Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Heart of Gold
  • Vince Clarke's favourite synth
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The Beatles' medley masterpiece
  1. Guitars

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (December 2016)

News
By Total Guitar, Guitarist published 2 December 2016

All of the latest guitar reviews in one place!

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

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 FR S

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 FR S

From pioneering amps to lush six strings, we've seen it all at MusicRadar's guitar HQ this month.

Here's a look at everything that our team reviewed during November. We start with the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 FR S.

MusicRadar's verdict

"It isn't a cheap date, of course, but if you're serious about your craft, it won't let you down."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 FR S

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 150 Combo

Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 150 Combo

MusicRadar's verdict

"Blackstar has proved again that, when it comes to providing maximum bang for your buck, its amps are hard to beat."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 150 Combo

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Music Man Valentine

Music Man Valentine

MusicRadar's verdict

"Whether or not Maroon 5's style of funky rock floats your boat, we think James Valentine's signature Music Man most definitely will."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Music Man Valentine

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Martin D-15 Special

Martin D-15 Special

MusicRadar's verdict

"This D-15 Special is well named. A classic old-school-style voice that will no doubt mature into quite a serious dread."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Martin D-15 Special

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
ThorpyFX Fallout Cloud

ThorpyFX Fallout Cloud

MusicRadar's verdict

"A very accomplished, range-extending reimagining of a classic fuzz-distortion voice. Try one."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: ThorpyFX Fallout Cloud

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
TC Electronic Sub 'N' Up Octaver

TC Electronic Sub 'N' Up Octaver

MusicRadar's verdict

"This easy-to-use pedal is small enough to slot into most pedalboard scenarios and costs a lot less than the immediate competition while offering more versatility."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Sub 'N' Up Octaver

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
J Rockett Lenny

J Rockett Lenny

MusicRadar's verdict

"A switchable boost or an 'always on' tonal building block to tease out the tone in your rig."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: J Rockett Lenny

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

MusicRadar's verdict

"The build quality of this instrument is utterly faultless, like the playability."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Martin Dreadnought Junior 2E Sapele

Martin Dreadnought Junior 2E Sapele

MusicRadar's verdict

"A smaller but serious-sounding 'multi-purpose' electro."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Martin Dreadnought Junior 2E Sapele

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
PRS SE Chris Robertson

PRS SE Chris Robertson

MusicRadar's verdict

"With faultless playability, flawless build quality, that stunning 57/08 'bucker, and serious good looks, this is one cherry that's ripe for the picking."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS SE Chris Robertson

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Guild S-200 T-Bird

Guild S-200 T-Bird

MusicRadar's verdict

"To quote Dan Auerbach's back catalogue, the S-200 T-Bird might be all you ever wanted."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild S-200 T-Bird

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
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

Read more
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score hundreds off PRS, Bose, and Moog - and grab a new guitar pedal for less than £10!
 
 
Stranberg x Jam Stik MIDI
Electric Guitars “Sounds you'll never have heard from a guitar before”: Strandberg x Jamstik Chameleon review
 
 
Close up of LR Baggs acoustic guitar pickup
Guitar Pickups Best acoustic guitar pickups 2025: electrify your acoustic for stage, studio and sound fx – our top picks for all budgets
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found $200 off a stylish Gibson SG, $100 off an affordable Martin acoustic, hearty discounts on studio headphones and much more
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found $200 off one of the best microphones around, $100 off a stunning Guild offset and a slew of discounted guitar pedals
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi perform as Earth, just before the band was renamed Black Sabbath
Artists How Tony Iommi found the secret to his Black Sabbath tone (and how he lost it)
 
 
Stranberg x Jam Stik MIDI
Electric Guitars “Sounds you'll never have heard from a guitar before”: Strandberg x Jamstik Chameleon review
 
 
Ed Sheeran has launched a new grassroots music campaign and a signature line of busking-friendly acoustic amps.
Artists “Playing music should always be fun”: Ed Sheeran and Orange launch the “ultimate busking amp”
 
 
Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee of Rush rock double-necks during a 2026 reunion show in LA.
Artists Rush’s Geddy Lee, Paul Gilbert and John Petrucci on the guitar genius of Alex Lifeson
 
 
Jaco Pastorius
Artists "When he died, I cried and I actually jumped into the ocean": Carlos Santana and more on bass legend Jaco Pastorius
 
 
Charvel's Neo-Classic Series offers the San Dimas Style 1 with and without a Floyd Rose, with finishes including Robin's Egg Blue, Ivory Blitz, Gloss Black, Velvet Midnight and Racing Red
Guitars Dweezil Zappa shredding in a skate park? That must be Charvel’s all-new American Neo-Classic Series
 
 
Latest in News
Johnny Marr
Guitarists “This is the record that’s been the most cathartic”: A new Johnny Marr album is on the way
 
 
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 05: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Keith Urban performs onstage at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest 2026 day two on June 05, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Artists "That's when all the cool stuff starts happening”: Keith Urban on the lost art of the song fade-out
 
 
Amanda Seyfried
Singers & Songwriters Amanda Seyfried reflects on her viral Joni Mitchell moment – and the Joni biopic that never was
 
 
Brian Jones and Mick Jagger in 1966
Artists “What a weird song”: Mick Jagger on The Rolling Stones’ deathless classic
 
 
Boy George render
Singles And Albums “You should release your humanly-written unreleased stuff instead”: Boy George has recorded AI version of Karma Chameleon
 
 
studio
Music Theory And Songwriting How to beat writer's block: 11 tips to help you finish that track today
 
 

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

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • 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...