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

By Guitarist, Total Guitar
published 8 December 2015

All of the month's guitar gear in one place

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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
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