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
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
Custom Line King-12 CE NT
Acoustic Guitars "For a guitar that comes in at this price, the overall build is impressive, with a level of attention to detail that’s more than respectable": Harley Benton Custom Line King-12 CE NT review
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist Series in cutaway and non-cutaway versions, and in Rosewood Burst or Antique Natural finishes.
Guitars A future player favourite? Gibson unveils the Songwriter Recording Artist acoustics
A pair of Boss Waza-Air guitar amp headphones
Guitar Pedals As a pro guitarist, I think Boss makes the most reliable pedals around, so with 26% off everything from the DD-8 to the Waza Metal Zone in Amazon's Spring Deal Days sale, it's time to stock up
Mark Morton with his signature Les Paul Modern
Artists How Mark Morton and Gibson reinvented the Les Paul for modern metal – and why passive beats active humbuckers hands down
Fender 30th Anniversary Hot Rod Deluxe: the special edition tube combo comes finished with a commemorative "Western" vinyl covering, with gold and brown grille cloth.
Guitars Fender celebrates three decades of the Hot Rod Deluxe with a stunning anniversary edition
Blackstar Artist FR Standard
Guitar Amps "This might be the most amp-like option out there, and it's certainly convinced me of the benefits of the humble FRFR speaker": Blackstar Artist FR Standard review
JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage: this computer-gray stompbox is a preamp-cum-distortion that emulates the analogue mojo of the Tascam Portastudio
Guitar Pedals “There’s plenty of output to use the pedal as a conventional boost with tonal options. And there’s a whole area of dirt to be explored”: JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage review
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Acoustics 2026: the new all-solid core range takes its design cues from classic high-end Gibson USA builds.
Guitars Epiphone raises the bar for its acoustic guitar range with all-solid builds, rosewood fingerboards and affordable takes on Gibson classics
A pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors on top of a carry case
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2026: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
Mark Tremonti throws the horns and points to something during a live performance with Creed. His signature PRS singlecut is strapped on his shoulder.
Artists “I had no idea that he was that good”: Mark Tremonti on Alter Bridge’s “secret weapon” and his soloing strategies
The Victory MKX rehouses a high-end classic from the British amp brand in a more compact lunchbox format.
Guitar Amps “Undoubtedly the most versatile lunchbox amp Victory has ever made”: Victory MKX review
Headphones next to electric guitar
Headphones Best guitar amp headphones 2026: My top picks for practicing your guitar quietly
Gretsch Synchromatic Flacon close up of pickguard
Electric Guitars Best Gretsch guitars 2026: Nail that Gretsch sound at any price point
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $200 off a whacky Gibson guitar, $150 off UAD plugins, and $200 off a must-have Moog synth
More
  • Sly and Survivor
  • In My Life
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • One chord Diamond
  1. Guitars

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

News
By Total Guitar, Guitarist ( Guitarist, Total Guitar ) 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

The magazine for serious players image
The magazine for serious players
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
Guitars The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
 
 
MusicRadar author Matt McCracken plays a Manson 007 electric guitar at The Guitar Show in Birmingham, UK
Guitars Here's 7 of the hottest guitar gear releases I tried at The Guitar Show this weekend that are available to buy right now
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Save a colossal $500 off one of my favourite Sterling by Music Man guitars, grab $200 off a super cool D'Angelico, plus all the week's biggest sales on music gear
 
 
Harley Benton NAMM 2026 releases include left-handed options on its V-style electric and offset bass guitars, fresh finish options for the SC single-cuts, and new colours for its HSS S-style
Guitars Harley Benton’s 2026 mega-drop: Metallica makeovers, fresh colours and a baritone SC Custom III, all-solid acoustics for under $250 and more
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $200 off a whacky Gibson guitar, $150 off UAD plugins, and $200 off a must-have Moog synth
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $390 off a divisive Fender Stratocaster, $180 off a stunning Gretsch and hundreds off PA and live gear
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Melissa Auf der Maur and Courtney Love in 1998
Bass Guitars “It took me one second to understand that she's a survivor”: Melissa Auf der Maur on why she’s “proud” of Courtney Love
 
 
AUSTIN, TX - DECEMBER 09:  Displayed in public for the first time is John Lennon's piano, used to write numerous Beatles songs and part of Indianapolis Colts CEO and Owner Jim Irsay's "Jim Irsay Collection" during a reception at the Four Seasons Hotel on December 9, 2021 in Austin, Texas.  (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)
Keyboards & Pianos "Lot after lot, we felt like we were making history”: John Lennon’s Broadway piano goes for £2.5 million
 
 
JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage: this computer-gray stompbox is a preamp-cum-distortion that emulates the analogue mojo of the Tascam Portastudio
Guitar Pedals “There’s plenty of output to use the pedal as a conventional boost with tonal options. And there’s a whole area of dirt to be explored”: JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage review
 
 
The Harley Benton SpaceShip 40 is a pedalboard with an integrated power supply, and battery power.
Pedalboards “Would I take this to gigs and use it with confidence, knowing that my pedals are being powered sufficiently and safely? Absolutely”: Harley Benton Spaceship Power 40-B review
 
 
A press shot of Paul Gilbert [left] wearing a tricorn hat and playing a pink Ibanez; Todd Rundgren wears dark shades and performs live in 2021.
Artists “To me, it was like being asked to tour with the Beatles”: Paul Gilbert on why he turned down the gig of a lifetime
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $200 off a whacky Gibson guitar, $150 off UAD plugins, and $200 off a must-have Moog synth
 
 
Latest in News
(L-R) Kerry Katona, Natasha Hamilton and Liz McClarnon of English girl group Atomic Kitten, 2000. (Photo by Roberta Parkin/Redferns/Getty Images)
Artists OMD’s Andy McCluskey says it was a Kraftwerk legend who advised him to form girlband Atomic Kitten
 
 
Melissa Auf der Maur and Courtney Love in 1998
Bass Guitars “It took me one second to understand that she's a survivor”: Melissa Auf der Maur on why she’s “proud” of Courtney Love
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Bruno Mars performs onstage during the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Artists Why Bruno Mars' new single Risk It All could have ended up sounding very different
 
 
James Blake performs during the inaugural 2024 Gazebo Festival at Waterfront Park on May 25, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Producers & Engineers "I’d say 95 percent of the work I’ve done was unpaid”: James Blake on the hit and miss nature of production work
 
 
Diane Warren and KPop Demon Hunters
Artists Songwriter Diane Warren’s Oscars losing streak goes on as KPop Demon Hunters’ Golden wins
 
 
AUSTIN, TX - DECEMBER 09:  Displayed in public for the first time is John Lennon's piano, used to write numerous Beatles songs and part of Indianapolis Colts CEO and Owner Jim Irsay's "Jim Irsay Collection" during a reception at the Four Seasons Hotel on December 9, 2021 in Austin, Texas.  (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)
Keyboards & Pianos "Lot after lot, we felt like we were making history”: John Lennon’s Broadway piano goes for £2.5 million
 
 

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...