunity to customise an instrument from a world-famous brand, at a great price. Whether you're brave enough to go for 'Slime Green' is another matter...”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Charvel USA Custom Shop RTM San Dimas 1H

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 18 of 24
Page 18 of 24
Mad Professor Simble Piledriver

Mad Professor Simble Piledriver

MusicRadar's Verdict

”This could be an essential ingredient of your tone that you don't want to turn off.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mad Professor Simble Piledriver

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 19 of 24
Page 19 of 24
Fender Classic Series Special Edition '50s and '60s Strats

Fender Classic Series Special Edition '50s and '60s Strats

MusicRadar's Verdict

”A pair of decently turned-out Strats that look, sound and play convincingly vintage, at a very reasonable price.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Classic Series Special Edition '50s and '60s Strats

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Fender Classic Series Special Edition '50s and '60s Strats currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music

Page 20 of 24
Page 20 of 24
Epiphone Bjorn Gelotte LTD Edition Les Paul Custom

Epiphone Bjorn Gelotte LTD Edition Les Paul Custom

MusicRadar's Verdict

”It makes for a decadent guitar that pairs classic looks with all the power of a modern metal electric. Think of it as a tuxedo with a stick of dynamite tucked in its pocket.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Total Guitar)

BUY: Epiphone Bjorn Gelotte LTD Edition Les Paul Custom currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 21 of 24
Page 21 of 24
Gibson True Historic 1960s Les Paul Murphy Aged

Gibson True Historic 1960s Les Paul Murphy Aged

MusicRadar's Verdict

”Gibson has done it once again and made its Reissues even more enticing.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson True Historic 1960s Les Paul Murphy Aged

(Originally reviewed inGuitarist)

BUY: Gibson True Historic 1960s Les Paul Murphy Aged currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 22 of 24
Page 22 of 24
TC Electronic Sentry Noise Gate

TC Electronic Sentry Noise Gate

MusicRadar's Verdict

”If a noise gate is a necessity in your signal chain, this one offers real versatility.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Sentry Noise Gate

(Originally reviewed inGuitarist)

BUY: TC Electronic Sentry Noise Gate currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 23 of 24
Page 23 of 24
Electro-Harmonix Super Pulsar

Electro-Harmonix Super Pulsar

MusicRadar's Verdict

”Glitchy rhythms, rapid-fire blips, flutey fade-ins... it's all here, and creative guitarists will find a lot to love.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Electro-Harmonix Super Pulsar

(Originally reviewed inTotal Guitar)

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

Page 24 of 24
Page 24 of 24
Guitarist
Guitarist
Social Links Navigation

Guitarist is the longest established UK guitar magazine, offering gear reviews, artist interviews, techniques lessons and loads more, in print, on tablet and on smartphones
Digital: http://bit.ly/GuitaristiOS
If you love guitars, you'll love Guitarist. Find us in print, on Newsstand for iPad, iPhone and other digital readers

The magazine for serious players image
The magazine for serious players
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
A Fender Player II Stratocaster and Telecaster on a white piece of wood with lots of holes in it
Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2025: My top picks for players of all styles
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a mind-blowing $1,000 off the stunning D'Angelico Excel SS, $500 off the gorgeous Heritage Standard H-535, and so much more
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
 
 
PRS SE Semi-Hollow Special
"A stellar build complements a gorgeous aesthetic, and thankfully, it has the tones and playability to back it up": PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow review
 
 
Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac: the new semi-hollow signature model is a stunning singlecut with a quilted maple build in a natural finish.
“Unbeatable... A play-anything guitar”: Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac Session Man review
 
 
Close up of Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster
Best electric guitars under $500/£500 in 2025: Affordable electrics
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Joe Bonamassa wears a blue suit and plays his P-90 loaded Epiphone signature Les Paul [left] and BB King cups his hand to his ear to ask for some more from his audience at a 1991 show in Chicago.
Joe Bonamassa announces all-star album celebrating life of BB King on the King of the Blues’ 100th birthday
 
 
Loog Guitars x Gibson: these child-friendly 3-strings reimagine the Les Paul and SG for young beginners.
Gibson teams up with Loog for child-friendly 3-string versions of its most famous electric guitars
 
 
Fender Vintera II Road Worn 60s Telecaster
Fender’s Vintera II Road Worn series has Golden Era vibe, tone and feel with era-correct pickups and aged nitro finishes
 
 
Gibson Tony Iommi Humbucker
"It's unlike any humbucker I've tried before": Gibson Tony Iommi Signature Humbucker review
 
 
SCM All Stars logo
“I’m so grateful that our music can be a vehicle for their spirits to fly”: Students at Flea’s music school pay tribute to Chili Peppers
 
 
Mk.pre
Audio Hertz's Mk.pre emulates the Tascam Portastudio preamp that colours Mk.gee's sought-after guitar tone
 
 
Latest in News
Teenage Engineering EP-1320 Medieval
Teenage Engineering is giving away a free EP-1320 Medieval sampler to anyone that spends $999 in its online store
 
 
Fred Again in Naples
Fred Again and again: Producer plays an extra set on a fan's rooftop after a Naples festival appearance
 
 
Prince at a press conference where he officially changed his name from the Artist back to Prince. 5/16/00 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect
Back in 1999, Prince offered his opinion on the new generation of DAW-based musicians and producers
 
 
Nile Rodgers
“As soon as we played that, I screamed”: Nile Rodgers breaks down how he and David Bowie made Let’s Dance
 
 
Posed portrait of musician Stephen Luscombe (left) and singer Neil Arthur of English synth-pop band 'Blancmange', July 1982. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images)
“A unique, talented, and innovative musician”: Tributes paid to Blancmange's Stephen Luscombe
 
 
Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste answers the internet’s piano queries and agrees with one potentially controversial musical statement
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • 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...